For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Timbuck Don't have an answer to your question but one thing - Make sure your taking the brand name ARIMIDEX less side effects....\
ChickaD that goes for you too...
but girls, make sure it's covered by your insurance because it's very expensive....I think script must say do not substitute
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Hi, all of you from the Chicago area. Just my two cents worth....I wouldn't go to U of C if it was the last hospital in the USA. When a hospital is so dirty that you are afraid to rest your head on a chair for fear of getting dust mites in your hair should have been our first clue. Nurses who wouldn't help move a patient to a more comfortable position without a work order....I could go on and on but don't want to relive those months of total incompentance. Please run, run, run away from that place!0 -
Just read this article in the Penn newsletter. A recent study showed that acupuncture could help elevate the joint pain associated with AIs. I'm going to ask my MO about it next time I see her.
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Janetanned - there is an open clinical trial that deals with accupuncture and AI pain. I am in the control group, but still get 10 free accupuncture sessions at the end. There is a thread here on BCO somewhere that the mods posted that gives the info. You might want to see if there is a location for the trial in your area.0 -
My insurance SAYS it's covered. They SAID they mailed it out Oct 4. Still hasn't come. I have to call them. UGH! The Dr's nurse was holding for a solid hour before she got them, They are very very tricky. they say you can get the benefit and then they play games so you don't.
One more thing to do, go after them .0 -
U of C used to be ( I hear) a great hospital but you are so right! But where is there a good hospital? I've been through the mill with all of them. Still you are so right, I'm done with U of C.0 -
BTW, one example. First go round with Anastrazole I couldn't stop crying. Breast surgeon at U of C said it's the pill (I'm not a crier). So they sent me to an Onco-psychologist. Not even a psychiatrist. She FELL ASLEEP during the session. The charge was $500 for the 50 minute hour! Her advice was terrible too.0 -
Timbuktu the vaginal bleeding could be a SE from vaginal atrophy, urinary infection, etc all SE from this ESD. You do need to get it checked out. It needs to be treated and of course be sure that's all it is.
U of C is rated as one of the top hospitals (#31) to treat cancer in the US. But the bottom line is the MD that is caring for you. All places have good doctors and not so got as well as some that aren't a good match for you. I have also learned that you know your body better than any doctor. My NP sent me to a rhuematologist because of my osteoporosis. Even though she is in the osteoporosis center I still felt I should see an Endocrinologist… and my PCP agreed. So I found one at another treatment center that deals with bone issues. Take charge gals.
✡ ✡ ✡ HAPPY THANKSGIVUKKAH ✡ ✡ ✡0 -
I think you are so right Lago. It's up to the dr, even more than the hospital. A good dr will kick butt to make sure his patients are cared for.
Happy Thanksgivukkah to you and everyone!0 -
Happy Thanksgiving0 -
Ditto, have a great day: spend time with people you care about, eat lots of turkey and all the trimmings....enjoy!
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Hi ladies- I have been off this thread the past month while on my "anastazole vacation," as my MO thought I should stop it to see if it helped with my very sore feet, as well as the increasing joint soreness (went from stiff to really sore in 6 months). Things are better here into week 4, although my feet are still a bit of a problem in general, but not as bad as they were.
I am going back on again on the med this Sunday (12/1), and hope the SEs will be less this second go around. Many of you have said that was the case after taking a break and then resuming, and my MO he has seen the same with other patients. I will go see him end of December again, and if the foot pain gets worse again and/or anything else runs amok, we are moving to Aromosin to see if that is the better option for me.
Wishing you all a lovely holiday this weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!0 -
Thanks for checking in Jazzygirl. I really hope this works for you. And thanks for letting us know about the feet. So many of us have that issue just not as bad as you. When I am on my feet or walk for long periods of time my feet get so sore. I thought it might be neuropathy from chemo but now I know it isn't (granted the numb heel is from nueropathy). We are not crazy!0 -
My feet are great when I'm up and around, even if I'm on them for a long time. Where I have trouble is after I've been sedentary for a while. I'm sure I look quite comical working the kinks out that first 10-20 feet of walking!
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Sweet&special I have that too but not too bad and mostly when I first get up in the morning. The first year on the drug though it was pretty bad. Every time I sat for at least an hour I did the duck walk for about 30 seconds to work the kinks out. Not fun when you really need to get to the bathroom
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so when we end the med at 5 years.....do the tootsies stop hurting? I sure hope so as that is really my primary complaint0 -
I bet they will0 -
will report back on pain in Jan!0 -
I started with PN from diabetes. Then a severe allergic reaction to Taxotere did more damage. I live in Birkenstocks all the time. Except this morning. Like the dummy I can be, I was doing thanksgiving things in my slippers. No support, but warm.My feet were killing me when I went for a nap! The Birks have good arches and support, I usually don't hurt like that while wearing them. They are pricey, but worth it to me.0 -
The aches do subside when you are done; but gradually, not overnight.
My PA friend says if you have foot problems, you should always be wearing your good, supportive shoes, even in the house.
Just a note for anyone who has done chemo; the SEs from it can take YEARS to resolve, so some of the problems one might think are being caused by anti-hormonals, could still be chemo after-effects (or a combination of the two). My white blood and platelet counts are finally back into the normal range 6 1/2 years after my last chemo!
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My one foot hurts - I really thought it was neuropathy as it started during chemo but has continued til now.. sorta tingly numb toes and pain on the ball of my foot ..anyway, last week I went to the foot doctor and he said its not neuropathy from chemo but pain caused from my bunion (bunion doesn't hurt at all) .. he recommended running shoes (really? I work in an office) and padded inserts IF I don't wanna get surgery.. I said, I'll just keep taking naproxen for the pain...I felt aggravated by the whole visit as I really didn't think he did anything... and why would I consider bunion surgery at this time in my life?? Oh maybe its just me..
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Thanks for replying. I am going to try it and if I have issues I will quit. MY QOL right now is low and I am worried about further depression, and continued loss of QOL. Before bc I was strong, the one everyone depended on, the problem solver, the go to person at work. Now I have lost 70 #, lost my job, brain foggy, relationship changes. I am very depressed. BC is sucking my life away.
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Nancy, go to Walmart & stand on that Dr Scholl's insert machine & buy the level of inserts it recommends and wear them in your shoes. Try the running shoes (with inserts) to work (even though it will look dorky, if it works, who cares?).
13K, go out and do some fun things; don't let it be the only thing in your life!
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Here is the link to the acupuncture study mentioned on the last page. The original discussion was on another thread about Arimidex.
http://www.armyofwomen.org/current/view?grant_id=717
BayouBabe - this the study you're in, right?
WHERE?
The study is being conducted at multiple sites throughout the United States. Participating clinics are located in the following cities:
• Columbia University, New York, NY
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
• Grand Rapids Community Cancer Program, Grand Rapids, MI
• Greenville Community Cancer Program, Greenville, SC
• Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
• Kaiser Permanente, Vallejo, Walnut Creek, and San Francisco, CA
• Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, MA
• Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR
• St. Luke’s Mountain States, Boise, ID0 -
ruthbru - good idea about Walmart..
13K - talk to your doctor about depression.. you might need something to take the edge off... something to keep you from letting bc get the better of you.. you are still strong but your focus has changed and rightly so.. you can't be the problem solver at work right now- you need your strength for you.
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Yes, this is the study I am in. I am participating in GR, Michigan. Easy study to participate in, with great rewards, regardless of which branch of the study you end up in. Definitely recommend checking into it if there is a location near you!0 -
BayouBabe - if you're near Grand Rapids I'm only about an hour away from you.....small world! Did you get much snow yesterday (Thanksgiving)? It snowed all day here.
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All day here too! About 5 inches total, but melting fast already!0 -
I haven't been on this thread for a while so I have missed many, many pages of discussion. I've been on Anastrozole now for over 4 years. After I started it, I noticed that my hair was thinning to a point that I have to wear a hairpiece. A few months ago I switched from Arimidex to a generic (manufactured in Germany - I checked with the pharmacy). I have now lost even more hair and and it doesn't seem to be stopping. I have seen doctors and tried everything possible. Has anyone else has this problem to such a severe degree? Any suggestions?0 -
I have high blood pressure and was prescribed spiranolactone to treat it. My hair has thickened noticeably! I have a friend who takes it just for this purpose but I would never do that, I hate taking pills at all. but it does seem to grow hair!0
