For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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No pain in legs, just some foot stiffness in the A.M. and sometimes after being idle for a time.
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my legs are just weak and I am not good at walking far
I keep doing the treadmill at the gym and hope it goes away after I end them
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I have pain but I have had back and joint problems before I started med so I am not sure what is causing what. Swelling is new and I too thought it might be heart related. I have had a problem with my heart beating fast and then feeling faint. I said something to PCP and he said if it continued he may have to run some other tests. Blood pressure seems to be under control with BP med. I thought it might be my blood sugar but I don't know if they checked this. Can it cause fast heatbeat?
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Claudia----Check your thyroid. I have my own "earthquakes" and it turned out to be a thyroid problem-----kad2kar
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I've had that feeling too and bad palpitations I'm hoping it's the lack of estrogen as when i went through menopause naturally that was the worst SE. I went to cardiologists, etc. It was lack of estrogen and eventually went away. Amazng how the body can adapt.
But at the moment I'm trying to decide whether or not take the lexapro that has been sitting in my nightstand for years. I never worked for me before, just made me nauseous and out of it. But I'm having a hard time and it's either that or going off of the arrimidex again. I really think it's my husband...
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Hi All
I'm a stage 2a survivor that is 2 1/2 years out. I've been on Tamoxifen for the past 2 1/2 years and am switching to generic arimidex next month. I gained 30lbs on Tamoxifen (plus I quit smoking 2 1/2 years ago). I'm switching without any time off from one med to another. I'm hoping I can lose the weight. I do walk every other day or so for 2-3 miles. I've had foot pain with Tamoxifen so I'm hoping this doesn't get any worse. I look forward to coming back to this thread for advise and updates.
All the Best
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I hope you are one of the lucky ones who won't need any help!
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Thanks! I would also like to share my experience to others that may prove helpful on their med journey!
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Welcome, Jan. Hope it goes easy for you.
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Mybee333...I have been on Arimidex almost 3 years. I am always tired, gained weight, and yes my feet and legs ache all the time. I take Meloxicam for the arthritis and it usually helps with the feet pain, but not lately. I feel depressed and get emotional and tear-up easily. I work 2 jobs, and in school too. 59 years old. Since breast cancer and Arimdex I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, kidney stones, stomach ulcers. Mostly what bothers me the most is my weight gain and muscle and joint pain and stiffness. In my dreams, I can run and feel slim and athletic. But when I wake up in the morning it is painful just to walk to the bathroom, or make my bed.
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Can i suggest going gluten free? I did it for awhile and it seemed to help. It's worth a shot!
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I will be starting on Anastrozole within the next 2 weeks, as soon as I am done radiation.. I am actually more afraid of taking this medication for 5 yrs than I was to have chemo or radiation...maybe I'll be one of the lucky few that have no SE but, if not, they sound worse than SE for chemo/radiation - probably because they seem to be so long lasting.
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I don't think the pills are anywhere near chemo. And you are in control. You can switch meds if you like. You can take a vacation if you like. And at least in the beginning, the SE"s are slight. We're all venting here, don't be afraid. And remember, most people can tolerate the pills and are not here venting! Most importantly, if they save our lives, it will all have been worth it.
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IamNancy I too was just like you. Afraid of this drug more than chemo. I even told my onc when I first met her that. 5 years! OMG. But here I am 2.5 years into it and not having major issues. At first a bit stiff but now only for a few seconds in the morning. Yeah I have some fluid retention. I have put on a few pounds but I think it's more from going into menopause and being so thin when I first started treatment… I don't have a weight problem.
My thought is I could always quit. So far things are better than they were the first year. Just be sure to exercise. It made a difference for me.
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Chemo reduced my recurrence risk by 20%, Arimidex by 40%. That is HUGE! We are SO lucky that there is something we can take that every day for years reduces our chance of ever having to go through this experience again. With most kinds of cancer (including triple negative BC), your only chance of beating it is your initial treatment. Arimidex is nothing like chemo (shudder), and, as logo said, you call the shots. If you have issues, you can try something else, or quit....which will throw you back into the higher recurrence risk, of course. Go in with an open mind, most people do fine. People who do have issues, quite naturally, are going to be posting more. Most of the others are just out living their lives.
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I keep looking at the stats of reducing reoccurance 40% on days like today when I am feeling just so tired. Then again, I have been fighting a nasty cough that has kept me awake lately so...
I know I need to remember not to blame the silly PILL for all things as it sure is easy.
Note, I do go to the gym 4 times a week and part of my routine is serious stretching so I really do not have joint pain, just can not figure how to deal with the weakness in legs as working out and not better there
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My brother had medullary thyroid cancer 8 years ago. I will ask the doctor about a thyroid issue and heart palpitations. Again what doctor. I have an appointment next week with the ongologist. Really need something for anxiety and will talk to her about that. I can't connect the heart palpitations to anxiety. There are times when I am having anxiety but there are times when I am not having anxiety and feeling happy and then it starts again.
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Claudia, if you have an appt with your onco next week, then ask that doc for something for anxiety. I know mine gave me something at the start of this dang thing. Good luck.
Hey, I go to the onco with my little piece of paper and questions! If she can not help, then I move on to the next doc as in PCD. or the Onco will tell me what doc I should see and although my ins does not require a referral, she can give me a docs name to start with (like you need to see a dermatologist for that mole)
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One of the cardiologists I went to told me that if you get palpitations when you are sitting it's a very good thing (anxiety). If you get palpitations when you are excercizing it's a very bad thing (heart). Easy to remember and has calmed me many times. If the palpitation go crazy and I'm sitting I get up and excercize vigorously,, Thank God they go away,
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Tim, thanks for the tip! I had palps a while back, after testing, no heart issues and I realized it was stress from my family at the time. Realizing it, they went away! but your tip is great!
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glad to help!
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Tim, I was waking up at night with palps! but after the dang doc visits, and when I started to think about the stresses in my life at that point, they stopped!
I do think the thread that someone started the other day called---Test, wait, drink wine, repeat as needed.....is a really good theory!
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All but the wine! Drinking is bad for bc!
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I have had heart palps while sitting and standing. I have had it happen when I am driving. Not a good thing. When standing I have had it make me feel like I had really been drinking. Strange thing is it will happen for awhile and then stop. I hate to tell a doctor one more thing that is wrong. If it is my oncologist will she look at me like "what do you want me to do"? I am having an anxiety attach just thinking about it!
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I know how you feel. I haven't told anyone either because that will mean tests and more tests. I think the lack of estrogen is the trigger right now, At least for me.
I've been walking and riding my bike and so far so good, although I'm sooo wiped out afterwards!
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Timbuktu....I found that energy stuff like GU Gel was a lifesaver post treatment to give me an extra energy boost cycling. I use them anyway when during long endurance rides, and even with something like 35 miles, they make a difference in how fast I go.
You will get faster and be less wiped out. That is, unless you decide that you can do greater distances!! But that will mean you are stronger.
The other thing is: are you eating enough protein??? I needed more than normal for at least 2 years following active treatment.
For me, lack of estrogen affects cramping more than anything else. I keep electrolyte chews in my bicycle bag for that. So something else to think about.
Have fun cycling! - Claire
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hmmm, I like some of these suggestions, me, I used to do spin several times a week till this crud hit and now, I work out but not doing any spin
so thinking about some of the protein goodies, can't hurt and may help
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I hope to get back to some type of exercise. My issue has been work. Too much and after vacation I have everything to do sitting on my desk. I have bad cramps in my feet. I have had them for so many years due to bad feet but lately they have really been bad. I don't get enough protein. I drink a protein shake in the morning but then if really busy I eat whatever is fast and usually not good for you.
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I have to do my workout in the morning before work. Not an option for everyone, I know, but I'm an empty nester so it works for me.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that it seems to me that I'm not experiencing as much fatigue for the past 3-4 weeks. If I had to say exactly when I guess it would be around the 6-month mark of taking Arimidex. Yes, I can easily nod off if I watch TV or read, but I'm staying much more active in the evenings and on weekends without that constant feeling of exhaustion. My trigger thumb, too, is occasionally exhibiting a touch more flexibility. Maybe it's just summer and the warmth/humidity helping that. Still can't bend it 99% of the time, but every now and then I realize it just bent with a click and bent right back with another click without real pain. Still sucks, but progress is progress, eh?
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Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I am sooo out of shape, really just started excercizing.
Can use all the help I can get!
I was going to take a bike ride today but did a weeks worth of laundry and cleaned instead. I'm so exhausted it's hard to think that it wasn't aerobic but I do think there is a difference. Now I'm trying to work up the energy to go to costco for a weeks groceries. Protein, huh? I'll try. 35 miles is spectacular. I used to do 25 but I'm just starting again so I hope to gain stamina. I think it was the chemo that destroyed it and I still don't feel anywhere near where i was. After the surgery i was biking and walking and felt "normal". A year after chemo I hired a personal trainer and thought I would die! After one hour I felt awful and went home and fell fast asleep. Not good. I have to face my limitiations and my age..63. Each birthday is a gift!
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