For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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the Gabapentine does also..or you may experience an "exaggerated feeling of well-being" - now that would i would welcome
seriously, the scope of the possible side effects on these drugs is incredible.
I was being sarcastic about the "happy" pill, sorry
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Ugh can't wait to ditch this medicine in 2 years 3 months and counting.
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Notbuyingit - I ended up on an antidepressant a little over a month ago and am doing fine. It takes several weeks for your body to achieve the full effect of the med though. The first week was a bit rough for me. The SE I had trouble with was dizziness, I only worked one full day and really slept a lot at home. My need was the culmination of lots of things, I think. I've done absolutely fine since BMX/TE placement right on through exchange and revision surgery, at least my conscious mind thinks I have. In late May I came down with an intestinal bug after 25 years of nothing more than the common cold (and BC), then I had a week's vacation in California with some ladies from the Let's Post our Daily Exercise thread. Was still sick the first half of that week, then after the gut started to recover I started having a lot of anxiety and didn't have my Ativan with me (thought I brought it but accidently brought an extra bottle of Ambien by mistake - maybe I shoulda just slept through the whole week
). Appetite was non-existent for those two weeks and I lost 10 pounds. Saw my PCP the day I got home and I think he deduced that with the whole BC thing plus the illness plus still being sick on the fun yet miserable trip plus the anxiety on the trip plus the lack of appetite and serious fatigue that it was time to go the antidepressant route. I'm feeling pretty much back to normal and will continue the antidepressant (Lexapro) for at least a few more months and then maybe talk to the doc about tapering off to see how it goes. Since BC I have become much more aware and accepting of the occasional need for pharmaceutical help with emotional issues. I've got a life to live and if taking a little pill for a while can help my mind keep the quality of that life up to par then I'm going with it. No time to waste on anxiety and depression and fatigue!
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Hello all,
I've been reading this thread as I'll be starting on Armidex after radiation. I attempted chemo but had such a hard time of it last week I've decided to move on to something else (I seriously thought I was going to end up in the hospital).
When I read about the side effects of Armidex, I'm not that scared because it seriously sounds like my life now. I'm 54 (went through menopause at 51) and for the past 6 months I've been very fatigued (before my dx), insomnia, hot flashes, weight gain, sugar craving, and achy and sharp bone/joint pain, and very stiff. I think it's a combination of menopause, stress (we have 4 teens and also moved 3x in the past 2 years), not great nutrition and a lack of exercise (I was a regular yoga gal but gave it up when I became fatigued and moved). Is Armidex really that much different than what I described? Good to know that there are different varieties to try. If I was more of a risk taker, I would try and control the estrogen through more natural ways and measure it to see how I'm doing (maybe I'll get the courage - we'll see).
Deb/Irish Mom
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MomtoIrishQuads I was diagnosed at age 49 and went into instant chemo-pause. Hot flashes were pretty minor and between 2-5am only. My aches, pains and depression started after 2 years on Anastrozole till I finally reached a b reaking point at 3 years when I said No more… lets try something different. So far so good on the Generic Aromasin, currently age 53. For me I honestly feel it was the drug and not menopause because I'm back to being me again once I stopped Anastrozole.
Try one drug. If it's too challenging try another. Being that your had ILC I would really recommend you stay on the drugs. ILC sometimes can be sneaky. Granted stage 1a, no nodes, smallish tumor is good but then ILC and grade 3 increased risk.
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Hey -----how much (bottle wise) of Gin do I need to make the raisins???
Less than a wine bottle ful?
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Red - I believe you use just enough to cover the raisins in whatever container you're using. Then you refrigerate until the gin is soaked up and/or evaporated. So the amount of gin would depend on the volume of raisins and the container I guess.
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So, a small bottle of gin??? Like from the gas station????
Keep them covered at room temp? after 10 days, uncover and let the gin evaporate, then put in the fridge??????
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Whoops, I see, you put them in the fridge from the git go.....0 -
hmmm, doing my colonoscopy on Mon, nurse asked or suggested that maybe I could use vodka or gin as the clear liquid during prep? thinking maybe the kind with the raisens?
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Geez, they probably wouldn't even have to give yo much of a sedative, right????
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started arimidex July 11 so far my head just feels weird..I plan to ween myself off of the Effexor because it was given to me to help with hot flashes with no evail still get plenty of them..0 -
you are right, might not need a med to knock me out but then again, it is all about getting through the dang prep thing, not looking forward to this!!!
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MomtoIrishQuads, I love that the arimidex side effects won't have any place to go, as you're already having all of them. They'll be so upset! It takes a while for the new aches and all to show up. I tend to be a little obllivious to the world around me, so mine were quite well establishd before I even noticed them. Probably you'll be just fine, but should you have a tough time, your onc has a several alternatives available, and part of his job is to make certain that he manages your side effects so you can do the very important task of staying on those highly important meds. Alternatives might sound nice and natural, but they do not offer the stastically reduced recurrence score your oncotype shows.
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Wave,I am glad the Aromasin is working better for you. I will start Anastrozole next Friday. My MO did say that there were other options if this didn't work. So we'll see.
Bandwoman
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hello everyone
I too have just started Arimidex(2doses) and got slightly nauseated tonite. So we shall see. You all sound like you know a lot. I don't know anything or what to expect from this drug stuff. Glad you all are here. I am still alive so that is good :-)
Keep writing.
O2
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Sweetandspecial, totally agree with you. I went on Lexapro in January after a two-month bout wiith depression, anxiety, dizziness, motor problems and tremors. Yes, it takes a few frustrating weeks for it to fully kick in, but my symptoms went away and I feel like a new person. I was on Aromasin aftwr having switched from Anastrozole. Before BC, I shied away from meds, but now I take what I need to have a full and enjoyable life.
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I started Arimidex in early March. I had no problems that were noticeable, maybe a hot flash here or there but that's it. I felt blessed that I would be one of the "many" who tolerate this pill well. Maybe a week or so ago I started noticing that I was getting a bit stiff when I got up from sitting. Now I have full blown joint and muscle issues. It is uncomfortable to walk now even when I've been moving for a bit, and even at rest I'm not completely free of aches. I don't understand why this is happening now. I also need some ideas on how to deal with this. Thanks
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Having my post-rads visit with RO this afternoon. I still have some tenderness in the underarm where the bra sits, but okay except for some fatigue. I am still using Aquaphor twice a day. I began Anastrazole on Sunday and am waiting to see what happens. I'm a little sore today, but I stepped up my treadmill time and added some weights this week so I can "Build Bone". Are there any questions I should be asking the RO??0 -
Ohio, if you want some exercise buddies check out the 'Lets Post Our Daily Exercise' thread on the Fitness Forum.
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Proudtospin--I put the stuff (Miralax in large dose) in 2 gallons of apple juice and couldn't taste a thing.
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Not buying it---Gabapentin made me feel really doped up. She (Rhuematologist) wanted me to take 300 Mg 3x a day, and I refused. (I had bad neck pain). Then I mentioned it to my Nuerologist, who said, that's ridiculous, let me give you a script for 100 mg 1 a day. And that was much better.
Haven't used any in quite a few years, but I remember not caring for that drug.
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Thanks, Ruth. Will do!0 -
I have been on Anastrozole for two years now. at first I didn't feel any SEs. but a year in or so, and much more in the last month, I am having muscle/joint aches...especially hand issues...hard to make a fist, as others have noted, thumb joints sore and a side of my thumb numb...have any of you experienced numbness with your joint issues? I find it is helpful every once in a while to review the potential side effects, because I forget some of the list and then wonder, for instance, why I am having trouble getting to sleep (Thank you to those for the tip of not taking it at night). If I know why I am experiencing something, I feel better about coping with it. Otherwise, my imagination starts me wondering if something else is going on.
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I was the same, had been on it over a year, then Wham. I took a month approved vacation, so far things are going well again. I did have trigger thumb right away, cortisone shot fixed that.
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what is trigger thumb?
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Trigger finger/thumb is characterized by kind of a catch in the joint when it bends. It can be a very minor, non-painful annoyance on one end of the spectrum. At the other end of the spectrum it can be nearly impossible to bend the joint and extremely painful if/when it does bend. I had trigger thumb in both hands within a few months of starting anastrozole and it got bad enough that I swore when one of my thumbs would accidently be forced to bend (like when pulling on socks or pulling up my jeans, etc. You just don't realize how many times you bend your thumbs in a day until it hurts to do so!). Then I would swear colorfully again because I had to force it back. Fortunately for me, both thumbs resolved on their own within 2-3 months of onset. Sometimes a cortisone shot is needed and sometimes it takes surgery. I found moist heat to help with the pain (felt better after a hot shower or having my hands in warm dishwater). If it's not too painful I would recommend a wait and see approach for a while, it may just clear up on its own. Pain reliever may help. If it's very painful and/or debilitating for a length of time call your primary care physician.
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especially in winter I use a hot water bottle for everything, feet especially but also hands, when the bottles are old you can bnd them around to warm your whole hand
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hmmm interesting reading, ladies - wonder why it eventually attacks your joints & whatnot - i know it is hard on your bones - thus the introduction of the 6 month bone booster
i already had arthritis pain in lower back, knees & feet before BC so i wonder if this will step it up or not.
Redheaded, my surgeon recommended 300mg at nite - but the Onc prescribed 100 mg 3 times a day..if & when i give it a try i think i will try 100mg at night first...might counteract the Anastozole restlessness.
how about irritability? i am usually pretty low key but find myself ready to snap at every little thing - i know that part of it is the fact that i wanted to be done with SE's at this point and am not happy with the fact that i am facing new ones... and there's the fact that after months of people rallying behind you with xtra love & support - now they think you are "done" and all is well...just a little frustrating...
ok, done whining for today
love you all for listening!0 -
Notbuyingit, feel free to whine , this is where we all do it!
Gee I checked my closet and still have some of the Nueronton pills, the 100 and the 300. Wonder if I should try them for the foot pain? Last night was bad and the feet seem to be getting numb and affecting my ankles so need to do something.
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