For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
-
Hi, sherry16 -
Here's a link to a thread that has more abbreviations explained...
http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum_id=62&id=735716&page=1
0 -
Hi Sherry16 - the way I look at it is that the old normal me is gone but has been replaced by my new normal. The old normal for me was natural, though a bit saggy and pendulous, breasts and a very rare need for prescription meds. The new normal is my reconstructed breasts and a prescription med for five years. My old normal would never have been at the gym before 6am five mornings a week. My new normal is staying fit to the best of my ability and early morning is the only time to fit it in. The old normal knew that October was BC awareness month. The new normal is getting a little choked up at times during that entire month (and all year long) when I think of my old normal and the continuing journey to the new normal.
I think as time passes what's normal for each of us does change, it just happens so gradually that we don't notice. BC, however, forces us quickly and reluctantly into a new normal that none of us is prepared for. Unfortunately, you hadn't even had a chance to get used to the new normal after BC before you were forced to deal with another new normal following back surgery
. Don't fret too much or rail against fate - shit just happens sometimes and you gotta give yourself time to get used to the changes that compose the new normal.Wow......guess I'm feeling a bit philosophical today!
Hang in there.......
0 -
I take two anti hormonals. Zoladex is a monthly implant to shut down my ovaries and I take arimidex. Tamoxifen did not work well enough for me so I had to switch. Chemos did not put me into menopause so I have to be medically forced into it vs doing an ooph.
0 -
Cider 8 looks like you've had 3 different diagnosis Did they all occur in the same breast? at what point did you get your oncotype #, was after the first diagnosis?
0 -
I was both BRCA's negative but breast cancer and colon cancer run in my family. I had my first colonoscopy in November and did have one polyp but he said I should be good and don't need another for five years. I still had my port at that time and they used it and I was asleep for the procedure. I was on the Miralax regimen to clear things out, I didn't mind it too much.
I haven't had any hair loss from anastrozole which is nice since it is just coming back in from chemo....
I found my lump myself the first of April 2013 and so they had to do my yearly mammo early, so I'm not due again until April. I should be healed enough by then to have the mammo on my one real breast. I did end up having three lumps in that one breast. The 2nd didn't show in the mammo or ultrasound but was found with my MRI. The third wasn't found until the were going through my breast tissue after surgery.
0 -
I am going to see my onc this Wednesday to get on an AI (I am post-menopausal). I have read that there are three AIs given to patients like me--Arimidex, Femara, and Aromasin. Is this correct?
Most importantly, does anyone have a feel for which of these drugs has the least potential side effect of insomnia. i know the literature says insomnia is a potential side effect for all, but I count on the experience of BC survivors almost more than research when it comes to side effects.
When I have insomnia for extended periods it always leads to depression, usually a long and deep episode. Please let me know if you have an aggregate sense of which of the three might cause me the least problem with this SE of insomnia.
I am scared but determined to try one, which I wouldn't do right after treatment ended in April because I just couldn't make one more decision at the time. The percent of hormone postive cells were relatively low and in only one of four tumors. The onc wanted me to try one but at the time I was also burnt out by the side effects of treatment, chemo especially.
I need help!!!
Of course I will ask my onc about this SE on Wednesday, but I sure would feel better if I got some feedback from you all. Thanks in advance!
Hugs,
Peggy
0 -
peggy- I have been on Anastrozole for 3 weeks now. No side effects so far and am sleeping better than before. It makes no sense, maybe catching up from the lack of sleep during chemo! Give it a try you never know. I take it in the morning.
0 -
Peggy, I think it good that you are willing to try the AL. my onco started me on femara. I did switch to aromasin after about 18 months. I thought the leg pains I was having was due to the AL but it turned out to be my statin. I do not have sleeping issues with my pill but sort of think it may all be individual.
ps....just ended the dang pill after 5 years so it can be done! best wishes
0 -
Peggy - I have been on Arimidex since December. I take it in the morning, and I have no sleep issues. I do have joint issues and bone issues, but I had these prior BC. The Arimidex only increases these problems. Make a list of all your concerns prior to your appointment. Lisa
0 -
PeggySull I was more scared to take an AI than chemo. SE have been minimal. I take anastrozole in the morning. My NP said it would be best so I can avoid sleep issues.
0 -
My onc explained that he prescribes arimidex (generic version) first simply because it is the oldest and cheapest. Cheapest resonates with me just fine. I have no sleeping issues, but, as you know, everyone reacts differently.
I'm all over the place with the side effects--for a couple of weeks, hip pain on standing had gotten pretty near where I was about to call "Uncle." Then it got better. I don't know whether it was something I did (or did not), or whether my body just decided to ignore the pill, but all is fine at the moment.
0 -
Peggy,
I start Arimidex next Tues. that's the plan anyway. My MO told me right from the beginning that she would put me on Arimidex as soon as rads were complete. I had my LAST radiation tx this morning !
I have read that Arimidex is best for Lobular cancer. So, I am not too worried about the SE. I am active, and I know with my stage 3 dx, I have to take this and it will all work out.
My PCP Dr. who I am very comfortable with said, hot flashes, night sweats, bone pain...well we have all put up with that, I will let you know next week, you do the same..
0 -
Sweetandspecial, thanks and yes it is a new and ever changing normal.
Blessings2011, thanks for the link. That helps a lot!
Back pain has lessened considerably in last couple of days. Have started doing some walking exercises using DVDs; too cold to go out. I see surgeon on 2/11 and will request release to return to work 3/3. I am feeling really pretty good now, but have been approved for leave to 3/10, so will take rest of month off and still return to work earlier than planned.
0 -
Does anyone else have this issue of side effects (joint pain) coming and going?
0 -
Peggy - I started in tamoxifen for 2 months before I had my hysterectomy and then in January last year switched to Femera. I was on that for one year, but when I went back a few weeks ago she said I could try Arimidex since I was having joint pain and trouble sleeping with Femera. She also said that there is one more I can try if arimidex gives me trouble. She said that they all do the same thing and the SE are different for different people so we will keep trying until I get one that works the best. I have been sleeping better lately, but I just started Arimidex so am not sure if it will get bad again, but am hopeful it is gone.
0 -
Peggy - I've had sleep issues since I started down the menopause path 7-8 years ago and it's no worse on Arimidex than before. I've had my share of other side effects, some of which resolved on their own and none of which is debilitating.
0 -
Peggy - I was on Arimidex for a year until the SEs finally got unmanageable. Ironically, insomnia was never a problem. I've been on Femara for four months now, and I actually take it at night, so it doesn't cause fatigue during the day.
That's what's so crazy about each of the possible AI drugs - there's no rhyme or reason why one person does well on one and poorly on another, or why the same drug will cause horrific SEs in one person and absolutely none in another.
My MO uses Arimidex first, then Femara, then Tamoxifen, then Aromasin, based on feedback she was getting from her patients.
0 -
kathie100, my history is complex (the words of doom from my MDA MO!). My right breast had the mucinous tumor, lots of DCIS that warranted MX and then another tumor IDC was found in surgery. Chemo automatic. Then, a year later, in my right breast 2mm of IDC was found by accident when my PS sent some tissue to pathology when I had a recon revision. The oncotype was done on that 2mm. I had rads for that. While I had rads on the right, I was apparently growing IBC on the left breast. I'd had a prophylactic MX on the left same time as the right (having atypical lobular hyperplasia on the left clinched my decision). When I started chemo for IBC I was considered IIIB. After surgery 10 nodes were positive so I was upstaged to IIIC. Not really 2 diagnosis for IBC, but I wanted to note the upstaging. They considered the IBC a new primary BC, but also think it's possibly a recurrence from the right side; they simply don't know.
0 -
Cider8 thanks so much for responding. I'm so sorry you've had to go thru so much. It looks like you've got a great team behind you. If you hadn't of gotten a mastectomy do you think they would of found the other problems. I had a lumpectomy and wish I would of had a mastectomy just to make sure all was gone. Sounds like even going that route isn't always successful. Hope your feeling good and the future brings you better results. Thanks for sharing it helps me to know what can happen so I ask the right questions and make the best decisions
0 -
Kathie100 I know my neighbor when in to get a lumpectomy. When our BS got in there he say more tumors. Closed her up and then got permission to do the MX the following week. So yeah they see things if they are in there. Also I had an MRI on both breasts before surgery. The saw 3 suspicious areas one that my BS thought might be LCIS. If I didn't get the breast removed as well the 3 areas would be biopsied every year. His recommendation was to remove both. LCIS in one breast increases your risk of cancer in both breasts, then add my increased risk since I was already diagnosed. It made sense and is standard care in this situation to do the double.
So what's my point. Well I assume you are going to a good surgeon. Good chance that if there's something there s/he would have found it but nothing is a guarantee. The good thing is now that you have been diagnosed they will be watching you like a hawk. Anything the least suspicious they are going to scan and/or biopsy.
0 -
thanks to all who responded to my questions about AIs!!! I feel much more informed for my meeting with the onc on Wed.
Cider8. I feel for you in terms of the emotional weight such confounding variables in your dx. With each piece of news I'm guessing you had to go through a lot of angst. Thinking of you and hope for peace and calmness if you have any more news.
Hugs,
Peggy
0 -
Re: insomnia - my theory is that the AIs don't directly cause insomnia, it is the bone and joint pain that makes sleeping difficult.....
0 -
flaviarose,
I think you are on to something. I've often woken up with pain. Now that my hip and ankle pain is under control, I'm sleeping better than ever since going into menopause.
What a lovely name? Portuguese or Brazilian? I knew a Flavia and Flavio from Brazil.
0 -
kathie100, I had 8cm of DCIS so my surgeon recommended the MX. I think if I would have just done lumpectomy on the left breast it would have only been a matter of time before MX. I'm not even sure they would have done lumpectomy on ALH. Also, I was diagnosed at 39 with very dense breasts, all the more reason to be more aggressive. Rare things occurred with me. I've surprised several seasoned doctors. There are no guarantees with any of the treatments!
Peggy, it's been quite the bumpy ride! My determined attitude has served me well.
0 -
Flavia was my Italian grandmother's name.
0 -
I have taken Arimidex for 3 1/2 years. Before cancer I had extremely strong, thick hair. Now I have thin hair, especially in front where it recedes on both sides. I have used the Nioxin products with no notable changes and have even used women's Rogaine at times on thin places in front. My hair stylist told me she has had clients who used men's Rogaine with success. I wondered if anyone knows the implications of trying men's Rogaine. Of course, being safe is my first priority.
To all you Stage III ladies who are struggling, as we all do at times, don't try to bear this burden alone. Your friends and family care. God cares.
0 -
My hairline was receding even before arimidex and my dermatologist recommended men's rogaine. I tried it for a while, but it made me itch like crazy and had to stop. I might try it again.
0 -
mimiof4 like brookside my hairline also receded a bit before chemo. I tried men's as a recommendation by my dermo but my face got "hairy" it was blond hair but still didn't want to be a long haired peach. Went back to women's. It does slow the loss down. My sides are too bad but the top is starting again. My husband stopped using Minoxidil years ago because of the itch. Ask your onc if you can try using women's 3x a day instead of men's 2x a day. Might help with the itch.
0 -
I just started Arimadex 2 weeks ago and I'm already having some pretty severe joint pain (especially wrists and ankles) and some locking knuckle issues. Has anyone found that it makes a difference taking the meds in the AM or PM? I'm wondering if I take it at bedtime with an Ativan if it might be more tolerable. I think some of my pain is residual from chemo though. My ankles have been stiff in the mornings for a while.
0 -
It takes a bit for the chemo SE to wear off. I personally didn't have any SE from Anastrozole till the after 3 months.
0
