For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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DDOL, I only took the Anastrozole for one month before I started getting the "name brand", Arimidex. I was getting the brand from India. ( Costco ) ...
I have been taking the real deal for almost 4 months. Honestly, I can not tell any difference, but I am stage 3, and obviously nervous about my prognosis. It is worth the extra $23 a month for me, emotionally.
There is another generic that is made in Canada....Teva, Company name, I think....most ladies worry about the fillers in the stuff from India. That co. Name is Breckenbridge.
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Rhoddy, so sorry for where you are at now but I can so relate. Heart attacks took my grand dad and my dad before they hit 40. My brother celebrated his 50th with triple bypass and my cousin, well she had a silent heart attack in her 50s. When I told my cardiologist this history, he said well how old are you? I was in my 60s and he said well, you have outlived your family so what are you doing different? I said I do not smoke, I eat healthy and I work out several times a week. He said keep on doing what you are and do not stress on the family history. My job was also very stressful and I worried all the time that the company would fold before I hit retirement~!~
Keep on doing what you can do. Me, I need to work on cholesterol now...
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Thank You so much
I am thinking I am going to spend the extra $ only because I will feel better knowing ( there is nothing like the real thing ) why would it be cheaper if there isn't a different's ? There has to be ?
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Thank You so much
I am thinking I am going to spend the extra $ only because I will feel better knowing ( there is nothing like the real thing ) why would it be cheaper if there isn't a different's ? There has to be ?
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Day by Day I am learning so much from this group of ladies I am very thankful for my good friend that told me about this . For with out looking and reading I would be lost for words when I see my doctor plus not knowing what is ahead of Blessing
Diane
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I too my first Exemstane (Armasin). So now I sit and wait for the eye lashes to fall off.
I'll keep you guys posted.0 -
lago and nancyjac, keep us posted. I will follow in about a month, so I'm interested to hear what is happening to you.0 -
I started exercising way more about 4 weeks ago. Part of it due to nice weather to exercise in and partly due to an exercise program I joined. I wanted to report in that I have way fewer aches and pains by evening than I used to. I'm doing a more comprehensive program, stretching, cardio, strength. Interesting. The only other change I've made is I'm actually lying out in the sun like we did as teenagers. Who knows, maybe that's it.
My thumb is doing much better although not back to normal yet. I got a new mouse at work and the pain is 90% gone. Crossing my fingers that will do the trick.
Lago, I hope the new med is kinder to you.
It's interesting that people have different effects on brand vs generic. They tell us they are the same. Could fillers really make a difference?
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Hi Ladies! I ,too, recently switched from anastrozole (generic manufactured by TEVA) to tamoxifen after taking the arimidex for almost a year. I took a break and then started tamoxifen...I feel much much calmer, less achy over all, and my breasts are no longer swollen. It is definitely worth the loss of an additional 2% protection. Quality of life prevails and I hope it continues to be kinder on tamoxifen . Hope this help folks who are thinking about switching. I also am trying to sort out whether the lumpy area I feel on the affected side is also due to the arimidex and byproduct of all the swelling. After an ultrasound it is considered normal tissue by the radiologist. Both onco and BS consider it unlikely to be cancerous but aren't sure why I have a hard area deep to the chest wall. No biopsy ...has anyone else experienced tissue changes like this from being on arimidex? Thanks for any thoughts!
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TwoHobbies, great that you feel better with the exercise! I believe it is what got me through the last 5 years and really, has helped me in many ways
best of luck to you
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Lago
all the best with your new meds..
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Got through day 2. Might have a little heart burn after I eat but goes away quickly. Hopefully my system just gets used to it and it doesn't get worse. Granted isn't Nexium over the counter now?!
Also was in a little funk earlier but I think that was because I had some shoulder pain (ugh could it be back so soon or is it just going to rain) and I do believe I might now have some arthritis in my left lower thumb. It's been a little red and swollen for several days. Took an Aleve and I'm out of the funk.
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My oncologist says I will be on Arimedex post 6.5 weeks of radiation. Thanks for the group. I plan to read these entries. This site has been so helpful. Monday it will be 4 weeks since my last and big surgery. Just to tired. tonight. I will look forward to learning more. Take care ladies.
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I just joined this group even though my BC journey began 5 years ago. I joined because of a lump my gyn discovered during a routine exam a few weeks ago. I had a mammo and US - they showed nothing. However I am going to see the breast surgeon (appt is tomorrow) to see if any further testing (i.e. Biopsy) is needed. I've learned a lot over the past few weeks including the fact that some cancers are not seen on mammos and US and benign lumps are not as common in post-meno women.
On to my arimidex comment. I have been on arimidex for 5 years with no side affects ( other than weight gain at first). I don't know whether I can blame my difficulty losing weight on the arimidex since I am not at all great at eating the way I should all the time. It is also possible that my lack of joint pain is due to the fact that I am on Cymbalta for depression. However I am weaning myself off Cymbalta very slowly and am only taking a low dose twice a week now. We'll see how it goes. Just wanted to let others know that not everyone has significant side effects while on arimidex.
Thanks for being here as I am getting lots of good info in some of the other forums.
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Welcome Mlb
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Mlb, if I may make an observation, I too take cymbalta and a couple of other drugs for depression and arimidex as well. Last month I ran out of the psych meds due to insurance issues and let me tell you the se's from arimidex went thru the roof! So, if its working, why fix it? Unless you are having se's from the cymbalta that are affecting your life I would consider to continue on it. Just a suggestion.
Aurora
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Mlb and auroaya-I am so glad to hear you say that about cymbalta. That is my plan if I should start having join issues. I was on it for 6 months when first diagnosed as I developed a panic disorder (couldn't eat, sleep, cried all the time, bp went up). I still maintain that the reason I had very few side effects with taxol was due tot he fact I was on Cymbalta. Then I had to wean off as you can't take it with Tamoxifen. I really didn't need it then anyway. Took effexor for a bit to try to help with hot flashes but i still had them, so gave that up too.
I figure I can use the cymbalta to the Arimidex crabbiness I jmight get, and the joint pain. Everyone wins!
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fluffqueen, yes and rest assured that as early as last week I doubled checked with my psyquiatrist and the cymbalta does not interfere with the arimedex, (neither my other psych meds) back in Houston when I was first dx with bc I was taking prozac while on tamoxifen I did not know you were not suppossed to my health care providers and the pharmacies failed to warn me about it. I don't know if that is why the tamoxifen stopped working but I doubt it. It probably was more the fact that when I moved to Orlando I did not have insurance for a while and stopped taking tamoxifen altogether for about two months. There was nothing I could do as here in Orlando I haven't found they have a good support system for uninsured/underinsured patients like I did in Houston. So now I just bought new insurance which is costing me a lot. I am on disability and my daughter, grandson and I live on that income so it's tight economy but my daughter does miracles with it. Well I went off the subject but I just wanted you to encourage you to give the cymbalta a try.
Aurora
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Mlb1949: Thanks for relating your experience about Arimidex. I like knowing that there are women who have little or no side effects. I have been on it less that two weeks, so I really have no idea what it will be like for me. Of course it's just blind luck with SEs. I can hope, but I know that doesn't affect if I will have issues or how bad they will be! At least I know I can come here for sympathy and/or advice no matter what.
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Until I came to this site, I wasn't thinking about arimidex at all- just took the little pill every morning. I knew that Cymbalta can lessen the side effects of arimidex but when I decided to cut back on the .cymalta I really forgot to make the connection. I think it would be a good idea to stay on the Cymbalta. thanks for the feedback.
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MLB...I don't think there is an interaction between Arimidex and Cymbalta. There is with Tamoxifen. Seems like several of the anti anxiety drugs do. My onc says now that I am on an AI, I can take whatever I want, lol.
Aurora-I love your name. I don't know how much of an interaction there is. When I started Tamoxifen, I asked my onc if it was an issue as I had read something. He said yes, and switched me to Effexor as my hot flashes are awful. That didn't help, then they published info that Effexor might interact too, so I just got off all of it.
I wouldn't hesitate to start again, even though the brain zaps when getting off the stuff are not fun for about a month.
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Hi Ladies - I just started reading this thread this week....just started Arimidex (well, the generic version) on Monday. Like you, Janett, I'm not sure what to expect and when. So far, the only thing I've noticed is that I sleep even lousier than normal - but since I haven't slept through the night in 10 years, that's not a big shock. Fortunately, I can usually sneak in a nap through the day.
Menopause was kind of a non-event for me except for the insomnia and my MO said Arimidex SE should be about the same so I'm hoping.....Thanks to all of you for the information - I'm so glad to have found this site!
Saltyjack/Bev
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IamNancy, I know what you're experiencing about being snappy and irritable. I've been on Anastozole for almost 3 months and have been snippy since the first week but it has really escalated in the past 3 weeks. I constantly blow up at my husband and daughter for the stupidest of things. It finnaly got to be too much. Last Thursday, I was on my way for my first mammogram since finishing radiation and the hospital called, they had lost power and couldn't do it. I got so angry for no reason, and I blew up at the person who called even though it wasn't her fault and then I started crying. She said she would call back to reschedule. I was almost home when she called back and said they had power could I come back. I blew up again and started crying. Got to the hospital had the mammogram (all is good) and then saw my surgical ANP. She asked how I was doing and I started crying again! She was so sympathetic. She started me on Effexor. I've only been on a low dose for less than a week and already I'm starting to feel a little better. Maybe this is what you need instead of switching meds.
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SaltyJack IamNancy might be right. I switched to Aromasin. Started Friday. I'm not blowing up but I am upset all over again… over nothing. Friggin' driving me crazy. And my onc with "I don't think it's from the drug" statement last Wednesday is now pissing me off even more today.
OK vent over
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The first few weeks I chewed off everybody's heads, ripped new as$es and was just not nice. I started low dose Effexor things got MUCH better. DH is still alive.
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It's just plain hard for our bodies to go without a drop of estrogen. After menopause our bodies still utilize the small amounts produced by adrenal glands, fat cells, etc. Here's a clip from a website from NYP.org (New York-Presbyerian hospital):
Estrogen Effects on the Female Body
What is estrogen?
Estrogen is a group of hormones that play an important role in the normal sexual and reproductive development in women. They are also called sex hormones. The woman's ovaries produce most estrogen hormones, although the adrenal glands also produce small amounts of the hormones.
In addition to regulating the menstrual cycle, estrogen affects the reproductive tract, the urinary tract, the heart and blood vessels, bones, breasts, skin, hair, mucous membranes, pelvic muscles, and the brain. Secondary sexual characteristics, such as pubic and armpit hair also begin to grow when estrogen levels rise. Many organ systems, including the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, and the brain are affected by estrogen.
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checkers - good point and maybe that is what I could use..
Lago - I'd be pissed with what your onc said.. my hubby thinks we blame everything on that little tiny pill.. makes me crazy to hear him say that.. I said, oh yea-well that little tiny pill is fighting cancer from coming back so it must have more power than you think!!
Spookiesmom - you made me laugh with your comments - DH is still alive.. haha -so funny!Tina - that was a really an interesting post.
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hi-
My oncologist did all kinds of blood tests, hormone levels etc, and determined I should take anastrozole as chemo-prevention to lessen chance of recurrence and prevent a new cancer forming in my healthy breast.
I took anastrozole for about 4 months- you know I finally got over having to take it (I don't take anything!) and I was going along fine. Just very mild SEs...joint stiffness, just a bit crabby, etc, then I got my period!
Called my oncologist, who said to stop anastrozole and to see my obgyn. Now am scheduled for internal ultrasound, (lovely!) and will probably have to take tamoxifen.
My question: Is there anyone else out there who's gone from AI to tamoxifen? Thoughts?
Thanks so much!
Ann
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hi-
My oncologist did all kinds of blood tests, hormone levels etc, and determined I should take anastrozole as chemo-prevention to lessen chance of recurrence and prevent a new cancer forming in my healthy breast.
I took anastrozole for about 4 months- you know I finally got over having to take it (I don't take anything!) and I was going along fine. Just very mild SEs...joint stiffness, just a bit crabby, etc, then I got my period!
Called my oncologist, who said to stop anastrozole and to see my obgyn. Now am scheduled for internal ultrasound, (lovely!) and will probably have to take tamoxifen.
My question: Is there anyone else out there who's gone from AI to tamoxifen? Thoughts?
Thanks so much!
Ann
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