Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
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ellyn27,
Congratulations on shifting gears to a healthier life style. 28 pounds down is inspirational! I only want to drop 20 and am congratulating myself for holding steady. Your story is making me get serious!
Great job and thanks for sharing
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Ellyn27, great to hear about your weight loss. I, too, was very concerned about weight gain on anastrazole and also got proactive about preventing that. I'm exercising SO much more, and am down a few pounds too. Yoga has helped me significantly, physically and mentally. And I have started bike riding again -- I got a smaller bike with coaster brakes, which I find a little friendlier and approachable than my old ten-speed. While it's not "weight-bearing," it's still increasing my daily activity and keeping me emotionally healthier.
I guess the fear of SEs is sometimes a powerful motivator. I really have not had significant SEs, and am always happy to hear about others doing well on AIs.
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If you want some exercise buddies, check out The Let's Post Our Daily exercise thread on the Fitness Forum. A great, encouraging group of ladies at all stages of treatment and beyond; and all fitness levels too.
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I saw my MO today. I can take turmeric, she allows her patients to use it. My vitamin D level was 67.9%, and I asked should I increase the D. She said I could decrease it; she likes the range between 40-60%. Was taking 3,500 IU per day, I can drop to 2,500.
I'll see her in November before I take off to FL, and again in late May or June of 2019.
I did forget to ask her the most important question about very light spotting that occurred one day in July. Thankful for the patient portal, I sent her an email!
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Went to my hairdresser today for a trim, and she noticed that my hair has thinned. I have been in a sort of denial about that for a while -- I'm hugely fearful of hair loss, even before cancer. I was fortunate to avoid chemo, but this is something that's been hard for me to accept. I've been taking biotin, but don't know how much it's helped.
First sign that this was happening was my sunburned scalp after an afternoon at the pool.I've been feeling pretty positive about the anastrozole in general, but am starting to wonder. My oncotype scores (two) are pretty low, but I really don't want to take unnecessary risks. My vanity is definitely suffering right now.
Anything you ladies have tried that helps?
Thanks.
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https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics/859567?post_id=5249845
Hi Miranda, this thread might give you some tips. Best wishes
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Thanks, Peregrinela. I just stumbled on that thread today, lots of helpful ideas.
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Consumer Reports had an article this month about hair thinning treatments
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Have you ladies that have been on anastrozole for a while now experiencing thinning hair?
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Yes, LIFE1963, it's my biggest anastrazole issue right now. Today I will see my MO to talk about it, but not expecting much in the way of a solution.
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Miranda-how mich biotin are you taking per day? It may not be enough. I was told to start at 2500 and if I didn’t see a difference go to 5000. I did see a difference then. If you’re already at 5000. I use the Natro brand Hair, Sin & Nails Advanced sovi only have to take 1 medium sized capsule to get 5000 in. there’s another product that the nurses recommended to me if the biotin didn’t work called It Works. It also contains biotin but there’s a bunch of other stuff in there too. Hope this helps!
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Thanks, Lula, I will look into those; someone else also recommended It Works.
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I have been on Anastrazole for three weeks. I am having issues with nausea. Anyone else experiencing nausea as a SE
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I am not had issues with nausea. However I have chosen to take my pill right before I go to bed. I do wake up several times a night. Don't know if it's the Anastrozole or if it's just the lack of hormones causing that. Maybe if you're taking pill during the day you could try in the evening hours after your stomach has had more food throughout the day?
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Thanks, I take mine right before I go to bed also.
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Bella-I get some nausea from my letrozole so I also take it at bedtime. Helps tremendously.
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Lula - I also take 5000 biotin a day and so far so good with my hair. I just got the curcumin you recommended in the mail -Solgar — what time of day is best to take it?
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I take my Arimidex in the morning. Every once in a while my stomach feels queasy but it doesn't really last very long.
My hair has thinned a little but I don't think it's enough to be too concerned about. At least I hope not
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I am happy to report I have only one problem.SE on arimidex, rather the multiple problems on exemestane and letrozole. I've been on this drug for 2 and a half months. I see a hand therapist today, so I'm hoping he can help me stay functional and be able to work and stay on this med
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tea berry-I take it at night because I will forget to take it otherwise. There’s no set time recommended so whenever works best for you.
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When I took Anastrozole on empty stomach, I was extremely nauseous. Now I always take it right before I eat breakfast and no nausea at all.0
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As long as I have a little something in my stomach before I take Arimidex, I don't get queasy. However, I am queasy a lot and I think chemo messed up my stomach.
Coach Vicky
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Hello Ladies has anyone had their joints swell up from pill? I woke up this morning and left thumb knuckle is all swollen. It looks like arthritis. I've been having joing pain since started anastrozole.
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Ive had tons of hand issues. Saw the hand therapist today. He gave me exercises, a thumb splint and compression gloves. Also recommended contrast baths to decrease micro-swelling in the tendons. Now I know I can stay on these AIs and manage my hand pain! YAY
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LIFE1963 and 2Fun
I have a swollen joint thumb too as well as joint issues in fingers and toes. Fortunately, some days are worse than others. My Internist prescribed Gabapentin which I only take a night. It helps with insomnia, I have terrible insomnia, but I think theis medaffects my moods. Maybe I should go to a hand therapist. Did your oncologist recommend this to you?Also can you elaborate on the contrast baths?
Gentle hugs to all!
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Hi, all.
Doing fairly well about 2 months in on Arimidex, which I take just before dinner. But I definitely have stiffness in my hands and ankles, which is most noticeable when I wake up. I take Naproxen in the AM and do my PT exercises in the evening, both of which seem to help.
I've been trying different dosages of Effexor, which is supposed to reduce hot flashes. 37mg was causing digestive issues and 12.5mg wasn't doing anything. So I've been at 25mg for the past few weeks. Still having 3-5 wicked hot flashes a day, so I'm not sure that's really doing much either. But will discuss with my oncologist when I'm there for Herceptin/Perjeta tomorrow.
Re Biotin - I reduced my intake to 10,000mg/week because it can interfere with lab results. My hair is still growing back post-chemo, but it appears to be coming in fairly thickly.
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2fun- I had trigger finger in my thumb it was awful, went to ortho doc he gave me a shot in my thumb ( hurt for minute) but then I got relief.
I switched this month from Arimidex to anastrozole so far so good. Was doing the name brand because I heard SE were bad with generic. My oncologist said let’s try it, I’m still trucking along. Went back on WW ( online only) working out 5 days a week, I’m down 8 lbs in 4 weeks and very focused for this next 4 weeks. Keep the forward momentum everyone.
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if anyone wonders about the effects of exercise....I had be doing 90 min a day of pool and land exercise. Missed the last 3 days due to funeral/ not prioritizing my needs. I woke up today with a good deal of stiffnesd/pain. Moral of the story, exercise no matter what.
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Good advice, 2Fun!
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Hi ladies
Knocking in since I started anastrozole one week ago and I am determined to do well on this stuff. I am on vacation and working out every day, and last night and today all day me entire body aches. Alternating muscles and joints. Now my elbow, then my calf, then my feet then one shoulder, then one knee. Does this sound like AI side effects? If yes, is there a chance that this is temporary? Or once this starts it will stay?
LaughingGull
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