For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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I'll have to ask, not sure.0 -
The day finally arrived yesterday: my MO wrote the script for Femara. She discouraged me from reading any information about the drug, but I have been visiting several websites to learn about it.
Has anyone here had experience with this particular drug? I would love to hear from you. Also, what is the percentage of non-recurrence when using this drug as opposed to taking nothing?
The side effects are disturbing, to say the least. Does it age the skin more rapidly? Are you still able to have sex? Will calcium really preserve the bones?
My MO has to keep such a heavy schedule that she has little time to talk about any concerns.0 -
Honey, I started on Femara and took it for 18 months. I changed as some pain I was having in my legs, I thought was related to the femara.. Later I figured out it as really reaction to a dif statin I started on at the same time. When I changed up the statin....no problem and am now finishing up my 5 years with 18 mo on Femara and 3 1/2 on aromasin. No side effects but I do a lot of gym workout of stretching and cardio
don't be afraid of it, it is an important part of treatment. luck to you0 -
I took Femara for a couple of months. I had been on Anastrazole for awhile and couldn't tolerate the side effects. Stiffness, pain, etc.
I went off of the Femara as the side effects were the same and went on to Aromasin. Same thing. I guess eliminating estrogen is the issue and they all do that, although I have heard that some can tolerate one and not the other, My U of Chicago dr told me that Aromasin may be slightly less effective but when I told my Sloan dr that she adamantly objected, saying "They are all equally effective".0 -
Don't over-read about possible SEs. Every drug, including aspirin, has a long list. Start out assuming that you will do fine & then deal with SEs if they occur.
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Thanks, ladies, for all your replies.. I know we all react in a different manner to whatever drugs we take. Lots of good exercise may be a key to having minimal pain as well.0 -
Honeybair - I'd been on BCO for several months when my MO prescribed Arimidex. I was TERRIFIED, and refused, based on all the horror stories I'd read here.
But eventually, I relented. I took Arimidex (Anastrozole) for a year before the SEs got too disabling. I also want to make it clear that I was not exercising in any way those last few months, so I'm sure the pain was magnified.
I got a two month drug holiday, then started Femara a month ago. So far, so good. Had a few temporary gastric SEs the first 2 weeks, now they're gone.
The Pharmacist at Kaiser gave me some literature comparing Anastrozole and Letrozole (Femara). Apparently, Femara is somewhat stronger than Arimidex, yet the SE information is only one page long, whereas the SE information for Arimidex is two full pages long.
I think the worst thing we can do is set ourselves up for failure just by reading other peoples' experiences here. The women who have no SEs simply aren't posting. They're out enjoying life.
Wishing you the best!0 -
Blessings, my MO said that Femara is easier on the body than Arimidex. You are right in that women having no side effects are out enjoying life and not posting. It is just that I still have pain from my August surgery and now from my radiation and piling on more to what I already have is not something I want to endure. My sleep is not what it needs to be. I just cannot stay comfortable in bed and awaken frequently and get up each night andffinish my sleeping in a recliner. I pray this will pass.
My 84 year old MIL takes Aromasin and tolerates it just fine.0 -
honeybair - you have my sympathy!!!
When my MO prescribed the Arimidex, she pointed out that estrogen is produced in body fat. At that time, I was quite overweight, and was also in the process of reconstruction.
I took her advice and went on a medically-supervised weight loss program (liquid fast). Because the diet itself could cause major health issues, the MO said I could wait until I was finished before I started the Arimidex. I had my BMX in December 2011, started the diet in March 2012, had my Exchange surgery in August 2012, and started the drug in September 2012.
I am so glad I got to get through all the healing from the surgery before I started in on the SEs from the drug. Sometimes I forget I was allowed to take that big break before starting.
Praying that you heal quickly and completely, and start getting the sleep you need! (And your MIL rocks!)
p.s. I'm hoping your MO is right about the Femara!!!0 -
BTW I too have heard that Anastrozole has more SE than some of the other AIs. Granted that still doesn't mean you won't have SE but at least their is a chance. Also note that my SE in terms of the way I feel are not a problem. Just a little stiff for a few minutes when I wake up… it's the onset of osteoporosis I'm not happy about. But in my case I would have eventually gotten it. I'm the poster gal for osteo it's just I'm way to young IMO at age 52 and all the preventative I'm doing.0 -
To continue on the theme of drs and their deficiencies, I just got back from my U of chicago gyne. I mentioned, in passing, that Anastrazole increases uti's so maybe that's why I've been getting them.. I thought I was stating the obvious. She said "It does? Why?" For a second I wondered if she was joking. But I don't think she was. I explained that just as menopause decreases estrogen and that increases the chance for a uti, anastrazole increases the chance as it eliminates even more estrogen. Maybe I missed something? How could she not know this? And if she did, why was she acting as though she didn't. I thought everyone knew that about Anastrazole. Maybe she was saying it wasn't true?
I was in and out so quickly my head was spinning and I had no chance to ask questions. She didn't even examine my breast, saying I'd probably been examined recently.
I don't it's worth the trip down there anymore!0 -
Wow, I can't believe she actually said she didn't do the exam because it had PROBABLY been examined recently??? WTH Doesn't matter, we just went through breast cancer and maybe someone will find something that someone else didn't. WOW I am seriously in shock here.0 -
thanks Theresa. Sometimes I wonder if it's just me. Seemed to me that a dr who really cared would take advantage of the fact that I was sitting there naked! lol But no, she just does uterus stuff I don't think I'm going back but, you know, where will I go? I'll probably wind up with a fellow or a nurse practitioner examining me.
I really think that the whole field of medicine has declined something terrible. Used to be that men made it their life's calling.
Now women have made it a part time job while raising children. I know that's not politically correct but I think it's true. My dil is a dr.0 -
timbuktu....that is some careless doctor you have there. Besides, can't believe her ignorance pertaining to AI's, Surely she has had patients who have been treated with these drugs. One thing I can say for my RO and my MO, those young women keep up with what is happening in their fields and are so on top of things.0 -
I just came from a checkup with my cardio, mentioned that I am close to ending the AL and hoped my cholesterol and BP might improve on ending......he really had no clue and no comment0 -
Timbuktu sounds a little like the gyno I fired (the one that had her tech leave a message on my voicemail "you need a biopsy" then never heard from the again till I called to fire them after I had my biopsy. She would spend hardly any time and never remember who I was until she saw my purse (very unique) then she remembered.
Anyway I have a fantastic gyno now. He sees me a month after my onc yet still does a breast exam. He spends as much time as I need. I finally decided to look for a good gyno and not be as concerned with them being female. He's at Rush. Let me know if you want the contact info. Another gal on here on bc.org has him for a gyno and loves him as well.0 -
lago i would very much appreciate the name. It's funny, I've had horrible experiences with U of C, Northwestern, Rush North Shore and Evanston. My parents were sick for years and we kept trying to find a "good" place. So as I was sitting in the waiting room today, trying not to remember, I was thinking of another place. Loyola? Rush downtown? Someplace I have never been before ie have had no horrible experiences with.
Are you talking about Rush downtown? I'd be happy to try it just to get away from all of the bad memories...
BTW, I have a friend who is an ICU nurse at U of C. She just took a nursing test and passed with flying colors. She was the only one of her team who passed!!!!
Great to have you and the other girls to turn to at such times. One could feel very alone!0 -
Timbuktu there are issues every where. My biggest complaint with Rush would be the support staff (not the Doctors or nurses). I just double check everything. But of course I just had the same issue with Northwestern. Granted I haven't had any issues at this office and love my gyno. I'll PM you. It's Rush west loop/main center.0 -
Well, that is just scary, Timbutu. Not only should you change doctors, but you should tell her supervisors WHY you are doing so! My GP is retiring at the end of the year, and I am just sick about it because he knew and cared about me as a WHOLE person & was willing to make calls & do research if there was something he didn't know. I'm afraid I will never find another doctor like him. (crying face)
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Funny, I was just writing to a friend about the support staff at U of C. OMG!0 -
You were lucky to find someone like that.
This gyne, when I had my mastectomy, told me that the seroma on my side was just normal healing. When I told this to the surgeon, who is the head of the breast clinic, she was shocked. She was really torn about addressing this with her. She expected her to know better.
I should have known then...0 -
Over the past two years, I developed a new saying: "Oncology trumps Primary Care."
What that means is that I don't have the time or inclination to fully educate my PCP or any other specialist I see that either doesn't understand, or wants to argue with something my CANCER doctor has instructed me to do.
That's why I fired my last PCP, and why I love the new one. I also found a new OB/GYN, who is awesome. At this point in our lives, we need our medical professionals to work cooperatively as a team on our behalf.0 -
If only! My internist told me to see a gyne and I was due for a check up. Then she tells me that I need a uri-gyne. Had no idea such a thing exists! Every single part of the body seems to have it's own specialist. I suppose there's just too much for one dr to know and in a way, i like the idea of going to someone who specializes, but the hipbone is connected to the leg bone and the leg bone is connected to the ankle bone, etc
It's getting kind of crazy!0 -
Tim, I had gone to a urogyno a while back for OAB issues, he only wanted to do surgery and I had just had my BC diagnosis so,,.,,
after I finished up with my rads, I found a lovely urologist who specialized in woman issues including pelvic floor crud, and when we met she gave me all my options...including doing PT to learn how to do kegels correctly
OMG but it is better now, still take a med but no more wet pants from accidents
if it got worse again, surgery would still be an option but....
so you may considering a reg urologist, bet of luck0 -
I never knew for certain if I would get the bone pain associated with arimidex as I started taking Loratidine (generic Claritin) at the same time I started arimidex. Well last weekend when I went to the store I forgot to pick up Loratidine. I ran out on Saturday. DH has been driving my van this week as his truck wasn't heating. He works really long hours, so I never got back to the store.
So, I've been dealing with trigger finger, sore, stiff back, achy arms, and knees. I won't let myself run out of Loratidine again!
Paula0 -
Wishing all my BC sisters a very happy, healthy, peaceful and fulfilling Thanksgiving - EAT ALL YOU WANT!!!!!
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Hi ladies....today my MO prescribed Arimidex........just finished radiation, main chemo (still have Herceptin until May 2014)....thanks for all the good info on this thread!
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Happy Thanksunickah! Once in 500 year do both holidays land on the same day!0 -
Have a great one!!0 -
I know this is a long shot but has anyone ever had any vaginal or urine bleeding from Anastrazole? I just looked up side effects and vaginal bleeding was one of them, a new one I'd never heard of before.. I have to insist on quicker care, this waiting is wearing me out and with the holiday coming... who knows when I'll be tested!0
