For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Does anyone know if arimidex has any contraindication with other drugs and specific supplements? I know tamoxifen is compromised by both benadryl and grapefruit. I love grapefruit and wonder about benedryl plus I take supplements (some). Now that I'm off tamox and taking arimidex I wonder if I can eat grapefruit again. Anyone? Help please?
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My onco told me that the arrimidex causes depression but there are only 3 anti depressants I am able to take, Effexor, Lexopro, Celexa. I think the others interact.
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The nutritionist I spoke with couldn't find anything definitive on grapefruit and Femara and/or Arimidex, but strongly suggested I stay away from it due to it's known drug interactions. So sad - I LOVE grapefruit and used to eat it regularly.
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I'm so glad to hear I should stay away from grapefruit. I don't like it anyway but now when folks think I'm a picky eater I can blame it on arimidex! lol
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I love Brussels Sprouts. Cut them in half and saute in a little olive oil. A few minutes before they are done add some balsamic vinegar. Yummy. (Broccoli tastes great cooked this way too). Balsamic vinegar is the new bacon.
BTW there are certain medications you can't eat green leafy veggies including Brussels Sprouts.
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I love brussel sprouts and all dark greens including good old Kale! yea, glad I am not one who is restricted regarding dark greens actually fell in love with kale about the time I began rads, makes good soup!
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I didn't know we shouldn't eat grapefruit? I love brussel sprouts too .. I have heard good things about kale but never had it..
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have never figured out how to make okra that works for me but all else is great
maybe someone can give me idea other than frying them?
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My onc. said an occasional grapefruit would be fine, but don't eat it every day or anything (grapefruit haters ignore this post!).
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hhhmmm thinking your onc is practical! maybe next visit to diner I will enjoy a glass of juice!
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I haven't ever been able to make myself even try brussels sprouts - not sure why. I typically really dislike anything at all that's made with vinegar so not sure if the balsamic thing would work for me??
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goodness, I do not use balsamic but do add lots of garlic, onions OO, nuts and cranberries also.....clearly I am sort of creative with them!
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have to chime in, I lurk at your posts, I will start Arimidex in 5-6 weeks. A good way to prepare brussel sprouts is with bacon....cook bacon first, set aside, steam bs for 5 minutes, drain water, turn up heat, sauté in olive oil & crumbled bacon....yum...then you can also add whatever you like, nuts mushrooms..
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lago - I'm with ya on the balsamic vinegar. I use it on so many things now that I previously would add a dab of butter or sprinkle of parmesan. Love balsamic on roasted asparagus, brussel sprouts, broccoli, etc. My latest thing is the frozen quinoa / kale from Costco. It's so easy to toss it in the microwave, then drizzle with balsamic...yum! Healthy and quick!
IamNancy - Here's a link to the CDC website reagarding Shingles vaccine. Look under the "Recommendations" section. The guidelines only apply to people over 60, but doesn't appear to matter if you know your chicken pox history.http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/hcp-vaccination.htm
Have a nice weekend!
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I am enjoying reading about some of these delicious things to eat. I love Brussels sprouts and am a big vinegar fan. Actually I love anything sour or tart. After going away to visit family for Christmas I came back with a cold so immediately worry about my immune system. I appear to be on the mend now. Got my yearly mammo and checkup with onco coming up and can feel the tension building. My general pa gave me a prescription for anxiety just for the occasion. I do not like being so wimpy about it but this will be the first mammo on the yearly schedule. Had been going every 6 months. Feel good overall but have a few issues with the arimidex. I need to get moving more but right now we are in a big deep freeze in the northeast so it is brutal outside. Need to get on my skills soon.
Best to all for 2014.
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Jumping in on two discussions.....my PCP suggested the shingles vaccine to me last year, before all the cancer crap started. I will talk to my MO about it when I see him on Friday. I have not yet started the Arimidex, still getting chemo. I have been having all kinds of issues with neutropenia so would hesitate on the Shingles vaccine until the chemo is all done in the spring. I do work in long-term care, so it is not unusual for our residents to get shingles. My evening nursing supervisor just broke out with a case two days ago. I hope I didn't get exposed to her before she found out! I have had many complications through all of this, don't need any more!
Grapefruit......mmmm I love it! And grapefruit juice too. But cannot eat or drink it because I take Lipitor. Anyone who takes statins for high cholesterol needs to avoid grapefruit products because it potentiates the effects on the liver. Boohoo.
Hope everyone has a great weekend! I will be joining in with your more often after I finish chemo in March. I believe that's when they will start the Arimidex. We are going to take a week away in April, so probably won't start until we get home. I do read all your posts every day because I know I will be joining the club soon.
Martha
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Okay...a half grapefruit (the big red Texas kind) is okay from time to time....? Benadryl okay... and give me brussel sprouts, okra, and kale. Yum! I love my green veggies! I put kale in my smoothies (half avocado, frozen wild blueberries, lime juice ice and filtered water). Okra; pan fry in a bit of olive oil then toss in cornmeal seasoned with whatever you want. Brussel sprouts:roast with garlic powder, olive oil, and sprinkle with parmesan (the real stuff, organic) about the last minute of roasting. I'm hungry, time to go eat something healthy!
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I don't think they will let you get a shingles shot while on chemo.....they will probably make you wait for awhile even after you are done.
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Thank you for the linky, Lago. (Never quite sure whether that is how to spell "you.") I tried her one-mile video the other day and am thrilled to see a longer one. I've been going to a gym on a month-to-month basis, mostly for the treadmill, but will be away half of January and just would rather wait until February to continue. This might make a nice change.
Right now, I'm on a two-week vacation from Arimidex. After about nine perfectly acceptable months on the drug, for about two weeks, pain in my hips increased until weight bearing after a long drive was kind of problematic. The day after stopping the drug, I came down with a miserable cold/virus/flu and probably that was the culprit, because within a couple of days, I was more or less back to normal, and, as we all know, the drug hangs around way longer than that. Meanwhile, I'm monitoring my progress and anticipating going right back on it next week. I'm not crazy about taking this (or any) drug, but I am indeed enamored about the 50% reduction in risk of another bout of this thing.
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Thanks for the link- Ive gone from 5ks last year to barely doing anything now, and I really need to get active again!
Im doing roasted veg right now in oven. Cauliflower, red onion, brocc and trying some kale today. Balsamic vinegar, evoo and salt. High temp. easy and yummy. I can do brussel sprouts this way (tho will try that bacon one!!), asparagus, anything.
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just found out the hard way that kale cooks (read: burns up) much faster than those other veggies!
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av, yeap, kale does go fast and I have found that it is better to salt after roasting as it shrinks and I get it too salty otherwise
gee just watched foodnetwork and they were talking about kale and eggs for bfast! sounds like something to try
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If you can get that Shingles shot before chemo do it! I got shingles 2 months PFC and it wasn't fun. Had to postpone my exchange surgery a month. I was 50 at the time! My PCP still wants me to get that shingles shot. Just waiting for a steady job and I'm doing it. Shingles sucked. Worst part of the journey. This is from the gal who took no meds, no powerpump, not even a tylenol after BMX with nodes removed on both sides.
BTW just finished 4miles of video. So glad this was posted now that we have all this snow and the temps are going down to -35 to -45F with windchill on Monday. I don't even have to go out to the gym.
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even going to a mall and mall walking is good. I go to work early and hall walk- up and down the halls.
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DebDylan just be careful. This video really works your calves and thighs if you do it as directed. You may have to start off just power-walking through it and not with as many miles. Even my calves were sore after the first time, granted I did 4 miles included the high impact parts. I haven't strength trained in 2 months so I was a bit sore. I will get up to 5 it's more of a time thing with me.
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I don't know. Maybe a thigh master
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I am doing the video also.. not the 5 mile one though - I am starting with the 1 mile one... and have a hard time trying to complete that one.. but will be so happy when I do.. Its wonderful to have this link/video to exercise/walk right at home.
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Rhody, my PCP wants me to get the shingle vaccine, but in finished chemo in May and he asked me to wait one year pfc.
Paula
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Sorry Deb but Anastrozole is making the skin on my face fall into my perky boobie prizes these days. Again, smiling helps hide that
(Also putting concealer in the creases brightens them up and therefore don't look as deep).0
