For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Saw my onc yesterday and he is prescribing me the clonidine patch to help with hot flashes. Its really for blood pressure but is used also for this. I had talked to him about the zoloft I was taking to try and help them, and vitamin e. I asked if that was it for me to try and he said this right away. Will start tomorrow, so shall see. Anyone ever used those or know about them? thanks!
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Aviva,
Don't have Hugh bp but prescribed it for nightmares from childhood abuse. It seems to be oneof thos drugs with fewsideeffects and good for a number of conditions. Been on two years.
Hugs,
Peggy
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Sadie, the only thing I would do before starting is to get a bone density scan, so you have a baseline and can stay on top of things if you start to have problems (make sure you get plenty of calcium plus vitamin D and weight bearing exercise to help protect your bones). The rest, you just have to wait and see. Most ladies really do not have terrible SEs. I was a little achy at the beginning, a friend (who was taking Arimidex already) told me to keep moving anyway, so I did, and that really helped. I was a little 'flashy' too and had to ditch the heavy sweaters, turtlenecks etc. and dress differently in layers, which helped a lot. Any symptoms I had really diminished after about 6 months and I was able to do the 5 years with little problem. As everyone reacts so differently, I would suggest that you go in with a good attitude (as it is the biggest medical thing we can do to prevent recurrence), and deal with any SEs if or when they occur.
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thank you Lago. I wouldn't have known to ask these. Also good to know about your experience. Thank you.
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I'm pretty close to osteoporosis (I'm only 42!) so my doc said DEXA every year. I asked for the baseline DEXA at the end of this last round of treatment; I'm not sure if it would have been ordered. My mom at age 69 has osteoporosis, and has had it for a few years. I don't know what my DEXA would have been at 39 when I was diagnosed. They told me calcium plus D3 and weight bearing exercises for now. We'll compare the DEXA's when it's been a year and see how it's going. My PT is making a plan for me to include weight bearing exercise. What do you all do for weight bearing?
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cider8,
Walking is good, running if you can. I am ( or was for 25 years ) a tennis player. Hoping to be able to play again. I enjoy hiking in the mts.
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Hi all, I know it's been a little while since I posted last, I thought I'd write a bit of an update. The sides effects have actually been subsiding over the last week or so. The joint pain isn't going anywhere, but I'm finding getting moving helps with it. The light headed and fuzziness feelings have greatly improved, and I haven't been at all dizzy for the last week.. I still often feel quite tired and lethargic. The tingling feeling in my ankles have subsided (just not completely). Basically except the joint pain and headaches, a lot of my side effects have improved.
Thanks to the helpful replies on here, the pharmacist who I spoke to and of course my specialist who I spoke to, I'm now much better informed.. in my case the dizziness was attributed to it.. all my symptoms are side effects attributed to it. Part of the reason it's been hitting me so hard is that it finally cut off from estrogen... combined with the fact I don't have testosterone anymore. Long story short, my body was making do and functioning the most it could from the estrogen that was still floating around.
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I have some SE's from the Anastrazole and not sure what is actually from the drug. I have been really trying hard to walk at least two miles a day. My hip hurts but it is not unbearable at all. The joint pain isn't severe at all. Right now I am having terrible hot flashes and night sweats. I wake up during the night freezing cold because I am soaked. I change jammies..I sleep in a light t-shirt and light Capri bottoms. I change the t-shirt a couple times a night. Whatever PJ's I go to bed in I wake up with something different. Doing lots of laundry. I went to the MO today because I am having pretty steady pain in my 'good' left breast. It is sore and painful and has been getting worse. It has been about a month so I called and they got me right in. I had one swollen gland under my jaw, also the left side. They did not speculate what it might be, but ordered a mammo and ultrasound which I will have Wednesday. More waiting. Oh, she prescribed Gabapentin for the sweats. I went off of it several months ago because of the SE's. This is a much lower dose so I will try it. I just take one before bedtime.
I am sorry for everyone dealing with the SE's. Hang in there. I agree with Ruth, exercise really helps. Now I just walk but at a pretty good pace and I do feel better. Baby steps. I have never been athletic and am very clumsy. For now walking is safe for me, LOL.
Lago I am trying to catch up here but it is hard to keep up! I am glad you are still here and giving wonderful advice to so many who need it. Good job! I'll try to pop in more often. I read almost every day but don't post a lot. We are all in this together. Hang on everyone, it will get better. Hugs to all!
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Ruthbu, great advice and perspective. I've pretty much had a PMA throughout, but we all have our days. There's so much I have to be grateful for. Thus far the medical team I'm working with has been very good, always asking me if I have ant other questions or if I need them to explain anything further.
I will remember your comments, thanks.
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Justmejanis, I know what you mean about the walking. I'm not on hormones yet...still facing SAVI rads starting next week...but the most essential advice they said they could give me was to take the following 2 pills no matter where I am in treatment: 1) 150 minutes of exercise a week, essentially 30 mins per day, 5 days in a row, 2) 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, heavy on the deep colored veggies. I'm finding creative ways to get the veggies in. When I head back to work in about a week, I will continue my new discipline of leaving on time so I can get home and get on the treadmill or go for a walk! Boss may not like it, but it's time to switch the focus to me vs work.
I have to kick myself in the you know what some days to exercise. Even when I feel exhausted, I've gotten on that treadmill and amazed myself that I find more energy at about 30 minutes to keep going. Right now with the SAVI catheter in I can't exercise but that will only be for a week.
I think reaching out and sharing on the Boards is therapeutic in itself. Lots of support and ideas re: SEs. Good luck with your upcoming tests. Good that you're staying on top of it.
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justme: I'm like you these days. I try to keep up on reading all the posts but finding the time respond as much as I would like to is difficult. So, everyone, know that I AM reading and keeping you in my thoughts!
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cider8 having osteoporosis at age 69 isn't too unusual. My mom had it too but some how revers ed it. I did believe for a while she was taking a small dose of estrogen but not now because of my diagnosis. After chemo I had a big drop but remained stable for a bit. I was osteopenic before chemo. Now diagnosed with osteoperosis but still not sure if the cause is chemo-pause and Anastrozole. Still need to find out if I do in fact have celiac disease. That is a cause and my endo says I have it although the blood test was just slightly high. I do the calcium, D3 and weight bearing exercises.
Hi justmejanis good to see you too. Hope they can get to the bottom of your issues. Keep us posted. Yes many old timers here helping out. Ruthbru is one of the biggies on this thread.
Exercise I've posted this before. If you can't get to the gym and the weather or ice/snow on the grown prevents you from power walking out side try these videos. Remember that even if you just powerwalk through the entire thing (don't do the knee lifts for side step stuff) you will still get benefit: linky
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started my patch today so will see if it helps the flashes. I think gabapentin is an option later if it doesn't work.
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Weight bearing exercise is anything that pounds your bones; walking, running, dancing, Zumba, other fitness classes and/or DVDs, also adding more steps to your day like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking farther back in the parking lot etc etc.. Although swimming & biking are very good for you, they are not weight bearing, so shouldn't be the only exercise you do. Lifting weights also builds bones (although you want to start very carefully with that.....start with very light weights & work up very slowing, possibility with a trainer or PT who are familiar with the risk of lymphedema). As mentioned, a good diet helps. If your digestive system will cooperate, a daily serving of prunes (now called 'dried plums') has been shown to actually BUILD bones. There are some good exercise threads on the fitness forum, so if you want some exercise buddies, check them out. I use the 'Lets Post Our Daily Exercise' thread.
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Ruth my DEXA scans are excellent. My doctor told me that I have perfect strong bones. I have broken many so of course I always wonder. Diet and exercise do help. I will try to add a few exercises eventually. I have never been an exercise fan other than good long walks. Years ago (way too many) my BF and I walked and got up to 6 miles in one hour. We entered the Walk-A Thon to raise money for MS. It was 22 miles and I had most people offer a dollar per mile. This was in Denver and they had five routes to choose from. Of course they have people posted all over the place to record your number as you walk by. This verifies you are not taking shortcuts. We were so proud to come in first place! There was no reward for that, it wasn't the point. We were just determined. We were being followed closely by a 12 year old boy walking alone. He came in 2nd and approached Sharon and I and asked if he could hug us. Of course! He said he tried so hard to catch us. What a doll, walking it by himself. We did the walk in 4 hours and 16 minutes. It was so rewarding. Those were the days! I don't think I can repeat that, but love walking and we try to increase the distance a little bit each day. My DH has bad lungs, emphysema, COPD, asthma. We walk together and he is doing well, but now is dealing with swelling in his calf so we haven't walked much the last couple of days.
So SadieCat, one day at a time, awesome you are using the treadmill. Thanks for the good thoughts. You too Lago, will keep you posted.
Everyone have a wonderful day. Spring will be here soon. We'll all get Spring Fever. A good 'illness'!
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great advice. I'm an iPhone/iPad woman and use MapMyFitness.
Can't wait for nicer weather to walk outside!
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Hello everyone. I am here to get your opinions. I am 3 years post treatment. I was on tamoxifen for 1.5 years but when I didn't come out of chemo pause I was switched to arimidex so now 1.5 on that. I immediately had some soreness in my right thumb but my onc said he didn't think it was the meds and it really doesn't bother me too much so I just ignore it. But recently my right elbow and shoulder are aching. The elbow I really only notice when I'm on the floor exercising, but the shoulder bothers me more. I feel it aching throughout the day and especially bothers me when I sleep since I'm a side sleeper and sleeping on that side gives me pain. Is this joint pain from the meds? My feet are achy too, but I'm a runner so it could be from running. I also have osteoporosis after one yr on the medication so I get the Prolia injections every 6 months. Blah - 2 more years on this stuff.
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It could be the med, or arthritis. Best thing would see your PCP to have it all checked out. I was concerned about some back pain. It's been a problem for years, but was told bone mets hurt a LOT, all the time.
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Ann97 I agree with Spookiesmom. As far as the toes I get that stiffness (along with my fingers) in the morning. It mostly goes away but I will admit my left thumb it still a bit stiff. Not sure but it too might be arthritis. Also I'm a righty so maybe my left is just a bit more stiff because I don't use it as much. I was peri-meno before chemo too but my onc felt I was so close and given my family history I would stay in chemopause so I started with Anastrozole from the start. (Last period was 2 weeks before chemo). I am 3 years on this too. We started our journey about the same time.
My left should can bother me at times but I know it's due to a car accident. Sounds like we both need a massage.
How is the Prolia for you? I may be going on this soon. Can't decide what to do but I am now in osteoperosis too.
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thanks Spookiesmom and Lago. I need to make an appt with my PCP anyway. I see my onc in a couple of weeks too so I'll mention it there. Lago, I remember you
. I haven't been on the boards in a while. I learned from you about the eyebrow powder you use. I love that stuff!0 -
oh - I meant to answer your question about the Prolia. We can only be on it for two years so 4 injections total. I should get my second one in about a month. So far no problems at all. The jaw issues are the biggest concern but not likely to happen especially if there is no surgery done. You just want to see your dentist before starting on the Prolia to make sure all looks good. If you do need anything done to your teeth, best to do it before starting on Prolia.
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Thanks. Teeth are good. Already mentioned it to my dentist. My concern was the back pain I've read about. BTW I have my mom hooked on the Anastasia Brow duo as well as many others on this forum. I still use it too.
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I've had three Prolia injections so far and have no specific SEs that I know of. Any SEs that I do have (hot flashes, fatigue, achy feet, etc) I think are the Arimidex. My onc never said anything about a 4-injection limit though. I see him in May and will have a dexa scan prior to that to check against the baseline done prior to the first Prolia injection.
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Thanks for the input. Given we are the same age (well I'm a few months older
)I hope to have the same experience0 -
Ann, just a thought; if you have full blown osteoporosis, maybe you should switch back to tamoxifin.
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Lago - I too read about aches and pains from Prolia and I had myself ready to feel like I did after the Neulasta injections (I had an especially strong reaction to Neulasta), but I felt just fine. Maybe a slight ache in the lower back, but nothing to complain about really - it was very slight.
Ruthbru, I have thought about that too, but I had a bad experience on Tamox - long story and I was fine, but it was a bad scare and so unless a dr mentions switching back I am not going to bring it up.
Sweetandspecial, interesting that your dr hasn't said anything about a 2 year limit on Prolia. Mine didn't tell me that originally when having me choose between Prolia and I don't remember the name of the other - it is the one you get in the veins once a year, but he did tell me after the first Prolia injection. He said that they just don't have the studies done to say that Prolia is helpful after the two years so they switch you over to the once a year one after the 2 yrs if your bones have not improved enough to bring you out of osteo.
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ann97 good to know. I too couldn't stand up straight for 1.5 days after my 1st nuelasta shot because of the pain in my lower back. That was exactly what I was worried about... although I do know they work on differently.
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Would Clariton (not Clariton D) which helps with Neulasta pain be something to try?
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Ruthbru, I've heard that Claritin is helpful for the joint and bone pain. I think there was some discussion about it early in this thread.
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JustmeJanis - I too had similiar complaints with breast and underarm ache and tenderness and numbness down same side arm. I went to my GP who ordered a chest xray and breast U/S.
Everything came back fine. I hope yours does too.
Mine is much better and I've discovered that it might have been something to do with my extended hours of use of the mouse on the computer. I haven't been on much lately (in the last 10 days) and the issues seem to have resolved themselves.
I am currently recovering from Feb 27 fat grafting and tummy tuck surgeries (to repair fat grafting donor site and little bit extra tuck for me) and I have to say that my AI side effects are not even on my radar right now.
For me there's nothing like a painful procedure, tight binder and long recovery to take my mind off morning feet and hip aches. Yes I'm still on the Anastrozole - never stopped taking it prior to surgery - this time.
I'm looking forward to sleeping normally, walking upright again and getting rid of this killer lower back pain from walking hunched over!
Marie
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