Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
Comments
-
*If it were me*, scrafgal, I'd hold off until after the blood test. I don't think taking it a few hours later will make any difference, I'd be nervous about the empty stomach thing too, and maybe you could pop a Benadryl tonight to help you sleep?
0 -
oh...I meant that I was worried about getting nauseated by taking it on en empty stomach....they told me that I could take it but I am wondering about the effects on me. It won't mess up the test. It's basic labs for my annual physical. Thoughts?
0 -
I think I will just take it later. I want to get to sleep tonight but I can't stand being nauseated. I just can't risk it. My body is not used to this med yet!
0 -
I felt horrible after taking it on an empty stomach once. I always take it with food now.0
-
Thanks....I got a bad feeling about doing it...
0 -
I always take my AI at bedtime, which is hours after dinner, with no problem. But waiting a few hours should be ok
0 -
Scrafgal, when I started on anastrazole, my MO told me it didn’t matter if I took it on an empty or full stomach.
0 -
Thanks, ladies! I am waiting to see my doc now... with a headache....I am planning a nice breakfast after this...with the pill to follow!
0 -
Scrafgal, It may be too late since your question was from 7 hours ago, but I often take my anastrazole on an empty stomach in the morning with just water and don't notice any difference in how I feel afterwards. I was afraid the first time I did that, thinking I would get dizzy or nauseated, but I was just fine. Sometimes I have an empty stomach when I take it and then have black coffee, and even that doesn't upset my stomach. Hope it went well for you this morning!
0 -
Follow up to my other post- I see that it was too late to answer; I obviously hadn't refreshed my screen or just didn't move to the next page to read the rest of the responses. Anyway, it's so hard to know what to do when we try to take a medicine at the same time daily but then something out of the ordinary (like a fasting blood test) comes up. Hope you had something good to eat after your blood test!
0 -
SUPer52
Thanks for the responses. I took it after the meal that I had after the appointment. I had an afternoon meeting and a dinner meeting. I didn't want to feel bad all day. If I get nauseated, it is hard to turn it around...it stays with me for hours! However, it is good to know that it could turn out okay. Now, I just wonder if I will have even more trouble getting to sleep, since I took the pill later than usual. I will see...
0 -
Hi Scrafgirl - the type of magnesium you want is magnesium bisglycinate it is the easiest on your body with the best absorption. I have Naka original but I don't think the brand matters (this is a canadian brand) but it is vegan with no fillers. I am allergic to a million things so it works for me. The type is what matters. Hope this helps you sleep - works for me. Good Luck and be well.
0 -
You can take it whenever you want to, with or without food, it doesn't matter as far as effectiveness goes. Just be somewhat consistent on the timing.
0 -
Thank you, GiddyupGirl. I hope it works too!
Ruthbru, thanks for the advice!
0 -
I've been on Arimidex just over a year, and doing fine overall. But I had plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis, which had resolved prior to my cancer diagnosis and they were starting to flare up again. Enough so that my feet were burning at bedtime and it was making it difficult to fall asleep.
So my oncologist suggested we try Aromasin (exemestane.) I'm taking a 2 week break right now, to make sure that my feet problems go away without the Arimidex in my system. Then I'll start the Aromasin and see how that goes. I don't see many others here taking it, so am interested to see whether SE are fewer/different for me.
0 -
I’m on aromasin and have been for two years. Insomnia if I take it at night so I take it in the morning. No other obvious side effects. Arimidex made me so lethargic that I was sure my thyroid had quit.
0 -
I’ve been on Letrozole for four months, so far the only possible side effect is increase in my LDL cholesterol. My cardiologist put me on a low dose of Lipitor.
My MO said most of her patients have no side effects from AI’s. My sister’s MO said the same. My heart goes out to the unlucky ones who have severe side effects. Personally if I had severe side effects from AI’sI would stop taking them!
0 -
Runrcrb - Thanks for the tip about Aromasin contributing to sleep issues. I'd been taking my Arimidex at bedtime, so will try mornings for Aromasin instead. Hoping to join you in having no other side effects!
0 -
Mavericksmom
If the statistics show 40 percent of women go off Al therapy due to side effects where did your MO come up with that data?
I’m curious??
Don’t diminish side effects. A lot has to do with age and many other factors.
0 -
It's my 6th year on arimidex and honestly, I don't even think about it anymore, I just swallow the tablet each morning. No major side effects, just normal side effects of lack of estrogen like dry skin. Some vaginal dryness that is easily taken care of by vaginal moisturizer. Saw a GYN recently and she said nothing major, just continue doing what you are doing. I am a happy camper on arimidex, will be more worried when they tell me to stop if they ever do..
Probably worth mentioning I was put on Prolia two years into arimidex due to increasing osteopenia. Prolia reversed it and bone density is now better than it was before the BC diagnosis. No noticeable side effects from Prolia either.
Best to all.
0 -
CBK, I am only stating what my MO and my sister's MO said. My sister doesn't live near me but sees Penn Medicine doctors.
You have to take statistics with a grain of salt, seriously. It is not as factual as you might believe. I worked in research for seven years and saw how misleading statistics can be first hand.
0 -
does anyone know why MOs prescribe one AI over another, since we’re not all on the same one? (I’m on Letrozole and my MO has said I can switch to another if I want to see if SEs would be different/less.) I am just curious to know if there is a medical reason or if it’s just personal preference/habit.
Also, I’ve begun weight training and it’s definitely helping with stiffness and general mobility.
Lanne
0 -
Lanne--I asked my MO why I was starting on Anastrozole and she said it's the one they've seen the fewest SEs with. I know many women end up switching but it seems to most often be the one we're started on?
0 -
I asked my MO the same thing. Her answer was that it is doctor’s preference and training. She did work at Duke and they typically started with arimidex. She gave me the option to decide and knowing nothing, I followed her lead. Arimidex was not my friend so after 3 months I switched to aromasin.
0 -
I did some research and told my MO which one I wanted to use and she agreed. I have been taking Anastrozole for almost 10 months.
I have had joint pain but walking daily has helped.
0 -
The Benefits of Magnesium
Research studies have shown that magnesium supplementation can help lower high blood pressure, lower the risk of developing diabetes, decrease the symptoms of PMS, reduce migraine symptoms, and help depression and anxiety. Magnesium has also been shown to help muscle cramps, as well as constipation, kidney stones, osteoporosis, insomnia, fibromyalgia and asthma.
Magnesium is needed for calcium to be used by bone. It is needed to help keep muscles relaxed, including those of the heart and blood vessels. It is needed in the function of vital co-factors and enzymes.
Diuretics (water-pills) can rob the body not only of potassium, but also of magnesium...yet little advice is given to supplement with magnesium. Magnesium is not as readily available as potassium in common foods, and is depleted by cooking and processing. Sources of magnesium are whole grains, greens, nuts, and seeds; however, the soil itself is depleted of magnesium and these foods do not have as much magnesium now as they used to 50 years ago.
People who should not take magnesium are those with kidney failure, bowel obstruction, myasthenia gravis, or heart block.
In a situation of magnesium deficiency, it may take up to 6 months of oral supplementation to correct things.
There are several types of oral magnesium available, including magnesium citrate, magnesium chloride, magnesium malate, magnesium taurate, magnesium aspartate, magnesium glycinate, and magnesium oxide.
Magnesium Citrate is probably the most cost effective. (400 to 600 mg at bedtime is a good dose; or 200 to 300 mg two to three times a day). It diarrhea is a problem, cut back on the dose or switch to magnesium glycinate or aspartate. Magnesium oxide is poorly absorbed, and hence likely to cause diarrhea. We do not recommend magnesium oxide.
If one is going for maximum absorption, it is best to use smaller divided doses throughout the day than one big dose once a day.
If oral magnesium is giving you diarrhea and you still need more magnesium, you can try oil of magnesium, which is magnesium chloride, rubbed onto the skin. Or you can soak your feet in an Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) bath.
Type A personalities and people under stress will tend to need more magnesium.
Because it helps with constipation, magnesium can also be used as a laxative. Magnesium as a laxative is sold as a liquid in bottle of magnesium citrate. The difference between magnesium as a supplement and magnesium as a laxative is the dose. http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/family-medicine-and-community-health/integrative-health/health-topics/the-benefits-of-magnesium.html
0 -
Hi MissouriCatLady! My friend recommended Magnesium for the side effect of constipation from AIs and then I read where it also helps with relaxation and sleep. I take one 400mg cap every night around 7pm. I found that my B/P and heart rate has improved. My normal heart rate was around 94 and now it is below 80. I also was having the side effect of insomnia and now I am sleeping better. I did add the supplement gaba not to be confused with gabapentin. I learned about that on this board as well. Thank you for the information.
0 -
My Integrative Dr. recommended mag. glycinate, pure encapsulation brand as it is a pharmaceutical quality with fewer additives. I take 4- 120mg daily.
0 -
Stella and flashlight, thank you for the tips!! I've had a rough two nights, thankful for a recliner. Going to revamp the supplements. I had a brief pity party last night, and didn't want to cry in front of my husband. Life is never going to go back to the way it was. Thankfully, new morning, new day, no more pity, let's go! So thankful for you ladies and your help, thank you.
0 -
After a two week break from Arimidex, I'll be starting Aromasin today.
My plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis have improved, if not completely resolved, during my medication break. My hot flashes seem about the same, which is a bit disappointing....
Will report back in a week or so!
0
