For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Interesting about the brand. I have been on generic from Walgreens, just checked about the Teva, and yes, that's what mine is. I do have some stiffness but no insomnia.
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I am also taking Anastrozole, Teva brand. I've only been on it a week and I have not had insomnia but I do have mild nausea, a cough, loss of appetite, tiredness, breast pain and a sore throat. Of all of these, the breast pain is the worst. It's sharp deep pain that almost takes my breath away. If it were on my left side, I'd think I was having a heart attack. I'm hoping nothing else shows up.
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Lohoff. The breast pain may be more to do with damage from radiation and surgery. I had a lot of pain in the beginning. I talked to my nurse navigator and she suggested I be evaluated by the lymphodema specialist. Best thing I did. She did a treatment recommended some exercises. She described it as tissue damage from radiation.
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For those who commented since my post, thank you.
I am in Canada, so some of the pharmacies listed here are not accessible to me. I am also in a small town so I have limits that way as well. I still think it is kind of ridiculous how they can bounce you around from different manufacturers like this. It hadn't occurred to me, so I never thought to check a few days before I needed a refill. IIRC though, they changed my tamoxifen up like that a few months in as well. I don't get it. What are the binders supposed to be in this stuff that would cause so many problems anyway? Aren't they like food grade ingredients?
I have now taken three doses and knock wood, nothing too out of the ordinary aside from being extremely tired and at the same time unable to sleep. I'm back on a small dose of melatonin to see if I can reset myself. Problem is, a new month's prescription for me also coincides with my lupron and B12 shots, so I find I already have issues around this time, and can't figure what's causing what.
Another question: I've seen it within this thread that some have had success with taking a daily Claritin for the joint issues etc. Does it take a few days for the effect to kick in? I ask because I took one last night for an allergic reaction(yay bug bites) and saw no difference.
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I've been on Anastrozole one year. I have developed scaly patches on my face which at first were responding to Aquaphor, but now the rash has moved to my lower lip and chin and while Aquaphor alleviates, it does not seem to be curing. Anyone else have this problem.
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Hi ChemicalWorld,
I'm now 9 months past my 5 years on Arimidex and I'm still finding my old self.
I had terrible bone pain and multi-joint pain for the whole 5 years I endured the medication. What I found the Claritin was essential for was the bone pain. It didn't do a lot for the joint pain. For that I did acupuncture, a natural joint remedy, that contained boswellia among other things, and fish oil. The effect of the Claritin took about 3 days to manifest itself. If I took myself off Claritin the bone pain was back in 2-3 days.
I couldn't have made it to the end of the 5 years without the Claritin.
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I also find Claritin is helpful for my morning creakiness. I was frustrated that it was useless for my allergies so dropped it for Benadryl which does help them. I talked to my PCP earlier this week and he said I could take both with no problem. Remember NOT the decongestant variety! I find the relief is right away. I take my Claritin at dinnertime. I really do feel better on this combination. My joint pain is more stiffness and definitely not anything severe as many here experience and it would go away as soon as I got moving. But I'm delighted to not have it. I've been on it for 2-1/2 years.
Chemical, Just because a filler is food grade doesn't it mean it can't cause problems. However, it may not be an issue for you. Hope that's the case.
HUGS!
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I just read some of the recent posts reguarding the bone/joint pain...I was told by my Onc. to take 1200 mg Calcium and 800 mg VitD so I wouldn't have that SE...I am a newbie to this drug...I started taking this med last Friday and so far I hadn't had the bone/joint pain..so I don't know if you have already tried these two vitamins...this may help...:)
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@Brutersmom Thank you. I will check into that.
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I've been on arimidex since October, and am stopping it... it doesn't make since to take something that makes my bones worse and they don't know if it will stop the cancer from recurring
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Judy, haven't you been taking Fosamax or Prolia or one of the other bisphosphonates along with your Arimidex? Those help protect the bones. I'm sorry that you are stopping but I can understand it.
HUGS!
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Judy you could also consider tamoxafin. I know it can be prescribed for post menopausal women as well
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I have my second prolia shot when I see the nurse practitioner... just felt like I was swept off the curb... don't know when I'll see the mo again, just tired of dr.s
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IHG...I have refused anti hormone therapy for several reasons. Please feel free to PM if you would like to discuss further. Good luck to all.
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I called my prescription company and spoke to one of the pharmacists.
I shared about the different fillers used in Arimidex.
I asked if I could have Teva as the manufacture for my prescription.
She noted my records and it is on the way!
Thank you all for sharing your experiences with the different manufactures.
She did ask what my plan was if the Teva brand was worse.
I said I would "suck it up caupcake!"
Coach Vicky
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Hey everyone:
I started Arimidex (Teva ) May 8th.
I am now starting to notice SE.
My knees hurt when I go for a walk.
My lower back is aching (it never did before).
My muscles on my whole back and shoulders can be tense and shaky
Headaches.
I am just wondering what anyone takes for the achiness? Tylenol? Aspirin??
wallan
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Thanks for the link kira1234.
Do you know how to tell who the manufacturers are?
Coach Vicky
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It will show the different manufacturers for the drug you put in
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Thank you.
Coach Vicky
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I agree with you
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It's been very helpful to me. You're very welcome. We're all here for each other.
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After 2 weeks off Femara, my side effects went away completely. I am able to sleep again and stay asleep, my hip pain is gone, and my mood is much better...no more crying jags or biting my husband's head off.
Got a call from the MO nurse. The MO was going to put me on Aromasin, which has a completely different chemical makeup. However, she said to let her know if it was going to be expensive. Walgreens filled it and I went online to check the price, and it was $146.23 for the generic. I paid $5.09 for Femara. I called the nurse back and told her and she said "oh heck no, let's try Arimidex first." So, that is only $6.35, and it is the Teva brand. I told her I'd stick it out until I see the MO on August 8, unless I end up a blubbering mess like I was on the Femara, and then I'd call back sooner.
I also got the "ok" from the MO to use "Luna" which is a natural supplement with melatonin, chamomile, magnesium Valerian and L-Theanine in it if the sleep issues return. I'll wait to see how things go before trying that.
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Wallen - I take extra strength tylenol and claritin for my aches and pains. I often also wake up with a headache - not migraine - but both the joint pain and headache are quickly relieved with the two over the counter drugs. I already had my share of arthritic woes before cancer and have taken Calcium with Vitamin D and C&G for some time. Strangely my migraines have gotten better. Only good thing I can say about CA. I plan to ask for Teva (I already get my drugs at Walgreens but I can't tell from the bottle who makes it) and see if it makes a difference for me as it seems to have for several others.
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Taco, my Walgreens label says "Teva" right under Anastrozole. It's teeny print.
HUGS
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Taco - My AI is TEVA from Walgreens. Look at the "imprint" on the pill. One side is A10. The other side is TEVA. (can see this with 2.0 reading glasses). Hope it works out for you.
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Also, if you have a Walgreens account online, it will list all your medications there and the manufacturer.
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Thanks, ladies, for the advice about my Walgreen's AI. Looking on my computer account is beyond my technical skills but I did look at the bottle and the pills now that you told me what to look for. My bottle says Accord is the manufacturer. Am almost down to the last month's supply. Will definitely ask for Teva when I do a refill. My SE are manageable but certainly would love to not get up so achy every morning although at 71 maybe that is the story of my life. I'm playing 9 holes of golf 2 or 3 times a week and have started going to a stretch and flex class although not as diligently as I should. I think I need to find an exercise buddy. My golf friends have been a gift through all of this so I make that a priority.
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Taco, grab a bottle of regular old generic Claritin. I find it really helps with the morning stiffness that for me has come with age. I'm 71 also. I wasn't taking it because it doesn't work for my allergies - only Benadryl does. Well, my PCP said I can take both at the same time. I'm a happy camper. Give Claritin a try g it could help.
HUGS!
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Thanks, Peggy. I didn't do the Claritin during chemo because I was doing other allergy stuff but decided to try it when I started the AI. I'm definitely better. I know I have some arthritis. Had an achilles tendon repaired four year ago and carpel tunnel surgery in 2015. At that time, I was certain that my right hand would need surgery by now but the C & G has really helped. For now, the SE are definitely manageable although I keep thinking that one pill makes me take another. I've had enough gastric reflux in the past couple days that I think I'll have to restart the nexium too. And here it is almost midnight and I'm still wandering around! But as you say, it's doable.
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