For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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This will be my fourth I think- so I agree- the prep is the bad part. The test is nothing. This time there is something she said about 5 oz you mix with water to 8 oz, drink that then 16 oz water. At night then again in the morning. Not the gallon, and not the 16 oz stuff. She said it gets warm when mixed so you have to cool it off??? Anyone done that one? I figure the least of the hideous stuff to drink, is the best way to go.
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hmmm, I am due for one (long overdue really) and set for one in march so do let me know which prep to ask for!
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I have had several colonoscopies....I found that if I mixed it with crystal light and chill it well, the preparation is not so horrible! The procedure itself is a piece of cake!
I had my hair styled today, and I am experiencing hair loss already....I have only been on Arimidex since December! Also, I am experiencing joint lock of fingers on left hand.
This is a tough journey!
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I saw a thing on the news today about a shampoo called Thicker Fuller Hair, found anywhere, which is supposed to help get..well...thicker fuller hair.
the prep for a colonosc. is terrible , if you have trouble chugging liquids. The taste is pretty salty. Will try the crystal light this time- tho I think this one is flavored somehow. They are sending me the scrip, along with a coupon.
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For my colonoscopy I had to mix miralax with 2 quarts of Gatorade or crystal light. They also said I could use half juice and half water which I did and although it was a lot of liquid in a short time it was doable.
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LiLi-Ri are you taking both tamoxifen and arimidex? or did you switch over. Why are so many of you having colonoscopies? Is there a risk somewhere I'm not aware of with some treatment. Thanks for all the responses but I do have one other question, I hear alot about estrogen positive and progesterone positive but I'm not real sure what the exact role progesterone plays. I feel I understand estrogen but what's up with progesterone????
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once I was done with chemo and radiation my MO had me go in for a colonoscopy even though I am only 43. I think I remember her saying that I was at higher risk of colon cancer and that was why she wanted me to have one so young. My came back fine and I do not have to have another one for 5 years.
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My prep was 4 dulcolax tablets at 10am, then at 5pm I had to mix a bottle of miralax powder with 64 ounces of liquid (I chose Gatorade) and chug 8-10 ounces of that every 15 minutes. I was definitely glad I had the afternoon off because the 10am dose kicked in at 2pm.
Kathie100 - for me the colonoscopy had actually been ordered by my gyn just prior to my BC diagnosis but only because I was over 50 and hadn't had one yet. No perceived connection to the BC, it was just time to do it. Some ladies here have had colon cancer in their families, but for many of us it's just one of those things you gotta do sometime soon after you turn 50. Think of it as a screening, like a mammogram. If there's something going on they can catch it early before it becomes deadly, but most of the time there's nothing to find.
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seems the idea of colonoscopies just rang a bell...not related to the BC at all that I know....except for me I was so focused on getting through all my BC stuff that I sort of pushed the nasty colonoscopy to the back!
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Hi Aviva,
I just had my colonoscopy a week ago. It sounds like you've been given the same "drain cleaner" that I had - Pico-Salax (or its generic).
It has a sickly orange flavour (that I masked by mixing it with Coke, counter to the instructions). It certainly still worked. Although I did wonder for a while. It wasn't until after the 2nd dose that things really, uh, got moving. I'm really sensitive to swallowing nasty things so I took a Gravol half an hour before my first dose to make sure I kept it down.
Make sure that you drink lots of clear liquids. Lots and lots, so you don't get dehydrated.
It's immeasurably better than that gallon of vile liquid that some people have to swallow.
Just to warn you - you don't get a lot of warning as to when it's necessary to run. I found the thunderous rumbles from my gut were my best clue that the storm was imminent.
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Kathie, I asked my onc the progesterone question, and I think (it was a while ago) he said they haven't figured out what to do about those progesterone receptors. Anyone else have more clarity?
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On colonoscopies... I had colon cancer years ago and had to have annual scopes for 5 years, then every 3 years. I got so sick of the preps that the mere thought of them made me gag. Now I go ONLY to docs who will let me take pills instead. You have to take a bunch of them within 30 minutes 2 or 3 times, but it has made the scope prep tolerable for me.
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Progesterone receptor positive breast cancer apparently has better outcomes than progesterone receptive negative.... I've hear that progesterone has some kind of protective effect....
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I like the idea of doing miralax as the prep== Im sure its alot but when you mix it, you cant taste it. I do 1/3 cap daily anyway. Wonder why my guy isnt recommending that. Maybe Ill look into it and call them.
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well I called and they werent into the Miralax idea. The one Im doing this time is called prepopik- and looking around online seems like it might be ok. Only 5 oz of orange tasting stuff, then a bunch of water.... well, we shall see.
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I am SO printing up all these suggestions for colonoscopy prep.... the last time I did it I created a nest in my bathroom with my laptop, books, magazines, and other comforts in case I didn't come out of there for a long time.
RE: hair loss on anastrozole.... within the first few months of taking it, I was shedding big time. HUGE amounts of hair everywhere. Even my nose hair was falling out. But taking 1,000 mcg of Biotin a day stopped it eventually.
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aviva5675 I turned 50 two weeks after my last chemo. I too had to drink the toxic waste and do the colonoscopy. My paternal grandmother died of colon cancer but I was all clear. Don't have to do that again till I'm 60. I'm sure the toxic waste will be improved by then. They actually told me that what I was drinking was improved. Hmmm really. BTW they gave me twilight so I just passed out and slept through the entire thing. They did my IV through my port. So if you have a port and you want them to use your port I would recommend going to the chemo room first to have them access it. I agree the colder the toxic waste the easier it is.
Colon cancer may be related to BRCA gene.
BTW a women in my building finished her 5 years Anastrozole. She was never heavy. We kinda have the same build and same height and she's a few years older than me. She said she lost 5lbs when done. Yup. That's what I need to lose. Can't wait to get off this. March 1st makes 3 years down, 2 to go.
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ooooo she lost weight after ending the dang PILL?
I just ended my dang PILL this past week, doc says no need for me to do more than my 5 years.....hoping for new and improved life, like lower BP and lower cholesterol maybe?
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Thanks for the responses. I have another question. Anyone taking arimidex have any bad dreams from it. I taker mine about 6:00pm and I've had some weird dreams where when I wake up its hard to tell if it was real. I can actually feel pain during my dream and the spot will actually be sore when I first wake up. I thought about changing my time when I take it to see if that makes a difference. I notice so many of you are taking two types hormone meds. Why is that?? also when did you have your first mammogram after surgery. My breast is still to sore to even consider
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Kathie100 - Sometimes I have strange dreams and sometimes not so I don't think it has anything to do with the drug, at least for me. I switched from taking it early morning to about an hour before I intend to be sleeping in an attempt to improve my perceived cognitive impairment. I do feel more mentally 'there' since I switched the timing. It affects everyone differently, though, so who knows.....
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Kathie100,
I don't think any of us are taking two types of anti-hormone meds at the same time. Some may have listed all they have taken over time and that could be where the confusion is. I started on arimdex and am now on aromasin. I have the option of listing both, but don't.
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Hi Kathie,
I too am still very sore and swollen after surgery and radiation, at about the same time you had yours. I'm due for an annual mammogram next month, and am dreading it.
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Thanks again for the responses. I received letter saying my mammogram is now due but I sure don't want to do it yet. Also I'm suppose to have bone density test soon. What am I looking for. What questions do I ask? What tells me if its good or not?
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Hi. When I started anastrozole about two months ago, I started peeking in on this thread. Thank you all for good info.
I have been researching drug interactions with anastrozole because I was thinking of taking some Benedryl to help with radiation itching. Is Benedryl okay to take? Are their any over the counter drugs to avoid?
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when I did my first post treatment mamo, the techs were very gentle and considerate. Course I did yell a bit. Also took a tylonel before the test.
the bone density test results can be hard to read so would suggest you rely on the doc to explain then. Mine told me what areas were of concern (like hip, wrist etc). Actually, my wrists were stronger than normal and I think that is because I have cycled so much in the past and leaned on the handlebars.
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I think Benadryl is ok to take, or to use the cream directly on the itchy area. I liked lidocaine ointment, it is rx, numbs the itch.
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Kathie100 Bone density test is easy. No injections or anything.
flaviarose if you're still very swollen and sore I would talk to your onc/rad onc about this.
SallyS70 I have always found the best person to ask about drug interactions is your pharmacist.
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lago, ask the pharmacist ... good idea ... thanks
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Hi Ladies,
Been catching up on last couple weeks posts. I'm home recovering from lumbar discectomy surgery. Surgery went very well and I was home the same night. Have follow-up with surgeon next Tuesday and will begin physical therapy to strengthen core muscles. Optimistic I will be back to work March 3.
In reading through the posts, have to ask what all the abbreviations are? BS, MO, RO, NP, PS, MO, GP. Not sure who's who in the doctor listing. I haven't seen breast surgeon since follow-up post surgery. See oncologist every 3 months. Saw family doctor numerous times diagnosing back pain, which lead to lumbar surgery. Anticipate once surgeon releases me back to work next week, I don't expect to see him again.
Like many of us, prior to diagnosis only doctors I saw were annual eye exam, PAP & mammogram, and dental cleanings/checkups. And took no prescriptions, just vitamin supplements. Fortunately, I feel quite healthy. Only prescription I take is anastrozole. I also take a multi-vitamin, calcium, vitamin D-3, biotin, omega 3 fish oil, and a baby aspirin. I do feel the cancer diagnosis was like a punch to the gut. Really took the wind out of my being, and now with the lumbar surgery just can't help but wonder what will be next? Will I ever get back to my normal? I try not to dwell on what could be. I have few side effects from the anastrozole, just some stiffness following sitting too long. A quick penguin waddle and I'm good to go. I've always been a fighter and cancer is not going to slow me down!!!
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Hi Sherry,
It took me awhile to leard the abbreviations. There is a list, I think in the help section of BCO.
MO...medical oncologist RO...radiation oncologist BS...breast surgeon
PS...plastic surgeon. GP.....general practioner.
Hope your back heals quickly & pain isn't overwhelming. Glad to hear your SE from he Arimidex is not slowing you down. I get the prescription next week...
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