For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Blownaway, at 69 there wasn't much doubt that I would have an AI. My MO said Arimidix and Femora are virtually identical but, since he prescribed Arimidex, he must prefer it though he said it is probably cheaper. He also prescribed the bone density scan for me which showed osteopenia in the femoral neck on one side. I will not be starting it until mid-October after my rads are done so can't comment further.
Redheaded1, I also have tons of drug allergies (it's hard being able to take only one antibiotic). Hope this one isn't going to be added to my list.
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Whoa! Hair loss??? I was hoping for regrowth after chemo/rads.....
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Hi folks- I have not been out here for awhile but wanted to pop in. I started exercising EVERY day recently which I had not done since I began to recover from everything I went through both with bc and another major surgery around the same time. I am in between work assignments with my consulting biz right now, so I have started doing more exercise at my gym as well as walking outside more (fall is a great time to get those walks in!)
I just started working with a personal trainer to get back more of my fitness and loose weight and wanted to share that after a couple weeks of doing something every day, I am finding my stiffness is not as bad as it had been. It is the worst for me in my feet as well as my elbows, but by doing the cardio and weights more now too, I notice things are not as bad.
All my doctors have said try to do "something" every day for at least 30 minutes. Trust me I know when you are working or otherwise have a busy schedule with family, exercising every day is hard to do. And that many of you may not feel like doing it either. But if you think you can pull it off or are feeling well enough to give it a try, see how you feel after moving your body every day for a week doing something. I mix up my weight work outs with walking, swimming and yoga. I hope to add in biking soon too.
I hope this is helpful to anyone suffering from the joint stiffness issues.
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Hi Jazzy! Been a while since seen you! Sounds like you're doing well after that last "go live"". Keep up the good stuff!!!
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Red. wow, I am dealing with nasty reaction to the chlorine in my gym pool.! stayed out of the pool for a week and only tip toed back into the pool today. Recently changed trainers and the new one gave me a sample of a cream to use before swimming to prevent the chlorine side effects.
stay tuned to see if it works. I had been swimming 5 days a week and sure it helps the the side effects of the Dang Pill
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Proud to spin. . check around at the gyms. Some use bromine which I don't react to. Also Golds Gym uses salt water and something else. chlorine is powerful, kills more germs maybe, but causes us sensitive folks trouble.
Bosum, if I were you, I'd ask to try the the third AI---Aromasin. from what I've heard, the people who switched from Arimidex to Femera didn't notice much improvement, but when they went to the Aromasin, they felt better. There's a Chicago gal called LAGO on the threads that has tried all three. Search for her posts if you haven't seen them.
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Red, been a member at this gym since it opened as in about 14 yrs ago. very close to my house so I have no excuse but to go. They do operate about 8 gyms and one is about 20 miles away but has a salt water pool. Can go there but how long till I would start to whine and make excuses? wish they would change the chemicals but not holding out hope. Thinking I will switch out the days at each gym.
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bandowman, I also have been having gastrointestinal problems. I started AI in April and the lose bowels and other gastrointestinal issues just started in August along with sore joints in hands and back. I really think it is the meds and I have a MO appointment next Thursday and hope he can suggest something. I can tolerate most of the SE, but the gastrointestinal issues are really annoying, I hate to go anywhere for fear I'll get a cramp and no potty will be available. I too wondered if anyone else was having these issues, thanks for bringing it up, now I know I am not alone.
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Madams, I am going to share some of this with my primary doctor next week but I know he won't listen. He has his mind made up that this is NOT the AI. Yours is really a delayed reaction. This last week I felt pretty good for the first time in months until I eat my evening meal and then the GI issues start. I know exactly what you mean. I have done a bunch of tests and so far everything is coming back normal and negative. I keep thinking my body will eventually adapt. We'll see. Good luck to you.
Red, You will laugh at this. My one and only sibling, my sister, has red hair or used to. She is older than I am. Maybe we are related. LOL How did your MRI go today? And also I am a lap swimmer. Yes, with all that chlorine but it was the lesser of many evils and one form of exercise that didn't kill me. I have been walking for the last many months and am hoping to get back to swimming when I feel better.
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Bandwoman1234, that's sad that your MO won't listen to you. Hope the SEs go away. HUGS!1
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1234 talk to your PCP about your se's. S/he can help. And maybe think about a new MO. That's barbaric!
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Golden01 If you are spotting and not from Tamoxifen do contact both your MO and your GYN
Blownaway I actually had my last period 2 weeks before chemo. Typically I should have started with Tamoxifen but my onc felt (as did I) given my family history (Mom & older sister), I was in perimenopause and fininish chemo 2 weeks before my 50th birthday my cycles weren't coming back. She tested me for 5 months to be sure but I started with Anastrozole.
Doxie, I know you've been through hell and back on the AIs
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It is not my MO that is saying that. It is my primary doctor. When I realized that this was probably not a stomach virus because it went on and on and on I emailed my pcp and asked if I should see him or my MO. My pcp said he wanted to see me first. So at this point my MO doesn't even know I am having issues. I wanted to wait for these tests to come back first. I will see my pcp on Wed again and then we'll see. Actually before all of this happened I wasn't thrilled with my MO and was thinking about seeking a second opinion anyway so this should be interesting because I thought I would give him one more chance. My pcp admitted that he didn't know much about Anastrozole the first time I saw him with these GI issues. When I saw him the second time he had done some homework because he had a printed up a sheet that listed the se for the drug. I did have fever when I was there the first time so who knows. Maybe it is a virus that won't go away because my immune system is stressed. My symptoms are so inconsistent that it is a mystery for sure. Thanks for your input.
Bandwoman
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gastrointestinal problems are even difficult for endocrinologist to diagnose. You may be seeing one in your future. Don't like your onc… find a new one. There are lots of good ones that might be a better fit.
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Bandwoman, answering your question about GI issues from a couple of pages back. It is a listed symptom of anastrazole. I would say I had mild issues, and when I say I'm sure mine was related to tamoxifen, I didn't mean I did any tests or labs. It seemed like there was no other trigger for it, and then it went away. I wouldn't discourage you from checking it out thoroughly. It would be a shame to have something fixable or something you need to treat and assume it was your meds. But if nothing else comes up, it could be the meds!
Blownaway, not everyone gets hair loss either. My hair is better after chemo and on anastrazole. I used to lose so much hair daily it was scary even before my dx. Now I just see a few hairs.
Jazzy, i'm with you on the exercise. I saw a study the other day explaining that exercise changes the way your body perceives pain. Maybe I feel more like an athlete with pain rather than a cancer patient with pain, and that probably puts me in a better frame of mind too.
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add me to the list. Started Anastrozole less than 2 weeks ago. Low grade fever and the big D for several days now. Virus or the new drug??
Shirley
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Slappy, I guess that is the million dollar question. Thanks for your input. I bought some digestive enzymes today and got them home and realized there is milk, soy and wheat in them. I am gluten intolerant and trying to avoid dairy and soy. So they will go back to the store. Oh well.Thanks for your input everyone.
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It is probably a virus. Lots of 'creepy crud' is going around already this fall....ick!
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The thing is I have had this for over a month. Could it be my immune system is really weakened from radiation? Don't know. I did have some fever early on but that can also be a se of the AI and of course a virus. I guess time will tell. I don't want to ditch the AI this early in the game. I know there are options but I tend to be very sensitive to things many people are not so I am not sure switching AIs until I know what is going on is a good thing. Thanks for the input.
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Bandwoman- I have more constipation with the AIs than the big D, but I can also have it alternate. Have you tried probiotics? I used to take them after antibiotics but now try to take them every day in general, and find it helps to keep the GI tract in balance.
The best ones can be found in the health food stores in the refrigerated section. I try to take them with at least one meal a day. Might be worth a try. They also have them in gluten free, which it sounds like you may need.
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bandwoman,
Try the Blue Bonnet brand of digestive enzymes. I use them and they don't have any of that stuff.
Shirley
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band~~betcha your immune system is still cruddie, mine took time to get back to normal so I would vote for sticking with your current med for more time
I remember feeling weak and not good for much after ending rads, I got sick a lot for the first 6 months, I remember my then asst who was a nursing student used to look at my blood workup and say, wow your numbers are really off! docs do not say those things nor do real nurses!Eat healthy, take your meds and you will make it through this all
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1234 you have been through the year from hell. It takes time to recover From all the mental and physical stress. It could be the pill, mention it to doc, but I'd say it's all the treatments catching up.
I'm 2 years out, still don't know where my get up and go-went.
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Hello Ladies,
I am new to this thread, having started Anastrozole only 8 days ago. My treatment plan was to be on Tamoxifen for 2 years and then an AI for the 3 remaining years. Some of the side effects that I have noticed are unusual tiredness, headaches, mild nausea, moderately sore joints (especially my left knee) and constipation (this SE could also be from taking 1,000 mg of calcium daily). I'll probably have to increase my intake of fruit. As for hair loss, I started to notice my hair thinning the last 8 months or so while on Tamoxifen. I hope it doesn't continue. Have been using Nioxen hair and scalp therapy for a few weeks now, however don't see any change as of yet. My MO said that I should try the Anastrozole (which he says has the mildest side effects) for at least 6 weeks before considering another AI. Thanks for starting this thread.
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Jazzy, I have taken probiotic for many years and yes they are wonderful. I talked to my pharmacist a few weeks ago and he said Anastrozole is a pretty strong agent and can wipe out some good bacteria in your gut.
Slappy, Interesting that you mention that because I just purchased what I thought might be the answer with a digestive enzyme. I was bummed to find out it has wheat, milk and soy. I am gluten intolerant and am avoiding dairy and soy. So I took it back today and got some Papaya Enzymes so we'll see.
Proud to spin, I have thought about my immune system being compromised. I got a stomach virus three weeks after my bc surgery. It took me a while to get rid of it. I had nausea then also but it is different this time but in some ways very similar. I have done this now for over a month.
Spookiesmom, Yeah at this point it is really hard to tell what is going on. I will say that I have felt pretty good during the day this past week. It is only after eating my evening meal that the GI issues surface. I think my radiation fatigue is possibly gone. I had it for quite a while afterwards. I just finished rads on July 3.
Thanks everyone for your input. Those who are just starting on the drug don't feel like these SE's are inevitable because you just might be the one who sails right through it!
Bandwoman
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Band, I do probiotics also and find that they are really needed so I do not end up with UTIs
I ended up with shingles 6 mo after ending rads so might keep that in mind, dang but it is not fun!
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proudtospin - can I ask what the connection is to probiotics and UTI?
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I have chronic sinus infections and ended up on antibiotics constantly, but afterwards could count the days till I had a UTI and needed another antibiotic!
the other year I finally told my primary care doc about my issue and she said probiotic, she did not care what one but I have been taking them daily ever since and no more UTI issues!
guess I had destroyed all the good stuff as well as all the bad stuff by taking so many anti
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oh yeah, finally went to an ENT on the sinus junk, had surgery to remove polyps.....no more sinus infections
it pays to tell your docs the problems~~
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Guess I've never felt the need for probiotics; I'm blessed in that I never get UTIs (have never figured out why either). I'll be interested in any relationship, too.
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