For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
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If you do try the orthotics, start with a couple of hours/day and build.
A tennis ball (or maybe two) is just what I want for those tight spots between my shoulder blades. Thanks for that idea.
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Sweet, I did have plantar fasciitis and was in PT several weeks, until I got my BC dx. The therapist had me roll my foot ona frozen bottle of water several times a day. Felt great. Also told me that before I got out of bed to pull on the front of that foot and stretch it backwards. Even better with a belt or scarf. Told me not to wear flip-flops unless they had mucho support, like Fit-Flops. I had one shot of cortisone at the podiatrist and for a while slept in a special boot. It took a year but the PF went away. Good luck.
Oh, I also was told me stand on an incline box to stretch that muscle. At home you could use the stairs.
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Thanks everyone. All the PT options mentioned here were on the list I found yesterday so it's good to know various ones have worked for y'all. Ruth - I don't think my Walmart Supercenter has one of those Dr Sholls insert machines, at least I've never noticed one. I've been in the foot care aisle of the pharmacy section many times and never seen one but who knows......I can be pretty oblivious sometimes
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Lisa, glad you got all the suggestions and sure that one of them will work! My heel pain never came back, no idea what had caused it. It is amazing the muscle aches that can be improved with the right stretch. I used to have hip pain till my PT guy gave me some stretches and no more hip pain! But do have to keep up with them.
Wish my dang kegels would do their job better!
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hi, Everyone, I got my results to my yearly mamo today at a visit to my MO. Great news, all clear! She did want me to have a bone scan for bone cancer, as I have hip and leg pain on the left side that wakes me up at night. So, I was not aware of the difference between bone scan and bone density test. Now I know. Anyone here have to get the scan for being on Anostosole. I just thought my pain was SE to the medication. What's the scan like. I understand I will get an injection and come back 3hrs later for the scan.?...is it usual to get a scan after a long time (3 yrs) on Anastrosole? BTW, she did not think my cough and throat problems were an SE. Any comments?
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Stage 1 I got that bone scan before surgery/chemo. It is different from a bone density. It's really easy. They will do a scan if you have symptoms like bone pain that doesn't go away if you have had a diagnosis of breast cancer. It has nothing to do with you being going on Anastrozole. They just want to make sure the cancer didn't spread to your bones.
I get annoyed these days but if there is a symptom that could be cancer they test. I recently had a blood test for bone cancer due to some symptoms (along with other tests). I don't have bone cancer.
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hey, thanks, Lago. Good to know the scan is easy. BTW, I have been using your suggested walking video. Thanks so much! You set me on my way to being much more active. I got a Fitbit for Christmas and have been logging my exercise and food intake. Slow weight loss, but its happening. Thank you sooooo much! You are an angel on this site;)
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Lago, me too! I am doing the walking at home program you recommended and I have a fit bit too. Lost 13 lbs so far and feel great. I got my daughter hooked and she is doing great. She calls me and we do the programs together. You have definitely made an impression and wanted to thank you so very much.
MsP
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MsP, wonderful! Love that Fitbit!
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So glad you guys are doing the video. Just be careful. I actually got shin splints. Took a few days off. Now I'm just doing the low impact through the 2 minute bursts. Granted I do 3-5 miles at a time. Also I think I need new gym shoes.
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Get good shoes! I always have a 'pair and a spare', so the minute the ones I've been wearing don't feel 'right', I can ditch them and drag out the 'spare'....otherwise I have the tendency to wear them longer than I should because I put off shopping for new ones.
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Ruthbru, I keep a pair at work under my desk. It makes it more convenient to take a mid day break and go for a walk. I am fortunate that I live in a warm climate, so walking, jogging and other sports are year round. But I do like the walk at home program because sometimes you just want to exercise in your jammies. I am on Femara but I follow this thread because it is so lively. I think exercise is so important, really a game changer for me.
MsP
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This is a lively place!
And, if anyone is looking for a lively exercise thread, come check out 'Lets Post Our Daily Exercise' on the fitness forum.
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MsPharoah For many the SE of Femera isn't all that different. Lots of relevant talk for you. They are both ESD (estrogen sucking drugs)
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Went to talk to my oncology dr.Im now on arimidex.Have been on it since March 19th.So far ok.Go back to him in a month,to let him know how it goes.But on the 21st. i came down with shingles on the side of my neck,with shooting pain in my ear.Now im taking acyclovir for that...but i still keep going...thanks for being here...Kay
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Kay, so sorry about the shingles! I got them 6 months after ending my rads....while on vacation....on a sailing ship..off the coast of Maine...near no docs! They sure are nasty so hoping yours were caught early and treated! Dang it but when your immune system is kaput all sorts of things can happen!
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Anybody who hasn't had a shingles shot, should get one ASAP. Shingles are awful!!!!
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I agree, I delayed the shot until I turned 60 so insurance would cover but of course, regretted it later as it was only a few months! I did get the shot as soon as I checked with my MO even though afterwards
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I think (but check first) that they have now lowered the age to 50. If not, you could have your doctor code it, so you could get it paid for by insurance, because of a 'high risk' or something.
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I tried getting one few months ago, my pcp said no, dont give til over 60.
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kayezzy66 I got shingles about 6-8 weeks PFC too. It SUCKS. Worst part of the journey. Took the anti virals right away for 2 weeks but did shit. I had it for a month. My PCP wants me to get the shingles vaccine because you can get it again especially if your out-break lasted more than a month. Hang in there.
Ruth the vaccine has been approved for 50 (I believe the month I got shingles and I was 50) but insurance, if they cover it was still 60. Not sure if Obamacare changed that though. I should check because the reason why I haven't gotten it is because of cost. Have other medical breast cancer SE doctor shit to pay for right now.
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Hello everyone, I am 54, had a lumpectomy in 2009, chemo and radiation therapy in 2010, go for PET CT scans every six months and am now in my last year of Arimidex (Tamox x 3 and Ar x2 years). I have gained 11 kilos, most of it around my middle which is like being pregnant all over again. . I have always been slim and very fit, so it depresses me terribly. I now also have osteopenia in my lumbar region, and my torn ACL and meniscii have never felt as painful. My doctors can't say whether I will shed the weight when I go off the medication because the menopausal effects may have set in too. But I hope I can encourage others here with the following : I've gone off alcohol completely, work out six times a week: 3xspin-cycling ,1 Pilates and 2 weight-training sessions. I don't control my diet much but ought to...I have not shed a single gram nor an inch around my huge middle. BUT: I feel lighter both in my head and otherwise. I can't fit into old clothes again but do feel the new ones slipping on more easily. Just wanted to send everyone my best wishes and hope this encourages everyone and keeps us all going... Best wishes all round...
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Thank you for the look ahead - PaddyR! I only started Anastrozole the first of December. The side effects hit right away and most have eased up. My knees continue to ache when changing positions. The worst, by far, is waking up several hours after I fall asleep and feeling that it is time to get up. I keep telling myself that the alternative is much worse because stopping increases my chance of a recurrence. So I am determined to do the five years. It is all how we look at it, isn't it? Take care!
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I've got an appointment next week to start acupuncture. I'm hoping it helps with the stiff achy joints and with my overall fatigue. And tight muscles. My lymphedema therapist released me this week and I see my physical therapist twice per week. I figured out I can only handle 2 types of treatments at a time! I will report on how acupuncture goes.
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Hi everyone,
Q: Is anyone taking 0.5mg of Anastrozole (Arimidex) instead of 1mg?
Thanks, MAGF
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Hi everyone,
I'll be back with more questions but right now I'm curious about one thing. Why is 5 years the magic number? Love and hugs!
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I had a bone scan and xrays done...
Arimidex is not causing the pain. My cervical lorodosis (upper neck C4-C6) is straightening and narrowing and I have arthritis in my back.
Back in Sept 2012 I had a PET scan done prior to my bilateral mastectomy and a hot spot showed up on my 6th rib right side (cancer side) . bone scan said it had not changed in size so they are calling it benign (whew)
My primary doctor told me she does NOT want to send me to a Neurosurgeon for the back (who knows why?!) and that there really isn't anything I can do for the pain...right now Aleve is working as long as I take it every 7 hours. If I wait the 8 it says to, it hurts so bad that I can't stand it.
Sigh
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I got my shingles shot this year along with my pneumonia shot!
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MAGF, My first month on a full dose was awful (exhaustion, crying for no reason, depression, etc), so I took a break for a month then went back on it at .5. When I told my MO I thought he would not be happy, but he actually agreed that I could take it for several months at the half dose to try to get my body used to it. I did the .5 dose for 5 months and now am taking the full dose again, with none of those original SE's. Now I have other SE's, but they are not too bad.
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Connie, that is a rotten answer from your doctor. First make her tell you WHY she does not want to send you on. If her answer does not make sense, insist on it. She is working FOR YOU, not the other way around. If her answer does make sense, the least she can do is refer you to a pain management clinic. You should not have to live in horrible pain in this day and age!
Pelively, the first 5 years are the highest risk of recurrence years. There are studies going on about whether or not taking it longer than that would continue to lower your risk further or not. Some ladies with a very high risk of recurrence are taking it longer right now, just in case. I choose to be done after 5 years because for me the potential long term SEs seemed to outweigh the possible benefits to me. Hopefully they will have more scientifically backed recommendations by the time you get to that point!
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