For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Anastrazole is the generic form of Arrimidex. They are supposed to be exactly alike but I've been told that the fillers can be different and cause side effects.
Lago, the insurance OK'd the Arrimidex. No problem according to the person I spoke to. They even claimed to have sent out the Arrimidex on Oct 4. I just never received it. Since then I've been trying to get through but have not reached an actual person. I am covered, they say they sent it, but it's not here and so far I have not been able to reach anyone. I will continue to try but I do think that insurance companies act this way, hoping that you'll eventually give up trying. I went through a lot of this with my parents. One insurance guy actually told me that if it's under $100 just pay it, it's not worth trying to get it. My parents insurance was through the state of New York so every call was long distance!
Tamoxifin increases the chance of uterine cancer...after 5 years. It also encourages blood clots. I'm having a hard time tolerating the ai's so my Sloan dr suggested Tamoxifin. She said that the clots usually happen with people who are totally inactive. But I have strokes in my family and I'm afraid. In discussing my se's with my local onco he said "Ordinarily I'd suggests Tamoxifin but NOT FOR YOU." I knew exactly what he meant. Being overweight and having high blood pressure increases my risks for both endometrial cancer and stroke. AI's work better anyway.
My mother was on Tamoxifin (there were no Ais then) when they discovered tumors in her lungs. They did shrink and she died of something else.
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DebDylan - I am also on the generic for Arimidex called Anastrozole. I get a 90 day supply for $25 through ExpressScripts. They talk to your doctor's office to get the prescription set up, then they automatically send me 90 days worth every 90 days and my bill is in the package with the pills. $200 a month seems pretty extreme to me.......
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i see my onc this week, I'll have to look in to that0 -
I didn't hear about ExpressScripts through my MO, though he may be aware of them, I don't know....I think they contacted me by email (probably got my info from my insurance company prescription plan).
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a pal of mine was getting her aromasin direct from drug company as she had such a low income, it came free.....you may want to look into that. Actually, when she ended her 5 years, she had about 40 pills left which she passed on to me. I am on aromasin but it is generic and I thought all three of the ALs were now generic
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DebDylan - I am on Anastrozole (the generic for Arimidex) and I get it at Target - it costs me like $8 a month for it...If you don't have confidence in your MO, find a new one - its going to be a long relationship...
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thank- you all who are posting here. I just finished chemo, start rads at the end the year. My oncologist will prescribe Arimidex after rads...I hate all the waiting, I do realize there are reasons to let your body rest, heal, but I am always more nervous when I'm not getting treatment..0 -
Holeinone - I know how you feel about being nervous when not being treated. I had many thoughts between diagnosis and BMX visualizing cancer cells like the old pac man game just chomping around in there. You'll do fine, the chemo is still coursing through your body doing its job for a while yet.
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If your insurance will not pay for the brand name you can try here. I got mine for $40/month.0 -
Hey Ladies,
Been trolling for awhile, reading, catching up. Couple of comments....
First, my hair has never been the same since pre-chemo. Don't know for sure if Anastrozole is cause of not. But my hair grew back very slow, very very thin, can see my scalp. I take 5000 mcg of Biotin daily, use nixion shampoo and minoxidal (sorry about spelling). Have worn a wig since last June and just recently purchased a wiglet to cover just the top scalp area. Haven't yet been to stylist to get it styled and fitted to my head. This is my reality.
Second, have been in pain since mid-August. Low back pain with sciatic pain down left leg. Had PET scan and MRI's which ruled out bone mets and seems I have two herniated discs in lumbar spine. Caused by Al's? Who knows? Am scheduled to see surgeon on 12/26 and will most probably have operation in January to hopefully fix the problem and relieve the pain. Oh Boy, another surgery, can't wait! LOL But if it relieves the pain and provides some normalcy to day-to-day life, can't wait for it to be over. In the interim been living on hydrocodone. Hate to take it, but sometimes it is the only way I can get up and get to work.
I've been on Anastrozole since 10/1/12, just over a year now. My insurance, Regence, covers the cost 100% as they see it as a continuation of chemo treatment. For that I am grateful. Overall my SE have been minimal. Reading these posts, I feel very lucky.
Happy holidays to everyone and a better new year for us all!0 -
Sherry - Have you tried a chiropractor for your back and sciatic problems? Many times conventional medicine (drugs/invasive surgery) are not the best option for back issues. About a year before my BC diagnosis I strained my back quite seriously and had serious lower back pain and sciatic pain down my left leg. Those strained muscles become inflamed and push things outa whack in your spine, which in turn causes more pain. I had many chiropractic adjustments, which did help a lot. An MRI nearly a year after the pain started revealed nothing more than a deteriorating disc which is very common as we age and had likely been that way for years already. Just about a year after the back strain the pain disappeared. I've heard many times before that when you strain your back it takes about a year for it to resolve and that's what happened with me. I do still have occasional twinges of sciatic pain but nothing like the constant ache I had been living with previously.
I'm glad God cleared that little problem up for me because a few weeks after that was when I got the BC whammy!
I just hate to see you go with an invasive surgical procedure without giving chiropractic care a chance (if you haven't already, that is).
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sherryh is it just your crown that has never grown back? Did it start to grow back then fall out? If the later it probably is the Anastrozole. The former could be Taxotere induced alopecia… although rare I know 2 gals who got it.0 -
Sherry... I had back surgery for what sounds like a similar situation. It was the best decision ever. The sciatic pain was so intense, and then the relief--such a blessing! Wishing you the best. Rapid healing and relief...0 -
Nancy that doesn't sound right..What kind of shampoo/conditioner are you using, maybe it's not good for your new hair. I use WEN and my hair is great, also consider what Ruth said about the vitamin deficiency, that sounds very possible...Let us know how things turn out. As for me, I'm considering a haircut!!!
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Did you all hear tonight's news about Arimidex (Anastrazole) greatly cutting our recurrence!! Well I thought we knew that, isn't that why we are taking it to begin with.... Happy to be taking it, hardly any side effects at all since I switched to the brand name.
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I saw that too. I "think" the article also said that if you were at risk, but not dx'd it could help?
Got some bad medical news today, need to sleep, think about me. Brain fog, need to look up that article again.0 -
5luvbugs, I watched that, & granted I was multi-tasking, dishes or cleaning up, but I thought they were saying reducing chances of getting bc, for post menopausal women who were at risk. It better reduce our chances of progression...
I am glad I read your post, I will start after rads, end of Feb. & I have been wanting to know if the brand name stuff is easier, which I am sure it depends on the person but still. I will be reading & keeping up with all of you soon...0 -
5LuvBugs, we saw that too, in reports from the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium - watch for more analysis of the news soon, on the main Breastcancer.org site. There will be daily podcasts from the Symposium too, and you'll see them announced at this link on the discussion boards.
• The Mods0 -
I had natural curly hair before chemo. After chemo it came back curly....for a bit
I started arimidex and my hair is now thin and straight
I have joint pain in hands and have trigger fingers in two fingers. I was told it can be a side effect of arimidex0 -
Spookie, hope you are OK.
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I am, possible MI, need EKG to confirm. Hard to wrap my head around it. Thanks!0 -
Yikes, let us know what you find out!
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Good luck spookie. Possible means possibly not, Try to think that way until you know for sure...easier said than done, I know!!!
What I read about Anastrazole was that women at high risk could take it as a preventative. 63% complained of aches and pains, no kidding!
Glad to hear that the arrimidex (brand name) has helped. Gives me the impetus to go on fighting to get it!
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munnybunni - trigger finger/thumb is a definite SE of arimidex. Both my thumbs were affected for a time but each of them resolved and cleared up on their own. One bothered me for a couple of months and the other was maybe four months.
Spookie - thinking of you and praying that this new scare can be resolved easily.0 -
As of late yesterday, we know for sure that exercise can help.
http://www.sabcs.org/PressReleases/Documents/2013/be92c6ca5d4070f7.pdf
This is exciting news. My own experience is that it helps with thinking too. - Claire0 -
Ladies, I do not post much but do read a lot! Sympathize with your pain and setbacks and cheer for good reports! I wanted to encourage you, if you are having a great deal of pain to go with name brand Arimadex.
I started the drug last March...name brand for 3 mos. no major pain...stiffness in my feet in the morning. My Onc gave me a prescription for generic in June. It was made in India, distributed by Breckenridge Pharmaceuticals. I took it for 4 mos...almost became cripple. I had to take a pain pill everyday the last month I took it. And, yes, I walk 2 miles every morning + other exercise. Talked to my Doc about prescription for name brand. She gave it but BCBS would fill it only with a $1340 deductible for 90 days!! The pharmacist suggested I try another generic...it was distributed by Accord Pharmaceuticals/made in India. The side effects doubled!! I had read on this board about Arimidex Direct. My Onc gave me a prescription for their pharmacy. I have been taking it 3 weeks. Side effects have subsided other than a little morning stiffness in my feet. I know it takes time for the SEs to show up but I am so encouraged by the immediate relief.
I encourage you to look into this if your side effects are unmanageable. It is $40 per mon. They will charge you for and send you a 90 day supply. Easy to do!!! I wish you the best and hope this helps someone.0 -
Hi Claire,
I know exercise works for me. Seven days after I began anastrozole I woke up with what I thought was the flu but quickly realized was soreness brought on by the drug. I told myself that there was NO way I'd let the drug do that to me so I put on my running shoes and did a three mile jog. Much better! Last Saturday I did a 10k in 1:03:54. Faster than I thought I'd finish. I just finished my 5th week on anastrozole and will stick with it as long as I can. My knuckles are sore so have to work on them somehow.
I'm not sure about hair loss as I'm still pretty bald from chemo. Hair is maybe a half inch long and I can't tell if its thinner than usual or not. Thanks for including the article!0 -
Spookie good luck and please keep us informed.
My hair is still coming in nicely from chemo, no notice of thinning or losing more as of yet.
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I refuse to use the generic from India. I'm using the TEVA brand from Israel. I have to special order from COSTCO but it only takes about 1-2 working days at the most.0 -
Wow, I want to post something for all of you but there is just soooooo much to say that I forgot, besides that it's 3"30 in the morning and I'm typing in the dark....
First, Spookiemom we are all here praying that you are ok...Keep us posted.
Second: Lago and jlow54 are absolutely right about the Anastrazole from India - it has horrible side effects - you just don't know what's in those fillers..., I took it for about 3 months and when someone on this board recommended the brand name Arimidex I was able to switch (as long as script says do not substitute) the insurance covered it for me. We will see if that's the case beginning the new year and new deductible_ anyway within a week of getting off the generic I felt so much better....very few hot flashes but I still have trigger finger and some hip pain but my husband stopped calling me "snapping turtle" LOL ---- in other words, I calmed down and lots of my joint pain went away. I still have hip pain but I also have arthritis....
Third, regarding the TV news about Arimidex, now I remember that it did say "for women with high risk of developing breast cancer" so I guess there will be lots more girls taking it but it does make me feel safer hearing that, now I don't have so many objections to taking medication...Now if only I could get my daily exercise in...It's getting too cold & icy to walk but I just ordered a stationary bike for me and the husband as a Christmas gift to ourselves..It should be here any day...
). Ok girls I'm going back to sleep..See I still have sleepless nights but that's been going on for 15 years!!!!!!!Oh wait, Gracers and anyone else regarding hair, I finished Chemo last January and when I finished radiation in April my hair started growing and I began using WEN 6/13 , it is about 4" now and it is thick, curly, shiny and soft = hope yours grows in the same.....actually I am ready for a haircut.
Goodnight everyone
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