For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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The day I got my BC dx, the doctor sent me downstairs for a shingles vaccine, saying that if I had to have any treatment, I wouldn't be able to get it later on. So glad I did. Have an aunt with post-herpetic neuralgia... that awful nerve pain from shingles that never seems to go away...
I wish DH had gotten the vaccine... but he's on Prednisone and Cyclosporine now, so no way. He will probably be on those drugs for the rest of his life, so he'll probably never get the shot.
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My DH got his shingles vaccine 2 weeks into my 5 weeks of suffering. Did not take a lot of convincing. I think I scared the shit out of him. I usually don't complain about pain.
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Im going to call my pcp on Monday and try and get one before surgery next week.
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Preach 'get a shingles shot' to all the healthy people you know too. The saying 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is definitely true when it comes to shingles!
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Amen, Ruth!!!
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The brother of a friend just came down with a case of shingles that ended up in his EYES!
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My sister had it in her eye as well and she said it was about the most painful thing she's ever gone through. It's been many years and the eye still waters constantly as the tear duct was damaged.
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My oldest DS had shingles when he was 12 years old. I took him to the ER at Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. At first they thought it might be Cat Scratch Fever, as we had cats, but when they realized it was shingles, they had 7 different doctors come through to check it out because they were so amazed. They told him, he was 40 years ahead of the game. Thankfully he's never had it again. He's 41 now.
DH had shingles about 20 years ago. It was on the front/side of his head, so they did a light test to make sure it wasn't in his eyes.
Paula
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wow - can people get shingles anywhere on their body?
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Nancy, I believe you can, but it's always on one side of the spine or the other. I've never heard of anyone having it on both sides at one time. I think that's how they determine its shingles.
Paula
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having it on one side is one of the symptoms....or so I thought. Mine was around my waist and just where my bra was....course I at first thought I must have gained weight.......lordie don't want that again
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Someone, please repost the link to or info about the walking-at-home video. I haven't exercised in 2 months and need it desperately. THanks!!
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My dad almost had shingles go into his eye. You can lose your eyesight. I know my PCP told me if the shingles rash went to the other side that I should go to emergency. Typically its around the trunk but it can be anywhere.
Wave here you go: linky
I keep posting this and it seems like a real hit. I think I get more of a work out than I do power-walking outside. I don't remember who originally posted it but it's awesome.0 -
Hi again. I had shingles about 3 years ago..think it was my immune system breaking down or fighting the unknown cancer lurking in my body at that time. Anyway, it was on my back just above my waist. I thought I had burned myself with my heating pad (using to relieve a muscle ache). I went to a doc who confirmed shingles. It did burn and itch (I think) but otherwise wasn't too bad. It went away in about 3 weeks total. I used some kind of cortizone cream to relieve the burning feeling.
Can you get a shingles shot before age 62? I thought that insurance wouldn't pay for it before that age....
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I think some of the insurance companies are now approving the vaccine over age 50. Depends upon the plan. Without coverage the vaccine is about $200+. It will not completely prevent you from getting the shingles, but if you do get them they will be less severe and of shorter duration. You can get the vaccine at many pharmacies, but with all the we are going through I would check with your MO and/or PCP first.
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Shingles shot was approved for 50 in March 2011 but it still doesn't mean your insurance will cover it. My LE MD is over 70 and his insurance wouldn't approve it.
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thx wave whisper for asking for that, I also was looking for it a couple of days ago, so lazy I gave up..lol..I did walk to breakfast this morning, in the cold. The neuropathy in my feet makes it more challenging, but I am determined to get back out there.
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DebDylan, yes, definitely chemo..I finished dose dense Taxol 5 weeks ago, my feet hurt, tingle type pain & my calf muscles feel like I walked in a up hill / down hill race. It will get better, soon I hope. I will start Arimidex in mid Feb. so I have been reading all your posts here lately.
Seems like you have a fun, supportive group that posts...
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I am also starting to deal with cumulative neuropathy and myalgias from the Taxol. My MO tells me that many people don't finish all the doses because of the side effects. I have had 5 doses so far with a one week break between #3 and #4 because of neutropenia. My fingers don't work like they used to, and I have no cold tolerance at all. I plan to keep trudging through this and hope to get all the doses. I want to beat this nasty disease! They tell me the side effects do go away with time, but not immediately.
Good luck to all of you!
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Rhoddy, are you on the weekly, 12 dose plan? My MO suggested cutting back my last dose or spreading it out to 3 doses, once a week. I just wanted to get it over & start rads. I definitely have no cold tolerance in my feet, my hands seem ok. But like this morning, very cold out, I have to concentrate to walk. Granted, we speed walk, in the cold. My ? To you & whoever wants to jump in, have you started Arimidex while you are still in chemo? I know some ladies take it during rads, my MO will prescribe it 2 weeks after rads are over..curious what everyone else is doing. My MO seems really conservative, but I am sure she knows what's best.
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Holeinone, I will not start the Arimidex until I am done with chemo. I am on the weekly Taxol but did have to wait one week. This past week my WBC count was going down again, I hope it will be okay on Friday when I go again. My MO said some do three on and then one off to get through it.
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I had the expensive Neulasta shot after the 4 A/C & 3 Taxol tx. The last Taxol tx, my count had to come back on its own, it did after 3 weeks...so glad to be done with that part, it wears on you, physically, emotionally. It was hard on my family also, they were stressed the whole time.
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The shingles vaccine was approved by the FDA for most adults over age 50. However, the CDC has acknowledged, but not yet changed it's guidelines from age 60 to 50. I believe most insurance companies continue to cover based on CDC guidelines....
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If your insurance doesn't usually pay, see if you can get your doctor to code it that your are 'high risk' or something to that effect so that they will.
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As far as Nueropathy. It can take up to 2 years for it to go away after last treatment. If it hasn't gone away after 2 years it's probably there for good. I have some in my left heel. Mostly numbness but some days it's annoying. I know it has affected my balance a little bit. Not a big deal now but I worry how this will impact when I get old.
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RE: the shingles vaccine - my BC dx trumped any age requirements at Kaiser.
When my mom got shingles, it was on her head. They worried about it spreading to her eyes (can cause blindness) or her ears (can cause deafness) but mostly they worried about it spreading to her brain and her spinal cord.
They did start her on antivirals, but she ended up in the hospital anyway... reaction to the medication, and overall immune system failure (she was end-stage Parkinson's at that point.) But she recovered from shingles with no lasting effects!
It's a NASTY disease, to be sure... one you do NOT want to get.
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I took B6 for neuropathy during taxol. I finished in May. I still take B6 and it's still gets a little better each week.
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holeinone - My MO wanted me to wait until at least a week after all treatment stopped before taking Anastrozole... we waited between chemo and rads also.. he wanted to be able to tell which SE was from which treatment...and in the long run, it was easier on me.
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I have a great Brussel Sprout recipe. I could eat this left over for days! It uses cider vinegar to cut the bitterness.
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I am wondering if it is okay to get the shingles shot while on Arimidex. Blessings, your doctor said to get it before any treatment for BC? I have Kaiser also. They didn't tell me to get it before treatment.
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