For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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justmejanis,
The price depends on your insurance coverage. When I switched from arimidex to aromasin, I didn't notice a difference, if there even was one.
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I guess my only concern is if the generic aromasin has the same issues as generic anastrozole. Any one have any input on that. Generic anastrozole from India was horrible for me.
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Bren I am now on Generic Aromasin. Was on Generic Anastrozole (Teva from Israel). Make the switch
JustmeJanis With my insurance I have to meet my high deductible. This includes prescriptions. Anastrozole was $11 a month. Genric Armoasin changes. First time it would have been $340 through my insurance and this month closer to $500. I'm purchasing it through GoodRX using coupons. First month was $180, this month $230.
The price change is caused by supply and demand. If a company decides they aren't going to make it anymore then the supply is challenged and the price goes up.
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For me, three months of generic arimidex was $5-ish. Three months of the newbie is $100. The price hike is a bit shocking, but I guess I can deal with it if it allows me physical comfort.
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Daylek- I too take Trazadone as a sleep aid. I have been on anastrazole 1 month today, and my sleep is worse. I take my anastrazole at 9pm and my Trazadone at 10-10:30, however twice, I took them at the same time, and that is a mistake. It really makes you feel off kilter......
My thyroid TSH was super low when we tested it and the endocrinologist told me the sleep issues may be more thyroid related........so we shall see.
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Red. have you tried taking the Anastrozole in the morning? That's when I take it and at night I take my anti-depressant and I have no sleep problems. I've also read on these threads of people switching times and having helped with the se's. Just a thought.
Aurora
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Forgot to mention I don't have sleep issues now that I'm on Generic Aromasin too. Once in a while I do but I use Melatonin and it does the trick
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sour cherry juice has melatonin
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I've never thought about taking my Cymbalta at night. I've had insomnia for awhile but it has gotten worse. I'm on the generic version. I switched to taking the Arimidex (1/2 dosage) from morning to night. Even with that dosage my calves have started to ache, like I've been exercising too much. So, I will do the switching to see if it helps with the insomnia. I have found as long as I stay on Gabapentin I can get to sleep better but it makes me want a nap!
For all of you that I've been whining to about Arimidex, I took my first whole pill last night. Looked at it and forced my hand to put it in my mouth quickly so I wouldn't change my mind. Then I just took all my other meds for other issues. Funny, but I could hear all your voices as I was taking it...see, you gave me courage. But, I'm just waiting to fall over! Actually, I worked my legs in the pool yesterday so I'll have to keep moving them and hope for the best.
By the way, my MO was forceful with my insurance, BC/BS, and I got the brand Arimidex without any charge. He used my medical history as ammunition which I'm sure helped.
I'm having another neck procedure tomorrow. They will inject directly in between the vertebrae. This is the 2nd one in 2 months. Just trying to get the inflammation down due to arthritis in this area. I never knew that's what it was until I went to a different neurologist. I knew I had degenerative stuff, who doesn't? It's an easy procedure, outpatient and you get the margarita juice so you feel pretty darn good and no pain afterwards. The trick is to watch and wait to see if the old neck pain comes back. I wonder why there aren't methods developed to help BC patients with side effects.
Have a good Wednesday!!
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Good for you mem! Keep up the good work! I know it can be scary and frustrating to deal with the se's. I know when I don't take my
Risperidone (mood and sleep stabilizer) my hot flashes and sweats come back with a vengance (sp?) and I'm sore in my hip and tail bone but I rather deal with that and stay with NED (no evidence of disease). Hope you feel better even with the dose increase.
Aurora
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Hello Ladies, I keep up with you all by reading all your comments. I have not posted because I did not want to discourage anyone as these AI's are our best defense against progression or reoccurrence. I took Anastrozole (India) for 3 mos and had many side effects. I changed to name brand Armidex and did very well until February of this year when I began having high, high blood pressure. My MO had me vacay for two weeks and then begin generic Aromisin. All was great for a month and then I began to have lots of pain including trigger fingers on both hands. My hands became so impaired. I, then began to have breakouts on my face and in my hair, very painful bumps and after I took the pill, I would itch like crazy. I suspected the main culprit was the fillers used by the Indian companies but my insurance co would not approve the name brand drug for me. My MO prescribed generic Femara.....I never took a pill. The idea of generic scared me!!! I had some name brand Arimidex left from before so after taking a month off from Aromisin, I went with the "devil" pill I knew. I have been back on Armidex for a month. I am back to just normal AI aches and pains. My hands are better but I still have trigger fingers on both hands. My MO said we will deal with the BP issue if it arises again. I would encourage you to avoid the fillers if you are having unusual issues. Don't suffer in silence!
Thanks for your post. They have been so helpful to me. Jackie
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My hips and feet are the worst. It is a deep, deep ache, and really not where I would consider the joint to be. Not in the bendy part, but higher up.
I followed the gin and golden raisin recipe and have been soaking them. It isn't totally evaporated yet, but I have been sampling nine raising a day. Those things are TASTY! I hope they work. even if they don't, I might have to keep a jar around.
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I'm beginning to think we all to have a shot or two of gin every day or night. Take the edge off all this crap! Probably help with the SE. I don't want to take anything made with fillers that are not regulated, basically in India.
Today, I talked to my DH about Arimidex. I finally got his attention long enough to just talk about the drug and nothing else. I wanted him to be able to recognize different SE. My DH thinks I spend too much time worrying about this drug and its SE but then he thinks I worry about a new occurrence way too much. He asked me today what scares me so much about dying and why am I worrying about this cancer coming back. It was a little funny when he asked how many years I thought I could live and be productive without this disease. Would I fight it or just enjoy my time if I was older. Why endure horrible SE if you're old enough to go on? He says I'm cancer free, I have a drug to keep me that way and to stop spending so much time researching and thinking and etc.. Basically, either take this med or not. Either way, I'll be fine. Shouldn't be worrying about it cause his gut feeling tells him nothing is going to happen to me. He compares this to his prostrate cancer he had 8 years ago. He had surgery instead of treatments and still has PSA bloodwork every year. I tried to answer some of his questions and correct him about the "drug" he thinks will keep me from getting cancer. Hell, I could make a fortune if I had that figured out! Anyway, I said okay and went and got a pedicure. I have teal toenails now and I'm 61...he said at dinner they sure are bright! HA Men are so stupid at times...at least mine are...
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mema4 take your DH to your next appointment with your MO and I mean right in the examining room with you. Be sure to let your onc know he is coming and s/he needs to explain how this all works. Also you should write down questions for your onc to answer for your DH. I did this exact thing on my last visit. I've explained quite a bit to my husband but for some reason when he heard it from my onc about the possible risk for this returning and how it increases substantially if I don't take the drug, he got it.
Other than that feel free to research but let your on worry about if it will return. That's why you pay her/him. It's his/her job. I'm high risk for recurrence according to my onc and seriously I don't worry about it and won't worry about it unless I have a symptom.
And now to repost my speeches:
seat belt speech:
You don't assume you will get into a car accident every time you get in your car. You do put on your seat belt and drive carefully. Same with breast cancer. Eat right, maintain a healthy weight, exercise, and take your hormone therapy (if prescribed). No reason to think you are going to get mets until you actually have a symptom.
shit doesn't happen speech:
Some people win the lottery and become millionaires but do you really think that's going to happen to you? Shit happens. Sometimes good shit, sometimes bad shit, but most of the time shit doesn't happen. Don't assume shit is going to happen to you.
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That's why I like you so much Lago, you get it out there and it helps us! I wished you lived next door to me...you would tell me to put a sock in it which I need from time to time. I'm going to print both speeches and hang on my mirror so I can refocus. But, I'm not going to let my DH see them 'cause he'd just say something sarcastic meaning ya are best buds or something and that is not what is behind you are trying to say.
He has agreed to go with my MO meeting if he's in town, so I'm doing everything to schedule around this. If it doesn't work, I'm going to have my MO meet with him at another time. He does need to hear this from someone other than me.
Today, when I went to have my neck procedure done, I got out of the car and boy was I swaying! The valet attendant wanted to get me a wheelchair! I know she thought I was some drunken old woman. I should have moved slower. I was laughing and my DH even looked concerned. I can learn to adjust.
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Good Morning, I just thought I'd pop in to say hi and I see some of my old BC sisters are still here. I'm still on Arimidex (the brand name) about a year and a half - my main issues is still the joint pain, which is awful most of the time but then again I do have arthritis - from old age and the meds are making it worse. I am thinking of asking the doc for a little "intermission" from the drug just to see if I start to feel better, otherwise I'm feeling pretty good. OK girls, feel better soon, take care
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Hi 5LovBugs. Good to see you. I started Generic Aromasin over a month ago and all my back, neck and shoulder pain are gone. Maybe something to consider. Also not quite a stiff when I first wake up. I was on Anastrozole for 3 years before I made the switch. Wish I did it sooner
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lago, did you ever try the other AI Femara? And did you experience the same thing? I stayed on anastrozole teva brand for almost 3 years and finally had my onc switch me to generic femara about 7 months ago. I felt better initially, I guess because the pills are a little different but now the same SE are getting me down. I know many women don't get the joint pain or the depression SE, but I do and I know it's the pill. Did your onc choose aromasin over femara?
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I was on femara (brand name) for about 18 months till I switched to Aromasin (brand also but then the generic), can not say it felt any dif to me but worth a try if you having problems
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I guess that's why I stayed on anastrozole for so long before switching. I thought it probably wouldn't make a difference. After hearing others had a better result by switching has made me consider switching again. I'm not thrilled with my onc and I think that's why I hesitate to ask for any changes. First time I asked to switch she suggested Tamoxifem to replace anastrozole, so I said no thanks. Second time, I was the one who asked to go to Femara and she let me do that.
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I had a bone scan yesterday, which thankfully was normal--no mets! It showed arthritis in a couple of places that don't hurt at all, but apparently none in my hips, which is where the AI pain has been so extreme. I'd been assuming arthritis was a huge component of that pain, so, I guess, the pain is just pain. Weird.
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at one point I was complaining about side effects (which were not from the AL) and my regular onco was out on maternity leave so I saw her boss.....he offered Tamoxifin but said the side effects were much worse and did not recommend. Course he was also pissed that my regular onco had gone into premature labor and he did not like having to cover for her! I stayed on the AL and kept till the bitter end!
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BrooksideVT, Great news, and interesting about the hip pain not even being arthritis. That's my area that hurts the worse, my hips, and a little more on one side than the other.
Proudtopspin, hope you don't have to see him again! I don't think I'd want him to be my boss.....
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Lee, me too, her boss is head of the onco unit but I do not see him! love my reg onco although, she is a full time doc, and mother of 5 small little ones~~no idea how she does all that and look as lovely as she does and be as caring as she is
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Aurora-I had not thought to try my AI in the morning---I was hoping by taking it at night, that the hot flashes would hit in my sleep----(and they are, cause I woke up one morning and the quilt was clar across the room and I had both legs out from under the sheet!
For those of u using the brand name Arimidex---you know you can get it direct from company-no insurance for 30.00 a month, right? Go to their website. It will save you a bunch.
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I've been on Anastrozole for 4 months now and the last 3 nights I've had trouble falling asleep. Went to bed at 10:30pm and tossed & turned until after 1am. Even with the window wide open (58-60 degrees at night), a fan blowing across the bed and no sheet or blanket my body is overheated. My feet in particular feel like they are on fire. I take the anastrozole at 7pm each night but I'm thinking of switching to the AM. Hoping that will take care of the sleep issues.
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Lee my onc chose the generic Aromasin not me. It is know to have less bone and muscle issues. I'm sure she knew I would be experiencing the same SE on Femara. The only other option she had for me was Tamoxifen but that was if I refused to go on another AI. She really doesn't seem to like the Tamoxifen. I mean I should have been on Tamoxifen from the start because I was perimeno but she said I was so close to menopause based on family history that my cycles probably won't come back and tested me for 5 months. My last cycle was 2 weeks before chemo.
checkers ask your onc if you can take Melatonin for sleep issues. It can interact with certain drugs so be sure to ask.
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lago, go figure about the Tamoxifen. I was clearly post menopausal (2 years pre bc) and my onc was pushing it. Sometimes there are too many different opinions with oncs it's hard to know what to do.
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Something must be brewing in the Onc community - I am so many years out of menopause (15) and last appointment onc suggested that she might ask me to go on tamox in the near future (I have bomed out on a number of things) - what is that about? I probably won't go on it but it came at the same time I have been seeing more and more suggested tamox for post menopausal women on the board.
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I am many years past menopause, did Anostrozole for three years til I could not tolerate the pain any longer. Onc changed me to Tamox cause she said the rest of the AIs would have similar SEs. I am happy now on Tamox, but different SEs like sleeplessness...I just bought some melatonin for that. I am hoping Tamox does the job.
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