For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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NCDi, I had GERD long before I started anastrozole. I also take Fosamax which isn't real helpful in that department. I take my Prilosec in the morning along with the anastrozole. I also take a Pepcid at dinner time. This combination works quite well for me. I don't think the anastrozole creates more of a problem for me. If you think it bothers you, take it in the morning with your Prilosec. Generally we don't go back to bed in the morning so that could eliminate the problem. Doesn't hurt to try a different time.
HUGS!
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Pboi - I too have been on Arimidex for five months and wasn't sure what triggered the reflux but thought it might be an anxiety SE creeping up on me. I called the nurse at my MO and she said the doc said I could take the Arimidex in the am and suggested Benadryl or Melatonin at bedtime. I take my Prilosec early afternoon. So many choices .... And thank you for responding to my post - I really appreciate you sharing your experience.
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PontiacPeggy - thank you for the suggestion as I do feel a bit seedy in the mornings - apart from this new GERD issue. I will try the Arimidex in the morning and see how that goes. Thanks so much for your response.
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NCDi, Sometimes you just have to try different schedules for all the meds and supplements you take. You also might find that taking the Prilosec around dinner works better. I have to take something both morning and evening. Right now the Prilosec/Pepcid combination seems to be working for me. If it stops working then I'll take 2 Prilosec.
HUGS!
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PontiacPeggy: I took my Arimidex this morning rather than bedtime and had a better night's sleep.I also started eating low fat probiotic yoghurt yesterday to help my digestion. I have some Gaviscon in case I need something extra and usually take my 20mg Prilosec early afternoon. I might rethink that and take it later. It is a challenge figuring out what works best.
Is your Pepcid liquid or tabs?
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My gastroenterologist recommended Gaviscon for Acid Reflux. Works great. Prilosuc never worked for me.
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NCDi, Glad changing the time of your Arimidex helped out. I really can't do dairy. As mentioned I take my Prilosec before breakfast along with the rest of my morning pills (including Arimidex). Then take my 20mg Pepcid tablet before dinner. I buy generic at Walmart for both. BTW, my Prilosec has a bit of added magnesium. This works for me. I have Maalox if needed. It does take a bit of trial and error to find the best combination for you. You might find that Prilosec at night works better. Good luck!
HUGS!
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Lago, I've never tried Gaviscon. I'll have to get some and give it a whirl. I'm always open to trying something new. Thanks.
HUGS!
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I stumbled onto Gaviscon years ago. Great stuff. Knocksthe heartburn, acid down, then forms a layer to help with reflux. It comes liquid or tabs.
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I take my Prilosec before breakfast. And take Tums occasionally as needed.Does the Gaviscon replace the Prilosec, or can you take both?
PB
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I am new to this website and about to start Arimidex. I was diagnosed in the summer, had my BMX in September and finished four rounds of TC chemo almost four weeks ago. I am going to the oncologist Monday and will be starting the medicine. The Dr has told me I will be on it up to 10 years!. Until now, I have been told about the weight gain this medicine causes and the possible bone and joint pain, but reading these posts I am getting even more nervous of what is yet to come:)
Hoping we are all strong enough to continue weathering this storm and move on
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I'm certainly going to give Gaviscon a try. It sounds good AND effective. Thanks, All.
HUGS!
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PNY, welcome! We're glad you found us. It helps us help you if you fill out your profile as completely as possible AND make it public (even telling us where you are) so we know where you've been, your treatments, etc.
Women do have side effects from Arimidex. But NOT all women do; many do not (I'm one of them). You will find that generally the women posting here are looking for solutions to their SEs so they can continue taking Arimidex. Those of us without SEs don't post nearly as often. Please don't start Arimidex assuming you will have side effects. You likely won't. With most medications you take, you know that side effects are possible but you don't expect that you'll get them (chemo excepted), so do the same with Arimidex. But if you do, we're here to help you. And often there are very workable solutions to most SEs. If they can't be controlled, switching to anastrozole made by another manufacturer, brand name or switching to another AI may help. I use anastrozole made by Teva. When I first read this thread, the general consensus was that the fillers used by Teva were less likely to cause problems so that's what I went with. So there are options. Go in with a positive attitude. You've already done the hard part with your mx and chemo. This will likely be a breeze. I have not gained weight either.
HUGS!
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Welcome PNY! I've been on anastrazole for 5 months now and am doing well. I watch what I eat and exercise (mostly walking) and have not gained any weight. I feel a little stiff in my joints after sitting awhile and have insomnia but otherwise tolerating it well. Hope you will too! Peggy was so reassuring to me when I first started too telling me not to expect the worst. I felt so much better after hearing that and she was right!
PB
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Thanks for the reply and advise. I am generally a positive person and that is what has gotten me through and this far. I plan to continue to do so
Thanks
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PBOI, thank you for the kind words. It's nice to know when you've helped someone!
PNY, keep that attitude. I think it really does help. As with everything these days, if you read all the caveats you wouldn't do a thing!
HUGS!
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I was also told 10 years at the beginning. Some docs say 5, my new MO says 3 and I will switch to tamoxifen in March.
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I was told since I am post menopause I would go onto Arimidex as opposed to Tamoxifen. I guess time will tell. As they do more and more research protocols and treatments change and we just go along for the ride:)
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PNY Welcome. I have been on Arimidex for about 2 1/2 months. I have had some issues sleeping but I am not sure if it is from the Arimedex or life in general. Had that issue before CA but it is a little more frequent now. In general I find the more active I am the better I feel and the better I sleep. I still work. I like what I do and it keeps me focused on the fact that I am still alive. I appreciate everyday so much more now and I like that challenges of work. It reminds me that I am still alive and have things to offer.
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PNY....Welcome....I have been on Arimidex side August....I have lost about 20 lbs....I've Christmas gained 4 back...Damn pecan fingers. I just watch what and how much I eat.
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tjh, Did you do anything special. I lost 25 lbs before diagnosed. I did not gain anything until the Holidays did not lose anything either. Only about 2 lbs. I am still exercising but there is a lot of junk food around the house to temp me. Wish it would disappear. Christmas was emotional hard as well but back to work and attitude is better. . I am still exercising. Walking about one and 1/2 mile on the treadmill.
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PNY, I have been on Arimidex for about 5 months with no side effects that I know of. Sometimes my back hurts, but not sure if it is from that or just age and all I have been through in the past 9 months. I am 67. No weight gain. I do get mine directly from Astro Zeneka, the manufacturer of Arimidex. I don't know if that makes any difference either, but I like to think it does. Some women have trouble with fillers from other places. The phone number for direct is 1-800-236-9933. It is $30.00 a month and they send a 3 month supply at a time. You can have auto refills, which I have.
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PNY. We all react to ARimidex differently, no major issues other than maybe insomnia, going to switch the time of day taking this pill, as I am up till wee hours, so Dr says try it, makes no difference as long as you take it same time daily." For any bone aches I take the Claritin, and this keeps aches to a minimum so other than some neuropathy, which may be left from chemo, so far so good. If you get bone loss, you deal with it, if you get acid reflux, you deal with it. If you get anything, you deal with it, the alternative is that NOT taking the preventative drug will greater your chance of a reoccurance! So we don't have too many options with this prognosis. Sorry to put it Brundtland, but that the facts for now. I am not looking forward to ten years but if I can tolerate it, I will do it if I want to live.
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JerseyGirl, I think most of us feel that way. We'll deal with it because doing nothing just doesn't always seem to be an option. I also want to live. That's why we do surgery, radiation, chemo.
HUGS!
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I forgot to take mine one afternoon and had the best sleep in a longtime. Took in a.m. yesterday and slept good last night. Gonna try taking early again today.
Good luck to all!
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One advantage that I have in the ability to lose weight is that I teach 6th graders emotional-behavior disabilities in a large MS. 2 of them currently have to be escorted everywhere so I walk 5-6 miles everyday. Also when at work I do not have time to snack. After Christmas I threw out all junk food, so we are all back to eating better.
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welcome PNY, I've been on generic Arimidex for 15 months, originally had really achy joints but after a few weeks my knees and ankles are only stiff after I've sat for awhile when I first get up. but after about 10 steps the stiffness is gone. I walk on the treadmill every day, figure that will help keep my bones strong, haven't gained any weight.
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Thanks everyone for your responses and very encouraging words.
About the pain from Arimidex, I was told by someone that they eat 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and 1 Tablespoon of flaxseed oil a day and it took away all their pain.
Jerseygirl927, happy to hear Claritin works. I took that when they gave me the nuelasta shot after each chemo and it seemed to help with that bone pain as well.
My thyroid is not as "quick" as it was when I was younger and could eat anything. I guess I am just going to have to be very careful and make sure I continue to exercise.
Thanks
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I put ground flaxseed in my cereal every day. Not sure if it helps but I am getting by without the Claritin which was not helping the dry nether regions.
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Since switching back to aremidex from letrozole, my hands have much improved. However, my right leg is really hurting me. It hurts so bad when I drive that I have to take a pain pill, sometimes two. I have to drive for my job so this is worrisome. I am trying to wait before telling my MO as I want to stay on aremidex and am hoping it gets better. Has anybody had their leg hurt this bad? Would Claritan help?
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