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For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing

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Comments

  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 118

    I do know what you mean!  But it is not always limited to my neck.  I can be sitting wrapped in a blanket watching tv and still feel so cold on my neck and down my back.  The cold seems to be deep in my body, not like a breeze on bare skin.  Its really weird.  It does not last very long either.  Within 30 minutes of so, I'm shedding the blanket because I'm too warm.  Meanwhile everyone else in the room is comfortable, not noticing any temperature change.  I just chalk it up to my new 'normal'.

  • iamnancy
    iamnancy Member Posts: 641

    Janetanned - that is exactly what I mean - I have to wrap a scarf around my neck til it passes.. crazy

  • Smilemaker
    Smilemaker Member Posts: 20

    I find dressing in layers has helped me. T-shirt ,hoodie. Hoodie goes on-off,on- off all day long. Hot flash from the waist up. Have to drive in 20 degree weather with the window down. 10 months down,??? to go. Minor joint pain in hands. So far not too bad. I have been lurking here, thought I'd jump in.

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 47,702

    yep, layers is the key, also sweaters & sweatshirts that button/zip in the front so you aren't pulling things off over your head all the time

  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 278

    Spookiesmom, to respond to your post from a few pages back.......my MO is also Indian. I will be starting Arimidex after I am done with chemo, so likely in a few weeks. I think I will try to find out what I can get from my local or mail order pharmacies, and then ask if he will write for Teva brand. I will suggest it based upon the information I have been reading, and not bring the country of origin into it. I may also ask the nurse practitioner and the clinic nurses if they know anything about it. I really appreciate everyone's feed back on this thread! I am not looking forward to the possibility of all the side effects. I know that not everyone gets them, and I am hoping that will be the case for me. But I have had so many issues with the chemo side effects and complications that I figure this is my next challenge. Right now I have terrible pain in my hands, feet, hips and thighs from the Taxol, so I guess I may just have to live with it for a few more years. I keep telling my self that it certainly beats the alternative!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    For you folks with Indian MOs. First of all were they born in India. Also some people in the US don't buy American Manufacturer cars because they don't feel they are made as well as others non American brands. Doesn't mean they hate America or Americans. I would be honest and say I have read there might be a problem with drugs manufactured in India. If your MO acts offended I would come out and say "If I had problems with India or Indian people you wouldn't be my doctor now would you."

  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 278

    Great answer Lago! Plus, there is a reason he came to America to practice. My MO is funny.....he tries to act very "Americanized." Obviously he is proud to be here......

  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 49

    I'm new here, and appreciate all the information I've been reading about. I started on Arimidex two weeks ago, so far so good. Minor hot flashes. I was very concerned when I read about the generic Arimidex from India, since my bottle says it was made in India. I am a Northern California Kaiser patient, and therefore have to get my meds from Kaiser and have relatively no choice. I suppose I could demand brand-name, but the price would skyrocket. (As it is, I only pay $5 per bottle for the generic.) So, I emailed my concerns to my MO, who I love by the way, and here is her reply:

    "Only very specific companies in India were cited as being problematic. Kaiser
    is extremely cautious about which companies they work with and the
    generics have to be proven to be safe and equivalent to the brand-name
    counterparts."

    So I feel a bit better about taking the generic, and will continue along this path.

  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 285

    I am also Kaiser in Sacramento area. Mine has Breckonridge on it for a manufacturer.  Anyone know anything about this one?

  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 49

    stage1 - That's the same one I'm using. If you look closely on the bottle, it says "Manufactured by: Natco Pharma Limited Kothur India". It's distributed by Breckenridge in Florida. But I'm choosing to trust my MO when she says it's safe. Hope she's right! (I did google Natco and it seems like a reputable company.)

  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 285

    does anyone know if there is a difference in SEs between the American made Arimidex and the Indian made generic?

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 1,418

    RhoddyMMM, you might ask around your local pharmacies, and find out which one carries the Teva brand. Then when you get the script from MO go there, in my case she faxes it in. I did not do that 2 weeks ago, went to Costco, came home with the Breckinridge stuff from India. 

    I filled out the home delivery form from the Arimidex Co. The oncologists has to fill out the prescription part. My insurance will not pay for the brand name, and supposedly you can get it from Arimidex for $40 a month. The stuff from Costco is $ 6.30 a month, with my prescription card. 

    I will let you ladies know if & when I get this...some reason I have doubts...

  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 285

    thanks for the info, Bondsy

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    Just some of my personal thoughts on India VS. Teva/Israel

    There are many women that are taking Anastrozole from India and are doing well and are getting the drug. I wouldn't be surprised if more women are on the drug from India but I don't know for sure. But I have a choice, an affordable choice so I am choosing Teva. If there ever comes a point when I have to choose between $9 and $40-$80+ a month I know I will be stuck with the Indian Manufacturer as well. If I notice a change in my SE, like reduced SE, especially since I've been on it for 3 years I would contact my onc and let her know my suspicions. So if you don't have any SE after being on this drug for 3-6 months, and I mean NO SE then I would have this discussion with your onc.

  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 285

    I do have SEs on the Indian made generic.  I have the cough and throat issues and pains in my legs off and on, mostly night. I am exercising every day which helps.

  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 285

    I have been on it for more than two years

  • ndgirl
    ndgirl Member Posts: 950

    To all the gals that get the "freeze flashes" I do that too, but they can last for 2 days, I just freeze, and not only because I live in the frozen north country because it happens in the summer too. Bone chilling cold too. Cant really say about the neck because I am just cold all over. Hot flashes only last a few seconds but these last for days.. hate them.

  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,669

    Janetanned and IamNancy: I can be watching TV snuggled in an electric blanket set to as high as it can go and still feel downright cold and yes, it's a torso chill, not just hands and/or feet feeling cold.

  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 118

    I feel like one of those old people who gets bundled up to go the beach.  My dad (passed at 98) used to put his heat on in the summer.  He could never get warm on certain days.

  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 467

    I too know about the cold flashes.  I've had the back of the neck before but I just put on a warm soft scarf and it helps me.

    Could it be circulation issues?  

    I know lately my arm has been numbing up and feels cold (inside not on the outside) from armpit to elbow.  GP thinks it might be a pinched nerve. Chest xray and arm pit/breast U/S are normal.

    I had hot flashes too when I first started the Anastrozole but after about 4 months they have greatly subsided.  I've been on Anastrozole for 6 months now and I can't remember the last time I had a hot flash.

    In fact most of my side effects have subsided - hip, leg pain, headaches, dry skin, hair loss etc.  All I have now a bit of body ache when I get up from sitting for too long and the achey feet in the mornings.

  • Kathie100
    Kathie100 Member Posts: 36

    Well ladies I am gonna confess. Today is day 2 that I haven't taken my arimidex   I don't know about you but for me my quality of life is so much more important. I have just a slight chance of recurrence vs the chance of heart problems and bone problems and the 'bad days' that staying on this medicine causes. Yes I'm torn but based on statistics my chance of recurrence isn't anywhere near my chances of heart problems or bone problems. Lately my estrogen has been high so I'm doubting that the meds are even helping me. I can't say that I'm not gonna change my mind but I have always done things based on analysis of statistics (basic problem solving) so here I am on day two and I feel hopeful that my life can go back to normal. I have 5 grandkids that I love dearly and want to be here for a long time to see them grow but more important for me is to see them almost every weekend, which to them is such a special time, and I want to have the energy and health to continue to enjoy this. Love this site and again I may change my mind but for now here is where I'm at 

  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 467

    All this talk about where the drug is made had me curious.  I looked at mine and it is from Taro Pharmeuceticals in Brampton Ontario (I'm in Canada).

    There is nothing on the pill except for the stamp A1.  Nothing on the package or insert to say that they are from elsewhere.  So I guess these are made in Canada?

    I get mine from the local hospital chemo clinic pharmacy and don't pay anything for a 3 month supply (same as when I was on Tamoxifen).  

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 1,418

    Marie, if you go back 2 pages to 148, Lago has a link to photos of the different pill stamps. I think yours is on there, you can google the manufactor. 

    It's at the bottom of 148

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 15

    I have been on Anastrozole 1 mg for three months. The most SE I noticed is fatigue. I was taking in the morning and changed to evening.  Since I started taking it at night I sleep better and have less SE's. Of course, I have night sweats and hot flashed but I think it relates mostly to sugar intake.  Hope this helps. I joined later on in this posting what is it about the India generic drug? 

  • msmaples516
    msmaples516 Member Posts: 10

    I have been having hot fladhes too sine I started the meds.  Thankfully they don't last long.

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 15

    So, after checking my Anastrozole from CVS in Pensacola FL, it is from India. Should I be concerned? How do I go about changing it to TEVA?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    flagirl call your CVS and tell them you want the Teva brand. They may or may not carry it. My CVS in Chicago does and that's what I am getting. You may be fine with the India brand. But if you have a choice go for Teva

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    Marie I think your Anastrozole might be manufactured by Sun Pharma

  • patoo
    patoo Member Posts: 5,243

    Kathie100, you have to do what you feel is correct for you.  None of us can judge you for your decisions.  My best wishes for you.

    Regarding the manufacturer, I was on brand Arimidex until the generic was out.  I have been on generic Anastrozole since then.  My insurance won't pay for brand name which does not bother me since it's the fillers that are different not the active medication.  I get mine mail order and for the past year they have been Breckenridge.  This month marks my 5 years altogether and my MO may take me off when I see him in April.  If he keeps me on longer I will ask him my ER levels and if they are still low then I don't think it would bother me to continue using Breckenridge as my mammos and breast exams have been NED. I had all my, minimal, SE's on the brand name and none on the generic.  So let's just hope that the lack of SE's is not a bad sign!

  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,669

    Aside from my feet being achy and hot flashes (which have neither increased nor decreased since before Arimidex) the only other SE I can really complain about at this point is lack of MOJO (and I follow a different thread for that discussion: "I WANT MY MOJO BACK" Bawling).  It's not a terribly active thread but I have definitely picked up some very helpful recommendations Loopy.

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