For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Chris, thanks for your advice. I'm so not used to headaches and this one is driving me nuts! I still have it, but didn't take any Arimidex last night or tonight. If that seems to get rid of it, I'll start taking it again and see if it comes back. Other than that, not a single other side effect.
Where are you from in the burbs? I grew up in the bucks-mont region and really miss the city!
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Thanks Ladies, I am going to get the courage to ask for the change of doctors. Thanks for giving me your prospective.
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Thanks Ladies, I am going to get the courage to ask for the change of doctors. Thanks for giving me your prospective.
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Pbrain, I am in Haverford Township. Benefitted from the expertise of a Bryn Mawr Hospital BS and the DIEP reconstruction expert at UPenn.
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Just wanted to let people know that not everything is from arrimidex. At least I don't think so.
Just found out I have diabetes. Might explain exhaustion, etc.
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Tim, I am sorry about the diabetes, loadie but you do not need another major illness.
I agree that blaming all on the AL is not a good idea. When I first started on mine (at the time femara), I complained to my onco about terrible muscle pain in my left leg and was sure it was the AL. Doc would not believe me so I suffered and masked the pain with tylonel. Well, after about 18 months a pal saw an article about the side effects of zocor.....I had switched statins at the same time I started my AL. Really to save money over the other one.
Guess what, stopped the statin and instantly the leg pains disappeared! Like overnight. I told the cardiologist, he said yeap, it does that....now lets try a dif statin. Switched statin, no side effect and now been also on my AL aromasin, for 3 1/2 years with not problem.
It is important to consider all the meds and not blame AL! and always try a dif brand
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That is really interesting. I also had muscle aches from statins.
My left leg is killing me now, Don't know why.
But I'm actually relieved to find out about the Diabetes. All of this time I thought the hunger and the exhaustion and the irritability was all from the AI. But those are symptoms of diabetes and diabetes is something I can do something about! Before I felt I was stuck between increasing a risk of recurrence and suffering these symptoms. But diet and excercize might take care of this. And it's good for everything else as well, so I'm very hopeful.
There is a real connection between diabetes and breast cancer too. Excercize and weight loss...good for everything!
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Tim...when I changes statins, it was amazing how the pain went away. If you think it could be your statin, suggest talking to the doc about trying a dif one. For me, lipitor is fine, zocor, nasty!
Good luck on the diabetes, a pal at the gym was recently told she was at risk for diabetes. The doc said she could try getting it under control with out meds first. She starting dieting seriously, lost a lot of weight by diet and a lot of gym time! Her risk is now way down and she is so regular at the gym
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Thanks proud. I used to be on vytorin but went off of all statins after that one caused muscle pain.
so this pain is something else. I'm going to a vascular guy soon. So many drs!
The dr is giving me 8 weeks to try to control this through diet and excercize. I know I can do it.
I've been borderline for awhile. Diet and excercize always takes care of it but I thought that this was the AI so I just gave in. So many of the SE's are the same.
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Hi Tim
Bit OT, just wanted to suggest going to the American Diabetes Assn. web site. Lots of good info, forums with friendly people0 -
Thanks spook, I'm going there now!
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I have osteopenia but my doctor said I am within the normal range for women my age, 64, and actually better than most so I am not going to worry at this point. I take calcium with D, and eat my prunes, and exercise as much as I can. I have slowed down because of Arimidex and have my aches and pains, but they are sort of background noise and worth the trade if I stay healthy.
I also took off 12 lbs which made a big difference in how I feel as well as in how I look. I started out by using MyFitnessPal, a phone app, which helped me understand how much I was eating and to change my habits. It was hard at first, but now it's easy and I lose about a pound a week.
I was 148 and at 5"8" looked lumpy. I look much slimmer now and am aiming for 130 or 132, depending on how I look as I get more fit.0 -
Hortense: congratulations on the weight loss
. I'm also 5'8" but am around 170 right now. I feel best at around 150 but I got away from journaling my intake like I should and the weight crept up on me the past 4-5 years. I used myfitnesspal.com for a while too but find it hard to stay current with it. I should really try again.0 -
Shari: Thanks for sharing. My S/E's are minimal and manageable. I consider myself very fortunate.
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Hi Everyone,
I use MyFitnessPal also. I'm 5'-9" and have been able to drop from 175 down to about 162. I feel best about 150-155, so I'm close to my goal. I was at 157 prior to diagnosis and after chemo really ate way too much as it all tasted so good! Now I've been very careful with portion control and have been feeling much better since clothes are not so darn tight!
On a side note, my father died from complications from diabetes so I've always been careful and aware of symptoms and my weight.
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Aromatase Inhibitors can and do cause spikes in blood gloucose levels. Even causes Diabetes in some with a predisposition to diabetes.
Very powerful drugs!
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No kidding chef! So it's those nasty little pills again? Crazy! How can they possbly extend life if they do such harm?
I will have to discuss this with my onco next week. Thanks sooo much for bringing this to my attention. I don't think my internist has any idea.
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Yup, my AI (Arimidex) caused my A1C level to spike me up to diabetes and three months after I dropped it my A1C was back to normal - didn't have to change my diet or exercise program.
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That's good to hear sandy. Did you go off of it by yourself or with the drs blessing?
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Unfortunatly, Most docs do not acknowledge the SE of BC tx. When I started my rads I changed my diet to a low glycemic diet and was very careful about what I ate. I do tend to cheat. After my last day of rads I visited my PCP and my BG level was off the charts, 400+. I was shocked. I was never told about the possibility of this SE. I could have adjusted my insulin, or starved myself lol. I had to research this and found this does happen. The RO knew I was diabetic?? It was on my chart. CLUELESS. or denial? I say the later. If I had known maybe I would have denied the RO the income he re'vd? NOT..........I needed the rads.
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I wouldn't exactly say I had the "drs. blessing" but my PCP was o.k. with it and my onc just nodded because in the onc world there are NO se's - but all that said it is my body, my decision and how many co-morbidities can one live with.
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Does anyone have jaw pain from the Anastrozole? I don't know if I need a root canal (xray doesn't show a problem) or if this med is bothering me. I've been on it 4 months. Also elbows feel like I've been crawling on the floor with them and sometimes my toes feel like they are being pulled. Anyone else
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Luv bugs, I do not have any jaw pain but can give you a suppestion given to me by my dentist years ago when I complained about pain in my jaw...he asked if I could be grinding or clenching my teeth?
answer was yeap so maybe think on if that could be the cause? I solved my problem by being aware and stopped clenching my teeth...done from stress at the time!
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5luvbugs: also be aware the jaw issues are a possible SE of Prolia if you're receiving those injections to aid with bone density. If you're on Prolia I'd give your dentist a call pronto because the jaw problems can be quite serious, if that's what it turns out to be. Hopefully it's just grinding/clenching like proudtospin mentioned.
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Arimidex gave me energy. To the point I needed to take sleeping meds to sleep at night.. Unfortunately, The daily Migraines stopped me from continuing and my Onc changed me to Femara after several MRI's and a CT scan to prove that no real reason for the Migraines.. stopped the Arimidex, no migraines within a week
Make sure you take your Calcium Citrate.
good luck! 0 -
Oh you girls perked me right up!!! I forgot the dentist asked if I grind (I sure do and I also get up to pee all night long) so now I feel better knowing it's probably my grinding - it hurts worse when I eat cold food (may need root canal). The Onc said it could be the meds but I don't think so. I haven't been able to start my Prolia shots and maybe I might not because I already have issues. I need it though because I can't get like my 92 year old mom who is bedridden and can't even straighten her legs!!! I take vitamin D 5000 units and Calcium Citrate 1200mg a day plus a multi vitamin - I gained 3 lbs in the last 3 months - that sucks....What's next?
Thanks again...
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Do your jaws click and lock? Could be TMJ, temporal mandibular joint disease. I had to have a 4 hour surgery on my jaws. Great way to loose weight! Check with your dentist.
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5LuvBugs, I too had jaw pain that I was sure a sign I needed a root canal... but then it went away! Came and went a few times over the course of several months; finally figured it was an anastrozole SE. Have been on AI for 2.5 years, and my SEs tend to shift around like that. Haven't had the jaw pain for over 6 months now, I'd say.
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it is always nice to rule out the little stuff first before chopping off your head! hey, try to stop grinding and if it goes away...hang out your shingle and start to charge!
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Hortense 130-132 sounds a bit thin for someone who is 5'8"
5LuvBugs I wear a night guard every night now. I'm a grinder too. I've had jaw pain in the past. I looked at a picture of myself from 22 years ago. My front teeth are actually shorter
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