Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
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Good Morning,
My cousin (the one who recommended rosemary oil for thinning hair) sent me this link:
https://www.inspireuplift.com/products/waterproof-...
I have order the product and will let you know how it works. I am searching for something more "natural" looking that a eyebrow pencil to deal with slightly thinning eyebrows.
Link crossed posted on the Triple Positve Forum.
Coach Vicky
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Coach Vicky - I feel like I’ve tried every brow product worldwide and the only one that gives my brows the natural looking oompf I want (without looking like Joan Crawford) is:
3 shades from blonde/brown/dark brownavailable, colours and fills beautifully. Doesn’t run (tested at the gym) or flake. Add pressure to naturally fill, spookiest and you’re good to go. Hope this helps!
Oops...Sephora or amazon carries it for sure.
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Thank you, Egads007.
I had my brows waxed for ages and never looked into filler products before. Think of all that money i am saving on waxing thanks to that little pill!
Coach Vicky
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Egads, thanks. My brows were always thin and even more so after chemo. The filler I use is okay but am always looking for something better so I will check it out.
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Coach Vicky & Ruth - autocorrect is awesome isn't it? I have NO idea why my post said 'spookiest'....not exactly what you want when referencing eyebrows lol! Not even going to bother editing, too much fun to leave it! (it should have read ‘use spoolie and you’re good to go’). Ruth, hope you like, think you might. Vicky, I hear ya’ I wish the same effect happened in leg hair!
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Thin eyebrows run in my family. I'd consider getting tatooed eyebrows done, but one of my cousins did it and her eyebrows turned out something like that baby's!
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Thanks for the morning laugh!! Up early and heading to DC for Memorial Day Weekend. DH and I have wanted to go see the Rolling Thunder demonstration ride for years. Lately we've decided, why wait? I we can do something we've wanted to do then we will do it.
Have a great weekend ladies & gentlemen
Sarah
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LaughingGull--
My quick 2 cents regarding your conundrum ....one that I recall dealing with about 5 months ago and sent many PMs to ask women how they rationalized having an ooph.
Like you, I am in my late forties, almost 48, and had been dealing with perimeno symptoms for years....had been complaining to my docs for years too. Though my MO figured with the chemo I would be forced into final menopause because my estradiol was low when I began, I was probably going to have to take the Lupron shot until it had been a full year without a cycle. I met with a team of docs at a different top cancer hospital and they said for me to have the ooph. Then I met with the oncological Gyn at my hospital and she said ooph.
Like you mentioned, my BC was very highly ER+, and had spread like quite the sneaky bastard to many nodes, so I wanted to do all I could to keep this beast from coming back, so with the recommendations I had received, an oopherectomy it was! I had the surgery back in the end of February, and then immediately started on the AIs. Had port removed during same Surgery, and it was easy peasy. Quick recovery and minimal SEs....I think I had already managed through most hot flashes and such before ooph. I do have trouble sleeping at times-- waking in the night and having trouble falling back asleep-- but I had that before too. Kitchen sink, kitchen sink, kitchen sink! Leaving nothing on the table to regret not having done. Exercise is key....weight bearing exercise is so important, and I will probably take a zometa infusion to aid bones, as there are studies that suggest it reduces bone mets.... stronger the bones, the less likely to met there.
Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions to ask, and I would love to hear what your Gyn had to say at your appointment. Regardless, this is your body, your fight, your decision. Be strong, and have faith, and you got this! Big hugs! 😃💪🏼🙏🏻
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Egads, thanks to your baby pictures I literally just spit out my coffee laughing!! That's all I got this morning! I hope everyone has a great day☺
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Re: eyebrows--a guy who used to cut my hair many years ago was looking at me kind of funny in the mirror and said, "You have *got* to do something about your eyebrows." All that is to say it's one of the many female-y things I'm not very good at. Mine are *super* light, and maybe five years ago I started having them waxed a little periodically just cuz. I swear nobody can really tell the difference but whatevs. I'd say it's only the last like 1-2 years that I regularly put something on them when I'm putting on make-up, and lo and behold, Egads--that's exactly what I use!! I had this one like super-product recommended by a friend that came from England, had stencils, two different layers of stuff to supply (I think like a powdery one and a waxy one), but in the meantime had ordered that Benefit product (probably on sale or something) and I do really like it. In fact, it's one of the few make-up products I will re-order when I use up this one.
Tips: I watched a youtube video when I first got it that recommended you kind of do little back-and-forth motions when applying to work the fibers into the brows. And when I had some free time visiting one of my kids last year, I went to a place where you bring your make-up and they give you a lesson using your own stuff. The woman said most women focus on the inner part of the eyebrow, but that isn't what they're supposed to look like. She suggested I start in the middle and make that a bit darker than the inner and outer edges.
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My brows are blond and look absent unless I do something. For many years - even pre chemo and Femara - I used tinted brow gel, including Gimme Brow from Benefit. I also like Anastasia tinted brow gel and it comes in more colors, link below. My DD unfortunately inherited loss of eyebrows from DH's side of the fam so she had microblading done. It looks great so I decided to do it about six months ago - the microblading added great shape so I don't have to do anything but intensify the color a bit with a pencil or the tinted gel. I still use the tinted gel because I have some unruly multi-directional brow hairs, but now if I have no makeup on I at least have "eyebrows" on my face. DD also does lash extensions so she can actually go without makeup altogether and look good - I am allergic to the adhesive so can't do those, otherwise I totally would!
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I saw my MO today. I'm going to try anastrozole. The last AI. MO said not to get my hopes up. He is such a good dr, but the NP is such a flake!
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Hi dear ladies doing well on aromatase inhibitors,
Thanks for your responses on prophylactic oophorectomy, Lula73, Grandma3X, Ruthbru, 2FUN. Talked to an onchology gynecologist and the decision is that out they go. He confirmed what many of you are saying: side effects are due to lack of estrogen and I will have those anyway when I go through menopause.
I will start radiation in one week and get the ooph at the end of July, and I hope to do well on AI and join this thread as a full rights member.
And thanks Mammafelice too. I may PM you, thanks for offering. We seem to have a similar sneaky bastard cancer! Kitchen sink, kitchen sink, kitchen sink!
Coachvicky: I have always had thick, dark, out-of-control eyebrows and didnt think chemo would really make them fall completely but it did. They are coming back and if need to fill I will microblade but so far I am enjoying not to have to tweeze them daily.
Happy memorial day weekend everyone,
LaughingGull
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RE: Brows - Have used the Gimme Brow by Benefit for over 3 years now. It is wonderful & sooooo easy to use. Over-tweezed my brows when younger - been sparse ever since. ULTA has it, also.
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good morning everyone, sorry if these questions have been answered. I will start arimidex this week. I know everyone is different but just curious as to the time of day to take this pill? You all have stressed importance of exercise and no problem for me there. Any other advice as I get started? I'm a bit nervous of course and I think it's just because it's a new step. Last chemo tomorrow ☺ thanks!
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Take it when it works into your life best. If one time doesn't work well, you can always change the timing.
Congratulations on finishing chemo!!!!!!!!!!!!
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DebAl - find the time that works for you. I discovered that aromasin was causing my insomnia so switched from PM to AM. I had to implement a way to avoid forgetting to take it (which i why my bias is to taking pills at night) but the insomnia cleared up almost immediately.
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Thank you ladies, I think I will try early morning first just in case insomnia is an issue. I'll remember it better that way, plus I get up at 4:15 am for work. Quite awhile back I think I saw a conversation about name brand vs generic and issues when switching from one to the other (maybe due to cost) I will start off on arimidex. Any thoughts on that?
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DebAL- I take it at night before bed, mostly because I also take an allergy med at that time and it was easier to remember. (Although once I took it 2x!)
I'm on Anestrozole, I've had Teva mfg while living in NY, and while living in FL, I had AHI mfg. Had no choice in FL, it's what they/CVS had. Back in NY Teva brand. Having never taken brand Arimidex, I can't really say on differences, others swear by it.
I had sleep disruptions early on. Back in NY my bedroom is darker, I seem to sleep a good 7-8 hours. I have aches, seems like the arthritis I had prior to AI has increased. Fingers/hands, hip, knee..ache a lot. But its been doable. Brain fog now & then, is it AI drug or age? Debatable.
When I read about bad side effects I was afraid to even take it. I had to stop reading horror stories. And I had to recall for just about every med I've ever taken they give a list of side effects, I only read them "when & if" I have a problem. So for me, that's it with the AI too. Best of luck to you on whatever AI you take.
Congrats on finishing chemo!
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Cindy, thank you so much for your reply. I'm the same way. I know the big side effects and will delve deeper when or if I get them. It's nice to know you all are here for support. I have a little bit of joint pain now and will make exercise a priority. It is hard to say what changes are age related ( aches and pains, brain fog etc) I'm just hoping for "doable" I'm ready to put this last chemo in the books. Thankfully it has nit been bad at all. Will see MO b4 treatment today and hopefully she will let me have a 2 week break to detox b4 starting arimidex. Thanks again!
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DebAL, I take anastrozal and I started taking it in the morning but found I was achey so I switched to right after dinner and that helped a lot. I don't have the insomnia (other than issues with night sweats waking me up). I've been taking it about 4 months now and even the hot flashes have started to slow down, thank God. For me, it's definitely doable just knowing I am starving and potential errant cells in there.
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DebAL and All,
I got off the forum that shared the harsh side effects of Arimidex. It really wore on me to read those things. It is not denial on my part rather a deliberate intent to focus on the positive.
I use to take my Arimidex as soon as I awoke. I was up between 0330hrs and 0430hrs with one massive hot flash (the only one of the day). Somehow I got off schedule and started taking it between 0700hrs and 0800hrs. Now my hot flash comes closer to 0530hrs and 0600hrs! It is like an alarm clock. And I am sleeping longer.
I took 2 genericsfrom April - August 2016, and now I am on the brand name. I am one of those that believes I can tell a difference. I don't know. Just try it and if it does not work, change to another brand. I think the reason I had problems with the first 2 generics is that I was still taking Herceptin with four moths to go, my thyroid meds needed to be lowered (which my PCP thinks Arimidex caused), my saturated iron dropped requiring an iron infusion, plus I had a lump on my left reconstructed breast and had an additional surgery. The lump was benign. April 2016 was a rough month and starting Arimidex was not a good idea as I look back. My hindsight is always 20 / 20, LOL.
Again, I forgot who wrote this but someone's MO started her on Arimidex every other day for a few weeks. I was I had known that. It just seems to make sense.
Best wishes.
Coach Vicky
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Staying away from the "harsh side effects" forum is extremely important.
My MO said the doctor whose practice she took over used to not tell patients about any of the side effects, on the belief, I guess, that if they know about them, they will experience them. My doc doesn't adhere to that (frankly sexist!) approach -- but it can be scary and not helpful at all to read the horror stories.
What I needed to know when starting Arimidex is that MOST women do not experience these severe effects. Even reading the words "hair thinning" can make me anxious for days, feeling my own head of hair for signs that it's still OK.
All I can say is, so far, so good, no serious issues except some dry eye.
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I have unfavorited the harsh side effects too. I found it very unhelpful and scary.
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If you read all the possible bad reactions that could happen from taking any drug, including aspirin, you'd be too scared to take anything for any reason!
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Very true Ruth!
Before I started taking Arimidex the potential side effects made me a nervous wreck. I worried most about thinning hair. Fortunately, it’s just as thin as it’s always been and no worse. My aches and pains I try to take in stride and keep exercising.
I started this thread as a support vehicle because many of us can cope with most of the SEs. I say a prayer of gratitude every day that my SEs remain manageable and I refuse to be a victim of this drug. I consider it my ally in the fight against recurrence.
I do however, have great empathy for our sisters who have debilitating side effects. They also need ourlove and support.
Gentle hugs to all.
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Thanks for the great advice. I will unfavorite the sideeffect thread as well. I am trying to learn about my options for AI from July, after my rads finish. I will stay positive until something really happens.
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This is my take on AI’s...we are women and our bodies crave estrogen. If this were not true then we would not have the side effects of going thru menapause...hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, etc. This is a natural progression of the aging process.
So now we are going to shut down the last 20% of estrogen coming from our adrenal glands. This is not normal and it’s not part of the aging process. Our bodies use to be an oasis of estrogen and progesterone and now they are going to be a desert. We will pay a price for forcing this on our bodies. Now, it’s necessary and really our only option to strive to remain cancer free. We will have side effects. The degree of severity will differ for each individual. I am tired of being told that SE’s are in my head and Anastrazole is not to blame.
It is helpful to read other’s experience and the SE’s. We can help each other deal with them. For instance, exercise is key to help with muscle and bone pain. We read this often on this discussion group. That information gets my ass moving even when I don’t feel like it because my muscles and bones ache.
I keep hoping to hear that the SE’s are loaded on the front end of taking AI’s and the longer we are on them we will adjust. That doesn’t seem to be the case though.
I am committed to working through this process. I will admit I struggle to be positive about taking that pill. It’s also the one size fits all dosage. How does that work? How do we know that a 1 mg tablet is doing what it’s suppose to do? Is there a way to measure the estrogen conversion coming from our adrenal glands?
That is my rant for the day. Thank you for listening.
Just had a sonogram and mammogram on two lumps close to my arm pit. It’s scar tissue so all is good!
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Ladies,
I posted a few days ago about this product: Waterproof Microblading Pen by Inspire Uplift.
I checked the company and found a USA address in Miami, FL. It has been 15 days and my product is not here. I checked tracking and the product is in China. I feel deceived about this product.
I have cancelled the order and filed a dispute with my credit card company.
I am grateful to nonomimi5 for alerting me that this product was not produced where I tought it was.
I apologize for the post.
Coach Vicky
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I bought this eyebrow pencil a few weeks ago and it's coming any day now. I didn't know until I got the tracking number that it's coming from China. I consulted coachvicky and she too was hesitant to try a product from China. So I followed her example and cancelled it on my credit card. I hope it works. I guess we need to be very careful when something looks too good to be true...the ads were deceiving. I love that we are helping each other in more ways than one.
Mimi
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