Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

purple32

No prunes for me ruthbru. I dont dare with this metformin

ananda8

ruthbru,

I am trying your prunes suggestion.  My bone density went up this year over last because I got my vitamin D3 level up.  I hope it will go up again next year.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=bone density prunus&cmd=correctspelling

purple32

I really wish I could !

I did several studies ...they look very promising, ruth. Thanks for informing everybody about them.

Ten prunes a  day keeps the bone DR away  :>)
I'm just thinking between that and my new friend metformin, it might be a little difficult at work with only 1 bathroom  :>)

Claire_in_Seattle

I am just fine with dairy, and otherwise eat pretty much as I wish.  Sorry Ruth, but prunes just aren't my thing.  I eat them sometimes, including fresh in plum cake form.

I am off in a bit to WALK the two miles each way to REI to pick up my packet for the Seattle-to-Portland which is this coming weekend.  This will be my sixth.  I plan on getting the weight-bearing exercise trudging up the hills, so my guess is about three miles of walking uphill with bicycle and 202 of cycling over the two days.  I am getting new contact lenses so I can see the potholes.  (My eye health is fine...just flat corneas so a focal distance of Uranus.)

As of last year, my bones were just fine.

I think based on the comments that sometimes a diet change is in order, and sometimes not.  I would hate to try to eat enough spinach to get my calcium that way (and I love spinach).  So grateful to be able to drink milk, eat cheese, and of course Greek Yogurt.  I can't wait for tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad which is about a month away in this NW climate.

And after that......mmmmmmmm......plum cake!  Such a treat, and requires fresh prune plums.  But before all that, the last of the local strawberries.

Which is why I cycle   - Claire

purple32

"I think based on the comments that sometimes a diet change is in order, and sometimes not."

Tuche, Claire !  And more power to you for being able to do all that uphill walking and physical activity.

Keep on truckin'!

Anonymous

ruthbru - I know it isn't for everybody, of course, I'm fortunate to be one of those people for whom food isn't a "big" part of my life, and I appreciate, and respect it is for most people.  I am just SO GRATEFUL I feel so good, since I was able to figure out what foods made me feel NOT good.

I take the best calcium/magnesium supplements I can find, and so far have had very good bone density.  Will be tested in Nov at end of 5 yrs on Arimidex.  The past 3 tests were 'above normal" - so much is genetic.

ruthbru

Definitely, genetics plays a role. Maybe, if you all start eating prunes,  I could get a kickback from the prune industry.

purple32

ahahahhahah.....good one, ruth!

Lee7

ruthbru,

Do the prunes have calcium in them?  I should probably just google that....

I remember on a thread somewhere you said something about soaking them in gin, or was that raisins?  Or were you joking?  I swear I read so much here I get stuff all mixed up at times!!

Claire_in_Seattle

Probably the "paper products" industry as well, Ruth.  Fortunately the phone rang today just as I was attacking my fresh figs.

bedo

Went to ophthalmologist for check up.  He said I had an "age related cataract" beginning.  Hahahahahha! I'm only 6 months older than when I went before and had perfect eyes.  (Except for astigmatism) Hmmmm started Arimidex 6 months ago. Odd.  When do people start to have cataracts on Arimidex?

Plus I am really hot. And dry. Eyes, everywhere.  In fact, you could say I'm a desert, a very sleepy, lazy kind of desert town with cataracts on the horizon.

And using Genteal drops all the time for dry eyes now

Anonymous

bedo

ditto - but I've been on it for 5 years - haven't seen the doc in 2 - but he too said it was "age related" - I wanted to say BS, but didn't.

DEFINITELY THE AI.   We can add "cataracts" to the list of SE's.  I"m sure of it.  Also have astigmatism....

I double your Hmmmmm....and add a HARRUMPTH!

ruthbru

Prunes for the calcium, white raisins soaked in gin for arthritis. Maybe if we soaked the prunes in gin, we could come up with the remedy for some other problem!!!! Or maybe we would be wasting both the prunes and the gin....

purple32

My MO told me SE from Als or tamox was cataracts!

Ruth ...at this point, I'm about ready to just bottoms up with the gin !

ruthbru

That's OK every once and awhile too.....

Rocket

I'm up to five prunes a day. It helps a lot to put them in my high fiber cereal.

dobie

Here is a link discussing how prunes work for bone health:



http://www.tbyil.com/Reverse_Osteoporosis_with_Prunes.htm



Had an appt. with endocrinologist this week about how to manage my newly dx osteoporosis ( not a result of AI but certainly not going to be helped by it. Have been taking generic Arimidix for 5 weeks). Discussed importance of vit d level He is advising 5,000 iu D3 per day. Which is quite a it more than is usually recommended. But he is checking my D levels too. Calcium is important but should always be taken with adequate vitamin D to avoid cardiac issues. And so true that dietary sources better than supplement. Key is that it should be used to "supplement" your dietary calcium.

Bogie

Native, thanks for your post on numb hands and arms. Did you get it right away after Arimidex since you are almost done. Did your MO say if it causes permanent nerve damage?

purple32

dobie

What about tamox for you ? Is that a possibility?
Arimidex scares the  heck out of me with my bones. Of course I've had 3 breaks. Once that starts, life gets complicated,

Best Wishes.

DivineMrsM

I've been on Arimidex since last fall, Oct. or Nov., I'll have to look it up exactly when.  The side effects of sore joints has been an on-going issue, altho it's not debilitating.  I still get around but my body feels stiff.  My feet are also sore.  I keep pushing myself tho, and have hoofed the streets of both NYC and Las Vegas sightseeing this year. Walking has always been a been my very favorite activity, so having some limitations now has been an adjustment.

The tingling in my hands and wrists has leveled off some, to my surprise.  I began taking a Vitamin B supplement (B 50) and that seems to help. Also, it seems since I have the summer off from work, the pain hasn't been so bad.  I'm not sure if there is a connection between not working and less issues with hands and wrists?

My hot flashes began with chemo in Feb of 2011 which put me into menopause.  Those, too, have leveled off. 

doxie

TheDevineMrsM - That is very encouraging about B Vits.  I've been on anastrozole just over 3 mo and I've started getting some tingling and a little pain in my hands, tingling and burning in my feet.  My NP just suggested B to help. It's even more encouraging to know it may go away.  I doubt I've seen the worst of it yet, since she said it may take a couple of months to work. 

Work brings on stress, lower level of care for yourself, perhaps?  It does for me and I'm sure that impacts my health. 

schatzi14

I am almost 6 months into Arimidex and am starting to find the joint/bone pain is getting worse. There are a few days a week where it is less but on the whole I am becoming less and less active and unable to walk very far. I can't believe it is happening...I had hoped it would be mind over matter. Not so!!
If it continues, I will be calling my MO to see about taking a break or changing meds. I feel like an old woman!

ruthbru

Keep moving and take Claritin (not Claritin D)

208sandy

Before taking the Claritin - check with your doctor!!!

schatzi14

ruthbru....exactly what I am doing...so far it hasn't helped!

208sandy...I did (took it while taking neulasta too) he said it wouldn't help with Arimidex but I tried anyways. Supposedly it won't hurt.

NativeMainer

Bogie--the hand/arm numbness came on gradually, has waxed and waned over the years.  My MO says it's from chemo but since I never took chemo I'm left wondering.  Carpal tunnel IS a side effect of the aromatase inhibitors, and I am hoping it will go away after I'm done.  My PCP won't give me a referral to an orthopedic doc until I've been off for a few months to see if it gets better.  I'm not going to bother to ask my MO if it's permanent or temporary, I don't really trust the info I get from her. 

DivineMrsM

doxie, I was skeptical that the vitamin B would do anything.  But I do believe it's helped, or I would not even bother mentioning it.  I've been taking it several months now.  

Elizabeth1889

I have started wearing a thumb stabilizing wrist splint when I sleep at night for the DeQuervain's tendonitis in my left hand. I can still feel the tendonitis when I first awaken in the morning, but it gets much better now as the day progresses.

Layla2525

Did anyone get chronic peeling lips? I have had issues since March when I was taking Arimi and went off it due to swollen tongue and MO told me I was allergic. I have been to 2 diff dr and have about 7 ointments but my lips keep getting worse and I stopped using lipstick of any kind. Using petroleum jelly at night. This is the pits!

Lee7

Layla,

Could you be allergic to something other than the actual drug,  like maybe a filler that's in the Arimidex?  Maybe a different brand would make a difference? Or...Could you try a different hormonal like aromasin or femera? I'm curious, what is your MO suggesting now?