For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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when I went for first onco follow up visit I got the NP.iwas passed! But decided see what happier GM's. She was great. Knew every thing. Said I'd switch off visits her and the onco, so next should be with him.
For the zits... Windex😄
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With everything going on in 2013 I have had issues with sleep. Too much on my mind, not feeling and whatever. I've been on Anastrozole since mid October. My worst side effect is the achy joints but I seem to have several days where they ache then more days together when they don't. So I'm ok with that. As far as the sleeping issues it is getting better, I did switch to taking my pill in the morning. Maybe try that if you haven't already. Good luck.
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I always see the MO, but she now has a NP who triages email questions, prescriptions, labs, etc. So far they haven't pulled the old switcheroo on me
My BS has a PA and after the 2 year mark I have the option to see either of them (obviously harder to get in with the BS and appointments are often changed due to her surgery schedule). Even if I ask to see the BS the PA comes in first and does the breast exam and usually an ultrasound (I'm being followed for several post-reconstruction lumps). It works out fine except that last time it was billed under the PA who happens to fall under a different insurance tier for me. So, I end up paying more (higher co-pay) to see the PA than the BS herself...huh? I finally gave up and just paid the extra $$, but will be sure to ask them next time to please bill with the BS as the provider.
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I love my gentle yoga class. One of the restorative poses we often do is "Legs up the Wall". I've read and heard that this particular pose is great to do just before bedtime. It relaxes the body and it's a good time to clear your mind and try to let the stresses of the day go. It supposedly helps if you have restless leg syndrome. Because it is actually considered an inverted pose it should be used with caution if you have hypertension, etc. and should be cleared by your MD if you have questions about its safety. I don't know why, but I find this pose the most relaxing of any of the restorative poses.
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TinaT, I've never done yoga but that position sounds so comfortable. I may have to try it!
Aviva5675.........Windex for the zits, eh? Hmmmmmmm, not sure about that one!
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After chemo ended I always saw my NP but my onc always comes in to follow up with any questions I may have. I'm OK with that because if there was an issue I know my onc would be there.
This past week or so my sleep hasn't been so good. I haven't worked out because I was fight a cold (still have a tiny bit) and didn't want to make it worse. I think I might work out tonight because I need to get back to sleeping properly.
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windex-- see: My Big Fat Greek Wedding...
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dennilynne - You can feel the blood drain out of your legs. I don't know why it feels good to me, but it does. During my yoga class the teacher often gives us the option of Legs up the Wall or Shavasana (corpse pose) where you just lie flat on the floor with knees supported. Most people opt for Legs up the Wall.
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TinaT, this just inspired me to get back to my yoga class tomorrow. I haven't been since my fat grafting surgery before Christmqs. I'm ready.
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Denilynne: I was just going to post that you should try yoga. Tina beat me to it. I totally agree with her. I also do yoga 2-4 x's a week. Legs up the wall is a wonderful relaxing way to help you sleep. I, too, had joint issues, particularly in the knees, and since I have been doing yoga, it was disappeared. I hope it continues to be that way. Do the restorative or gentle yoga--it's the best. I love it. BTW, I am from the Detroit area and my BFF lives in A2.
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Ruth, I don't know beans about yoga, heard of Downward Dog.
Is that Downward Cat? LOL. CUTE
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Jayaytea - I'm going to class tomorrow too (I go twice a week). Last gentle classes of the month are always 1-1/2 hours of restorative poses and meditation. Seems like something that could easily be done at home, but I have a much easier time clearing my head and letting go in class. The instructor has an amazing ability to know exactly when and how to gently bring me back to the present when my mind starts to wander. Plus she remembers the physical limitations of every student in the class and always offers alternate ways for each pose. I feel great when class is done.
I visit Ann Arbor occasionally and I always try to make it to Zingerman's and Hollander's.
ruthbru -
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Pat and Denilynne, been on Anastrozole for one month now. Couldn't sleep so switched myself to taking it first thing in the morning and have slept well the last two nights. I have been back to walking a couple of miles a day and that has helped too and not allowing myself to nap in the afternoon. No skin breakouts so far.
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I am new to this board. I took my first pill tonight. I hope the SE on this AI are better than what I had on Femara. I started tamoxifen in Oct 2012 and then after having a full hysterectomy in Jan 2013 switched to Femara. I had awful joint and muscle pain and trouble sleeping so after a year my MO made the switch to arimidex. I am hoping the SE on this are better. My MO said that there was even a third AI that I can try if arimidex still gives me joint and muscle pain. I told my MO that I could of handled the SE knowing it was helping me reduce the chances of recurrence and her response was I should not have to put up with the SE and to try Arimidex to see if it has less SE for me.
I am still trying to read back pages, but wanted to jump in and say Hi.
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welcome Momof3GreatKids! hopefully this time you won't have any SE.
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IamNancy - thanks for the welcome!
One question I have is how long was it before SE started showing up after you started?
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Momof3 - My SEs have been pretty mild with the exception of trigger thumb which showed up about a month after starting the drug. Both thumbs were eventually affected but the condition resolved on its own after several months. Now I don't sleep well and have hot flashes, but those conditions already exsited pre-arimidex due to menopause. The only thing I have that I can really tie to Arimidex right now is my feet get stiff after I'm immobile for a while. Takes several steps to work the kinks out and then I'm fine.
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I guess I still have some left over chemo brain. Can't remember if this has been discussed. Are there any diabetics here T1 or T2, who have noticed an increase in your am numbers? I don't think it's Dawn Phenomenon, or liver dumps. Or could it be the Effexor? I'm on the Pod, nothing has changed
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I have a question. After rad therapy is over, why is it necessary to go back for an appointment to see the Rad Onc? I finshed rads on Dec 10. Everything is coming along just fine. I think I can predict what would go on at this appointment.
1.question: how are you doing? Any issues? 2. The doc looks at my breasts, does a breast exam. 3. Declares that everything is fine (I could tell her that). Then says, ok, we are done, have a good day.
I have canceled the appointment.
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I seem to recall maybe one followup with my RO but then he signed off, he did say I was welcome to call him if I had any problems
I did call him once , my brother wanted me to agree to a bone marrow transplant and I was having problems explaining to brother why I was not a good candidate
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Momof3..... - It seems many of us who have side effects started noticing at about 3 months. Please remember that there are many women taking anastrazole and are doing just fine so they don't hang on on discussion boards. Most common SEs posted here seem to be joint and bone problems, mood changes/depression, and trouble sleeping. My MO tells me at each appointment to be thankful not to have hot flashes so that must be something she hears a lot. Vaginal dryness and decrease in bone density are also common SEs.
But, everyone is different with a different background of health issues, other medications, etc. so timing and severity of SEs (if they even occur) varies from person to person. I am sending good vibes your way that you will tolerate Arimidex more easily than Femara!
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Denylinne, in response to your remark about your scan not being posted yet. sometimes it does take quite a while. I always ask for a printed copy of any reports while I am in the office so I have something to reference until it is posted.
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Denylinne - I sailed through rads with little trouble. However my skin developed issues after tx. I was still in contact with my RO a year after tx because my skin would have issues every 6 months or so. I developed an itchy rash that would last for a few days on my chest and back where the radiation exited my body. In fact, my skin is getting that 'feeling' right now (18 mos later). I'll have to break out the special cream tomorrow.
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Denylinne,
My RO gives the best breast exams of all my other Drs and is willing to talk about anything BC related. He also checks for LE. And it's true that issues can arise months and years after TX.
Still if you aren't having problems, then there's probably no need to go.
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Yorkiemom. Soooo sorry your fur baby is at the Bridge.
Spookie and Kris send nose licks.
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Denilynn, I think the RO mainly checks to see if the skin has healed, from radiation burns and whether there are other skin issues, as others have posted. I had maye 1 or 2 folos with mine and then she told me I didn't need to come back for 18 months. Personally, I like the attention and reassurance of all my BC docs. Some of us feel a litttle insecure and untethered when they let us go.
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If you go to the home page of BCO & scroll down to the 'Breast Cancer in the News' section, there is an article about a study entitled "Exercise Reduces Joint Pain Caused by Aromatase Inhibitors" which is pretty interesting.
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Momof3: Welcome!
TinaT: I can totally relate about the classroom setting vs. doing it at home. It's just not the same for me. Plus, my instructor really pays attn. to my form--thank goodness.
Denilynne: My Ro and I broke up two weeks after rads were done. He said if I had any problem to let him know. It amazes me how different our protocols are I see my BS (for now) every 6 months--she's the one that orders the mammas, etc. See my MO every 6 months too.
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I am one of those that hasn't had any problems with Arimidex. I've been on it for nine years, no side effects.
However, I do have lots of those aches & pains, hot flashes, heartburn, etc. that many women on Arimidex complain about. The difference for me is that I had all these before starting on Arimidex, so can't blame the drug! (A lot of my problems are due to an aging body & menopause.)
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