For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Hortense and lago: I was 5'8" when I graduated high school in 1979 and weighed 118. I was always slender and naturally athletic so it was a perfectly normal healthy look for me then. I gained an average of 3 pounds a year for 25 years after school though
, and I lost a bunch of weight with weight watchers several years ago and everyone thought I was anorexic at 140 lbs! I felt great, though and some people (including my MIL who doesn't see me often cuz she lives outa state) said I didn't look anorexic, I looked like I used to!118 would be way too thin for me at this point, but I would be tickled to be 140-145 again. I'm in much better physical shape (not counting the whole BC episode!) than I was several years ago, much more toned and strong, so I think it would be a good look for me. If I quit grazing and yielding to the munchies and eating too much pasta if it's in front of me I'd probably be dropping a pound or two a week right now. Where there's life there's hope, right?
Everyone have a wonderful weekend.....stay strong!
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I'm a grinder too and not only have i worn down my teeth I've broken several. I need a night guard but I keep having teeth pulled as they break and I will need to replacce them eventually so there hasn't been enough time to have a guard made. I tried the kind they sell over the counter but they caused more problems. My dentist just warned me that 'd better take care of things soon before I lose more teeth!
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I weighed 118 in my 20's too… and weighed 117-120 in my mid/early 40's. Before surgery I weighed 130-126. If I heard one more MD tell me how small and thin I was I think I was going to scream. Ideally I would love to get back down to 130 but even at 135-137 I'm still looking pretty good. I'm 5'6" Also the increased sizes implants add an extra 2lbs. I did the math.
I was actually concerned when I weighed 117 about 8 years ago. Thought I was getting too thin.0 -
Hello - new to your site. Was diagnosed early stage April 2012 hormone receptor but sentinel lymphnode clear so excellent prognosis - had lumpectomy and radiotherapy and then on the dreaded Arimidex. No discussion or information by oncologist. Was ok for about 6 months then fatigued started together with aches. Now 13 months down the line in awful pain. Also changed oncologist who actually discusses matters and have just been taken off the Arimidex for a 6 week review period to see if side effects calm down. Had been on HRT and was told as I had stopped this "cold turkey" it was a form of medication as it stopped immediately the hormones. Also being without medication for 6 weeks would not harm me at all. So I am now going through the 6 week wait and typing this at 4am my time as cannot sleep for the pain. Like many others pain in all joints and body and numbness especially in feet and one arm. Wow, was a really active lady a year ago - what's happened? Can't believe what a state I am in. Cancer does not seem to have been the problem, just the medication!!!
Good luck to all going through this - hang on in there!
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I stopped my Arimidex. Called the onco and told him no more. I had severe SEs. Mostly, bone and muscle pain...not aching but pain. Then, mood swings were terrible. BP went high, back on that med. Up to 19 hot flashes one day, usually around 8. I'd called earlier to the onco and was told to give it time. I've been on it 4 weeks & it was horrible. Arimidex was going to kill me, I am convinced. Of course, some of my bc friends have taken it with no problems. Doctor told me to go back to the tamoxifen until my next appt and he would switch me to Femara. I know the AIs are basically the same, but I hope the femara will react differently on me.
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The section on Aromatase Inhibitors from the main Breastcancer.org site notes: "If you're experiencing side effects from taking one aromatase inhibitor medicine, tell your doctor. You may be able to take a different medicine. Arimidex and Femara have similar chemical structures, while Aromasin has a different structure."
• The Mods
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It's funny how the cancer doesn't hurt, just the treatment isn't it? And no one really understands but those of us who have been through it. I just had a friend tell me that "aches and pains are to be expected as we age". VERY annoying! I recently had a bone scan and the dr was shocked by how much arthritis i have throughout my entire body. I never gave those aches and pains a second thought. But this is different
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I have a friend that was on Femera, then Arimidex then finally Aromasin. She is doing great on Aromasin.
I'm almost 2.5 years on Arimidex and doing better than the first year, well except my eyebrows thinned but that's nothing the Anastasia brow duo can't fix.
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Moderators, thanks for that reminder. I've been struggling for more than a year with Arimidex and its SE--joint pain and stiffness, trigger fingers, insomnia, hot flashes and night sweats. My wonderful MO said, "We do not want you to be miserable. Our goal is to keep you healthy -- and feeling good." She's switching me to Aromasin and says if things aren't better, we'll even consider Tamoxifen, although the AI's have a slight edge in preventing recurrence among us post-menopausal women.
I strongly believe that the AI's are our best defense, but it's a shame that they limit our return to 'normalcy.'0 -
Well, I took my first Arimidex this morning. I'm very nervous, but I think I'm doing what is right for me. Time will tell. My Oncotype DX was 19, so no chemo. Wow, was I nervous to get those results. Except for the discomfort of the TE's, I think I'm doing well. It has great to have this website and the forums. I appreciate the fact that I'm not alone. There are many of us together on this journey!
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SpecialK, I just started on the anastrozle and my onc has suggested the Prolia injection as well for some osteopine. Really do not want to start taking more drugs at this point. The Prolia is so new on the market I am very concerned about side effects. Am considering suggesting fosamax as an alternative, really dont know what to do. it is all getting very overwhelming! Initially she had suggested Tamoxifin and I said I would prefer the anastrozle, did not realize the toll it takes on the bone density. Have you had any se from the Prolia? Thank you
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Hey niffa42, I am with you the treatment for the disease seems so much worse than the actual disease. And 1 med. helps for this and then harms something else. Honestly I feel like i am constantly harming certain organs to fight the bc and then taking more meds to fix those, it makes no sense to me!!!
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That's so funny lago. I've been having trouble with my eyebrows for a long time now and I finally went into Sephora and said HELP! They showed me Anastasia and told me "It's the best". And it is!
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I'm not sure (I don't trust my memory anymore) but didn't the statistics for AI's say that it cuts recurrence but doesn't lengthen life? It sure feels that way to me! Although I do know people who have done very well, gotten through the five years and are living happy healthy lives. Have to try to keep perspective!
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Seakos1: I just had my 2nd Prolia injection this week and don't have any SEs that I can attribute directly to the Prolia. The only one that could be related is trigger thumb, but that's a common SE of Arimidex too, so I can't be sure which one is causing it. I plan to live to 100 (over-achiever...lol) and I really, really, REALLY don't want to be one of those little old women who can't stand up straight because of osteoporosis. The way I look at it is that Prolia is helping me reduce the possibility of that possible outcome.
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Glad I found this forum. I didn't read ALL the posts, just the first and last pages. I will be starting Arimidex soon. Currently waiting for the oncotype screen results, bone scan and CT chest/abdomen/pelvis to determine if I will need chemo (surgery was in June). I must admit all the side effects are a bit concerning. Sounds like I better invest in some OsCal! Thank you all for your words of wisdom and experience.
Martha
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I've been on arimidex 2 &1/2 weeks now. I'm noticing some minor pain in my right wrist and elbow, which are overused in repetitive motion in my job anyway, as well as some pain in my toes and ankles. So far these pains are minor and they come and go, so I'm not too concerned yet.
Wavewhisper, my MO's attitude is much like yours. He says that although the AI will reduce my risk of recurrence, the decision is mine whether or not to take it, because quality of life is important too. I appreciate that, because it makes me feel more motivated to persevere with the arimidex understanding that's I'm doing it by choice.
Seakos1, I have been on Fosamax for a little over a year with no side effects whatsoever. I was afraid to start it at first, but am glad I did. I was diagnosed with osteopenia a year before BC. I had another bone density scan yesterday and learned that I'm still in the osteopenia range, but my bone density has improved in both my spine and hips. That was very encouraging since I've been through chemo since my previous DEXA scan and you usually lose some bone density from that. My mom had osteoporosis and her bone density returned to normal after a few years on Fosamax.
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Timbuktu I was more concerned with losing my eyebrows than losing my hair on chemo. 4 weeks before my BMX I went to Ulta and they introduced me to the Anastacia. Been wearing and recommending it ever since. I have my mom hooked on it now too. I don't think that's true about Als not helping with survival but does help with recurrance. It just doesn't make sense.
Seakos1 My onc doesn't treat osteopenia. I've had it since before chemo. Big drop after chemo/chemopause and 5 months on Anastrozole but now I seem to be holding on steady. Still have osteopenia but not osterioperosis. She uses Prolia now too but not recommending it to me yet. I do strength training and power walking, vitamine D, and Calcium per doctors recomendations.
RhodyMMM I'm doing fine on the drug (2.5 years now almost). Most people will post about their issues. Very few like me are posting that they are doing OK with it. More women do well than don't otherwise the drug wouldn't be used. If you have problems you can always try a different drug or quit. You never know till you try. BTW I was more scared of this drug than chemo. I was like "chemo is only a few months, but 5 years!" I'm almost 1/2 there.
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lago, what i think I heard (reader beware) was that since it can cause heart disease, osteoporosis, etc. the actual years of life are no longer, just cancer free. lol I like your thinking better!
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lago, I remember reading that recurrence was better on AIs, but worse for survival. But what is the average age of women on AIs versus those on Tamoxifen? As far as I could tell age wasn't factored in. I was diagnosed 8 yrs after going through menopause and that was at a relatively early age compared to most women. So my response to the research findings was "dah!" Women on AIs are on average certainly older than those on Tamoxifen. More women are diagnosed post meno than pre. I could mis-remember on this but I think more are diagnosed in their 60s than a younger age.
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That was my thinking too doxie. Technically I should have been prescribed Tamoxifen. Diagnosed at 49 pre-meno but went into chemo-pause instantly. Last period 2 weeks before chemo. My onc and I both new I was so close it wasn't coming back.
If I stop taking Anastrozole, get mets then wouldn't my life be shortened by more than not getting mets and living with osteoporosis and/or heart disease?
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When I was researching the AI's and taking notes, one of the things I noted (and don't recall the source of now) is that 4% of women develop heart problems while on AI's. AI's reduce the percentage risk of ER+ BC recurrence much more than that. And since Fosamax reversed my mom's osteoporosis in her late sixties, I saw no good reason not to opt for the AI. And I agree, the average age of patients on AI's has to be considerably higher than the average age of patients on Tamoxifen.
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I'm just hoping the femara I will be switched to in August will not react like the Arimidex.My SEs were severe. Two days since I last took one and I am beginning to feel better. Hubby told me I looked better and my voice was stronger. It really took a toll on me for those 4 weeks.
My mother takes the Prolia shots & has for 3 years. Her dr tried her on Boniva and a few others and she had flu-like symptoms with both. The Fosamax was not working for her anymore. She has no problems with the Prolia and says she can tell the difference. My mother is 75, healthy and very active...puts me to shame. But, that's always been the case, even before BC! Bless her, as she is my constant supporter, went to chemo everyday, etc. with me. She tried to get me to quit the Arimidex 2 weeks ago, but I really tried to take it hoping the SEs would go away....they just got worse.
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ketch if the Ferema doesn't work then you'll move on to Aromisin.
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I am just finished with chemo, will have mastectomy in 3 weeks then start Arimidex. Will search around site, but can anyone tell me what is "trigger thumb"?
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hmmm, to me it means when my finger sort of knots up and I need to slowly unmove it! hard to explain it but if you think you have it, likely you do!
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I had no SE for the first year on anastrasole, then mild warm flashes and cold chills and a little joint pain. Then those went away and I haven't had SE for a while. I do worry about the osteoporosis and heart effects since both run in my family. I'm the first to have BC.
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AndreaLodahl I had a couple of trigger fingers on my left hand the first year but only for a few minutes in the morning when I first woke up. What happens is your finger kinda locks into place. Then when you try to straighten it it snaps open. I don't think I have it anymore. I'll have to check tomorrow morning.
This can happen even when not on Anastrozole. My dad had it. It became painful for him so they eventually had to give him a shot of cortisone. Never had a problem after that.
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Good description lago. I had trigger fingers with my first go round on Arrimidex. They use to make me laugh. You try to straighten out your fingers and all do except for one. No matter how hard you try it just won't straighten. And then, all of a sudden, wham, it straightens. I used to like to show my husband. It's the strangest thing. All of my fingers hurt then.
I've been off and now I'm back on for almost 2 months and no problem with my hands at all. Go figure!
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yeap, better discription! I get it just rarely so never think to much of it
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