For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Aussie - I wanna be in the whole body vibration study - sign me up!
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would it be weird for the joint pain side effect to kick in at 6 months. I pray that's what is happening to me right now. The pain is quite bad but I will be ok with it if it isn't progression.
Best wishes.
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My doc keeps telling me my flu shot doesn't mean I won't get it, but it won't be so severe.......I think if I skipped a flu shot and got sicker than this cold is , it might be toes up for me......... Bought a cool mist humidifier today and I think it is helping both me and the cat. She hasn't sneezed much at all today, and my cough only comes out at night. Steroid kept me awake all night last night. Think it might be early bedtime tonight. Decided not to bowl tonight and the temp outside is really dropping.
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Steam is an amazing healer.
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dunesleeper I didn't have any back/shoulder/neck pain the first 2 years. So I think it is possible that some SE might happen over time. When I went off it (and now on Exemestane) I was fine.
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Thank you lago. I'm declaring the pain to be side effect. LOL.
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dune, I didn't have much for SE's for the first six months or so on Tamoxifen. Now some of the AI's I tried were within a couple of weeks. But I know that SE's can happen at any time with any medication. But you may want to mention it next time you see your onco. GG
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I'm going to start the minoxidil. My hair is sooooo thin. Reading the instructions has my worried. Says not to get caught in the rain. Ok, can do that. But what about night sweats when you're dripping? Does it discolor your pillow case?
And Spookie sleeps with me. She doesn't have a problem growing hair, but could it hurt her if it got on her? Or if she licked my pillow
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dunesleeper I would still mention this to your MO though.
Spookiesmom I've been using Minoxodil since 2005. I never new about the rain issue. Minoxodil is clear and has never discolored anything. I think the issue in the rain is if it hasn't absorbed into your scalp it might run down your face. I can increase facial growth. I haven't had a problem.
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Sookiesmom----I had a Siamese cat who would lick my hair---that got me out of bed super quick....
-so I'd check with the company if it is toxic if ingested. Or else change the sleeping arrangements, which would be devastating probably. Nothing like the sound of purring cat or snoring dog in the middle of the night....
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Aussie - my joint pain on Arimidex lasted three months. Thelargest problem for me was not sleeping. I would fall sound asleep and then wake up two hours later and be wide awake for hours. My oncologist switched me to tamoxifen in December and I'm sleeping well again. But tamoxifen isn't as good as Arimidex for women who have gone through menopause so I am giving up some of those added benefits.
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Im wondering which is best for a post menopausal woman with osteoporsis- arimidex combined with a bone building drug o
r is there a different hormone suppressing drug that wont cause further bone loss.
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My MO seems to like Arimidex wth Fosamax. So far it works for me - no issues after 2-1/2 months. I don't know if there is a drug that doesn't (or might) cause bone loss.
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Blownaway, My understanding from my onco is that Tamoxifen is bone strengthening & AI's are just the opposite, this is why I'm now on Pamidronate infusions which is to strengthen my bones, though I don't have osteoporosis. And I think in the US, Dr's prescribe fosamax like Peggy takes. Unfortunately here in BC, it isn't a benefit with our medical system, yet. Cheers, Dee
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Blownaway---the Tami is the only one that is selective---ie-your bones are protected, but most MO's believe that the AI drugs (Arimidex, Femara, Aromasin) have better cancer prevention---ie---one of those and a bone strengthener to counteract the AI bone effects. Iargued with my MO over my bones for the Tami, but he's the best and I ecided to do it his way. Will see what my scan next year shows..... so far, I am osteopenic prior to my BC diagnoisis, so I do calcium and a lot of walking and weight bearing exercize.
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Redhead Tamoxifen seems to have a few more SE effects too. Although rare it can cause blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus as well as uterine cancer. I know the blood clot thing worried me. I don't get them but do have some family history.
I did go from osteopenia to osteoporosis on Anastrozole. I'm just over the border and being treated now. So far no SE from that treatment.
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Hi Dogsneverlie, I've been on Arimidex for a little over a year. The first two weeks I was eating very little, it suppressed my appetite. The following 2 wks it affected my sleep. I continue with hot flashes sometimes they are bad and other times I can deal with it. I also noticed it has affected my mood, as it is, I was already being treated for depression and Arimidex has complicated things a little. I have 4 more years to go on Arimidex, there are times I just want to stop it all. My skin is so dry, and my hair thinner and have lost some.
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Dee, that's really too bad that you aren't prescribed fosamax or similar when on AIs in Canada, or is it just in BC? Hugs!
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I think if I had this SE, I would try the acupuncture as well. That sounds like a great idea but I have read that you need to give it more than one session which makes sense so don't get frustrated if you don't have results until after the 3rd session or so - I'm sure the specialist would explain all of that. The cancer center I went to had referrals as well if you aren't sure how to get a good one!
So far the only SE that I had was the joint pain but truly if you are having joint pain, try taking Glucosamine - it took about a week but before, my ankles hurt so much in the morning, I probably spent 5-10 minutes doing the "alphabet" to loosen them up.
I use Schiff Glucosamine 2000mg and take 2 tabs/day. I'm not changing name brands just in case!!!!!! I swear to you since I have been taking this, no joint pains!
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Hi Martessa - oh my gosh, it sounds like you have been hit with any and all SEs for this! How awful, I am so sorry. Can you take something else? I had to have a full hysterectomy before I hit 40 due to a pre-cancer ovarian situation and man....I remember my mood swings when my estrogen was suddenly cut off. I am also very "dry" so my MO has called in a script for an Estring - it is very low dose estrogen and safe - it is only 2mg and I guess you insert it and leave it in for up to 90 days (I have surgery in February so I am waiting to use it until after I have recovered). I would speak with your doctor about those SEs if you have not already and ask if Estring might help you.
How did your July reconstruction go?
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I agree about acupuncture. I did about 6 sessions and it was helpful. I think Im going to start again soon, maybe every other week.
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i didn't think glucosamine would do much. My dog convinced me. She is 14 and couldn't jump up on the sofa anymore. After a month of the doggie form she was back on the sofa. I have just started it myself. Wonder if I will be jumping on he sofa. LOL
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ChloesMom, are you taking fosamax, too? My rat terrier is 11 and has been on glucosamine for over a year. I think it has helped her back and neck issues. HUGS!
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Not taking it yet Had Dexa last year prior to BC and level of osteopenia didn't warrant it. But wasn't on AI then. Will see MO 1/8 and will discuss
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Thanks, ChloesMom. Was wondering if the glucosamine would conflict with fosamax (which I'm taking).
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Peggy, I don't know if fosamax is just not a "benefit" drug in all of Canada or not. All our medical agencies are provincial so every province has their own rules and even within the province each area has it's own health authority. Some things are available here that aren't in other provinces & vice versa. The pamidronate is ok, though I'm feeling like crap this morning (had it yesterday) But it takes me about 48 hours to feel better, so by tomorrow afternoon I should be back to my old self, for better or worse depending on your perspective!!
As for the glucosamine discussion, I tried it when I was on Femera & every other AI & found it didn't do much, the only thing that helped was changing brands.
Cheers, Dee
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Dee, sounds like your pamidronate accomplishes the same thing as fosamax. Too bad it makes you miserable. I may give glucosamine a try. I have bottle of it from when hubby tried it. As I recall it didn't do much for him, either. HUGS
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Peggy, that's what my onco said, that it does the same thing, except I have to go once a month & have an infusion instead of taking a pill. A friend of mine swears by glucosamine, he had bad hip pain & couldn't walk far, now he says it's gone, but I wonder if it's a combination of the glucosamine & him getting out & walking. Also seemed to help our poor old cat, she was so arthritic & after about a month she was much better. Couldn't hurt to try it, right? Cheers, Dee
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I agree, Dee. It can't possibly hurt. I'll locate that bottle and give it a whirl. HUGS.
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I took it years ago when my knees started to go won key. Didn't notice any improvement. Then I saw a study that said it wouldn't do anything but deplete your wallet. So I stopped.
If you are diabetic, it does have a warning on the box, it will raise your glucose
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