For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing

lago

pbrain I have my meds right in front of my computer. I'm online every morning so I can't forget. OR just put it  on your alarm clock, by your coffee (if you drink the stuff) etc. I also always have a couple of extra in a pill box in my purse just in case I did forget and remember when I'm not home.

Granted I never forgot to take it but once I forgot what day it was and thought I forgot. Took it twice. I seemed to be OK. Didn't change into a boy or anything.

ruthbru

I bought one of those 7 day pill cases and put it right on top of my underwear drawer. It got so automatic that some days I couldn't remember if I had taken it or not & then I could look at the pill box and if the 'Saturday' pill was gone, then I knew I had already taken it.

lago

Ruth I actually have 8 of those. Fill them once a month. Have the morning pills/suppliments by my computer. Evening pills on the  coffee table in front of the TV. At the time they were $1 at Walgreens. It really helps as long as you know what day it is… that's the one time I messed up. 

ruthbru

Ha! Yes, knowing what day it is does present a problem at times! 

Anonymous

I have the app Mango Health on my phone. Typed in my meds and my supplements, times, etc. I get a little reminder when I should pop one. I just did this last week, and it was interesting as they tell you what your drugs might be interacting with. I moved a couple things around so effectiveness wouldn't be reduced.

proudtospin

yeap, I have one of those pill cases for my morning stuff...evening stuff is by the sink upstairs and I take before bed.  Since night pills include my allergy stuff...if I forget, I wake up stuffed nose!

Lago, you are too funny, not thinking one extra pill would turn you into a boy~ I once asked my trainer who just happens to be working on an advanced degree about the fact that body builders take the ALs to bulk up...he said they take much higher doses! Not to worry~~

Redheaded1

Lag0, can you imagine if this pill could do that????? (change genders)  We'd be rich selling it on the black market.....LOL

 

 

Anonymous

lago, LOL - are you sure?  Maybe check again - heehee!

lago

Yeah I'm good. No bulge

TinaT

OK, what do you all make of this?  I've been struggling all along with waxing and waning joint pain and stiffness (and osteoporosis) on generic anastrozole from India.  Decided to pay a little more to get TEVA generic at Walgreens.  I haven't changed my diet or my daily exercise regimen.  Since starting the TEVA brand my joint pain and overall stiffness have significantly worsened.  I don't know if I just do worse with the fillers that TEVA uses or (I don't even want to believe this) that the generic I've been using for the past 3 years wasn't "working".  Since my bone density has dropped and I'm having other side effects I want to assume it has been doing what it's supposed to be doing.  I'm surprised and disappointed that the TEVA brand is making me feel so much worse. 

Any thoughts????

ruthbru

It's the fillers.

PinkCarn

What are SE's?

ruthbru

side effects

lago

PinkCarn 

If you look to the left of this page, under that navigation and "Jump to Forum" you'll see a button that says "Help with abbreviations" I believe that link is on every page of the forum.

Vadre

Iago, Amazing!  I never knew the abbreviations link was there!  FWIW, you've made my day!

😉 Virginia

Vadre

Good Morning,

I've just posted this on a Stage IV feed and thought it might be helpful to someone here as well.

FYI I have Stage IV Breast with mets to my bones. I take Arimidex as an AI. When you have MBC the goal is to stay on the same AI as long as possible rather than a prescribed length of time. Changing AIs is something MBC patients do our best to avoid. Either way you use Arimidex I thought this might be helpful info to someone. If you have questions just send me a message!

I've been on Arimidex since I was diagnosed three and a half years ago. It has worked  for me in terms of controlling my mets (SE are a different story). A few months ago my SE changed and there was some new activity in my mets. My MO and I believe that this may have been related to generic Arimidex (Anastrozole) from India. She prescribed name-brand Arimidex for a three month test. We haven't reached the three month mark, but my SE are back to "normal." Anyway.... Arimidex is expensive and because there is a generic available my insurance company won't cover the cost of the name-brand. I have found "Arimidex Direct" which is run by AstraZeneca. My MO faxed a 90 day Rx to them which, after I filled out a form & provided a credit card, they quickly filled by mail. The cost is $30 per month! No Insurance forms, co-pays or hassle! I am scheduled to have my bone scan, CAT scan etc in mid-July but in the interim I'm not paying over $400 a month for my AI of choice.

If you are interested just search "Arimidex Direct."  The rest is easy. 

Happy, SE-free days to you all!

Virginia

lago

Ha ha Virginia we need to get you out more 

Glad to help

PinkCarn

What are SEs?

sherryh16

pbrain

I have a terrible time remembering to take the little pill.  Prior to bc I was not taking anything on a daily basis other than vitamins.  My trick is I take it in the morning with my morning coffee at 7am.  I take the pill and then put a little pen dot on the kitchen wall calendar so I know I took it.  Otherwise, I can actually later not know, remember, if I did or didn't.  Blame that on brain fog.  I also have put an alarm on my cell phone that goes off at 7am to remind me to take my pill should I get distracted from my morning routine.  So far my system is working for me.  Haven't missed a day yet.

Vadre

Iago,

Today is Monday & it's 93+ humid degrees out. 😕 On top of that, my chore today is to finish the chaotic process of cleaning out my two storage closets. 😥 I started by emptying the closets weeks ago and have found an amazing array of excuses which allow me to avoid the next step: cleaning up! 😝BLECH! Today is THE day. We have fun dinner plans with friends this evening. I've told them that I can't come if I don't get major work done (which is so not-true).  So you can see why, so far today, your tip is the best thing to happen....except of course that my meds continue to work and I am well enough that cleaning out a closet is anywhere on my list. As happy as your tip makes me it pales in comparison, doesn't it!  Here's to days when life is livable! 

Virginia

Redheaded1

HAs anyone had a feeling of nausea as a SE with generic Arimidex?  I started it on Monday june 9 and I've not actually hurled, but  I feel a little "off".

How do you know where your generic is made?  Mine isn't Teva (they make another generic I use),  

lago

Virginia I was just kidding ♥ When  you're done can you come to my place? Yes we are having a hot humid day too. But not 90's yet.

Redhead yes nausea is listed at a SE. I would mention it to your MD but unless its severe and/or doesn't go away there might not be an emergency. You can check your pill here on GoodRX: linky

checkers

I take my Anastrozole in the evening at 7pm right after dinner. The pharmacist said it should be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach. Since I've never taken it without food I don't know if it makes a difference or not but I've never had an upset stomach with it.  I have to take my Effexor with food as well but I take that in the morning with breakfast. I also have a pill case that I fill each week but I use my husband's trick of setting a daily alarm on my cell phone for the time I need to take my meds. This really helps! The only time I forgot/was late was when I was out one evening and had forgotten to put my pill case in my purse.

aviva5675

checkers,I take my effexor at night, but wonder if I should take in morn. I take u for hot flashes.

checkers

aviva, because I'm only on a half dose the pharmacist said to take it in the morning. I have noticed a slight decrease in hot flashes.

aviva5675

I was doing 37.5 twice a day, then my onc upped me to 150 a day, its one pill, I take it at night. My goal is to get rid of the flashes, especially at night, to try and sleep better...Seems to be working well, just wonder what itd be like taking it in the morning.

ruthbru

Try it and see.

PinkCarn

Thank you. 

PinkCarn

My dr said to take it at night. I think it may cause some sedation and that is the reason.

B123

hi ladies I have been on arimidex for almost 2 years and I have gone from osteopenia in low back to now osteoporosis! I am 44 and and am crazy about this now.  I am told that I need to do IV fusion once/year for 2 years and it will improve. I'm not happy or comfortable with that and I'm not happy with the idea of arimidex doing this to me?! Anyone have this whole on arimidex and has anyone switched to Fareston? 

Any help would be so great! 

Thank you