For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Thank you for making all that info public, Angelia50. I think what happens is we think "public" meaning showing to non-members when it doesn't mean that at all. Rather confusing. A "members only" switch would be nice. HUGS!!!
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Hey Peggy, I was scrolling around & it sounds like you Michigan girls had a great lunch!
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Ruth, we did have a great time. Nancy picked out a wonderful place for us to meet - a vineyard. And we all sampled tons of wines - when we could stop talking long enough to do so. We may be having another meet up May 30th at the same place. We would love to have anyone willing to drive to Jackson, Michigan join us. We aren't limited to Michiganders only. Gypsyjo is from Oregon and was in Indiana for family and joined us. If you're allowed out of ND, you can come
It's so nice to put real flesh and blood with the words we read here. I would recommend a get together for any group that can do it. 0 -
I have had the ca 27-29 done, although my late ONC didn't really put a lot of reliability in it. He did it to humor me. My new Onc said kind of the same thing, that too many things have an effect, but he will still do it if I want. I do, lol. I would really liked on have the circulating tumor cell test, but I dont think that is something covered by most insurance companies.
On why they don't, most oncs will tell you there is no evidence that early detection of a recurrence affects survival length of life. I told them my both I think that is baloney and just makes no sense to me at all. News onc replied there is a lot in science that does not make science, lol
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Peggy, a group of us ladies from an exercise thread have been doing a summer trip now for the last 5 years. So awesome, it's like long-lost sisters, isn't it?! Maybe next year we will have to come to Michigan!
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That would be wonderful, Ruth. It IS like long last sisters. None of the strangeness that can happen when meeting new people - we KNOW each other! Your summer trips sound fun!
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Thanks for the plantar fasciitis advice. I also will see if I can get the Teva brand less expensively. My Accord is very cheap, but it's definitely worth trying the others to see if there is a difference. I'll report back.
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I started anastrozole 1 yr. ago and the only side effect is one hot flash after another. I haven't noticed any other concerns and I too have quite a few orthopedic problems. There are several medications and if one doesn't work your oncologist can put you on another to try. What isnice is that there are options.
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When I first started taking Arimidex, I had a couple of times, both when I was in a store shopping, when I broke out into an all out sweat, as if I had been running. Otherwise, most of the time, I only get hot off and on during the night. But I had stopped taking them for a week, to see if they were causing this knee issue and started back Saturday morning. I was at ballgames all day, outside, in the heat, and did fine but we stopped at a store on the way home and again, I broke out into an all out sweat. So, I guess the bright side is, guess they are doing their job, keeping those cells starved out.
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I've had that happen while shopping. Looks like I just ran a marathon, but it stops quickly.
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Spookiemom. I was like that when I woke up from my mastectomy surgery. I hadn't done it in a while, so guess being off and then back on the meds, caused it. I kept asking the people with me, is it hot in here and they all said no, so I figured, guess its my meds.
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Me too! I have paper towels and napkins all over. And here, it's easy to blame the humidity, outside. I just call it day sweats.
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So I started my arimidex over a week ago, at 1/4 dose. I have this insane itching, burning, peeling of my scalp, in addition to redness at the hairline. I could not figure out what was going on. I have not changed my shampoo, laundry detergent, etc.. This morning I tried my DH Head and Shoulders. It's embarrassing, too. Big white chunks of skin falling from my head.
Anyone hear of this?
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Jilly, I had a sort of similar reaction to cipro only full body. Definitely an allergy for me. If you are taking a generic, you might try to find a different manufacturer. Sometimes the fillers used in them are the cause of many annoyances (though your reaction is more than that). Be sure to talk to your MO. HUGS!!
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Peggy! It's the same reaction I have to Cipro although much worse!0 -
Jilly, I didn't go into the gory details. I burned from the inside out and peeled off thick layers of skin for well over 3 weeks. When I was prescribed it prior to surgery, I told the pharmacist that I was allergic to antibiotics and was told that nobody is allergic to cipro. HA! Never again.
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Peggy - that is truly awful and so sorry you had that experience. Mine was confined to my head, along with joint pain. Interesting as I've never heard of reactions like ours.
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That's because we're special, Jilly. That's what makes me think it might be the filler in the Arimidex. I take the anastrozole manufactured by Teva and have had no issues. Just a thought.
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I plan to stop and call my MO for the Teva brand. Currently it's Accord.
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Does the MO need to call in a new script or can I just ask the pharmacy to replace?
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You don't need to talk to your MO just to get the Teva brand. Just ask your pharmacist for it. However, your MO should know what's going on. Fingers crossed that the Teva brand works for you.
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Our insurance requires that we use their mail order pharmacy for long-term prescriptions. And that place says you take whatever we give you, there's no requesting another brand. Oddly enough my tamoxifen from them was always Teva brand (almost two years) and the anastrazole has been Accord brand (only 2 refills so far).
FWIW I had bad SEs on the tamoxifen (thus the switch) but nothing new or different yet on the anastrazole.
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I called my pharmacy and they have on record only to fill my order with Teva brand
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You may need a new script since you haven't used much of the batch you got. Then, as Chloesmom said, tell the pharmacy that you want only Teva brand. I did that when I first submitted my rx after reading that more people had issues with non-Teva brand than with it. Thought I'd avoid the filler problems that way. And so far, I have.
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I had that with rogaine/minoxidil, but not with arimidex. Your onc might suggest trying a different AI, or maybe stopping the one you're on for a week or so to see if the redness and flaking will cease and desist, then try the pill again,.
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There certainly a lot of options with our AIs and possible SEs. Hopefully one will do the trick and you will be able to continue on your course of treatment, Jilly.
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Jilly - are you on any other meds that might have this se? The reason I ask is that you are only on a 1/4 dose and only on it for a week - I had many se's on all three AIs but never this one (I had the scalp se when on Afinitor) - go see your PCP or your MO or the PA at the oncs office and see if anyone can help you - I know how miserable it can be. I was given a script for Cipro a few years back and after reading about it I pitched it out and asked for another antibiotic - glad now that I made that decision. Good Luck.
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Sandy - No new meds. I do have sensitivity issues with other meds which is why MO said start at 1/4 dose. I will call them tomorrow. I couldn't figure out for the life of me what was going on...then I remembered the AI - zoinks! This itching, burning thing is making me nuts. I will hold-off on tonight's dose.
Thanks, all!!!!
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That's probably wise, Jilly. Good luck! HUGS!!
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jilly, I have sensitivity to a ton of meds but fortunately for me, not the AL. Actually I have an apt with a new doc down in Trenton who is an allergist and a pulmonary specialist. I have reactions to NSAIDS, asthma and sinus polyps and it seems that makes me special~~ anyway, have you ever been tested for allergies? I am considering doing something called aspirin desensitizing. Do talk to your docs about the reaction but starting with lo dose is what I would do
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