For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
-
Proud to spin - When did you take it? MO said to make sure I took it at bedtime.
0 -
LizzyinMI last I read Zometa reduces risk of recurrence only in the bones. My onc was going to put me on it after chemo for my osteopenia but then the studies showed it didn't help… then a year later the new studies said it did but we never revisited.
I am not doing the Zometa infusions because the place I go won't administer it in my foot (not trained) and I have LE in one arm, the other at risk so no IV in my arms! I had my port removed so they can't use that. I am getting the injection, Prolia instead but my rhuematolagist really had to fight for it.
0 -
Lizzie, I took it at bedtime, for me it worked like a sleeping pill but I was foggy in the morning. I solved my problem by changing from Zocor to Lipitor and then tossed the dang Gab stuff in the dump!
I had a really lo dose of the Gab stuff, I am no way a fan of that med, did not help the pain in my leg but just made me stupid!
0 -
Checkers, wow! You're the 2nd person I've met that has had him do their surgery. I liked him very much. No, my MO is in IL; when I was getting Chemo I wanted to be local.
Lizzy my MO prescribed Gabapentin for but I thought it was for neuropathy. I could be wrong - chemo brain kicks in when you least expect it. Regardless, it did not work for me. I do hope it works for you.
Bren; be wary of the Nioxin shampoo and conditioner - I used it after finishing chemo, for about 9 months and it turned my hair to straw. You will most likely need a much better conditioner, at least weekly. The girl who does my hair even commented on the poor quality of my hair after I'd been on it for 6 or so months. On another topic - sort of - I think we're on the same aging acceleration train, and I really wish someone would put on the brakes!!
I am just starting with the women's minoxidil, but I'm afraid of the "you have to use it forever or all the hair you grew will fall out" comments I keep hearing. Of course, maybe using it now is just a stop - gap until my body feels like growing hair again? Not sure how this will play out.
0 -
LizzyinMi - welcome to another Michigander! I have in-laws on the east side of the state (Troy and Chesterfield). I was on Gabapentin for several months post BMX because I had a lot of burning type nerve pain across my upper chest. I took 300mg 3x daily. Aside from some dizziness the very first day I took it I didn't have any problems. Thought some mental fuzziness was from Gabapentin but now I'm pretty sure it's the Arimidex because it's still there. I took it from early December 2012 through April 2013 when my fills were done.
0 -
I have brain fog and terrible short term memory loss from Anastrozole. It makes me feel like a dope and old.
0 -
denilynne - sometimes I wonder just how stupid I'm gonna be in another three and a half years. I'm definitely not as sharp as I should be with this pill.
0 -
laurie2025 I just use Minoxidil on my crown. If you stop your hair just doesn't all fall out. It starts to fall out like it would of if you never used it. And it doesn't happen all at once because that's not how hair grows. BTW I have been using it since 2005 with a break in 2010 when I did chemo. It's not a big deal. You put on moisturizer every day right. You brush your teeth every day… think what would happen if you didn't do those 2 things!
0 -
sweetandspecial, that's funny. I figure, in 4 1/2 years, I'll be sitting in a corner drooling with blue birds flying around my head.
0 -
I did a short course of GABA. for PN. It made me so foggy I couldn't remember what I did at work. Since I wasn't catching hel& for anything I figured I was ok. Scared me though. I drove school bus. Now it's called chemo brain.
0 -
BosumBlues Fuzziness in not Brain tumors/mets/cancer. Usually it's more like headache, balance problems, vision problems, etc. Losing weight is also a sign.
BTW I write lists so I don't forget… today I forgot to bring my list. Remembered and when back inside to get it, and forgot again. Ha ha and I've been on a 5 week vacation. So what's my excuse.
0 -
lago - I know that's not supposed to be funny, but you made me laugh out loud!!
Good point about the minoxidil. I'm going for it.
0 -
Lizzy - This past January My MO suggested I start Zometa every 6 months for 3 years since it can help stop a BC recurrence in your bones. The new study was based on starting Zometa one year after finishing chemo but my MO still thought it was worth me doing even though it was a little more than a year after I finished chemo. I had my first infusion in February. One SE is they told me was you can get flu like symptoms for upto a week but these should be less with each infusion. After the first infusion I was very sick the day after, but it was only really bad that one day. I am scheduled in August for my next infusion so we will have to see if it is true that the SE are greatly reduced. Please feel free to PM me if you have other questions.
0 -
Lizzie, Gabapentin (neurotin) is one of those drugs with many applications other than its original use. A neurosurgeon gave it to me for nerve pain, up to 900 mg a day, and some friends with severe back pain were taking up to 1200, even 2400 mg, a day. As a se, I found it made me sleep much better, so for years, with the blessings of a psychiatrist and my PCP, I took 300, 600 or 900 mg at night. For some reason, it calms a busy brain. So I'm not surprised it also is used to ease hot flashes. Don't be afraid of it.
0 -
Bren, I'm experiencing the same dramatic hair thinning. My hair always was thick and grew in thick after chemo. I was on Anastrozole for a year and have been on Aromasin for the past year. All of a sudden, in the past 3 weeks, the hair loss has been frightening. I hate to wash and brush my hair. Why did it come on so suddenly and after 2 years of AI's?? Iago, do you recommend your regime? Does it matter if your hair is colored? Like You, Bren, I feel my looks have aged 20 years. I hate to worry about petty things. I' thankful for every day. I appreciate life. But I wish I looked better!!! After looking like an alien during chemo, I dreamed of coming out of the cocoon like a butterfly. I'm more of a locust!!
0 -
When i started arimidex (the generic) a year ago, my hair fell out at an alarming rate. After about three months, it went absolutely back to normal. Now it's started up again. Spring shedding, is what I'm thinking.
I tried minoxidil several years ago (receding hairline back then), but my head itched so much I stopped. I might try again, but, as I am sure I'm the only one who notices that my hair is thinner, I keep putting it off.
0 -
Lizzy,
I also have had one Zometa infusion. I pushed for it, MO was a little hesitant, but approved it. There is a article on it. On BCO, you would need to do the search. It was from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. I think the article is dated Jan. 28, 2014.
I was achy and sleepy for 2-3 days, but nothing like chemo.
0 -
Laurie it is funny. BTW I still had to run back out and get the one thing on the list I forgot. But dinner did turn out great.
WaveWhisperer Yes mine started to recede a bit more after 2.5 years but s till not bad. I color my hair. Yes I recommend trying but you need to be patient because it can take 3-6 months for the Minoxidil to kick in. I think a lot has to do with spring shedding too. Like animals, once the weather gets warm maybe your body feels you don't need as much hair.
Brookside my DH had that itching problem with it too so he doesn't use it. He does use Nioxin without problems
0 -
What's nioxin? Topical?0 -
Generic for Rogaine. My derma said to use the women's strength.
0 -
Some Nioxin products have Minoxidil in it. Minoxidil is generic Rogaine. I use Walgreens brand of women's Minoxidil.
0 -
Have any of you tried Cymbalta to help with stress and joint pain? When first diagnosed, I sent myself into a tizzy with worry. My doc chose Cymbalta as I had been interviewing ONC's and two of three said taxol, which has joint pain as a side effect. I sailed through chemo with very little joint pain or neuropathy.
Onc said if I have too many problems with joint pain, He will prescribe it again to see if it will help.
0 -
Took my first dose of Gabapentin last night - 300mg. I didn't sleep any better and was still hot. But maybe because the weather is hot and for some reason we haven't turned on the air yet. I did feel a little "off" when I got up this morning. Can't put my finger on it exactly, maybe a little light headed? I know these meds can take some time to work so I'll give it a shot. I just hope it doesn't mess with me too much since I am off to Arkansas this afternoon for the rest of the week for work .
0 -
I started coloring my hair in my mid 20's because I was already going gray. I was wondering what color it would be after chemo and it came back in a beautiful white with a little black in the back for contrast. It is also nice and thick and in the last few weeks has become quite curly. I love my new hair but now you ladies have me worried about thinning!
I was hoping I had things pretty much under control but now I'm experiencing tingling in my right hand and right foot. The forgetfulness started with chemo but now snap at the littlest things. My husband and daughter said the bitchiness started with the Arimidex. Are the SE's for this drug never ending?? I keep hearing stories about SE's that appear after years of being on this drug and now I'm concerned how the SE's are going to affect, not only the next 5-10 years but, the rest of my life!
Okay, done whining.
0 -
Lizzie, maybe you should turn on the ac or at least get a fan, be nice to yourself
Bossum, gee I have only recently been looking in the mirror and see such bags under my eyes! when did they show up! I am 65 and recently retired. After ending work, my neighbor told me he could see the reduction in stress in my face~~then again, learning this new word of SS and such is more stress. Hmmmm, laser treatment, let me know how it goes
0 -
I thought I had severe hot flashes the first three nights on Anastrozole. Turned out I had the flu and 102 degree temp. But the cool jams I ordered are nice! I have to agree with the getting older thing. And I sure wish I had thick hair to start. Mine has always been thin enough to make hats a fashion blessing. People in my area are taking a supplement called Protandim. Anyone heard of it or tried it. If is touted as reducing oxidative stress in cells which is what causes cell aging. All kinds of people claim to be feeling less joint pain and more energy. They look pretty good too.
0 -
Mimimiemi it took me about 3 months to get SE from Anastrozole. 3 days, unless you haven an allergic reaction (which would happen sooner if it was) is a bit soon. I would think at least a week.
0 -
Bosum, I don't blame you for trying the cosmetic route. I've tried that, too, both before and after BC.
I also have a deep vertical crease between my brows and tried Botox before my daughter's wedding. I only had 2 treatments and results were not noticeable. And it felt weird not to be able to frown. Maybe if I had "stuck" with it longer, the results wold have been more noticeable.
I had ultherapy, which is supposed to release collagen and tighten the face, but I saw no results. Truthfully, the dermatologist said because of my age, 65, my results would not be dramatic. Guess I've lost too much collagen.
I've had blue-light laser 4 times and Fraxel laser treatment 3 times on my face, once on chest and once on hands, for sun damage and precancerous spots. The laser was also supposed to provide some cosmetic benefit. My entire face peeled, so there was fresh new skin, but I can't say I look younger. All of these were expensive. But I'm still trying. I want to try fillers to offset my mouth turning down, which my derm has suggested. I will not have surgery, though.
There's no question that chemo ages you. A study recently out said that, on a cellular basis, chemo ages you 15 years. I don't know whether any cosmetic procedures can undo all that.
0 -
MO finally got the DEXA approved by insurance. My hips continue to be in the normal range. My lumbar spine has at least stabilized after a year on Fosamax and hasn't continued to decline so that is good news. I understand that it can take longer than a year for the numbers to turn around on the bone-building drugs. Still, the report again ends with "patient at moderate risk for nontraumatic fracture of the lumbar spine" which is a drag...
Best wishes to all!
0
