For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Kathie, it sounds as though the reason the insurance company was questioning her health history was to determine whether she had a preexisting condition that might therefore not be covered (no longer an issue with our new health insurance laws).
My health insurance company has contacted me too, offering wellness, nutrition, stress management, and exercise coaches, and a nurse to help me with any issues I might have. This is getting to be pretty standard these days, and my guess is they offer this free service to anyone whose bills reach a certain level, or maybe to anyone who wants to participate. They're hoping to coach us into better (cheaper) health. We benefit physically, and the health insurance company benefits financially. I did use the nurse and the personal trainer while I was trying to get back on my feet (emotionally, as well as physically) and establish a new, healthier lifestyle. I asked the nurse a zillion questions that would have completely filled several MD visits, so they (and I--co-pays, you know) saved $$$. The personal trainer was only somewhat helpful. He was young. He was more into weight lifting, while I mostly wanted to get a regular walking program established, and understand the link between weight bearing exercise and bone health. I was interested to learn that they could not address any of my diagnoses unless I asked them to. I found the service amazingly helpful, again, just for a while, but I'm very happy I took advantage of it. My biggest hesitation was trusting them with my questions about my diagnosis. Once I got over that, I was sold and I wouldn't hesitate to use it again.
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ruthbru: Have you gotten a wig yet? My doctor wrote the Rx for a "cranial prosthesis", and I had no trouble getting it paid for.
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Yes, my doctor had written me a prescription for a 'cranial prosthesis' too. He had just moved to North Dakota and was as shocked as I that it was denied. The nurses worked with me to present a case to the Insurance Commissioner, to no avail. I, myself, could afford a wig, that wasn't the issue, it was the principle of the thing that was so insulting. That all happened 7 years ago and I'm still mad about it!
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When I started the Anastrozole I was very tired all day. I finally figured out that if I take it around 7 pm at night it helps me sleep and I have more energy during the day. There are days though that I just feel tired and achy and just have to give in. I am just starting to feel better from surgery and now beginning RADs. I just hope the fatigue isn't too much worse than I have now, can't wait for recovery to kick in. I have only been on the Al for four months and hope that it gets better with time (SEs).
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flagirl RADS will probably make you tired as you get further into treatments. It's a build up. So don't get frustrated. You will recover in time.
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flagirl,
lago is correct. Rads will probably really tire you. I worked through out mine, but had to take an hour nap each day after work, and then slept like a log during the night. Rads cured my insomnia.
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I agree that rads will tire you. I know I worked through mine, did them in AM and then my desk job but often crashed by 3 and went home (course I had a 36 mile commute.) At the end, I slept for a week! Do try to get rest when you can as I ended up with shingles 6 mo after ending and I blame it on my suckie immune system
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Everyone is different. I actually started to feel my energy starting to return during rads. I teach and worked all the way through chemo. I did rads in the summer when I was off, so I am sure that was part of why I started to feel better. I also made myself walk every day & that helped to keep my energy up.
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I just completed my first week on Anastrozole. I want to know if the side effects start immediately or take some time to show up. I do have some muscle/bone pain but I don't know if that is from this or from the Taxol (I've had significant problems from it). But if this is as bad as it gets then it's doable. Thanks for any info.+
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2timer I had no SE for 3 months. The SE I had were from chemo and were getting better. Then after about a year or less the SE (mostly stiffness) reduced considerably over time. For others it was different
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I have been on arimidex for almost a year, I was scared lout of my mind to take the first pill. so far I really have not had too many se and hopefully that will continue. I did have some days the first months that I would just collapse and felt like a truck hit me. Just had one last week but that is the first in about 3 months, also had a trigger finger that a shot of cortizone fixed. Dr. said he did not feel like it was from the medicine, because I had one about 8 years ago, same hand. I am not sure if it was or not but at least it is taken care of for now. Dr. said it usually does not affect the index finger.. anyone out there have any opinion on this? I go back for a checkup on April 21st. Mammo on remaining breast, have to be honest... kinda scared, but know if something is there I will deal with it and will have the support and help from everyone on these boards! Maybe because I avoided chemo and rads I tolerated arimidex better.. who knows??
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ndgirl - chiming in on the trigger finder SE. There are many of us here who have had that particular SE. For me it was trigger thumb (both of 'em) but I know many here have had it affect their fingers rather than thumbs, and to varying extents from minor annoyance to extremely painful. Mine resolved on its own after a few months and some have had to go with cortisone shots. Next time you talk with your doctor let him know that trigger finger is a very common SE to Arimidex. Keep us posted on your next mammo and results......
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BosumBlues ndgirl probably didn't need radiation with an MX and small tumor. Also her onco test might have said chemo wasn't needed and the Arimidex might be her best bet but I guess we'll have to wait till she responds.
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BBlues, I would not ask normally, but you are so open, did your surgeon push for the mascetomy or did you insist. My surgeon & PCP were both very pro lumpectomy. Of course, we all ? Our decisions. My cancer was bursting everywhere in the nodes, but I only knew this after surgery.
Sometimes I wished I had the dmx.
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Hi to all, i have been taking Arimidex for 4 years and 5 months, did try to cope with side effects for the full 5 years but enough is enough, the worst things for me were depression, fuzzy thinking, and fatigue.....i did try to complete as i didnt have chemotherapy i though i needed to soldier on, i have made up my mind i need to feel like me again quality of life is important so i take my chance and start enjoying the sense of freedom since making this decision.
We all have different side effects on this medication hugs to all xx
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BosumBlues....you have done great to, going through chemo now this meds, i would give it a bit longer speak to your onc re these side effects....chemo has effects long after it is completed, you are doing so well please speak to your onc who may change meds to suit you you will feel better just takes a little time a little tweaking with meds ...keep in touch kaza xxxx
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Bosum, no I do not mind sharing at all, I could have had chemo if I chose to, but chance of recurrence was very low and dr did tell me of the possible side effects of the chemo. I am very afraid of the rads on my left side, my mom had them on the left and it ruined her heart muscle, she died of congestive heart failure but the rads must have killed cancer cells because it never returned and it had spread to lymph nodes. It was the new radiation too, it was a tough decision for me as mine was very small and early but grade 3 so chose the mx. I was treated at Mayo and felt comfortable with the dx, they did not pressure me for recon either, but I have another situation that I have shared on these boards as well, our Dil died of this dreaded disease leaving my son and four boys and I chose to get rid of the whole breast. She chose only alternative methods that did not work, her choice not mine to make. Hate this damn disease as sure you all do, but have a good attitude that it is gone and we can fight it together!. You women are the best!
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BBlues,
If your nodes were clean, and you did chemo, I would think your odds of recurrence would not be that high. I had extra-nodal extension, cancer growing all around the nodes, matted together. I cannot not help but think my odds suck, stage 3. That's also why I would not think about going off Arimidex, maybe switching, if I had too. I think switching would just change SE. I am fatigued like you, basically Have to push myself to do anything. I think it's a combination of everything. I did play 9 holes off golf yesterday. Woohoo!
Ndgirl, that is so very sad. Not doing conventual treatment is a gusty choice. Has your son been able to handle all of it, with time? Can he move on?
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our son and boys are doing great, he is remarried to a fantastic woman that loves the boys! Sometimes I think my life should be on a soap opera! Thank you for caring.
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I feel staging in the future will be less of a predictor of recurrence. It seems that some small tumors with no nodes recur but then some stage III don't. There are other factors other than size, nodes and grade that they just haven't been able to pin point but there are some interesting developments going on. Recurrence also has other factors like age of diagnosis etc. that can make a difference in your risk.
Heleinone My neighbor was diagnosed with stage III triple positive just after me. She is doing fine. Don't sweat it unless there is a reason... and right now no reason.
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Hi all. I'm trying to decide between Tamoxifen and one of the Aromatase Inhibitors. I believe I'm leaning towards one of the AIs because I've previous to breast cancer had appendiceal cancer and a right hemicolectomy 3 years ago, and also had cervical dysplasia many years ago. Does anyone know where to find (not only a list of side effects) but statistics about the percentage of patients experiencing the SEs, like maybe a large study showing for example.....10% experienced this and 25% experienced that, etc.? To only see a list of possible SEs makes taking any medication so scary nowadays. I do realize that some may be lucky to experience no side effects, but with the research I've done so far and "by word of mouth"....it sounds like you're almost guaranteed to have at least some SEs from ANY type of hormone therapy, or from any cancer treatment for that matter.
I'm new to this site and don't understand how to find information I'm interested in without having to go through thousands of posts in a particular forum. I'll also be trying the "reconstruction" forum as I have concerns about delayed reconstruction. Any help on this, and on my above question would be so appreciated.
Love and prayers to all, Sam :-)
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Go to arimidex. com . Way down on the bottom of the page is a link to "full prescribing information." You'll find the numbers there.
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Bblues, was also wondering why your recurrence risk is high? what did they tell you? our stats are very similar and I was told low risk, not sure about the stage 1a, what does the a mean? perhaps a larger tumor? I know I have read about all the staging but only retained what my situation was. Seems you did all that was possible, good for you! They told me at Mayo that the stage was more important than the grade, but who knows? the way medical terms go in a year or two everything could be turned around!! Good luck with the arimidex.
Holeinone.. I really struggled with dil's decision and still do, I really think she could have beat it but I know it would not have been easy for her either.. it was out of my hands but that doesnt stop me from wondering why and worrying.. things are better for me now, but sure hated to tell son about my cancer, the first 3 women in his life had breast cancer. grandma, mom and wife.. yuck, he is a tough one tho.. but enough is enough. I agree with Lago, alot of triple negatives on these boards and have been doing well for years. Take care.
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Thank you Brookside. I did take a look at the Arimidex site. Still am looking to find a comparison of SEs of the 3 AIS...Arimidex, Aromasin and Femara. I did read somewhere that Aromasin is a steroidal and the other 2 are not. Are you still on the Arimidex since 5/13? Hope you experienced no SEs, or at least much fewer than listed? If you did have some, did they subside or go away after awhile?
Would very much appreciate others comments also.
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I've been on arimidex (the generic version) since last April Fool's Day, and have been happy to find I have less appetite. I do have hip pain, but it only happens when I stand after sitting for a long time, and lasts only for a couple of steps, then back to normal. A while ago, the pain got pretty bad, but I clobbered it with aspirin for a few days. Now i take two aspirin every morning, and all is well. Although the pain can be pretty sharp at times, i consider it a really small price to pay for reducing my chance of recurrence by half.
Oh, and, at first, I was shedding like a shaggy dog, but that stopped after a couple of months. Thank goodness! Truly, I'm a lot more comfortable with the pain!
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samrodun Stats are stats. Even if it says only 2 people out of 100 get this SE it means shit if you are the one to get it. Seriously my chance of getting breast cancer when I was diagnosed with all my know risk factors was less than 2%. Thing is with any of the AIs you can always quit and try another if the SE is too much. My SE wasn't too bad just some stiffness the first years. I still have a little but only in the morning. I've been on it 3 years as of the 1st of this month. (Anastrozole). Never did have to try any of the others. I do have osteoporosis now but I was osteopenic before chemo, family history and right now we are not sure if it's the drug that's causing it. Might be another issue that I am getting checked out in a month.
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Thanks again Brookside. So after you stopped shedding :-), did ALL your hair grow back?
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This is from WebMD comparing Arimidex and Tamoxifin.
"Even after treatment ends, Arimidex beats out tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer recurrence in women with hormone-fueled tumors.
Updated results from this landmark trial also show that the increased risk of fractures associated with Arimidex therapy disappears after treatment stops.
In the study, more than 5,000 women with hormone-receptor-positive tumors were followed for more than three years after treatment was stopped. The researchers show that an additional 25% of recurrences were prevented by Arimidex, compared with tamoxifen, says John F. Forbes, MD, professor of surgery at the University of Newcastle in Australia.
During treatment, nearly 3% of women taking Arimidex had bone fractures vs. only 2% on tamoxifen. More than three years after treatment ended, the percentage was about 1.5% in both groups.
Forbes reported the findings here at the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Results of the study, which was funded by AstraZeneca, maker of Arimidex, were simultaneously published online in the journal Lancet Oncology.
'Carryover' Effect
Studies have shown that Arimidex is better at preventing relapses than tamoxifen during the five years that women are being treated with these drugs.
What we didn't know, Forbes says, is what would happen after women stop taking them.
"The news here is that the hoped-for carryover effect seems to be true," William Gradishar, MD, a breast cancer specialist at Northwestern University in Chicago, tells WebMD.
"The safety issue, particularly with regard to bone disease, is reassuring as well," says Gradishar, who was not involved with the work.
Arimidex and other aromatase inhibitors shut down the body's ability to make estrogen.
Tamoxifen blocks estrogen's effects, but not in the same way as Arimidex and its sister drugs Femara and Aromasin. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen from getting into cancer cells, slowing tumor growth.
Arimidex Cuts Breast Cancer Relapses
The landmark study involved postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. They were given either tamoxifen or Arimidex for five years, following breast cancer surgery.
The new analysis followed only about 5,000 of these women who had hormone-receptor-positive tumors. These are the tumors that are targeted by the aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex.
More than eight years after treatment started -- and more than three years after it stopped -- Arimidex scored better than tamoxifen on almost every measure:
- It lowered the risk of breast cancer relapse by 15% compared to tamoxifen
- It reduced the spread of cancer to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or liver by 16% compared to tamoxifen
- It slashed the chances of a tumor in the other breast by 40% compared to tamoxifen.
At five years, 2.8% fewer women on Arimidex had their cancer recur compared with those on tamoxifen; at nine years, the figure was 4.8%."
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Lago...Thank you also for your info and encouragement. Congrats on being done with reconstruction....that's my next adventure but not till months from now.
I think I've come to the conclusion that I'd rather have a broken bone than to chance another cancer with the Tamoxifen, and like you said...I can at least switch between the 3 if needed.
I don't have a husband (anymore), my daughter has been supportive but she's quite saddened with this 2nd bout of cancer for me, so I don't like to worry her more with my indecisiveness....which is why I finally decided to join this site forum. You all are so helpful and wonderful. God Bless, Sam -- but I'll be back :-)
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It's a great place to find information, bounce off ideas & questions, and hang out with people who really DO 'get it'!
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