For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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But I'm not over 60.
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Why not call your MO and ask.
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I've never had a flu shot and don't intend to unless I do end up actually contracting the flu at some point. Knock on wood, I just don't get sick with that sort of thing. A minor head cold every couple of years and a couple of minor UTIs over a 25 year period. Last time I vomited was in early 1989 from morning sickness and the last time I had diarrhea was in April 2013 due to prepping for a colonoscopy
. BC is the first time my immune system has really let me down in years and years. I'll stick with my natural immunities for a while longer yet.Now watch - I'll probably be in the hospital with the flu in 3 weeks and you'll all be like 'Hah! Toldja so!'.....lol!
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I think I posted this a few pages back, sorry for the repeat. The FDA has approved the shingles vaccine for most non-immunocompromised people over age 50. Although the CDC recognizes this, it has not yet adopted it and still uses the age of 60 in their immunization guidelines. My insurance company (UMR) told me that most insurers follow the CDC guidelines. Until the CDC adopts the lower age limit most insurers will continue not covering those between ages 50-60.
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TinaT that was my understanding as well.
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I got the shingles shot in 2012 at my doctor's suggestion. I've had no problems and so happy that I did get it. Known people who've gotten shingles and it's no fun. Very bad!
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I went to see my RO earlier this week for a yearly checkup. The good news is that he said that I was graduating. I'm 4 years out from diagnosis, doing very well, etc., so he saw no reason for me to continue with him. I'm still seeing my MO every 6 months but that should go to once a year after 12/29/2014 which is when I'll mark 5 years on Arimidex. (My RO and MO are in the same practice so I'm never far from either one).
I'm both elated and a little scared at this point. I guess this is a normal feeling to have. When I was seeing doctors more often it made me somehow feel safer. That this horrible thing that had envaded my wonderful life 4 years ago was easier to keep under control. I guess that I'm just going to have to get a control on my feelings and forge ahead.
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I agree,flaviarose. I don't take flu shot and haven't had flu in 30 years. I take massive doses of vitamin D and vitamin C to help keep immune system strong and to kill cancer cells. Eating lots of fruits and veggies too.
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My last chemo treatment was end of July and I got my flu shot at the begging of my GP in October. I was fine. My GP didn't mention the shingles vax.
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re; The flu nearly killed me in my 20's. Passed out,came to with my 2yr old on my back,my 7mo old still in his swing screaming,called mom,to the Dr.,got a shot went home,passed out,came to 15lbs lighter and 3 days later. No hospital, because the elderly and feeble had all the beds and gurneys. I had the flu for 8months total, before it was out of my system. CHECK with YOUR OWN Drs about any kind of vaccine. -----kad2kar P.S. I did not have a flu shot then,now I do. sorry about butt in, but......
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you are most definitely not butting but talking about your history. lordie that sounds awful and do hope all is better for you now
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Well, alzheimer's disease is now epidemic, and I wonder about the link between vaccines and it:
"According to Hugh Fudenberg, MD, the world's leading immunogeneticist and 13th most quoted biologist of our times (nearly 850 papers in peer review journals), if an individual has had five consecutive flu shots his/her chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease is ten times higher than if they had one, two or no shots. I asked Dr. Fudenberg why this was so and he said it was due to the mercury and aluminum that is in every flu shot (and some childhood shots). The gradual mercury and aluminum buildup in the brain causes cognitive dysfunction. Is that why Alzheimer's is expected to quadruple? Notes: Recorded from Dr. Fudenberg's speech at the NVIC International Vaccine Conference, Arlington, VA September, 1997. Quoted with permission. Alzheimer's to quadruple statement is from John's Hopkins Newsletter Nov 1998. Dr. Fudenberg's web address is www.nitrf.org."
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Ruth that is good to know as I am getting my shingle vaccination soon but when I read here that there were questions about it I planned to wait until after my appointment on February 3rd with my breast surgeon and onco. This will be my first yearly mammo since dx so I feel anxious already about it. I guess when I was on a 6 month schedule I felt safer. Now an entire year had gone by since my last mammo and I learned the hard way that a lot can change in a years time. However I will buck up and handle it. Hoping this little white pill is doing its job :-)
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Yes. (Check with your oncologist if you have a concern, but you do not want to get the flu this year, it is a really bad strain.)
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Responding to an earlier post, DebDylan. The first time I had CA at age 37+, it was diagnosed on a routine mammogram. My obstetrician had suggested I do one every 2 years because of family history (lots of aunts with BC) and dense breasts. The CA was microscopic, dots size of the head of a pin (a number of pins) IDC. The surgeon who did the biopsy said just MX, no chemo. I went for a second opinion to one of the top breast surgeons, then (1990 way before CATS and MRIs) and he said MX. If you do a lumpectomy, you'll be back in a year. He was super recommended and I listened to him. He worked with a well-known oncologist (I don't even know if he is still practicing - Dr. Hirschhaut) who gave me once a week a minute amount of chemo for about 5 months in addition to lots of pills, from which I only remember Tamoxifen (then very new) and prednizone. Because it was a small amount of chemo each week, it was much more bearable.Less SEs for sure. After I was done, nothing other than yearly mammos and markers, and 17 years later CA showed up in the other breast. Again chemo, Tamox for 5 years, Herceptin and then AL which I stopped after a year with my onc's approval
because of all the SEs
.All this goes to show there were no visible lumps or anything to feel. The second time it was a mass that was hard to see and only on an US, not the mammo. I was fortunate to have radiologists that picked up on everything, and I have no regrets about doing the chemo first time. Even so, CA came around a second time, not mets, but primary. That's the luck of bad genes. I really don't think you should second guess yourself. You decide on a plan of action after consulting and weighing the pros and cons. Going back to it after you're past it, will only drive you nuts. In a way having the second MX really freed me from any anxiety about reoccurrence. Previously I had undergone a hysterectomy and had also ovaries removed, so that was no worry. I go for a checkup after 6 months, and don't really think about it other than when I hear of friends who are diagnosed with mets etc.
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Ruthbru, can you talk about Claritin a bit? I just bought the generic, wondering how you take it (Every day? Same time as arimidex? Long term?). And what side effects do you find it helps with?
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If you're thinking of taking Claritin check with your PCP first - mine won't let me have it because of BP problems.
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Hi Brookside,
I'm not Ruthbru but I can tell you how I use loratidene (the generic of Claritin). I take it daily, in the morning, at the same time I take my anastrazole. It significantly reduces what I think is the bone pain created by the AI. It doesn't help the stiff tendons or creakiness though. If I don't take it the pain is bad enough to interfere with my sleep.
I do have hypertension (4 different meds are required to control it). My GP has no objection as long as it is not the loratidene combined with a decongestant. It's the decongestant that is contraindicated with hypertension.
My MO was fine with it (though he looked quite skeptical as to its value) as was my Allergist. The Allergist told me that loratidene is the only antihistamine that is OK to take on a long term basis.
I had to discontinue the loratidene for a week when I was undergoing some allergy testing and the pain came back within a couple of days.
I could hardly wait to get back on it.
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Thanks, Sandy and Kmpod. I'm going to try it--hip pain only when I stand, but getting pretty sharp. I've never had hypertension, although readings have been creeping up of late, so maybe I should keep an eye on that.
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Starting a new script tonight...my insurance changed and now I have a mail order 90-day generic made in India. Before, I had the Teva (Israel) generic. Really worried it can cause SEs -- or different ones. (I do the claritin generic, ibuprofen, bioavailablle curcumin, and exercise routine to help with pain. Main problems are joints and tendons....also from 40 years of jogging and now being somewhat overweight.)
Fingers crossed!
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Dassl,
Which breast cancer did you have? I have heard ILC can occur mirror image in other breast. But then my doc said no. Yup, wish I had had both done now. Less worry.
hollyboo
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Holly, ILC can be slightly more likely to occur in the other breast, but now that you are taking an AI, you are better protected....and will be even more vigilant about mammography.
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Just another note about the flu vaccine - we have family members who are violently opposed to any sort of vaccine. Unfortunately what that means is that we are unable to have them in our home when they are sick (which is often), as my DH is immune-compromised.
While I respect those who do not believe in vaccines, this current epidemic is deadly. While a flu shot may not prevent a different strain of flu, it can prevent the one that can kill you.
Alarmist? I don't think so....
The death rates from H1N1 are rising across the country. From the reports I have read and the research I have done, NONE of the deceased had gotten a flu shot. No one who DID get a flu shot has died.
(And in California, the only "reported" H1N1 flu deaths are people aged 64 and under who had spent time in an ICU. I think the actual death toll may be higher.)
Just my two cents...
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Flu shot protection doesn't go into effect till 2 weeks post shot. So if you are exposed to the flu before those 2 weeks you may get it anyway.
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Getting the flu shot does not guarantee you will not get the flu, but if you do get it, the symptoms & severity will be less harsh. The flu is no fun.
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Take the plain Claritin, not Claritin D.
Is it time to repost my 'Raisin & Gin' recipe for arthritis-like symptoms?
Many of the flu deaths this year are in otherwise healthy young people, the 'swine flu' strain is one they have never been exposed to before. A young teacher at my school missed all last week & I bet she will feel crummy for a long time, and I'll also bet that next year she WILL get the shot (because that is what happened to me many years ago.... I have gotten the shot ever since!).
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Hi Ruth,
I will be starting Arimidex or a generic in one month. Do you suggest taking the Claritin at the same time as the Arimidex?
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I would just take the Arimidex & see what happens. You might not need the Claritin. I never took it myself, but I research a lot and know that it has worked for well others who had issues. One thing a friend told me, and that I did was to 'keep moving' even if you feel achy at first. You may be able to walk your way out of it, which is what worked for me.
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Ruth, thanks for the prompt response. I am a walker, so I am hoping that I can keep moving & avoid the joint pain that some experience.
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If you want some fun exercise buddies, come over to the 'Lets Post Our Daily Exercise' thread on the fitness forum. Lots of great ladies, in all phases of treatment & beyond, who encourage each other in our own individual exercise routines.
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