For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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I've been told that one of the more important things for computer efficiency (ie: not waste so much time) is to try to become is a 'right-clicker'. You can do almost anything with a right click that would take 2-4 additional clicks to do if you remain a 'left-clicker' (aka: 'regular-clicker'). Add that to the 'ya learn something new every day' file......
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I feel like I'm really behind in the posts and will try and catch up later....
It's been over 6 weeks since I had my fat grafting and tummy tuck surgery and time has flown by! Not really but things are definitely getting better for me and the PS says everything is healing nicely.
At my last MO appt I asked the dr why he prescribed me Arimidex and the Chemo Clinic Pharmacy gave me Anastrozole. He said that it's the same thing.
When I told him about the concern over drugs made in India and that the Anastrozole I was given was from India he asked me if I would prefer the brand name Arimidex.
I told him YES. I wanted the real deal in light of all I've been through since my original dx (BC in the femur and another round of radiation).
He said no problem and wrote me another script for Arimidex and put "no substitutions" on it. He told me to take it to the chemo clinic pharmacy and they would get it for me FOR FREE.
So I did but I have yet to start it. Silly reason - my pill box was loaded up with the Anastrozole and I wanted to finish what I had popped out.
I'm going to start tomorrow and I'm hoping that since I went through the side effect period with the Anastrozole I should not have any with the Arimidex.
Wish me luck!
Marie
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'Luck!'
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Marie K , good luck, I am almost a year out now and tolerating ark arimidex quite well, hope the same for you. I was very scared to take it too.
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I didn't get any SE on Anastrozole till the 3rd month. Then after a year the SE started to reduce (especially the stiffness in my thighs). I too was waiting for the SE but mine were not bad at all.
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Thanks for all the well wishes!
I did go through a period of side effects with Anastrozole (generic) - headaches, blurred vision, dry skin, bone ache (especially hips and feet) and hair loss (lots of hair loss!). Thank goodness that my hair came in like crazy after chemo ended (Jan 2010) and the hair loss is not that noticeable to others (just me and my hairdresser).
I had the side effects from about 2 weeks on with Anastrozole (started in Sept 2013) and after a few months my body adjusted and I've been feeling ok since Christmas (knock wood here).
I'm just hoping that the switch to Arimidex (brand name) will not bring on more side effects or a repeat of the ones I've been through already.
Took my first pill today so we'll see.....
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it will be interesting how you ladies do on Arimidex as opposed to Anostrozole. Keep us updated....they did not offer me Arimidex, the rel stuff. They gave me Tomoxofin, since I am worried about bones. MO did mention Zometa, but I think that is over kill for my micro invasive and DCIS. MO did order me a CT scan to investigate my leg and pelvic pain. I hate to think of how much more radiation I am exposed to.
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Lago,my MO insists that if you are going to have a SE from Arimidex, you will have it early on. Actually I am taking the generic, and from India. Why are these MO's so bull headed, in denial? He says that my joint pain confuses him because I didn't develop it until a few months in. He absolutely does not believe these SE's develop later in the therapy. I want to throttle him sometimes. Thank goodness I don't have to see him often. I am taking another break from it, this is my third. I'll probably take a month off and see how it goes. I have decided not to try any of the other AI's. Out of the frying pan into the fire? I just don't want to have to deal with yet another medication and possible SE's.
I do want to let everyone know that SE's can occur, but not everyone gets them. Some have no problems at all. My biggest issue is always the joint pain, but I really can't attribute any new symptom to this med. You won't take it and feel a thing. I have other medical issues, primarily a severe case of reflux, but I have had stomach issues for years. I am not a spring chicken anymore and much of the joint issues may be simply a part of the aging process. I do have some arthritis and general joint stiffness. I feel much better when I get up and move, keep busy. My joint pain is in my neck, hips, my knees. It does seem worse when I am on the drug for several months without a break. It is so strange trying to sort this all out. I hope anyone starting this medication goes into it with positive thoughts. I can't stress enough that not everyone will have problems. Other than joint pain I seem to tolerate it quite well.
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I too, was on Anostrozole, made in India. I did pretty well on it for two years. With all the conditions you just mentioned, I changed to Tomoxofin. So far so good. I took my third pill today, no side effects except the first day I had several hot flashes. I am told Tomoxofin is easier on the bones. My MO had the same attitude, stating we blame the drug needlessly for other ailments! She does not think my bone issues are from Anosrtozole.
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Stage1 My RO and MO both drove me nuts. I am pretty stoic and also aware of changes in my body. When I developed the costochondtitis my RO was in total denial it was in any way related to rads. My MO is much the same with the joint pain. I saw him a couple months ago and he still insists SE's develop right away, not months into treatment. Really? I will be so happy the day my five years is up and I don't have to deal with them anymore. I know my body a hulleva lot better than they do.
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208sandy - My BS has described me as "very motivated", but we get along well and she speaks very frankly with me. My PS said that working with me has been like "golfing on a very challenging course", but he seems to take it in stride and we also get along very well. If either groans when they see my name on the schedule they at least have the decency to smile when they come into the exam room
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JustMeJanis, agree, I never stayed in touch with the RO. She prescribed cream that contained parabens, I had to pay full price for, not cheap, when I read the ingredients, I asked her about it, she said that parabens as related to BC is ONLY a theory! Well, I bet if she had BC she wouldn't be using the stuff! The cream went in the trash and I used inexpensive Acufor. And, I have rib damage, no one told me that might happen.
The MO is very young and I think I might be her first BC patient, it seems so. I am grateful that she is being thorough tho, as she orders the scans when needed. But, again, they don't want to admit to the SEs being sproratic, showing up at any time, even after being on a couple years. They seem to be very guarded against saying anything negative about drugs. At least admit to pros AND cons.
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justmejanis and stage1 I don't know why your oncs don't understand that these SE can develop over a few months, then in some cases actually subside. I believe it might have been Ruth's onc that said the SE peak at around 6 months then start to subside as your body gets used to it but as we know not for everyone.
stage1 your RO is not wrong about parabens. More study is needed but currently they can't say for sure that it's causing breast cancer. They continue to study. But nothing wrong with choosing to stay away from products or reduce the amount you use the products that carry them just in case.
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It goes to show that there is no ONE right answer that fits all: yes, many people (including me) do fine, many people's SE decrease with time (but some people's go the other way), some of the problems blamed on Als are due to other problems (but some are due to an Al no matter what the doctor says).
So, my advice for a newbie would be:
*go in with an open mind & be grateful we have this option
* commit to taking it for a period of time to see how things sort themselves out
* if something feels wrong, don't automatically blame it on the Al, get it checked out (I would suggest by a GP who will be more aware of other things that could be going on in the body, not just cancer related stuff).
* if, after all this, you really feel it is the Al that is causing your problems, don't let your doctor brush you off....insist on a change of medication (whether that be from generic to brand or visa versa, a change to another Al or to Tamoxifin, a drug break, whatever.....)make them work with you to get a good balance in medicine and quality of life!
End of speech
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Ruth, the 'speech' was great, good common sense. People should not be afraid of this med. Look at it this way, it is keeping that nasty cancer at bay. I take periodic breaks from it when the joints get really bad. I can live with it especially knowing why I am taking it. Don't lose sight of the goal.
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In general if a doctor keeps brushes you off it might be time to look for a new one. That new Endocrinologist IMO brushed me off so I fired her. Went to a different MD and I'm much happier and got a lot more important information!
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I have been on armidex since early February. I have had no problems with it. I do get hot flashes in the mornings after I take it but doesn't last long and not bad. I am going to weight watchers too n loosing weight. Life is good.
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msmaples, you also have a positive attitude which I believe plays into how you feel ("life is good"). Losing weight on it - Wow - wish I could say the same.
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I have too. I have two kids. One will be graduating college one is working full time. I want to be around "forever ". Or long as possible. Weight is an issue for me it has to come off. Next week relay for life I'll be there!
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hi all, I started on arimidex in January,my joints feel like rusty gates. Why do I have to take this if my ovaries they removed my dam ovaries, and my breasts? I know the purpose of the medication but it makes me sore.
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nursenay - I asked my MO that at the start. The ovaries aren't the sole estrogen producers in the body - it is also produced by the adrenal glands, fat cells, etc. So, the Arimidex is to shut down those minor producers. Also, even if the known cancer is removed and the lymph nodes look clear the cancer can spread via the bloodstream. Hang in there!!!
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Great!
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BB, wonderful! I have been off of the Anostozole for about a week. I am on tamoxifen, now. I had a good few days, but now different feeling pains on the left side, still. Bones have been affected, so I think it will take time to rebuild the bone. MO wants another CT scan since pain is on one side, leg and pelvic areas. I am concerned about too much radiation. I kinda don't want to do the scan. I just had that bone scan....does anyone have any imput on too much radiation?
Ruth, did you see Dr. Oz, yesterday had gin and raisin remedy on his show. I'm thinking Ruth is on the forefront of real medicine! If Dr.Oz and Dr. Ruth says so....I am going to buy some gin to go with my raisins! Question, why is it nine raisins?
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That one you will have to 'Ask Dr. Oz'....I imagine that he'd say that is the amount you need to get the effect you want.......
I will have to see if Dr. Oz needs a partner
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when I am asked who my dr is, I always say dr Oz . How many doctors would listen to gin and raisins to be a remedy?
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My aunt's cool doctor is the one who told her about it; many, many years ago.....so there are some good ones out there still!
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Question to those who have experienced emotional wackiness, mood swings or depression. Has this started soon after taking the drug? Anyone experience it a year or later?
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well if you ask certain folks in my life...they will say I have always been wacky, recently, I really have decided not to cave in to folks as life is mine and have to care for myself
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the first week or so I was an evil witch. Cheerfully bit off anybody's head for not much reason. It's pretty much settled now, but can still get weepy. I'm in Effexor for hot flashes, not depressed.
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Just popping in to say "I hurt all over" I'm just past 1 year on Arimidex and every day I hurt. I did start back at the gym and am doing a yoga class and then a "Silver Sneakers" class to try and get stronger body and bones and of course to get rid of all this pudding that is surrounding my body. I started getting worried thinking maybe I have bone cancer now but I am going to let that thought pass out of my head. I hurt like all of you girls, every day I use the microwave beads and that is the only thing that helps. Is it worth changing drugs, will something else be worse. I'm 67 and have 4 years to go...MY MO is leaving the state on May 1 and I don't know who my doctor will be but I think I will make an appointment before he goes. Hope a=ll you girls feel better than me... Haven't been here for awhile but it sure is nice to come back to some familiar names. Chat later girls....
and sleep tight..... 0
