For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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Yikes with the fluid retention, swollen leg. I've had joint issues since the AI (tibular tendonitis in first 2 months, worse after surgery and no AI, maybe was from tango dancing?), my worsened ACL pain from decades of jogging, and just when the ankle felt better and I jogged again, severe something on other knee. Up and down, finally seeing a knee specialist this week. But wearing a new constrictive brace, I noticed my leg from calf to ankle was quite swollen. Blamed it on the brace, but it's been a week. Not warm, so doubting a blood clot.
Would be pleasantly surprized if the ortho guy knows anything about AI SEs. But seriously, another one?
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Lago,
Very cool!
Violet0 -
Well, tomorrow this thin wispy chemo crap hair is going to get cut. I CAN'T STAND IT. Whew! That felt good. Then my hairdresser can tell me what if anything is growing in. If nothing, blame it on the AI.
This time last year I had no hair.0 -
Roberta- I think just about any medical condition that results in taking medications then results in more medications to deal with the SEs. It is the self propagating nature of the pharma industry- drugs that beget the need for more drugs. Some things are necessary, but like you, I don't want to chase the SE's with more perscriptions. I have friends who have been on various meds for years for other conditions and they went from 1 script to 5 in a very short time, just to deal with the SEs of whatever they are taking.
My biggest issue with the anastrozole is my feet hurt all the time, I have joint stiffness, and have sleeping issues off and on. I am exploring dealing with some of the SEs through other solutions vs. more perscriptions. I use melatonin and Sleep Blende (herbal suppliment) to help with sleep issues. I just started taking hyaluronic acid for my joints and been on that a week and it seems to be helping. This thread is great as many women here are working through to manage the SEs without more meds. Unfortuantely, I don't find the doctors have a lot to offer on this front.
I am sorry you are having such a rough time with the meds. I agree that my experience with surgery and radiation was far easier than adjusting to the AIs. I am only six months into it and wonder what I am going to feel like in another year, or five years. Hoping you can find some relief.
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Thanks Jazzygirl. I officially only have less than 2 months before I hit the 5 year mark for taking the estrogen blocker. I thought at one point I would not hestitate to do it another 5 but I really don't do well on this stuff.
Does anyone else experience swelling in their hands and feet when out in the heat? Never had that reaction before. Now I cannot even work up a sweat without my hands swelling up.
It will be interesting to see how I am once I'm off the estrogen blockers.
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Hello to all the wonderful ladies who share on this website. I am so grateful to you all for the comfort and support you give to others.
I have been on Arimidex for a miserable 7 months(it seems like years!) Exhaustion, hot flashes, night sweats, GERD, terrible muscle and joint pains (I move like a 90-year-old woman), and now lymphedema in my arm and breast. The residents that work with my MO told me the SEs would get better over time, but I am skeptical about that because I haven't read that in any of the posts on this website (but I haven't read them all). Have any of you noticed a reduction in the severity of symptoms over time? Astrazeneca (who makes Arimidex) lists lymphedema as one of the SEs of Arimidex on their website. Perhaps I would have developed LE anyway if I had not taken Arimidex, but it makes me wonder if I switch to another AI, if my lymphedema will go away. Has anyone had their LE go away after stopping Arimidex?
Roberta37- Yes, my hands and feet began swelling soon after I started Arimidex, and the heat definitely makes it worse. I no longer wear my wedding ring because it is too tight, even though I have lost weight.
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Today was my 2nd dose of Fosomax, which I have to take with water only, and wait at least 30 minutes to have coffee or take any other meds. So today, after waiting the 30 minutes to get my coffee....I forgot to take my arimidex. I didn't remember it until 2:00 pm, so I'll just start fresh in he morning. I've been on it 2 weeks and its he 2nd time I've forgotten. I'm going to start putting it right beside my coffee cop, so I don't forget again.
The only SE so far is some stiffness.
Paula0 -
Sweetcaroline - I have been on Anastrozole/Arimidex for 5 months and think I am developing lymphedema. My right underarm feels like a tight rope is wrapped around it and my boob is sore and a bit warm - it may be an infection - I will see doc on Thurs. Yes, my hand is swollen and my knuckle joints are stiff. I am also so sore in the chest wall bones where the radiation beemed me, so I don't know what's causing what here....the surgery,radiation or hormone blocker. I have aged a lot this year...
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SweetCaroline2 my symptoms got better but weren't terrible to start. I have much less stiffness. I noticed after about 1.5 years I no longer walked like an old lady after sitting for an hour. My LE didn't get worse on Anastrozole but I do have some fluid retention. LE typically isn't reversible unless you are a stage 0, maybe stage 1. Be sure to get that LE treated.
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To all interested in my MO's reaction to my pCP telling me to take DHEA: I haven't heard but will definitely post when I do.
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Sweetcaroline - I've been on Arimidex since 12-8-12. The one SE that I could definitely tie to Arimidex was trigger thumb, first in one and then in the other. The first thumb resolved within a month of onset. I couldn't bend the other thumb for several months (I couldn't bend it on purpose and if I did bend it accidentally I'd cuss up a storm because it hurt like a mofo!.....and then I had to force it back!) but then that one too suddenly resolved itself over the course of just a few days.
My feet are stiff and sore first thing in the morning and anytime I've been idle for a period of time. It's not too troubling and I don't notice that it's gotten any better/worse over time. I have fatigue issues which I believe the AI compounded for several months but that seems to have leveled off to more of a pre-AI level now. I haven't slept well since menopause symptoms started 6-7 years ago so a certain level of fatigue has been part of my life for a while now.
Oh, and I also believe ARimidex has affected my mental clarity. I just don't feel as 'sharp' as I used to. Concentration, focus and memory issues. That's the one that really troubles me the most because I need my brain to do my job!
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To sweetandspecial, lago, and 5LuvBugs: Thank you so much for your kindness in responding to my questions. I am so sorry that you all also find yourself fighting BC- Thanks for giving me hope that some of my SEs may lessen/resolve if I can stick it out. I think the fatique is the most troubling symptom. It makes it hard for me to stay busy enough to ignore the muscle/joint pain. I have started taking the 5-hour energy drink that you see at the grocery checkout. I take it every morning after breakfast and it improves both my energy level and my ability to concentrate.
5LuvBugs- I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that it turns out not to be LE. I am glad that you are consulting your doc about it. Treatment with my LE therapist has really improved my LE symptoms. The medical establishment all seem to ignore the risk of developing LE, I have found, and I have had to be persistent in order to get treated. No medical professional has EVER warned me about my risk for developing LE or asked me about any LE symptoms.
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Bone loss from arimidex put me into osteoporosis as I mentioned in previous posts. Doc recommends Prolia injections because I had bad side effects to fosamax and also to Reclast. Today I got denial letter from medical insurance for Prolia shots :-( so now I have to appeal the denial. Had contrast scan this morning to check the unknown, and can't be biopsied, liver tumor. Feeling tired now. Increased my calcium and vitamin D hopefully to help my bones? Been on Arimidex since August 2010.
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SweetCaroline - you're ever so welcome. The first thread I followed was for tissue expander pain and it truly saved my sanity. Because of that I understand how incredibly helpful it is for each of us to share our individual experiences. I started taking a B complex in the morning to help with fatigue but haven't tried 5-hour energy. I do have a couple of the pink ones that my daughter gave me (they'll probably be making an appearance again in October) so maybe I'll give it a whirl.
Brokendreams - I'm so sorry you have to fight your insurance company for the Prolia injections. My MO recommended Prolia right from the start beause I am slightly osteopenic and fortunately my plan covers it (subject to the deductible, of course). You have a liver tumor that can't be biopsied? I'm very sorry for that too
- as if you don't have enough going on with the whole BC thing, good grief. Keep your chin up, honeybun!0 -
btw - anyone else have trouble with being absolutely ravenous within an hour or so or eating a meal? I have been seriously, seriously, hungry ALL the time lately! Weight has been steady, thank God, but I swear I just want to eat all the time
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Yes. And when I try to diet I'm up all night, starving.
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Try cheese sticks, an apple, peanutbutter crackers, just a few, dill pickles, or olives for a snack before bed.
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Thanks spookie, I do keep cheese sticks around to stop the hunger. But sometimes I just want to STOP EATING SO MUCH! LOL But maybe I'd be better off having something.
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I find I need a snack to keep my glucose steady, and I sleep better if I munch a little bit. Seems to help with those blasted hot flashes too.
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Regarding Mental Changes concentration and moodiness === well how's this, my husband has a new nickname for me "Snapping Turtle"!!!! Blah,blah,blah , I don't want to hear that shit!!! I'm sweet as apple pie, don't you agree?????
Oh and I am like you timbuktu - I need to eat at night - if I go to bed hungry I don't sleep at all... I'm only at 4 hours now....No wonder I'm moody
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Did someone say food?!
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I was just telling a friend that I wish I had my babies NOW! I'm up all night anyway! At 25 not sleeping was torture. Wouldn't it be fun to have a baby to play with at night?
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Timbuktu = I think you have lost your mind!!!!
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LuvBug, my coworker called me Sybil (of the multiple personalities) and my sister said I was "snarky" when I was on aromasin. I just changed to arimidex - we'll see how it goes.
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I took my first Aromasin pill last night. I couldn't handle the Arimidex. I sure hope this one works better for me.
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I had a cheese stick last night before bed and slept 10 hours! I am one happy camper! thanks for the advice!
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Timbuktu - omg, I don't think I've slept 10 hours since my early 20s. I sincerely think if I could solve my sleep issues I could conquer the frickin world.
Sure sounds like I'm not the only one suffering from a constant case of the munchies.
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sweetandspe..-----I have a minor wheat intolerance and when I eat wheat, it does strange things to my appetite such as you described. Eat some meals for a few days with no gluten. See if that helps. Protein is very filling. There's a simple blood tests that can also let you know if you are having a reaction to gluten.
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thanks mshelton - I'll have to check out the gluten-free thing. Wouldn't have thought of that.
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WOW, wish I could sleep 10 hours! and guess what I also had a cheese stick before bed and barely got 4 hours! Good for you keep it up!
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