For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Andrea, just a suggestion for you. You're probably the kind of person who wants to research as much as possible and know what to expect. I am that way. But after chemo and before radiation I started searching these threads trying learn all I could about possible side effects of Arimidex. I realized it was getting me down emotionally when what I really needed to concentrate on was recovering from chemo and gearing up for radiaton. I was finally starting to feel better after chemo and wasn't even enjoying it because I was picturing five years worth awful AI side effects.
I decided to limit my time on these board and try to focus on the present and coping with the phase of treatment I was currently in. That helped my emotional well being a great deal. I've been on Arimidex 3 weeks now and have plenty of time to learn all I need to know now.
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AnnieLane many women I've spoke with have had to take a break from this site for that reason. I too was scared to death of this drug, even more than doing chemo. OMG what a waste of energy. So many of us are doing well and living life to its fullest on this drug.
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For the first 6 months or so I could not even look at these boards! Just typing in "breast cancer" was overwhelming.
Over time it changed. I guess I got used to it. And it became a great comfort to have a group of people going through the same thing. No one else really gets it.
But Annie, you're right. You have to go with how you feel. Whatever makes it better in the moment!
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I really like my oncologist and she gave me Klonopin to help me with the sleeping problem. It has seemed to help. She has scheduled me for bone density test in November. I am small boned to begin with and she just wants to keep an eye on loosing bone.
I am 5'5" and all my life very small (110-120 lbs). Since starting the Arimidex in January I have gained 5lbs. That may not sound like a lot, but most in around my waist and I haven't changed my eating habits. I am trying to really watch what I eat and start exercising.
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AndreaLodahl: I first noticed trigger thumb on my right hand about a month after starting Arimidex. The best way I can describe it is when you bend the joint that's affected it's like there's a 'catch' in it. It doesn't bend smoothly, but instead there's a slight hesitation, then it kind of jerks as it gets past the trouble spot.
My right trigger thumb cleared up I'd say 99% after a couple of months, and when it does still act up it's pretty minor, just a tiny little pain-free catch. Then my left thumb started and I've had more trouble with that one and for a longer time. The affected joint is the 1st one down from the tip of my thumb and it will seldom bend at all without pain. When it's really acting up it hurts like a mofo if it does bend (typically by accident, like when pulling up jeans or something like that) and then hurts like a mofo (and I verbally express the full phrase of 'mofo'
) when I have to force it back straight. As opposed to comments above, my trigger thumb is stuck straight, where it sounds like other's have a joint that originally sticks in the bent position.While it's pretty annoying and can at times be painful, I haven't felt the need to ask about a cortisone shot or anything. It's definitely not debilitating and I think the hot, humid weather we've been having has been of some benefit lately. I've decided to live with it unless it gets to a point where it's affecting my quality of life.
Best of luck with you on this journey. You've come to the right place.
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Tim, I still spend plenty of time on these discussion boards and they are a great help to me. But when I was recovering from chemo and was still weeks away from Arimidex, I realized there was enough for me to learn and deal with on the chemo and radiation threads without becoming overly concerned about the Arimidex at that point. It's so easy to read up on the next phase of treatment and start to think you're going to have every side effect or problem you read about. I found each phase: surgery, chemo, rads and now Arimidex (so far) to be more do-able than I thought it would be and it really helped to stay "in the present."
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AnnieLane, I love your hair... I am changing my avitar, this is a picture I took today with my almost 2" curly hair, I colored away the gray. My hair was always long and dark and I get upset because no one recognizes me anymore.
Regarding Anastrazole, I am still have some joint pains and jaw pain and now I noticed that I gained 3 lbs since April...I am not going to stop taking it, since it's still suppose to be the best of the meds....
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Sweet, my trigger fingers are like yours: they're straight and won't bend at the knuckle. I have right ring finger and , worse, the left thumb. I have to bend them with other fingers and sometimes they lock in that position, and I have to straighten them back out with a pop sound. I cant touch type with my left thumb and it won't bend around a glass.
Today I switch from Arimidex to Aromasin, will be interested tomsee if there's any change.
Claudia, I' m on Klonipin for sleep also. Works better than others I've tried.0 -
WaveWhisperer: my trigger thumb (left) is able to bend today for some reason. Not easily or smoothly (there's still a noticeable catch to it), but it's not painful today. I've had osteoarthritis in both basal thumb joints for several years already, so I'm already accustomed to compensating for the joint pain and lack of strength and mobility problems that come with that. I've had a hard time for years holding a glass with one hand, unscrewing jar lids, anything where my hand has to encircle something and/or grip with any level of strength. Pisses me off sometimes but usually I just roll with the flow, and now trigger thumb is just one more annoyance to live with.
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I certainly feel for you gals just starting taking arimidex.. I was so afraid to swallow that first pill, had heard and read so much about it and also tamoxofin I didnt know what to think, but I started the first of May and so far no se's. Of course I guess this isnt a real long time either, but so thankful at least it hasnt bothered me yet. But I was having hot flashes before and also have major issues not sleeping so that wouldnt be anything new to me. My bone scan was very good and I make sure I take my calcium as well.
Good luck to all!
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ndgirl: good to hear from someone that's not having any SEs....yay!! I do have one SE that doesn't really get mentioned much here I suppose because it's so personal, but I also have (imagine this being said in a very quiet, conspiratorial whisper, with my hand hiding my mouth) vaginal dryness. I can handle the fatigue (that's diminished though, thank goodness) and the trigger thumb, but the dry hoo-ha is kinda hard to take since I've never, ever, ever, EVER (and I do mean EVER, like since puberty began!) had that problem in my entire life
. So now I'm in the demographic that buys personal lubrication products when I didn't think I'd have to worry about that for years and years yet! Hubby and I manage, but the sponaneity factor is certainly not there for me like it used to be 
. Hope the natural action comes back in 4.4167 years when I can quit taking this stuff.Sorry if that's TMI anyone.....lol!
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Sweet, my onc approved Estring. It's a hard rubber thing you leave in the vagina for 3 mos at a time. It has a slow estrogen release which he said pretty much stays local. Dr. Oz once suggested olive oil used daily. I know what you mean about lack of spontaneity tho.
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I am so glad you brought up the subject of the "dry hoo-ha". After going through menopause the dryness was bad but not as bad as it is now. I would liken it to "sandpaper treatment" when having sex. You are right sponaneity is over and the thought of the pain makes you think twice. Tried the over-the-counter lubrication products and really they don't do much but make a mess.
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Sweetandspecial, I heard your whisper but I'll tell you out loud - dry hoo-ha comes with age!!! Did you all hear that?????
You can discuss anything on here, you should see my other group - we've been through all kinds of SE's with chemo and we talked about everything so I'm sure your not alone, by the way how old will you be in 4.4167 years? I had some "stuff" in the drawer but it expired before I got tired!!!!
In 4.4167 years, I probably won't care... 0 -
5LuvBugs, you are too funny! I like your hair too! I colored mine for decades, because I grayed prematurely, but I stopped coloring about five years ago, so the color now, or lack thereof, was no surprise. I do have some pepper mixed in with my salt, but the salt's coming back stronger.
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Guess you guys haven't seen the "I WANT MY MOJO BACK!" thread. The talk about everything including remedies for the dry hoo ha ha.
Just to add my advice I always give… if you don't use it you'll lose it. After chemo things were quite painful. For a month I used Replens then every other day then 2X a week for a while. Don't need it anymore. At times might need some "Astroglide." Just love that name. It sounds like something Jane Jetson would use.
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you may not see this since I am replying in July 2013 BUT it was really great to hear of someone who had no side effects from Arimidex. All the other posts I have read have really SCARED me. I just took my first pill today and am in tears thinking about what Ihave been reading and how bad others have it.
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Sorry I dont know - but what does SE stand for? Glad to hear of minor side effects for you. I hoping for the same or less BUT some posts have put fear in my expectations. I just started Arimidex today.
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SE stands for side effects. Mine have been mild, so don't lose hope.
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Hello cloudwatcher, and welcome to Breastcancer.org.
You'll find a handy Abbreviation Key here on the boards, to help decipher many of the shortcuts around BC.
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cloudwatcher first 3 months I had no SE. Then for about a year I had some stiffness in my thighs when I would sit for long periods and first wake up. It would take about 30 seconds to shake out. Now I just have a little stiffness in the morning. Exercising helps… speaking of which I'm off to do my powerwalk before work.
Oh yeah and my eyebrows thinned a bit but that could be from chemo-pause too
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lago: thanks for the heads up about the I WANT MY MOJO BACK thread. I'd have to be an idiot not to check that one out now that I know about it. I might just give the replens a try too.
Moderators: thanks for the link to the abbreviation page, I hadn't come across that one yet either.
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cloud, do not be scared, I am at the end of mine but really have not had side effects. Most of the folks that post have issues and this is where they vent. Those with no issues, do not often come on so good luck to you
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I hve been on Arimidex since March. Some night sweats and hot flashes the first few days and they went away. I am 60 so have had aches and pains and stiff joints previously. No real SEs that I can say of yet but I know some have had them kick in later on down the road. For me, they would have to be pretty bad to quit taking it. I do think some have suffered strong effects but probably those of us that have not do not really comment. Take care.
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Cloudwatcher, I am new to this thread too. I've read lots of posts from gals who've had few or only mild side effects, if any. I've been on arimidex three weeks now without any problems. Chemo put me into menopause anyway, and I try to remind myself that menopause wasn't going to be a picnic, even without BC, chemo and Arimidex. Take it one day at a time and try not to assume that every little pain you feel is from the med.
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cloud, the odds are with you that it won't be so bad. My hopes are with you too, Good luck! We've been through a lot and will get through this too, I think things may sound worse than they are..
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On the gin raisins.... This may sound like a silly question, but after they soak for 2 weeks, do you then take them out of the gin but still refrigerate them? Or do you just leave them, but only eat them after 2 weeks? My biggest problems are joint pain so I want to try this. Thanks in advance!
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lago,
thanks for posting about little to no issues with
SE on arimidex. I have been really fearful about it and just took 2nd dose today. Your post was comforting. Sorry I do not have a pic to post. I am 72 and well physically except for the BC. I have been denying I have had it but now that my oncologist is Rx Arimidex I realize I really continue to have risk as I am minorly est + and Prog +. she said it would reduce m y risk of recurrence down to 12% from 30% if I take it.0 -
Thanks, Wren. That is encouraging!!!!
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AnnieLane,
Thanks so much for the answer. I am glad I found this community last nite although most of t he first posts scared me to death. I too, live in Texas ( near GlenRose) if that might be familiar to you.
Anyway, thanks for the encouragement. Also, I loved your reference to "It is well with my soul". I sometimes use that phrase when people ask me how I'm doing and I dont feel really well emotionally. I know that my Redeemer Lives and I am depending on His strength everyday -mostly for emotional stuff. I believe that He has guided me to this site for encouagement.
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