For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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I had been trying without success to lose weight to reduce my risk of recurrence and in hope that my LE symptoms will improve- until I joined a study at UCSD for overweight BC patients which requires you to commit to 5 hours of exercise/week. Participants also take Metformin daily, a Type II diabetes drug that is safe for nondiabetics to take. Metformin SEs include appetite suppression and weight loss and there is some indication that it also reduces the growth of BC cells. With my Arimidex-induced muscle/joint pain and severe fatigue, it is a struggle to exercise. I have found the elliptical easier on my joints than other forms of exercise, plus I can turn on the fan (to cope with hot flashes and my hot compression bra and compression sleeve) and the TV (helps distract me from fatique/joint pain) while I exercise. I don't pay any attention to my speed and do not try to increase the level of difficulty. It doesn't seem to have reduced my appetite, however, I AM losing weight (Woohoo!). It is not the dramatic weight loss I had hoped for, but I am happy to say that I have lost 10 lb. in 10 weeks. The study lasts 6 months, so I hope to lose another 10-15 lb.
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I'm on Metformin too. I just read that it prevents dementia too.
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Caroline, sounds good to me, congrats on the nice steady loss!
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SweetCaroline ~ This is my first post on this topic. I need to go back and read lots of posts! I sent you a PM about the trial you are involved with. Hope you won't mind sharing info on it. Thanks!
Just wanted to share that my MO doesn't think anastrozole causes joint pain, and if it does it's only in the hands. Really? I beg to differ and I bet lots of others feel the same way!
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SwetCaroline - congrats on the weight loss! I must also absolutely have distraction when working out, especially walking/running or any other cardio type machine. My distraction tends to be music so I can keep a pace. If I'm inside on a treadmill I also have the TV on for a visual distraction. Fitness classes are no problem because I'm in a group.
linnyhopp - welcome to this topic
. Each time I see my MO the first thing he asks after saying hi is 'How's the Arimidex going?'. Fortunately for me my SEs have not been nearly as debilitating as for many others, but it's good to know that he understands and more importantly believes they exist when I run through my litany.0 -
LuvBug - oh yes, I know where you are .. had relatives there many years ago.
My feet and hands swell terrible .. shoes and rings are tight by days end... feel like I am gaining weight the last 2-3 weeks -mostly in my stomach area - ridiculous I already needed to lose..
My most upsetting thing though is my incision is still draining.. It burst back in January and then began leaking.. all my doctors said its not infected and will stop on its own probably after all treatments.. well it sorta stopped about a month ago but has started again.. everyday there is like a quarter size circle of gunky stuff inside my bra.. I just can't think this is normal and my appointment isn't for a month..has me concerned.
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Nancy, no idea who your doc is but CALL, it should not be leaking now
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Chinneymae I know a friend of mine did much better on Aromasin than Femera or Arimidex.
SweetCaroline2 that's awesome! but even if you don't lose it all try to get the elliptical to increase your heart rate. This will be good for your heart. linky
linnyhopp your onc must be smokin' crack.
IamNancy Call your BS. If you don't get any satisfaction call your onc or primary care. This is not right.
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Nancy, I am with the others...you can't wait another month to see your doctor...call now and get in...that cannot be normal...should not be producing fluid this late after your surgery...NO, NO...find someone who will see you right away...Okay?
Better to be safe than sorry...even if it really is nothing, that would be way too troublesome to me, would have to have it checked out.
Girls, I am having trouble with sleep issues again. Taking melatonin 3 mg. at night with an over-the-counter sleep aide but again last night slept fitfully then woke up, sortof, you know, that twilight crap, and didn't go back to sleep until 4:30...thought I had it licked for a little while but now it is back. Any suggestions that have really worked for you all?...like for more than a week or two?
I'm going for the Jack Daniels and hot chocolate for tonight! Strong!
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Nancy, ditto what the others said - call your doc, any doc. Sounds like infection to me...Oh and my stomach looks like yours - remember when we were young and you could pick out those post menopausal women by the round stomachs - Well.......!!!!!
Easydancer - I'm going to try the Jack Daniels too!!! It's been years since I had a good night sleep (except for my chemo sleep) - I do find that I sleep a little better if I eat a little something before bed - can't sleep on an empty stomach but that's why I can't loose any weight either
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Easy Dancer and 5, I've wrestled with sleep issues ever since I was DX'ed almost 2 years ago and was taken off HRT. My docs have worked with me, confirming that a good night's sleep is essential for body, mind and immune system. I tried Neurotin ( was up to 900 mg) and that stopped working, tried Rozerem and it ws only fair. I'm now taking 5 mg Melatonin plus Klonopin and it works 99 percent of the time, giving me at least 6-7 hours. (I can't take any of the Ambien thpe drugs.) Make your docs help you find the right drug for you.
BTW, I was on Arimidex for a year and had awful joint and bone pain -- not just in the hands. I switched to Aromasin in July and am noticing improvement!
Going through BC is an ordeal, but few people outside our world realize how long our struggle for normalcy continues.0 -
I have the sleep issues too, been trying valarian root and thought it helped for awhile, bottle says to take 3 but website says for chronic sleep issues 6-9, havent tried that much yet, but did take 4, and still woke up. This isnt just since bc for me, been years since I had a good natural sleep, tried melatonin and it left me feeling groggy in morning and didnt sleep that well, and it is a hormone I guess and didnt know if I should take it. Saw my Mo in August and she said she was hesistant to prescribe pills as it is just a bandaid effect and thought I should have a sleep study! how can they study if i dont sleep??? They gave me relaxation dvd and others and think it does help to fall asleep but cant stay asleep.. I just know it sucks!! looking forward to see if anyone here has some more helpful hints.
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Hi Ladies,
I read many of your posts and you are all very strong and inspiring.
I am new to this forum. I have just completed a year of Herceptin and am trying to adjust to the Aromatase inhibitor (Anastrazole).
I have been given the generic brand for the past 7 months and have been dealing with the side effects you all describe. Here's the thing the last prescription of Anastrazole did not come in the same container that I have been familiar with. I called the pharmacy to inquire and they said that it was the same. I do not think it was! My side effects increased to the point that I am now enrolled in the Arimidex direct program. How do you happily co-exist with these drugs? My mood swings have been terrible. Especially towards my husband! I am speaking out more now than I ever did. Yikes!!
I am 47 years old being spun through chemical menopause. I had bilateral masectomy with reconstruction. I will be having the last part of reconstruction on September 19th ( tissue expanders coming out) implants going in. Also having the port removed. I know that I need to give myself time to heal in order to feel better.0 -
I never connected the two but you have just made me aware of something. I have been much more assertive with my husband. And things have improved! I suppose without estrogen we are more like men! Maybe it's not such a bad thing? I've always been very passive (and resentful).
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lago....very interesting about oxygen intake with exercise. It also explains why I often go from dragging to elated when I ride my bicycle or x-country ski. I feel that way only afterwards when running. But a wonderful way to kick off the evening.
I find exercise to be the magic bullet. I get to do wonderful things outdoors here. Last Saturday, it was riding through alfalfa fields and past vineyards on my way to Prosser (heart of farming/wine country). Unfortunately, I got a flat, screwed the replacement tube, and got stranded in Prosser 11 miles from where I was parked. I was rescued by a lovely Mexican family on their way to a wedding who took me back to my car!
I am mentioning all this Cassie because I know I would have terrible mood swings if I didn't get out there and do stuff. Even a short walk will lift my mood.
Good luck with the final step of reconstruction, and yes, it does take time to heal. For me, it felt wonderful to get the port out. Real sign I was done with that phase. - Claire
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Nice to know of the potential issues I may have when I begin hormonal therapy in about a week or so.
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Why couldn't you handle Arimidex? I am scheduled to start on it in about a week
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Lago ~ MO must be taking something, but is not sharing it...don't know if that's a good or bad thing.
I feel so badly for all of you who are having sleep problems as I have dealt with those almost all of my life. I guess having the neuropathy is good for one thing...the Nortryptiline has made it much easier to fall and stay asleep. The ONLY silver lining from this rotten disease!
Timbuktu ~ must be the lack of estrogen that gives me all these beard hairs!
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To Rachelannette- Arimidex SEs include continuous muscle/joint pain and stiffness, which can vary in severity. Most women do not develop these SEs, in fact studies show that only about 1/3 do. The chances are in your favor that you will not have these symptoms, and I sincerely hope that you are in the majority group that does not. I am one of the minority with terrible joint/muscle pain. It destroys my quality of life and makes it a daily battle to continue taking this potentially life-saving drug. However, a decrease in bone density is an SE that I think that almost all on AIs must deal with. Thankfully, bisphosphonates are available to treat low bone density.
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SweetCaroline~~Are you taking Claritin or the generic, Loratidine, for the bone & joint pain? It doesn't do away with it completely, but it makes a huge difference!
Paula0 -
Thanks, Lago: I hope it does do better. Does anyone know if there is a topic for Aromasin on here? I would like to see how others are doing with it.
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yeap, there is a board for aromasin
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To Sweet Caroline- Thank you for responding to my question about Arimidex. I was also told by my Oncologist that most of the women she treats with the drug gain about 20 lbs after taking it! That is very depressing to me. I will have to fight it if possible.
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oh my goodness, I am finishing up my aromasin, did i gain weight? at the beginning as I sort of thought that I could reward my end of rads by stuffing my face and forgettin all i know about weight control
then i got it, did a healthy diet, upped my gym time and lost the weight
please do not blame any bad thing on the med but rather blame the med for keeping the big C away
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Didn't gain weight unless I ate too much, just like before.
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Chinneymae,
Here is the link to the Aromasin thread. http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/783749?page=80#post_3691498
I have lost a little weight on both arimidex and aromasin. But it's because I eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. I've also given up my evening glass of wine. I find that exercise is the most important element in this for me. It is also the only way I manage to get one or two solid nights of sleep a week, if I'm lucky.
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Ndgirl
When you have a sleep study, you go to a sleep lab, at night, usually at a hospital. You are wired up with EKG, EEG, pulse ox, I forget what else. Look and feel like a monster. None of it is invasive, but you will need a shower and hair wash in morning.
They tell you to go to sleep. You do the best you can. The wires measure all brain activity, or lack of. Even if you think you don't sleep, you might be, and that info will get captured.
It could be sleep apenea, something else, or nothing. I'd do it again if I had to, just to find out.0 -
Thanks, Doxie!
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Thanks Spookiemom, yes I am familiar as my hubby has sleep apnea and has a cpap machine, i know I should but just havent worked myself up to it yet, dont feel myself jumping awake when I do sleep, guess I do snore at times, or so he says
! I just hoped I could work thru it myself, thank you so much for the help and I agree it is good to find out.0 -
Janemachado22, I have been on Arimedex (anastrozole) for 5 months. The side effects I have noticed are hot flashes and joint pain in my hips. I had headaches for about the first 2 weeks, but they went away.
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