For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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pontiac-i got that email. I was prescribed Cymbalta about four months after i started arimidex to help with joint pain. Made an enormous improvement. Im not willing to wean off just to restart and do the study lol.
Carolyn-i missed what your second cancer is but that sucks. There is a generic test for lynch syndrome that make people more susceptible to a few cancers.
On the big D...after my first surgery, i was so constipated. Nothing worked. Was about an hour away from heading ti the emergency room. I wont go into detail but...i will take bug d anyday lol
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FluffQueen, I don't blame you for not wanting to go off your Cymbalta. I find it quite amazing how it can help.
HUGS!
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Citalopram
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Ladies, Thank you! Sounds like these sneaky side effects can happen any time. I'm not out of the woods yet! I am cautiously optimistic though!
I picked up Dr. Susan Loves Breast book at my library yesterday. It's really interesting! It was Peggy's mention of her study that prompted me to find out more about this doctor who's name keeps coming up in breast cancer circles
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Suz-Q, I love her Breast Book. So much information. I hope you find it helpful, too. Keep in mind that you may not have any side effects. But if you do, we're here.
HUGS!
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Dr Love foundation has a facebook page. She also has her own page
https://www.facebook.com/dslrf/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/drsusanlove?fref=ts
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Ladies, I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr Love, here in Boston (my sister was her medical secretary (involved in typing drafts for her first book - no computers then!) Dr Love is kind and compassionate in her caring for her patients and committed in finding a cure. This comes across when reading her books.0
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PheasantDuster, when reading her books, she seems to be talking to ME not a million people. I'm envious that you have been able to meet her. If I want to know anything on BC, her book is my bible.
HUGS!
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I don't know where you live but we have several major hospitals where I live. One is a university cancer hospital, also associated or certified by MD Anderson. Problem is that navigating the hospital system is a nightmare. It seems like they keep sending you to a specialists BUT.....the specialists never talk to each other, just exchange electronic paperwork. Recently switched to a local group of well respected Oncologists and now have an MD who has taken a personal interest in my case. My local university experience was not good.
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Molly - who were you addressing your question? If me (pheasantduster) Dr Love was head of the Breast Center at Faulkner Hospital here in Boston. (circa 1970's-80's ?) This center is still in existence and is well renowned.0
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your primary care is the one that will pay attention to the whole you.
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Carolyn- first off, I'm sorry you've had to deal with 2 cancers. I've been on this med only for a few days and immediately started with diarrhea, now switched to constipation. Fun times. Out of curiosity were you tested for Lynch syndrome? I had genetic testing recently, (still waiting for results), and the genetics doc said one of the things they test for was a link with lynch (colon and rectal) and breast and ovarian cancer. I had forgotten he said that until I read your post and it made me wonder. That may be your why.
Hope things get better!
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Just add one more thing to be aware of. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. It's also estrogen driven. Research shows a correlation with breast cancer. The symptoms are identical to those of anastrozole. I'll also be going on meds for that post a more detailed consultation with my PCP. I am concerned about all the interplay of hormones or lack thereof. There was not sign of that until now. Some studies say it is worth having your TSH measured if you have had breast cancer. :-( Now I don't know if its thyroid, anastrozole or my arthritis. Maybe all three by the way I feel.
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Jo, just what you needed - more complicating information! To be clear, you are saying that high estrogen levels are related to hypothyroidism? Wow. I just checked and I had my TSH tested last March and it was fine. But I'll keep that in mind. SMH.
HUGS!
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It's linked to an imbalance in hormones with estrogen being dominant. Looks like about 20% of women over 60 get the problem with a much higher incidence among breast cancer patients. It happens post menopause frequently when estrogen not in balance with other hormones from my initial understanding. I do have concerns about adding synthetic hormones or playing around with levels at all at this point.
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Jo, I'd have a concern about playing around with hormones, too. Sounds rather scary. I'm sure you'll get good advice from your docs.
HUGS!
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Jo, I am sorry you are dealing with more issues. Can you take synthroid? I have to see if my TSH has been tested. It is possible my feeling horrible is my thyroid. I never really thought about it.
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I need to do a little more reading before meeting with my PCP next week so I have questions in hand. Hopefully whatever I try will ease some side effects. If not, I will be on a 2 month break from Anastrozole during Mar & Apr. Hopefully that will help answer where all this discomfort comes from. It seems there are trade-offs in the synthetic vs natural that I don't yet fully understand. It would be good to check with your PCP about having a thyroid panel run. My PCP ran it when I told him I felt 94.
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I have been on syntheroid for almost 20 years. The breast cancer, chemo and Arimidex hasn't after the numbers
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Same here. I've been on levothyroxine for hypothyroidism for about 35 yrs. No changes in TSH levels throughout breast cancer, chemo and AIs.
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tjh, StrongEnough - That is so reassuring. Thanks for your input. Hopefully that will help with all the symptoms/side effects that I already have. It is so wonderful to find a group to discuss this with.
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I have Hoshimotos (antibodies that attack the thyroid) and have been on synthroid for almost 20 years. My TSH T3 and T4 numbers have been stable for years and neither the chemo nor steroids seem to have had any affect on it.
Question for all my Arimidex sisters. I began to lose my hair a few weeks into my four rounds of chemo. However my eyebrows and eye lashes thinned somewhat but i never lost them. NOW on Arimidex for just about three weeks i am seeing more eyebrow and eyelash loss. Has anyone else had this. Will my hair ever grow back?
Thanks, Phyllis
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My hair is coming back...my lashes are sparse and my brows have not returned yet, just fuzz. On the Hair topics some have said they come in and them fall out several times. I don't know if Arimidex is affecting it, or the lack of estrogen or the chemo. My brows and lashes came out a week after I finished chemo.
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PNY - my lashes and brows fell out after my chemo was all done... they eventually came back - my eyebrows use to be so nice but now they need to be groomed..
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Same for me. More eyebrows came out after chemo that during. Both eye lashes and brows have come back but not as thick as they were before. I have to use an eyebrow pencil now to fill in and use eyeliner and mascara more now. I am just thankful they came back as good as they did.....and my hair is growing.
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So thankful I didn't need chemotherapy or radiation but I am experiencing hair thinning on Armidex. Eyebrows and lashes still intact.
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My eyebrows and eyelashes started falling out after 4 x TC, this during rads. Oddly the eyebrows grew back simultaneously, so I was never without something there. Now they are thinner. Almost never have to groom them as growth in that area is so slow. That's ok because I cannot see well enough to do it myself.
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Thanks, Iamnancy, my sunshine48, Tikkasmom for your response. I am going to patiently wait this out. I bought all sorts of eyebrow pencil etc makeup and there is always false eyelashes:)
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I've been on levothyroxin for many years. My TSH changed after chemo and I had to increase my dose of levothyroxin. Will have my TSH checked again in 3 months.
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I also have been on levothyroxin for close to 45 years - on the same dosage 95% of this time. After radiation, I developed lung problems and required a series of treatments with Predizone which then played havoc with my TSH counts. I was then put on a higher dose of levothyroxin which it turned out was not the best medical decision as the high dose caused severe digestive problems for almost a year. Finally back to my normal dose of levothyroxin.0
