Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
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ctmbsikia- for the hair thinning, try a supplement with 2500 of biotin in it. You can double the dose if you need to. I use the Natrol Advanced Hair Skin & Nails
Life1963- have you tried melatonin? I found the lower dosages helped a little and have moved up to 10mg before bedtime. DH and I just started trying out a time release 10mg to help us stay asleep through the night also made by Natrol called Natrol Advanced Melatonin 10mg. They also make a 5mg dose with time release as well as non-time release versions. So far I’m still waking up with hot flashes but I fall back asleep very quickly and easily when it’s over.
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Hello, ladies! My MO told me a couple of days ago that she wants to put me on AI with monthly Lupron shot to suppress my ovaries. I am almost 46 years old and chemo put me into menopause. The doctor says there is a chance my body might wake up in a few years, so she wants to make sure my ovaries are safely shut down while I take whatever AI she thinks I need. Probably Arimidex, since when gave me info about it. I will start it in November's after radiation. Does anyone here get Lupron shots with AI? I feel yes, what's your experience? I am a little scared.
Ingerp, DebAl, Life, Nice to see you in this thread as well.
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LIFE1963, I have used a homeopathic oral spray Sleep Aid for many years. One or two pumps helps me get to sleep or back to sleep if I awaken in the middle of the night. No major hangover in the a.m.
It's called King Bio Sleep Aid, available at a lot of vitamin stores online.
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Hello....just picked up my Femara prescription. Very nervous/anxious about starting this..is it better to take at night? Morning? Are side effects any different depending on when you take it?
Thanks!!
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hi to you-I have been on femara for almost 7 months and have settled into it,I put the bottle next to the coffee maker so I dont forget each morning to take it-I marvel that such a tiny pill is my best shot at holding a recurrence at bay- I would never refuse this therapy.so with me-the first 3 months I had sleep disturbances though I dont sleep well anyway-either I couldnt get to sleep or I could and then after awakening in the nite-couldnt get back to sleep sometimes for hours-I started melatonin at my docs suggestion and maybe with just time letting my system adjust I am sleeping better on a more regular basis.
I do have changing muscle and joint aches-my feet hurt in the am-and the muscle aches migrate around--knees-hip,back,hands-I have osteoarthritis anyway and feels like that-I take advil and tylenol every am and sometimes again in the eves-would rate it at 2/3 over 10 so is mild.
I have never had a hot flash not even thru menopause-am in my 60's now.
I think the best path is to be positive.you have come thru a war to get to this point-now you can settle into this phase and make plans to go forward with you life--it is still there-go for it and focus on returning to as normal as possible--dont expect serious side effects--mental attitude is huge--hugs to you and to all of us,,
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Agree with Kaylie that being positive is probably one of the most important things we can do to get through this phase of things.
I'm 55, and have been taking Arimidex for about 3 months. My hot flashes increased initially, but my oncologist prescribed low-dose Effexor which seems to be helping. I have some joint stiffness (primarily in my fingers) and take Naproxen and Claritin for that. My hair has always been thick, and the new growth that's coming in along with what I managed to save by cold capping during chemo is very dense.
I'm dealing with some fatigue, but just sleeping and exercising more than usual. All things considered, the side effects are manageable and I feel pretty good.
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Hi InnaB! I'm about to turn 48 and was in a similar position as you with needing to take AI. I chose to have an oopherectomy rather than the Lupron shots. Have you considered such or discussed such with your medical team? The surgery was very easy and had a quick recovery -- I even did it at the same time as my port was removed so I could be under only 1 time. Please let me know if you have any further questions about it.
Also, I have a quick question for the group. Has anyone found themselves to have a faster heartrate due to the Anastrazole? I tried a higher intensity workout today and I started to feel dizzy, and checked my heart rate..... it was 185!!!! And it took all day to come back down. Wasn't sure if this is an Anastrazole thing so thought I would check in with you all-- thanks!
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mamafelice, 185 is more than a bit high, especially all day. I would talk to my dr ASAP
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Hi there-the upper limits of a normal heart rate-called normal sinus rhythm is 160 and this would slow down gradually over several minutes as you stopped exercising to a rate in the 80's range. It sounds like you may have experienced what is called an svt--a supraventricular tachycardia-or atrial tachycardia--it starts suddenly' doesnt slow down with rest and converts suddenly back to a normal rhytmn.it is fairly common and can be triggered by several causes,most of which are not serious.Do let your Doc know about it.If it continues to happen they may want you to wear a holter or event monitor to record the rhytmn to verify what kind it is..It can be managed with medication ---Kaylie
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Hi All
To answer a few questions:
I've been on name brand Arimidex for 16 mos. I had read so many posts from our BC sisters about possible SEs from generic brands that I went straight to name brand through Eagle pharmacy for $30 a month. I've done pretty well in managing the SEs.
I've taken three Prolia injections with no side effects. All of my doctors including a good friend who is a dentist told me that jaw necrosis is extremely rare. The important thing is to schedule any significant dental work whenever possible with your doctors so they can work around the Prolia injections.
My internist did put me on Gabapentin for the neuropathy caused by Arimidex. I only take one a night and will re-evaluate whether I or not I should continue.
I loved my Chardonnay before my DX. Since I'm estrogen positive I don't drink very much anymore. When I do drink wine my hot flashes are worse(Gyn) confirmed this. Also my GERD is horrible. Since I've pretty much given up wine I’m off my prescription GERD and blood pressure meds. It's not easy but I do feel much better when I don't drink. A totally personal choice.
It's been noted many times that exercise is so important. The health benefits are good for everyone but especially for us.
Please feel free to PM me at any time.
Much love and gentle hugs to all
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kaylie here-meant to post earlier about femara /letrozole effect--have been on for almost 7 months with only mild side effects----now over the past month have started to see increased hair shedding when I shampoo which I do every 4 days--I cold capped during tc infusions and saved 80& of hair and continued to shed for 5 months post chemo with a final salvage of 75%-
the current shedding is not noticeable on a daily basis-only when combing out after shampooing-not enough that I am upset about it,but a little more than I consider normal--is anyone else experiencing this??-I have read it can happen-hoping it will level off--otherwise doing ok--hugs to all-,K
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Also, if you take one drug (I am on Letrozole) and have a good experience, then get e refill and start having more side effects, check the manufacturer. I had great results with TEVA but was recently switched to a new manufacturer, Breckinrid. Spell check keeps changing the spelling. My finger joints ache constantly and I wake up at 2 or 3 AM, unable to go back to sleep. It may not be the meds. It may be the manufacturer. I am working with OptumRX to see if they will let me return the almost 90 supply because the side effects are so severe. I am waiting to hear back. One of the major drug store chains carry what works for me but the cash price is $975 for 90 days.Good luck. You will find the right one!
Warmly,
Marci
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Kaylie - my hair is definitely thinning on femara. Last time I got a trim my stylist suggested I get a wig. Hot flashes are bad and frequent enough that I can't even begin to imagine wearing one! Most days I'm thinking "bald might be better." It was my eyebrows I missed.
Manufacturers certainly do make a difference. Walgreens was willing to put my preference on my record. Ask and if need be, get MO involved.
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marciandpam, I don't know where you live or how your insurance works, For me, my Oncologist wrote my Rx for the brand name Arimidex stating the generics causes severe side effects. I then had to get a "pre authorization" and my mail order pharmacy list on my records that I have an "allergy" to the generics. It is a bureaucratic step so that my order must be approved by a second tier pharmacist to ensure I get the brand name. Also, have you contacted the company to see if you can get your drug directly from them at a reduced rate?
Taco, please try rosemary oil. I really think it has helped me. I have success with the shampoo Cerafill more than any biotin shampoo. I found a product called "Gimme Brow" that gives the illusion of brow hair. It is like a tiny mascara brush for the brows. It colors the fine hairs no seen instead of drawing on the skin.
Coach Vicky
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I am on the generic arimidex Anastrozole without so far unusual side effects. Hot flashes and some joint pain that seem to be managed by glucosamine chondroitin. I read that someone switched to the generic and did better on it. The cancer centre pharmacist said the drug is the same but the fillers are different and may affect you differently. So it may be worth experimenting to see what works best for you.
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Thank you Kaylie for your explanation of SVT. That sounds exactly like what happened. I spoke with my nurse navigator and she (of course) said for me to not participate in that level of cardio yet, and after seeing the physicians assistant, we decided it would be best to see the onco cardiologist for a heart work up. I saw him before my rads to confirm heart health since I had already had rads to chest 25 years ago (those rads caused the BC). Anyway-- more a result of the rads I finished in June--and thank you again.
Also Kaylie, I cold capped through 6 TC and lost only about 30% during treatments, but continued losing another 30% PFC over about 5 months. I too thought the an anastrazole might be a cause, but then the shedding just stopped and I still take anastrazole. How many months PFC are you?
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Morning--I see you also an early riser-my 3 dogs get me up by 5:30--
I used PCC thru 4 TC infusions-I finished last Oct-continued to shed till March,then stopped- I remember your posts on the capping forum .I started letrozole in Jan after radiation.=I am stage 2 dx on routine mammo last summer.-I started noticing a little more shedding about a month ago but only with shampoos-so can deal with that ok.just hope it levels off---have a nice day-getting chilly in the ams here in Vermont-hugs to you=Kaylie{Candace}
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Hi Ladies,
I am dropping off for awhile. I am going off Arimidex. We leave for the beach on Monday and I want to give my body a rest. Just understand, please.
Coach Vicky
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coachvicky- you do what's right for you. No judgement. Enjoy the beach!
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Thank you, Cindy.
Vicky
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Coach Vicky - Enjoy the beach & the break from Arimidex! Oddly enough, we started the AI at about the same time and I, too, am thinking of taking a break.
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coach Vicky, enjoy the beach and your holiday! We all have to do what is best for each of us. With hopefully no judgment!
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mamafelice, glad you are getting this checked. It happened to my husband a few times and then they put him on meds calcium channel blockers and he has been good ever since and that was many many years ago.
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You Ladies are the kindest people I have ever known.
Coach Vicky
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enjoy the beach.0 -
Has anyone experienced vaginal bleeding as a side effect of Anastrazole?
I am 61. I had my last period in August 2004. This is definitely new for me
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Bella,
I haven't had any vaginal bleeding from Arimidex, just some achiness in that area. Since this med does affects our estrogen levels, I'd advise getting checked by your GYN and/orcall your oncologist.. Gentle hugs.
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Hello All.
We had a great time at Gulf Shores, Alabama. It was wonderful to reconnect and walk the beach. I ate everything I wanted and despite even running in the mornings, I gained 3 pounds. I will get that off as I have an oncology appointment next Monday.
I did 5 days off Arimidex. I felt great. Still some body soreness but no nausea. When I started Arimidex again, I took it at night. I don't sleep a lot anyway and I don't think it affected my sleep. The next morning after starting it again, I needed Zofran for nausea.
My short term memory seemed to be better. Or maybe I was just relaxed. I don't know.
I previously took Arimidex first thing in the morning. I think psychology it reminded me of everything that had happened. Not a joyful way to start the day. I will see if nighttime works better.
That's it.
I appreciate everyone's kind words and non judgement as I worked thru this.
Coach Vicky
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Glad you had a good time! We all need that for sure. Sorry the nausea has returned. I take mine at supper time and so far so good. But this whole thing is trial and error. Good luck at the oncologist!
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This is my first day in this forum, and my first day taking Exemestane. Thank you for this topic, it is good to see positive comments as well as tips on how to deal with some of the side effects.
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