For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
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find a personal trainer... get thee to a gym and find one who will help you and motivate you to work out
STRETCH god damd it! after 5 years but doing more time at the gym I feel better!
Stop feeling sorry forself and get a move on it!
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Hello Arimidex ladies! Well, tomorrow is my turn to take the plunge and start on this medication. I've been reading this thread over the past few weeks so hope I am prepared. I did OK with surgery and had an easy time with rads....hoping this will follow the pattern (for the next 5 years!!)
Got my cholesterol checked to get a baseline -- it's under 200 but barely (though HDLs are great) so have been supplementing with beta-sitosterols to lower it a bit. My dexa-scan showed a little osteopenia in the lower spine, so have started walking more and exercising and joined a dragonboat racing team. I've lost about 60 lbs this last year so am still keeping track of my daily intake/nutrition on the MyPlate site (at Livestrong) so can hopefully nip any weight-gain in the bud before it becomes an isssue. Got my daily Claritin (switched from zyrtec...I'm assuming zyrtec doesn't work as well?). Supplementing with Calcium and D3 and Omega3s. I think (hope!) I'm ready.
Have I missed anything? I hate the thought of taking a medication like this for the next 5 years....but oh well.
If I do get some side-effects, about how soon do they usually show up?
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nyama some people can get them pretty soon but it took about 3 months before I got some stiffness. Then a year or so later that was much better (because I added the strength training to my power walks). I am just a bit stiff in the morning. It's a bit worse in the winter when it's cold but only when I first wake up for about 30 seconds. By the time I get to the bathroom the stiffness is gone.
I was scared to death to take this for 5 YEARS! YIKES. but I'm now almost 2.5 years into it and feel better than when I started. I do have some soreness in my feet when I've been on them for at least 3 hours.
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Here is something that a friend of mine, Natsfan, just posted on a different thread. She is just finishing 5 years of Femera. I think you will find it interesting:
"Had my visit with my MO yesterday and we discussed the 10 AI year issue. She said it's being studied, but none of those studies has finished, so there's no change in the 5 year recommendation at this point. She said that during these studies, they do a check at about the midpoint and if there's a clear benefit shown to the tested therapy, they end the study right then and there and start giving the therapy to everyone in the study, so as not to deny the control group the proven benefits. She went on to say that some of the 10-year AI studies are beyond their midpoint and have done this check, and since the studies have continued, the results thuse far aren't showing a clear definitive benefit yet to a 10-year plan. She said once the studies are finished and published and if they indicate a benefit to 10 years, then we'd discuss going back on Femara at that time. But for now, she said consider yourself free and clear from Femara. Woohoo!"
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Congratulations Ruth! Now you'll really start moving!
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The post is from Natsfan, she is just getting done. I've been off since September, but it is always nice when the latest research still supports what you have done!
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So Ruth have you noticed any difference now that you've been off for 10+ months?
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Nothing big....maybe not as hot and creaky, maybe a little more energy (but so gradually that I am not even sure). I am sleeping better (not great, but never slept great before either). My cholesterol was down about 20 points when I had my annual checkup in November, so I'm curious to see if that was a fluke or a trend. I am also interested to see the results of the DEXA I'll get this winter. My bone density had started to dip some, and I'm thinking that it might actually be up.
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Hi ladies- been on anastrozole for almost 5 months and just had bloodwork done and a visit with my PCP. My cholesterol has not gone up during these last few months, which I am glad to find out! Also getting my Vitamin D up, but am still considered low.
For those worried about bone loss (I am slightly osteopenic too which was a surprise), both calcium and Vitamin D are key for good bone health. Good vitamin D levels are important for lots of reasons so for those with bone density concerns, do have yours checked regularly. The suppliments have helped to bring mine up and we are increasing the daily dose a bit more now.I am still adjusting to the change and sore feet are my biggest complaint. I exercise regularly and it does help!
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This just posted by a friend on facebook:
"Do you know why your feet hurt? Because you are kicking cancer's ass"
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Good one lago! BTW when I opened up bco this morning, you were the last poster on 3 of my favorite threads. Nice to see we travel in some of the same circles
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Lago- thank you for that! Good one to remember!
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Hi Ladies,
I'm almost 2 years into Arimidex and the joint pain is debilitating. I would dearly love to take the advice given above about exercise; and I know it's well meant. However, it's simply not possible. The more I move the more my knees scream at me. A day of "pushing it" will give me non-stop pain for two days afterward.
Frankly, I have almost stopped coming to this thread because the non-stop refrain of "exercise, it will be better" makes me feel inadequate and personally at fault for my pain.
I take vitamin D, Omega 3's, Boswellia with cucurmin and Claritan. They all help but don't contain the pain. My sole light on the horizon is that I've started acupuncture and it seems to be helping.
There are some of us that CAN'T exercise our way out of it. Please don't make this about blaming the victim.
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kmpod: I agree, there are many reasons why someone can't exercise, and to imply laziness is un-called for...
We are all fighting our own battles and on top of all that we got BC.
Yay for all of you that have no problem exercising. Maybe a new thread should be started that doesn't include exercise as the cure all............
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I take 4000 mg of vitamin D and I'm still too low. I'm 27.5 when 30 is the low end of normal. When I met with my trainer yesterday he told me it was essential to get the vitamin D up. I told him I already take 4000 a day. He said he took 15,000 a day! His vitamin D level is in the 50's. He said it's essential for 90 hormones and as a weight lifter he has to keep it high.
BTW, the gym I joined is Lifetime and I'm very impressed. The trainers are so well informed! So far I've spent 2 hours speaking to 2 different trainers about my multiple problems. I wish my dr would take that kind of time. He just wants to put me on statins, even though I'd been on them before and had a lot of trouble and he took me off.
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Sorry ladies but every time a new thread is started about se's from AIs the same cheerleaders show up touting exercise, prunes, raisins in gin, etc. I too feel like they have been "blaming the victim" - sometimes we just need to vent and don't need the lecture!
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About to start taking Arimidex, and am a little hesitant. Just got back from my 1 month follow up post-chemo, and my oncologist wants me to start right away with the Arimidex. He said that 85% of women have zero side effects, other than a little joint pain (and he admitted we need to follow up with the bone density testing), but I was surprised at that, given how many women seem to have a terrible time with it. I was encouraged. Still trying to maintain perspective on it, because apparently, for me, the Arimidex lowers my chances of recurrance even more than the chemo did, so I really do need to go forward with it. Hoping there's no weight gain associated with it - already gained almost 20 pounds since diagnosis! And this, after have spent the prior 4 - 5 years being in the best shape of my life.
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Those that can, and do excercise I say go for it. I'm another that for a lot of reasons doesn't excercise. I knew before I started I needed both knees replaced. Haven't done it yet, can't blame it on Al. Can't blame Everthing on Al, get checked out for other issues.
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Julie0957: Keep in mind that the reason you see so many women here is because we're probably the 15% that DO have some sort of SEs from Arimidex and other AIs. The 85% who don't have SEs don't have any reason to find a forum for venting and support. Some of us have just minor annoying SEs, some have problems that can be hard to bear. The only way to find out is to start taking it. Document any new problems or existing issues that seem to get worse after starting Arimidex. You may just find out you're one of the lucky ones
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Julie~~I highly recommend that you take Claritin or the generic Loratidine. I took arimidex for a few weeks last year. We delayed surgery because of insurance issues, and the BS wanted me to be doing something proactive. I took arimidex & Claritin in the mornings. The backs of my hands got achy, but rubbing them helped. When I first got out of bed or up from my chair I was stiff, but just walking through the house alleviated that.
Arimidex didn't affect my sleep and lucky for me, since I didn't have hot flashes with menopause, I also didn't have them with arimidex.
Paula0 -
Julie, good luck with this next step in the journey. I have been on Arimidex since March. Nothing major that I can tell. I am 60 so already had some stiff joints and knee issues before all this started. Our bodies all react differently. Check in periodically.
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hmmm, I take zyrtec and singular for my alergies, wonder if they are helping me to tolerate the aromasin...oh well, maybe something good there
I take my alergy stuff before bed and it does make me drossy so I sleep well
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I have been taking Arimidex since May 9, (3 mos I think) and had really bad joint pain at first...was already having hot flashes since I just stopped HRT day of DX; they are subsiding also. I take claritin in morning and I think that the soreness is subsiding...overall I think that I am developing tolerance to it. Just started exercising yesterday, going to a trainer for a bit for specific guidance, then going 2X a week...had real fatigue issues with the cancer and the radiation therapy but that has really subsided the last month and I am feeling much better...enough to get into a real exercise regime (sp?) now. I have back and hip damage so I have to be very careful about exercises I do and make no apology about it...no guilt, no recriminations to anyone who doesn't...not appropriate among us!
I really like hearing everyone's suggestions for dealing with it because I am not going to stop taking it...I do have some sleep issues, take a WalMart sleep aid and that helps. Also comforting to know there are other sisters out there with the same conditions and issues, you know? Boyfriends and husbands, as loving as they are and mine is the most wonderful...most, most, most...he has been GREAT! just cannot know. I am so grateful you are all out there for me, it helps so much. Thank you.
Patti
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Easydancer: I know what you mean about the hubby. Mine has been a rock but if I have a meltdown for no reason he always thinks there's got to be some specific reason for it. Like 'Did I hurt your feelings?' 'Did I do someething to make you mad?' 'What's wrong?'. Egads, like women just in general can ever explain the occasional weepfest for no apparent reason, now us sisters have the whole BC journey to get through and live with just that little bit of shadow over things. What don't they get about that, for goodness sake!
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kmpod & Loral I don't know who is implying you are lazy for not exercising but it is not me. Also I do believe I said for some (meaning not all) exercise works to help keep joint pain away. But for some women it doesn't helpl. Those women have to try a different AI, take a break or switch to Tamoxifen because the SE are so bad. I know one friend of mine found she could handle Armosin but not Anastrozole or Femera.
One of the reasons why I post is because I was so scared to start. Some of us actually do OK. This in no means to downplay these very real SE you are having.
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Lago, thanks for the input! I do excersize (prob not enough..) but I try.. I hope it is just a mid point and will fade, not get worse?? Im worried about my bones dwindeling down to nothing..? Its been a while since I have been on here, nice to see your posts and great to see your doing well Ruthb!
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The gals on this thread are just trying to help and only are suggesting that exercise COULD help you, as it helped them. They are not telling you you HAVE to exercise, but like all the diets on TV and in magazines, you can"BLAH<BLAH<BLAh ,whatever the problem,take a pill and get well,trimmed or etc.,etc. with DIET AND EXERCISE. I haven't been able to ride a bike for about 30yrs,so races are out for ME. I can barely lift a gallon of milk with Both arms. These women are suggesting help, not trying to put you down. Each of us can only do what we CAN do. -----kad2kar
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So happy to hear, Julie, that only 15% have significant side effects. Chances are you'll feel just fine on arimidex. I started four months ago, with half a pill for the first week, then built up to a whole pill over the next two weeks. My joints hurt when I stand up after having sat for a while, but feel better quickly after I start moving. I find stretches, and, even better, range of motion exercises, help also. My hair is thinner, but I doubt anyone but me notices.
The most significant side effect I've noticed is that about a week ago, I realized I feel safe, protected, confident, because I know the drug is starving any random bad guys that might have escaped surgery and rads. Surprised the heck out of me, but made me very, very happy.
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Brook side!
That has to be the best SE I ever heard! I like it0 -
Me too!
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