For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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For me, it is burnt tongue. Feels like I burned it yesterday and food has no taste. For once in my life I can eat hotter foods than my husband; hate to tell him it is because I can't taste it.
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omg - I hope I don't develop that SE! Or maybe I should wish for it - I could stand to lose a good 15-20 pounds!
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DebDylan, I had the burnt tongue feeling when I first started the Arimidex, then the joint pain became unbearable. I was switched to Aromasin after a month. So yes, the burnt tongue is a SE.
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Chinneymae - do you recall how long it took your SE from Arimidex to go away?
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The burnt tongue and joint pain started about a week after I started taking it and the burnt tongue lasted about two weeks. The joint pain gradually got worse to the point I was almost debilitated. I switched to Aromasin after about six weeks on Arimidex. The Aromasin is working much better for me. I still have some joint pain but is it more tolerable.
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After one year on it, it took two months for my Anastrozole (Arimidex) SEs to go away.
Now on Femara.
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BayouBabe, We all seen to have different reactions and some are lucky to tolerate these estrogen-sucking drugs with few problems (not me)! My own experience: I was on anastrozole for 7 days and woke up with horrid stiffness and "claw hands." I could work out the stiffness (I am good about exercising) but could not rid myself of the joint pain. Every joint hurt except my elbows and back. I gave it my best for 7 weeks and switched to Femara this week. I've taken 4 Femara pills so far. I am cautiously optimistic that Femara will be better for me than anastrozole. Two days ago, steering my car caused pretty significant shoulder pain. This morning it was not very noticeable. I hope the switch works out for you. And to all you beautiful ladies...HAVE A GREAT 2014!
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I had the claw hands too but when I switched meds they went away forever, even though I went back on anastrazole after femara and aromasin and I was on anastrazole until Dec 23. It's been a week and I feel like a new person. I went to the library and actually enjoyed walking around, I went to Costco, life without pain is beautiful! Yes, a healthy happy 2014 to everyone!!!
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blessings, better health and less se's to all in the New Year!
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Timbuktu- I have not had bleeding but the anastrozole has caused thinning of the tissues in the netherlands, and sometimes I have had pain and/or irritation in that area. When I saw my gyn this summer, she said I had a lot of redness and irritation and gave me a script for Estrace to put around outside, which I use twice a week. The MO's are usually okay with this as you are using a dab locally. If you are having intercourse, they have other things that can help with the vaginal dryness. My gyn was very familiar with the AIs and what they do to a woman's body.
Happy New Year to all here on this thread. Wishing you a better year and less SEs!
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Jazz, since on the meds I have been getting lots of UTIs, in fact when given antibiotics for sinus....bingo, sinus issues gone and UTI is here! Recently, someone told me to take probiotics.....oh my goodness but no more UTIs....wonder if they would help?
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DebDylan, I have heartburn too. It has nothing to do with food. I have it even when I don't eat. Doc put me on omiprozole 20 mg, and just increased it to 2 times per day. The problem is if affects bone density and I have osteoporosis. So I agree with you, the medications seem to affect the balance of everything in our body. Proudtopspin might be on to something with the suggestion of probiotics.
I want to wish everyone a very happy healthy New Year.
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I would suggest trying the probiotics, I just did sinus surgery and was surprised when the doc told me to take probiotics along with the antibiotics after surgery, pal told me she had some sort of minor procedure and was also advised to take probiotics
far as I know it can not hurt and puts back in our system some of the good stuff that the meds for the bad stuff have cleaned us out of
I am now taking it daily for long term or until doc says stop
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I, too, had the 'claw hands' plus extreme joint stiffness on Arimidex. Could not get out of a chair without help, if I sat a while, like at a restaurant. Switched to Aromasin and all that went away within a few weeks. Ah, the joy of moving again!
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I used to come down with yeast infections every time I took an antibiotic and with the cellulitis, that was a lot! First, I added a probiotic to my daily doses. The key is to pick one with active cultures; a bit more expensive, but a lot more effective than the cheaper version and less annoying than trying to eat your weight in yogurt. Second, I changed antibiotics as recommended by my infectious disease doctor (I don't know the abbreviation for that one) to Keflex, which hits both streps and staphs without wiping out the native, friendly bugs. I'm on the stuff in perpetuity, so glad to not have UTIs and yeasties.0 -
I've been on Anaztrosole for one month and have already noticed changes...thinning hair, even dryer skin and problems with my nails. Sleeping too much and stiffness. I do have a small dog which I need to walk and still feel stiffer than before Anaztrosole. Has anyone heard of VIVISCAL for hair problems such as thinning hair?
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can Arimidex (anastrozole) compromise the immune system?
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not sure but I certainly think all we go through does a real number on our immune system
I ended up with shingles 6 months after ending my rads~~~shingles was likely due in part to a compromised immune sytem
ps...check if your docs think you should have the shingle shot as no fun!
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I didn't have either chemo or rads and I had one minor UTI since arimidex. It was within a few days of having sex so I figure the lack of adequate lubrication had a lot to do with it. Probably just a tiny tear or abrasion that got exposed to bacteria. Aside from that I really haven't had anything that could be blamed on a compromised immune system. No colds or other respiratory issues, haven't puked since morning sickness in the late 80s. But then again, I very rarely got sick prior to BC either. It's weird, but I wasn't really shocked when my biopsy came back positive for BC. I think in the back of my mind I always figured that my great health was too good to be true and that some disaster would occur at some point. God sure slapped me upside the head good on that one. Like, hey, Lisa, you take too much for granted......try this why don'tcha!
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Arimidex itself won't compromise your immune system; but the cumulated effects of surgery, treatments, stress etc. can do a number on you. That is why all the complimentary things we can do are so important: a good diet, healthy weight, exercise, finding ways to manage stress, getting enough sleep, having a strong social network.....also getting all the regular exams, vaccinations, tests etc. to ensure good overall health (dental & eye exams, cholesterol & blood pressure screenings, colonoscopy, shingles shot, flu shots, tetanus up to date are some that pop into my mind)
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I make high doses of vitamin C (Liposomal Encapsulated Vitamin C) and drink it everyday. My MO could not believe how fast I healed up from the exchange. I have always taken Vitamin C before dx and rarely got sick. After dx and lots of research I found that high doses (5 to 10,000 mg) of vitamin C helps to kill cancer cells. 90% pure reservetol is good for the immune system as well.
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I do not blame any one med for a lower immune system but really all the stress and procedures we have all been through
we need to work hard to get back into a better shape, me, lover of fresh veggies and especially lots of green stuff!
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My internist strongly urged me to get the shingles vaccine. I've had shingles and certainly wouldn't want another round. FDA now approves it for people over 50. The CDC acknowledges this, but still doesn't officially recommend it until age 60 so my insurance won't cover it. Guess I'll bite the bullet and pay out of pocket...ouch!
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Tina - good idea about the shingles vaccine, they say its really painful... my problem is I don't know if I ever had chicken pox - not sure you should get the vaccine if you didn't have chicken pox.
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My DH just had his shingles vaccine. Ins wouldn't pay, so it was close to $200. Still think it's better than having shingles. I got mine some years ago.
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Can your doctor write it up.....put in whatever code they need for 'high risk' so insurance will pay? Worth asking. My GP did that, and he also had me get a pneumonia shot, even though I was under the recommended age, because I done chemo; and chemo DOES mess up your immune system for awhile.
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I agree that the cost would have been easier to handle than the dang shingles was! Soon as it was over and my onco said it was ok, I had the vaccine. Do not want a reoccurance! certainly not while on vaca which is when I seem to get hit with junk!
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My PCP wants me to get the shingles shot too. I had a serious case 2 months after chemo. I want to do it but until I get a job I'm not dishing out the $200+. I have a high deductible.
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hmm, hope it works out for you Lago, I had delayed the shot till I hit 60 and thought that then insurance would pay....dang if I did not get the shingles a month after 60th birthday but before I could ask my onco if OK to do it!
take care, eat healthy and all that junk!
hmmm, just did a prelim on my taxes and shocked at how much I spent on medical junk this past year...even with insurance!
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ringing in the ears can be tinnitus. Post menopausal women are the most affected. No one really knows the cause but there appears to be a link to estrogen reduction, Mine was bad before but after hysterectomy and arimidex it is constant, they say the true test is to see if a running faucet masks the sound. For some reason that particular range relieves tinnitus ringing..
Unfortunately there is no cure.
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