Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

ruthbru

Will try it tonight....wonder what DH will think is going on

schatzi14

ruthbru

I wondered that too...

Snoopsmom

Well, I took my first Arimidex today. I'm interested to see how I do on it. I breezed through rads with hardly any pinkness, no discomfort, fatigue, etc. Hopefully I'll fare as well with this new venture. I've been reading this thread for quite some time so hopefully I won't be surprised if anything new crops up. I've even bought some Claritin, just in case! If I don't have the joint/bone pain, at least I'll be prepared for the next allergy season! The only thing I'm afraid of is that every time I feel something a little different, I'll assume it's a SE of the pills. Right now I have a bit of a headache, which is unusual for me (I usually refer to my "annual headache" because I get them so infrequently). So I don't know if it's just anxiety or a real side effect. Funny how such a little pill can have such a big hold on our lives! Just want to thank all of you in advance for your helpful info and tips.

ginger_mea

Chachmom - good to know!  I don't have any sleep issues but like the sound of that anyway for relaxing.  Ruth, I wonder? lol

Snoopsmom - wake up with a headache every day since on the pills, after awhile it goes away, sometimes advil, sometimes not.  I was thinking is it generating from my neck, which is connected to my shoulder/arm which is KILLING ME!

Off to my Onc today, will discuss going back to Arimidex vs. Aromasin, have a good day all! Ginger M.

TinaT

Chachamom - We do that pose frequently in my restorative yoga classes.....on the floor with arms out to sides and legs up on the wall.  It sounds uncomfortable, but it's very relaxing and great for circulation.  My instructor says that even if she's having a crazy day and doesn't have time to do a whole yoga session at home every day she always spends at least 5-10 minutes in this pose.

Hint:  It's rather difficult to get the hips/butt right up against the wall to allow for total relaxation - almost impossible to "scooch" closer to the wall once your legs are up.  In class we sit sideways with one hip/leg pressed against the wall, then pivot to swing the legs up the wall and lay the torso flat on the floor.  Hard to describe .

crking71

I will be starting Arimidex tomorrow!  Went thru rads, had a hysterectomy last Wednesday, so now I'm ready for the final step in my treatment plan - Arimidex.  I'm very nervous on how it will affect me.  Is it better to take it in the morning or evening?  Does it matter?  Any other advice?  Thanks!

schatzi14

crking...

I take it first thing in the morning because I figure if I am going to have hot flashes, I would rather have them in the day rather than at bedtime. I also am very careful to take it about the same time each morning and with PLENTY of fluid. So far, so good and I am almost thru my 3rd month.

schatzi14

crking...

I take it first thing in the morning because I figure if I am going to have hot flashes, I would rather have them in the day rather than at bedtime. I also am very careful to take them about the same time each morning and with PLENTY of fluid. So far, so good and I am almost thru my 3rd month.

ginger_mea

I always take first thing in the a.m. too, and never have sleeping issues. Ginger M.

schatzi14

crking...

I take it first thing in the morning because I figure if I am going to have hot flashes, I would rather have them in the day rather than at bedtime. I also am very careful to take them about the same time each morning and with PLENTY of fluid. So far, so good and I am almost thru my 3rd month.

spunkyboobster

Layla-Way past the time for a new MO. Run, don't walk away from that jerk.

macatacmv

Today is my 1/2 birthday so I celebrated by taking my first Arimidex. I figured I would remember the date. I have been waiting for my lungs to get better for a month since I finished rads. My PCP said today that it I still have my wheeze and I still have the cough, so he refered me to a pulomnary specialist and told me to just go ahead and start the AI. So I started a new more poweful inhaler and the pills today. I am keeping an open mind and will just take it one day at a time. But glad I am not alone on this journey.

ginger_mea

Saw my Onc yesterday, and I am remaining on the Aromasin, she said no difference between that and the Arimidex and since I seem to be doing better (depression/anxiety issues) to stay on it.  I feel so much more like my old self, a little harder with the joints/muscles etc... but have acutally been back to exercising slowly. 

Sometimes when I tell her certain s.e.'s she looks at me like really? from the meds? I want so say I think more Onc's should be on THIS website getting educated! LOL  I am happy I don't have to go back for 6 months, to her anyway.  B.S. in July after another mamo. 

Anyone get pain in the breast that the surgieries were done on, I didn't have masectomy only lumpectomies?

I am a happy girl today, rain and all Ginger M.

schatzi14

 Hi Ginger

I am glad you asked that question because I do have pain off and on since my lumpectomy healed. Sometimes a stabbing pain, other times just a mild ache. I had the same "pains" for years before the BC so I am not too worried. It's more irritating than anything. Sometimes I think it must be all in my head, not my boob!!!!

slousha

Hi ginger and schatzi,

I'm 2,5 year after lumpectomy and I still have occasionally pain in my operated breast. Onco says: scars and late effects...

Best

schatzi14

Slousha...thanks, nice to know...I never thot to ask my MO.

Anonymous

TinaT: thanks for the tip! It HAS been difficult to scootch my butt close to the wall! .....and knowing its an actual Yoga pose gives my DH's recommendation more credibility! LOL!

vivirasselena

Does anyone else have swelling in their hands IN ADDITION to severe joint pain and numbness?  My right hand goes numb often and I have trouble making fists with both hands.  Anyone else experiencing this?

Anonymous

YES, swelling of HANDS and FEET/cankles is a well known SE of all the AI's.  I can no longer wear rings.  Could have them sized larger, but they still make my fingers look even more like sausages.  Kind of comes & goes - but mostly it's just there.  I notice it increases, esp. feet, ankles,  if I eat salty food.  But, the bottom line, in answer to your question re: swelling hands...yes.

Keep a CLOSE eye on it, make sure it isn't lymphadema.  I notice if I bruise my hands, realy bump something hard, they stay swollen AND black & blue much longer than pre AI.

ginger_mea

Me too... my watch is tighter (bc side) and I have to take my rings off at night, I didn't use to do that.  I get numbness too on that side.  Both sides swell some but more on the bc side. Ginger M.

LovesChristmas-Barb

I have swelling in my hands also...especially in the morning. I have numbness in both hands that comes and goes, especially my right hand. I have been wearing a wrist splint on my right hand at night and that has helped.

Anonymous

YES, wrist splints.  I forgot about them, wore them a lot during first year on Arimidex.  Now in 5th, and haven't needed them for years. But they REALLY REALLY made all the difference esp. SLEEPING during the first year. 

vivirasselena

Yup...thanks ladies. I'm right there with you.  I wake up at night because of the pain in my hands. I will try the wrist splint.

I saw a posting from a doctor discussing  Arimidex/Aromasin/Femara vs. Tamoxifen.  And they say the SE's from Tamox are considerably LESS... 

I'm considering trying one of them.  If I find the link, I'll post it. 

Anonymous

well, I wouldn't say less, but different - ALSO, different possible problems.  And, from latest trials, not as effective as the AI's.

vivirasselena

In the face of everything, girls.....i made a video for Dr. Phil on coming back from BC........(and losing my brother to a brain tumor 2 weeks before my diagnosis) I want to put a face to ALL OF US (as well as share a little humor)

This is the story of how I worked through it....please watch it, share it on FB and help me help others who may feel hopeless.  With Dr. Phil on our side....(as well as Oprah, the "Mighty O") there's no telling what mountains can be moved for us.

Here's the link! Please view and share on Facebook.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4cOM9uIQ4 

love,

michele 

spunkyboobster

after 6 weeks on AI, the achey joints/bones are kicking in and made it difficult to sleep last night

do se's ever reverse themselves?

ruthbru

Yes, they can and usually do level off as your body adjusts. I was achy & hot flashy for about 6 months & it gradually tapered off until one day I realized I wasn't hot or achy either one!

The zapping pains in the breast are nerves growing off & they can go on for years. That has mostly gone away for me too, but I still get an occasional jolt.

I don't like this format at all!!

Lifeafter

The Claritin seems to be working for bone pain. I'm not walking like a robot in the morning. Last weeks workouts had me running everyday and lots of jumping...no pain!



Michelle

DivineMrsM

vivirasselena, just watched your link.  Loved those crazy, crazy wigs you wore, that was so creative.  I'm sorry for the loss of your brother to brain cancer.  

vivirasselena

Thank you Mrs.M.......cancer is no respector of persons.  He was 46, and he was given a death sentence from the gate.

But I have a different diagnosis......so I'm going to take it forward and help others deal with it. We just have to stop this.

(LOVE the k.d. lang  "constant craving" line in your signature!  one of my favorite singers of all time)