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For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing

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Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942


    Tim~~a few years ago my then 20 year old son was hospitalized for a kidney biopsy. He's been a Type I diabetic since age 6. Because of the kidney problems his BP was through the roof and he had gained 25 lbs from swelling (edema). They tried several different BP meds on him. One was Minoxidil. It was originally a BP med, but they found that it caused hair growth in men with male pattern baldness. So now it's used more for hair growth than for hypertension. It couldn't take it for BP because it gave him migraines,.


    It sounds like maybe your BP med causes hair growth too.. Interesting. Huh?


    Paula

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653


    hrf I know several women who have had this problem. My neighbor used: DS Laboratories. Shampoo, conditioner and the spectral. It really worked for her but she said it was a process.


    ruthbru I hope your right although I was told if my nueropathy didn't go away in 2 years I was stuck with it. But maybe if my nails could still improve… ah wishful thinking. This Jan.18th will be 3 years since final treatment.

  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,423


    That is interesting, that there is a connection between hair growth and blood pressure. How is your son?


    When my father first developed his high blood pressure, about 40 years ago, we were living in Brooklyn, New York.

    My father was bald and the drs at the hospital asked if he wanted to participate in an experiment they were doing on a new


    bp medicine that also grew hair! He didn't want to be a guinea pig so refused. But now I think it's Rogaine and available over the counter.


    I wonder what the mechanism is? I wonder if there are more bald people with high bp?


    I hope your son is ok now. That sounds like a really scary time you went through.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942


    Tim ~~ It was a horribly scary time. It turned out that the kidney problems weren't diabetic related. It was worse. He tested positive for HIV. That was early 2009. He's been undetectable for over over 4 years now. The medicines for the virus are incredible, but they cause a lot of nausea.


    Paula

  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,423


    So sorry Soteria. It just shows we must never give up hope, Fight like a warrior is right!


    I hurt for you...for all of us.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653


    Soteria That stinks. These days so many people with HIV actually live almost their full life expectancy if caught early. Early has something do do with certain levels.

  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 783
    How long can arimidex be continued? is it beneficial to continue life long?
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653


    rajkumari I don't know the answer but I do know that this drug as SE that might make not a good idea to continue. Estrogen is good for your bones, heart etc. For instance in my case, although only 52 (and I exercise, take calcium, Vitamin D) I know have osteoporosis. I know getting it this early is from the Anasterozole. There are other issues too.


    So this is really a discussion you need to have with your oncologists. The pros and the cons.

  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,423


    My onco says only 5 years. But it seems to me, considering how long it took them to figure out that Tamoxifin should be taken for 10 years, that it's too soon for them to know. How long has this drug even been around? I don't think 10 years!

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 706


    lago, thanks for the suggestion. Can I buy this product in any drug store?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653


    I have no idea. I just asked her for another friend on this forum several months ago. There seems to be a lot of places online though including drugstore.com

  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 783

    Lago you are right...I have discontinued arimidex in 2012 after 5 yrs. and I am having problem with ostheoporosis which need to take calcium and glucosamin . Recently I broke my wrist ..had to remain with plaster after emergency operation. now I am able to recuperate but not like earlier. This may perhaps be  part of Arimidex SE if I am not wrong...

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 706


    Thanks, lago. I will look in the stores. There is so much fake stuff on line that I would worry about purchasing it that way.

  • iamnancy
    iamnancy Member Posts: 641

    I really shouldn't complain as some people have things much worse but I am upset - the last few days my hair has started thinning... it was growing in so thick and nice, I was really happy .. but in the last 5 days it has gotten thin and I can see my scalp.. why? is it this medication?? How can this happen so quickly?

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 47,701

    I would get it checked out. It seems odd that you would lose so much, so fast this far in. Could you have a vitamin deficiency?

  • Pawprint
    Pawprint Member Posts: 354


    IamNancy


    Arimidex does cause this side effect, but this seems unusually fast. Our hair thins out as we age, as we go through stress, diet and medication side effects. There are other medications to try, and also products to use on your scalp. please call your doc and let them know all side effects. I wish you the best.

  • ChickaD
    ChickaD Member Posts: 971

    Anyone know which AI is "easier" on hair?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653


    IamNancy hair loss can also be due to surgery stress (if you've had any recently), thyroid issues etc.

  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 1,801


    IamNancy - Hair loss was actually my first SE of Arimidex. I shed horribly the first few weeks, but never enough to show my scalp.


    The MO said it was normal, and would probably come in cycles. I started taking 1,000 mcg of Biotin daily, and it went away.

  • iamnancy
    iamnancy Member Posts: 641

    Thanks ladies - maybe it is due to lowering estrogen levels... but recently I had blood tests with excellent results EXCEPT thyroid was a little on the low side -hmmm? could that be it? my PCP didn't feel it was low enough to start on meds.. I do take biotin, calcium, vit D and a multi vitamin.. I have an appointment with my MO in 2 weeks... i'll ask him about it.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653


    Yup contacting your doctor is an excellent idea. Hair loss is a definite SE of thyroid issues… and since it was a little low I think you need to let him/her know about it.

  • Martessa2553
    Martessa2553 Member Posts: 12


    I just started on Anastrozole, been on the pill for about 4 days. This morning woke up feeling wonderful but around 9 a.m. a horrible pain started on my right-side below were my right breast used to be. Could this be one of the so many side effects. I am continuing to burp since 9 a.m. and the pain is still there but not as strong...at least I can breath.

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 47,701

    I don't think so. It my be your nerves starting to grow back, or I am not sure what else. If it doesn't ease up, check with the doc.

  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,669

    Right side below the breast......gallbladder??

  • Jo6202
    Jo6202 Member Posts: 165


    I was just thinking the same about the right sided pain...could be gallbladder. I have been having a vomiting issue and RO said it would not be from radiation of the breast. An ultrasound showed a distended gallbladder.....always something!

  • Martessa2553
    Martessa2553 Member Posts: 12


    Thank you ladies. I still have the pain but not as strong. Don't have my gallbladder it was taken out about years ago. I will go see my doctor tomorrow.

  • LizzyinMI
    LizzyinMI Member Posts: 34


    I am starting Anastrozole in a couple weeks. Any suggestions on the best time of day to take it?

  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,669


    LizzyinMI - another Michigander joins the sisterhood - welcome! I'm sorry you have to be here but you've come to the right place.


    I've been taking my Anastrozole first thing in the morning for almost a year. Recently I switched to taking it before bed to see if it would cause less fatigue and mental fuzziness, and I do think it's working the way I hoped. I can still nod off VERY easily if I sit down to watch TV in the evening but don't feel so exhausted all the time and concentration/focus seem to be better. I'm really happy about that because I'm studying for a professional certification right now and my exam is at the end of December.

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 47,701

    Yes, just play with it and see what works best for you.

  • ndgirl
    ndgirl Member Posts: 950


    Hi ladies, I got a cortisone shot in my trigger finger yesterday and it seems like it is some better already, still a little stiff but not as painful or stiff, hope that tomorrow it is even better. the dr. said he did not think it was from arimidex, but not sure how he knows, he said it is very unusual to have the index finger be the trigger finger, usually the ring and middle. I did have on over 7 years ago so I may not know, but I still kinda think it may have triggered it.


    Lizzy, I take mine at night now too, I started in the mornings and I just couldnt get off the couch! I have trouble sleeping anyway so hoping it helps me sleep. Other than this finger and a few minor aches I do pretty well on it. Only 41/2 years leftSad! But if it helps keep hormonal cancer at bay I will stick with it. Good luck!

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