For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
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Right back at ya Peggy!!
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Hi everyone, I just posted a separate thread for my question, but maybe you ladies are the best ones to ask.....
Here is a copy of my other post:
"I know there is one woman here (nomatterwhat) who stopped arimidex because her feet were terribly itchy. Just wondering if anyone else has had this funky side effect. My MO said she hadn't heard of it before but acknowledged that nothing is impossible (I love my doc) and suggested that I go off it for a week or two to see if there is a connection. The tops and bottoms of my feet are so itchy, sometimes it looks like a rash, sometimes I see exactly round bumps clearly under the skin and sometimes there is nothing there. It is intermittent but frequent and though it isn't itchy right now it seems to have gotten worse. Wakes me up sometimes in the middle of the night."
Now, faced with the prospect of not taking the medication, my feet are not itchy and I'm afraid to not take the med. I hate cancer.
Jen
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Jenwith4kids are you taking generic? Maybe there's something in the fillers. Also try a different AI. I started on Anastrozole but after 3 years I switched to Exemestane (Aromasin). What a difference. So many SE are now gone. This April will be 1 year on Exemestane.
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Jen, I have had itchy feet also, and weird toe fungus........so embarrassing .....try foot spray, it's helped me with both problems.
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I think I will definately be taking an AI for at least 6 more years, The new onc I met with today said that while we could look at things next year at five years (3 tamoxifen, 2 AI), the going belief is that the aI results are better and possibly taking them for ten years. He said it is negotiable, balanced with quality of Life, but he is of the opinion that if you arent having major issues such as serious bone loss, etc, keep going.
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Jenwith4kids, so glad to read your post about itchy feet, but of course not glad that you're having the problem. I hadn't mentioned anything myself because it seems like such a bizarre symptom. It's not every day, but I've had quite a few where all of a sudden the tops of my feet and lower ankle become intensely red and itchy a couple hours after taking the anastrozole. A few times I took a benedryl to get to sleep. The next morning the feet are much better. i haven't been on anastrozole all that long so just figured it may be one of those passing side effects that goes away with time. I hope so anyway.
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While I haven't experienced itchy feet, I find it a rather bizarre SE. In my very limited medical knowledge, it doesn't seem to make any sense that it would effect the feet? I wouldn't think the feet are an estrogen magnet and that the stoppage of estrogen would make one iota's difference to them.. AI's are certainly strange, aren't they? Thank heavens for benedryl!
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the itchy feet certainly sound like an allergic reaction (me who has a ton of allergies~~) so I do hope you tell the doc, maybe you need to switch the AL?
my allergies never just go away without help but maybe a small claritan would help?
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I agree, Iris. I also have loads of allergies and a love affair with benedryl. It is always possible that one of the "inert" ingredients in the variety of anastrozole HoleInOne is taking could be the culprit and one from a different manufacturer might take care of the problem. Or not
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allergies are a pain in the butt and mine pop up any where and everywhere~
by the way I just got an e mail from my former personal trainer. He did an initial study on LE and several here participated. Well now he is doing one on stage 2/3 folks, who did chemo and now have neuropathy. If interested, I will send the flier to anyone. Tim is great and working on his PHD in physical therapy as it relates to cancer survivors
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That sounds like a great study (and service) your trainer is working on. I'm sure many here will be interested in participating.
(Yeah, allergies are a pain - drug allergies are the worst though
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oh, I got a couple of med allergies, If you want me to have an asthma attack, just slip an aspirin or maybe an aleve or other NSAID in my tea, call 911 or stick me with an epi pen
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Iris, thank heavens, I'm not allergic to aspirin etc. Just 99.9% of the antibiotics out there. Stinks, doesn't it? Yours is probably more challenging since so many things contain aspirin and NSAIDS. Very scary.
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ok. Just a note on itchy feet. I had the worst itchy feet. Right before I was dx with type 2 diabetes. So at least check your blood glucose before blaming the Arimidex. Otherwise, burning and sharp pain are a form of neuropathy. And yes can be from Arimidex. Much love
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Ah, MoonFlower, that's a good thought. Wouldn't have occurred to me.
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Peggy, Lago and Gg27 thanks for the advice. I will definitely ask my dr about the gabapentin. Going to try the fan next to the bed also even though I already keep my window open and the ceiling fan on..lol! My poor husband is always freezing but understands. Hope you all had a wonderful day!
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PattieF, wish I did have suggestions for you. Just hang in there!!! Give DH a hug when you're cool
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more people with itchy feet! so glad I am not alone. I stopped the arimidex for a test. it has a 50 hour half life so it will be a few days before I see anything. as of right now, i am still a little itchy. i will keep you posted.
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I was on Tamoxifen for a year & then after having a hysterectomy for uterine fibroids (took ovaries also while in there), I was switched to Arimidex because I was post menopausal. I've been on it 3 months. I'm having terrible joint pain in my hands. It varies during the day: hot prickly sensation, stiffness & swollen feeling, sharp pains, numbness in fingers, loss of strength, deep aching.
I don't see my med onc till early April. How do I know if it's arthritis? Do you think my family doctor should be where I start?
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mouse all Als have joint pain as a side effect which depending on the intensity you can take pain killers in my case I would only take narcotics if the pain became unbearable but currently I take ibuprofen 800mg twice a day.
The numbness and prickly sensation can be neuropathy which is also common I take 200 mg of gabapentin twice a day. Consult with your onc and or G
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Mouse, both your onc and your pcp will want to know about what's going on with your hands, so you could see either one. As your symptoms are likely a side effect of arimidex, I'd start with the onc, the one who prescribed it. You could either schedule an earlier appointment (the April date assumes you have no issues), or call or email your onc. Chances are he'll suggest a two-week holiday from the drug, to see if that helps.
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I am wondering how much of this wrist pain I am having is driven by Arimidex. When it was xrayed, they said I have arthritis in my wrists and this tendonitis thing. But a year ago, I had no symptoms whatsoever. Seems too coincidental.
The new onc I am going with also said that he works with his patients on the length of time taking an AI. I had tamoxifen for almost three years, and now arimidex for close to a year. In his opinion, he recommends staying on the AI for several more years. I'm pretty inclined to go with that, especially of I can get the whole sex thing improved.
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fluffqueen: I was having problems with painful sex too. One of the members of our local support group brought sample lubricant packets to a meeting that she'd gotten from a store, I think she said it was in Wisconsin, called A Woman's Touch Sexuality Resource Center. And she also distributed a booklet she'd gotten there titled Vaginal Renewal Program. The lubricant is called Sliquid Organics, it's glycerine and paraben free, The packet says it's been "blended with certified organic botanical extracts that heal, support and rejuvenate the body". Url for the company is www.sexualityresources.com
They sell several different lubricants. I ordered the sampler kit, so far have used only the Sliquid, used some of the suggestions from the booklet, and have been very satisfied with the results - no pain.
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Puff, I'll have to give that a shot, thanks! I'm not ready to give up. It just hurts on entry, but it's real painful. Like I revirginate every time, lol
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Hello ladies:
Just an update. I have been on the Teva brand of Anastrozole for a little over a week and I would say that overall my joint pain is better (not gone but better). I have multiple medical conditions and medications that cause joint pain by themselves. But I will take whatever improvement I can get.
Anyone taking Anastrozole not manufactured by Teva who is experiencing joint pain, it is worth switching to the Teva brand to see if it helps.
Hope everyone is doing well. 🐕🐶🐈🐱🐀
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MSQueen57, good advice. I had read all the postings in this thread before I started Anastrozole and learned that most preferred the Teva brand because it seemed to cause fewer SEs. So when I did fill my prescription, I requested it. So far I've had no issues. Glad the change helped you! HUGS!!
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Fluff I was having issues with back/neck/shoulder pain on Anastrozole that I didn't even know was from that. When I quit it went away. Has not returned on Exemestane.
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I start Arimidex today and was wondering if anyone remembers whether there was a big difference between taking it at night or taking it in the morning? I read through everything a while back but can't recall if "many" thought there was a preferable time. Also, I appreciated the Teva comments and mine is Teva so hoping for the best.0 -
Reader425, I've always taken mine in the morning after breakfast. That's worked for me. I've had no issues. IIRC, some women had sleep issues and that was one reason I decided on mornings, plus that makes it about the same time everyday. Mine also is Teva. Good luck!
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