For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
-
Checkers the reason why I don't want to purchase drugs from India is not because they are bad. I just worry that there is a higher incidence of bootlegging product. Chances are if you are having SE then you are getting the drug from the manufacturer and not some bootlegger.
As far as no sex and separate laundry I would ask your pharmacist. We don't want our partners to be bitchy too
0 -
Maybe our partners will need to sign a medical release form before any bodily contact with us. Reminds me too much of being a poison vessel during chemo.
0 -
wow...I tried really hard not to think about our drugs being like poison....Tried to really think the opposite all of these months during treatment....that it was the gold helping us...
I will be done with rads next week then in a few weeks going back to teaching kindergarten AND starting on meds...
These posts have just made me think about how many parents ( and other folks) may think I am a walking " poison vessel" and not want their kids around me!! Just wondering....serving the public can be weird at times ...and going back into "the real world" and dealing with others...yeeks! At least we have each other here at BCO... Rosie
0 -
This is NOT something you have to worry about. It is NOT poison. It is just suppressing your estrogen, for goodness sake. It is the very most important thing you can do medically to make sure that your cancer does not reoccur!!! We SHOULD be so very thankful for it. People with any other kind of cancer (including triple negative breast cancer) would be THRILLED if there was something they could take on a long term basis to give them a better chance of never having to go through all this again!!!!!!!!!!! 40% risk reduction in my case, as compared to the 20% risk reduction that the chemo, which I also did, gave me (and I didn't poison anyone else with chemo either, despite living a normal life......including washing my clothes with everyone elses!).
* I finished rads on a Thursday in August, started Arimidex Friday & was back teaching school in the new school year the following Monday.....very, very happy for the peace of mind taking Arimidex gave me, which is how you should feel too.
0 -
I agree with Ruthbru on this - I think this warning exists only for those who are caretakers - ie the nurses at the center, and those dealing with invalids that are taking this med and are therefore coming into contact with larger amounts of bodily fluids then normal life and normal laundry on a daily basis. I would hope and I do believe if this was a real risk to anyone else in our personal lives that we would be told and warned about precautions that we should take. I am going to ignore this warning as a CYA by the drug company just in case someone tries to sue and not worry about it.
0 -
Thank you Ruth and Lago for your sane voices!!
0 -
hi!
Me, too. I have degenerative osteo arthritis, really bad in my left hip. I have 19 more rad TXs to go, then 2 weeks after that, radiation oncologist will tell me when I can start my Arimidex. I have the prescription waiting at the pharmacy. I have lupus, too so it's extra hard to force myself to exercise. My BFF just went through the exact same thing, Stage 1A in Sept and she doesn't notice any side effects from her Arimidex at all.
0 -
MAN! Just catching up on this whole laundry business. What a ridiculous statement to make on that drug insert, WE TAKE THESE PILLS DAILY......I would think our MO would have said something - I mean, it's not the most comfortable to have sex at times due to dryness but we do get up the energy every now and then!
0 -
I agree the warning is probably for healthcare workers and if we follow basic hygiene it shouldn't have any effect on anyone else.
0 -
how do I find out where my meds are from???? I have some really bad joint pain, really bad, and no arthritis or anything before I started taking anastrozal , doc did a bone density test and it was good they said,,,, I feel like I am 90, and my last surgery was 3 weeks ago(breast lift) and tired a lot . This is more painful than my UNX, I hope all that "laundry" stuff is not true, but will ask my pharmacist today. Like someone stated, we are on this every day, there is no 48 hrs in between. I just started in January , I have a long way to go,,,,has anyone noticed an increase in BP?.... Hugz and healing to all,,,,,,, J
0 -
Hi Cloudhands34,
Yes, I have been using the TENS machine for back and leg pain. I find it helps a lot. I will sit and watch TV and use it repeatedly during an hour or two watching shows. I then rub in some blue EMU cream. The following day pain is much less, if not gone. I repeat the process on an as needed basis. I've ordered both from amazon.com
0 -
So very sorry for starting all this fuss! When I read the insert (with NO mention of medical personnel) and having my little grandson here, I thought I may have missed something my MO said. SORRY!!!!!!Rosie, I have noticed two older women in my church group who smile politely, but don't come near me. I think most people today have had a friend or relative who has had ca and realize you don't "catch" it or whisper about it anymore! Glad I'm going through this today and not 40 years ago. Wonder if the ladies realize that I provide their dessert!
0 -
I find that most ladies at church immediately look down at my bosom at the start of conversation. Some men do too, but I'm sure some of the ladies who don't know me as well or don't know much (or anything) about reconstruction are thinking 'hmmmm, I thought she had breast cancer, it doesn't LOOK like she had breast cancer....yup, I'm SURE she had breast cancer but that's weird, it sure doesn't LOOK like she had breast cancer'......lol! I don't get any sort of avoidance behavior. I've been so open and explanatory about it that there are several who have been very interested in the process and consistently ask me with a conspiratorial smile 'So....how're the GIRLS?' And then in a whisper 'Did you get your tit tats yet?' We've had way more laughs about my BC journey over the past 21 months than we've had tears! Things like talking about my 6 drain tubes with grenade like receptacles and telling them I was playing the part of the suicide bomber in the school play, the serious barbie boobs when the TEs were fully expanded, making the girls 'dance' by flexing my pecs one at a time, jumping up and down to shown them I really DON'T have any bounce, etc, etc
!0 -
Jeanie....my BP did increase while on aromasin but soon as I ended my 5 years it dropped! now down about 30 points from what it was during treatment. Course, I also retired, had sinus surgery so who knows what caused the drop in BP ,but all good
0 -
jeaniebeanie1200 you can check here for the image and manufacturer: linky
Then research the manufacturer. Teva is an Israeli company but they have offices here in the US. You really don't now for sure where the meds are manufactured though. Even AstraZeneca manufactures in India.BTW I still feel GREAT on Exemestane! Just a wee stiff in the morning. And seriously I don't worry about my husband, washing our clothes together and sharing bodily fluids.
0 -
Thanks for the link! Looks like these new pills are made by Zydus.
0 -
ringing ears (tinnitus) is far more common in post menopausal women than any other group. Many experts feel it is due to drop in estrogen. Arimidex would do the same thing. After my hysterectomy, I developed occasional ringing. Now after arimidex it is constant. Unfortunately, most experts feel it is not reversible. I take ambient to sleep as it is so bad
0 -
Zydus v. Breckenridge......will I be able to tell a difference after just 30 days?? If there is a difference, will it be the manufacturer or the accumulated amount of product in my system?? Maybe I won't be able to tell the difference and it will be a "non-issue". That would be nice!! Could be I'm overthinking this!!
0 -
sweet & special - love the lighter side - thanks
0 -
Don't overthink it, just take the pills & get on with life. Worry about SEs when or if they happen!
0 -
I agree with Ruth....don't assume you will have any side effects...get a water glass and down the dang pill!
0 -
I have been on anastrozole for 8 months now with minimal SE, but the one I notice the most is stiffness in my feet and ankles when I start walking after sitting for a long period of time. I also notice it when I get up after sleeping. Anyone with ideas on how to combat this?
0 -
What Ruth said!
0 -
Keep moving is the best way to work through the stiffness. Get up and walk around every hour (which is what everyone should be doing whether they are on an Al or not).
0 -
Anastrozole seemed to cause ringing in one ear, on exemestane still ringing.My hearing was checked I still have exceptional good hearing, sometimes that is a curse.
0 -
Meow13, I had ringing in my ears, like you I have exceptionally good hearing (DH says I have bat ears!
) I was able to eventually get it resolved with acupuncture, maybe this might help you too? GG0 -
I had never read about ringing in the ears as a SE. I don't know if it would work in these cases, but my husband had ringing in his ears and now uses hearing aids. He was told the hearing aids would help pick up sound and cover the ringing. He was skeptical at first, but it worked! Just thought I would pass this along.
I am interested in hearing about anyone who has successfully gone off of Effexor. I had been using Effexor XR 37.5 mg for about 5 years before my diagnosis (in 2008) for life stresses. I tried to go off of it a couple of years ago without success. I tapered to once every other day and had the brain-buzz I read about. What I couldn't tolerate was this feeling like I was on the edge of a cliff and could snap at any minute. It was terrible! After trying to deal with this for over a week, I called the GP. He said it is such a low dose and might help with the hot flashes so I might as well stay on it. (I really don't know that it is doing anything for my hot flashes.)I might still need something for periodic stress, but would like to use something easier to discontinue. Can anyone tell me how they weaned off of Effexor and managed the SE of withdrawal? Would it help to start something else while tapering the Effexor?
Any information is appreciated. Thanks.
0 -
I am willing to try anything to get rid of the ringing. I noticed there is a Korean acupuncture place by our hospital I will try. Thanks for advice.
0 -
I had the ringing in the ears while on Arimidex. It was pretty bad especially at night when there was no other noise. I went to an ENT, he said everything looked fine and my hearing was perfect. He also said it was probably due to the chemo and the Arimidex. I have been off the Arimidex for a month now and switched to Aromasin. I don't notice the ringing nearly as much. Whether it was because of the switch or not I have no idea.
0
