For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
-
I am supposed to start Anastrozole asap. I'm concerned about the joint pain but willing to try it. What has been your experience with hair thinning or loss?
0 -
harley I've been on 2 1/2 years. No issues with thinning or loss. I take biotin alternating with hair skin and nails vitamin since I completed chemo.
Joint pain was rough but improved with time. Tolerable now. No joint pain during the day but I'm very active. I notice the worst in the evenings when I finally sit down. 8-11pm is the time frame that I ache the most. Its always been that way. The other 21 hours of the day are fine so I can deal with that.
Im glad things leveled off for me. I shopped around until I found a pharmacy that carried teva brand and noticed improvement. Its often the fillers that cause the problem. Next I would change time of day I was taking the drug. Then my plan was to switch to another AI. Its important to give whatever change you make plenty of time to see if it helps. Good luck
0 -
thanks so much Deb!
0 -
I now use a biotin shampoo (Target carries several brands) and noticed an almost immediate reduction in shedding. I interpret my occasional scalp itchiness to follicles waking up again. It's still too early to say if my hair is thickening back up.
0 -
hi I been taking Anastrozole for few days I keep on getting UTI is anyone had this problem I am 65 I have not UTI for years now that I am taking this I keep on getting it is it me or anyone else is getting it too please hel
0 -
0 -
Hi Everyone,
I have been on Anastrozole for approximately a year. The side effects have been fine. Just got blood work done at my GP and my cholesterol is high. I eat well, exercise and while I’m sure I could still loose a few pounds, I’m still surprised by the findings. Have to admit, I feel a bit defeated....it just feels like one more thing! I don’t really want more medication....ugh
0 -
Oshal - although I haven't had UTI issues, but I believe others have. It might help if you drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. I've had dry eye, dry skin, dry mouth, dry vaginal area, so it seems to reason uninary tract could be effected as well. Good luck.
Laurencl- I hear you. I take a pill for bone loss - worked out 5x a week, ate well, etc - Anastrozole goes after your bones. So I take a pill to offset the side effects of the 1st pill. It sucks. But this too shall pass, 2 more years of Anastrozole. Don't get defeated by it, you've done BC - you got this.
0 -
Cindy— Thank you, you are right. Focus on the big picture. Met with my Primary Dr. to discuss the matter. She suggested to keep an eye, lifestyle changes and revisit in a few months. I guess it just felt like one more thing...Thanks for responding. Laure
0 -
Laurencl--I also exercise daily but could stand to lose maybe 10 pounds. While on Tamoxifen my cholesterol has slowly crept up from 196 pre BC to 219 as of last year (despite finishing Tamoxifen 2 years ago) and my doctor has threatened meds for it. Just as a panicked experiment, I swapped my usual breakfast of a single Eggo waffle to a bowl of All Bran for the month before my labs. I had heard that high amounts of fiber can pull cholesterol out. I just found out my cholesterol is down to 194! That's a 25 point drop! Who knows if that's exactly what helped but I haven't changed anything else in my daily life so I think that's what did it for me. Hope this helps.
0 -
Thank you Lala! Been trying oatmeal, but will give all bran a try
0 -
I had to have 3 fingers operated on for "trigger finger". That happened after I was on Arimidex for about a year or two. I have been on Arimidex for almost 7 years and hoping I can soon get off of it. My problem is..............my hair is falling out and I can't lose this extra weight I gained while on chemo. I'm very upset. The doctor did reduce my dosage because I was having problems with my feet and hands............... I was losing the feeling in them. I had terrible aches and pains before he reduced my dosage.
0 -
Tinitis anyone? This past week in the evening I notice a humming or a high pitch noise in both ears. I thought maybe fluid in my ears, and if I pressed on my ear it would seem to go away. But it's at least 6-7 days now and every evening, there it is. Anastrozole side effect? Should I just go to the ENT? Thanks ladies.
0 -
Hi Cindy,
Yes, I have tinnitus. The fun heartbeat type (pulsatile tinnitus). I had it a little during chemo, but it went away. I fell down the stairs in September, and it might be from that. The doctors are not sure. I can't say it is from Anastrozole, but I have read that others complain about it (both here and on an FB group I follow). My first ENT could not find an answer. I am seeing my second ENT, and have found out that mine is not dangerous (just annoying). I t helped knowing that it was not dangerous physically and I try to ignore it. I use headphones and a white noise app called “shut eye" on my phone sometimes if I have trouble sleeping. I would suggest getting it checked out with your GP and/or an ENT.
Lauren
0 -
Hey Cindy
I too have tinnitus combined with what I’d say is an inner ear imbalance (dizziness). Not sure source is Arimidex and no one but my acupuncturist ,who is a former oncologist, has given me a straight answer. He says it’s stress related in my case. But I can’t definitely say it might not be Arimidex related.
I went to ENT and neurologist initially but then Covid starting to rage here and they wanted to put me through more extensive tests so I tabled that and landed in the acupuncturist office. The inner ear test that ENT ordered is some 2 hour test that required a Covid test. Neurologist ordered a EEG and MRI. I needed another Covid test and an EKGfor MRI. All too overwhelming for me.
Once the Covid lifts I’ll go back for the testing probably. Until then let’s see if the needles give me some relief.
Let us know what you find out!!
0 -
Hi Cindy,
Does acupuncture help? I completely understand about wanting to wait for testing until after Covid, just too stressful! I did have a CT scan (because I fell) and a hearing test. I did have diminished hearing in one ear and was told that my temporal bones were thin (which might be the tinnitus culprit). I’m interested to see if acupuncture provides some relief.
Lauren
0 -
CBK tried acupuncture, I haven't done anything yet.
Last evening I didn't have it happen, so today I didn't call the ENT office. Well tonight it's back in full force.
I've been getting up early doing remote schooling for my grand niece. I'm a night owl and it kills me getting up early, and school all day wears me out. So usually during the nightly news, reclined on the sofa I doze off for 20-30 minutes. It's when I wake up from that nap that my ears are hummming/ringing. My right one some what, my left ear a lot - enough so I press my finger on the ear hoping to stop it.
I put a note next to where I eat breakfast: call ENT. I'll let you know what happens. I don't expect to get in right away, always a wait.
0 -
Hi. I am now up to 3 fingers with trigger finger. It started with the middle finger on the right, then the thumb on the left and now the thumb on the right. I have been on Arimidex for a little over a year. I exercise my hands regularly, but it still flares up. I have my MO appointment this coming week. I have thinning hair, growing facial hair and dry everything. My bone scans are in the normal range.
0 -
Laurencl
I’ve only done two acupuncture sessions. The first session I felt a difference, the second one didn’t seem to improve my symptoms as much.
I think I need to devote about a month to it to give a real fair shot. I’m going to ask my Dr next time I see him what his experience on timeframe is.
0 -
ENT tomorrow at 2:10. I got in way sooner than expected. He'll probably tell me no more naps in the recliner of the couch. I'll post here afterwards.
0 -
Tinnitus dx and he scheduled a hearing test. Aparantly back in 2016 when I had vertigo, I also reported tinnitus. Suggested using white noise when I nap on couch, lol. Tinnitus - one more perk of aging. But at least no fluid, no tumor, got to look on the bright side.
0 -
Cindy
Yeah, I hear you...I felt better knowing (after CT scans) that there was not a dangerous thing wrong.... BUT it doesn’t explain it....ugh! I go back in March and will get another hearing test too. I can tell the doctor that the hearing in that ear is less and I know that they will offer a hearing aid which I don’t feel I need. It is annoying to not have a fixable answer
0 -
Hi Cindy,
I too began to have tinnitus after being on Arimidex (Anastrozole) for about 18 months. I saw two separate ENT in my provider network, neither of which offered any answers. The hearing test stated that I have slight hearing loss in the left ear, but I was told this was normal for my age (56 yrs at the time). I recently talked to my primary and he sent me out of network. My first appointment with the audiologist was this past Thursday at which time the hearing loss was brought up again. I also have an upcoming appt. with the ENT in the same network, things were backed up so I have to wait a little longer (I'm hoping for a cancellation to move up my appt.
Also, to mention the ringing has been going on for approx. a year and a few months. I have also begun to hear a whoosing, roaring sound?? Not a heart beat of pulse sound.
I did have a MRI a year ago as well it was clear. Thank you Jesus.
Humblepeace
0 -
My MO did do a referral for an Ortho hand specialist. Hoping for some relief.
0 -
Petir1: what type of exercise you're doing for trigger finger. I have too this problem and I do not know if there is a chance it goes away by itself.and please tel what the ortho suggested
0 -
Hi. I've been on Anastrozole for ten years now. I recently noticed that my hair is getting thinner. Is there a shampoo that I can use to help this condition? I did some internet searches but I'm not really sure what shampoo to use. Thank you ahead of time.
0 -
Hi Petit1 and Margun- I had trigger thumb and bad pain in my hand joints on Anastrozole. It really freaked me out as it was my dominant hand, so I got into my primary care right away and also contacted my MO. Primary care said it's so common on that drug they actually labeled it. She sent me to PT and the MO told me to stop the med for about a month. Both worked! I switched to Letrozole and I haven't had any further issues. I do get joint pain still in my knees, but you don't realize how much you need your hands!! Good luck!
0 -
I have an appointment with an Ortho hand specialist next Friday. I will let you know what happens. The hand exercises consist of opening and closing each hand one finger at a time. I find it a difficult, but easier if the thumb closes first. Sometimes the middle finger & thumb need help.
0 -
ajbclan, I saw the Ortho Doc and he gave me a cortisone shot in my thumb. I hope it works. I have a follow up in 3 weeks. It is a very common SE of Arimidex.
0
