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

Anonymous

udpt82-regarding Effexor. I started on Cymbalta when first diagnosed. Got me through chemo with minimal joint pain. Switched to Pristiq for hot flashes because of tamoxifen interaction, but still had hot flashes so switched to the cheaper version Effexor. Helped a little, but not enough, so I weaned off. Someone on this site had a protocol for weaning off and I following it. Still had brain buzz off and on for a few weeks, but it wasn't terrible.  

I went to every other day for a week or two. Then started taking the pills apart and slowly removing some of the meds, reassembling and then taking. Each step stayed for about a week I think. I will try to find the directions.

Anonymous

I think this is it from curlilocks. The best thing is to go slow and done rush it. I weaned myself off effexor succesfully by opening up the capusle and counting out the beads. I took out about 10 a week and eventually I got down to nothing. I had very few side effects this way...hubby thought I was crazy but it worked. I actually opened the capsule and carefully poured it out onto a plate and used a knife to count out the beads i wanted to take out. The rest I carefully used the knife and scopped them in some orange juice and drank them that way. She may have to use a glass big enough to get her hand in afterwards to make sure all the beads are gone .IT WORKED!

Allagashmaggie

Old looking skin is pretty insignificant in the big scheme of things and I am so sorry Wavewhisper for what you have had to endure.  Makes my comments about aging skin from lack of estrogen seem  vain and insensitive, both of which, believe me, I am not.   lago is right, the important thing is that I am alive to see my aging skin.  I do need to remember to stay hydrated, another good point.   Some times I have to force myself to drink water drank because I needed to drink so much of it during chemo and radiation. I wish you all the very best on your own personal cancer journeys.  

Allagasmaggie

kamm

FluffqueenO- That's exactly how you wean off of Effexor if your having trouble. I wish more people new that. It's a tough one for some people to wean because it affects your neurotransmitters as well as you serotonin pretty heavy duty. Not as gentle as the SSRI's that work just on Serotonin. 

WaveWhisperer

Ladies, thank you for your concern, hugs and support. Allasgas, please don't worry about coming across as insensitive. As I said, I felt the same way until this happened. Nancy, please watch your actinic cheilitis; I had that two summers ago, and I wonder whether it led to my lip cancer. If you're having Aldera or Efudex, you will have major burning, blisters, etc, but remember that those topical chemos may save you from going through what I did. 

I appreciate the comment about my muscles learning to smile once again. That's my dream.

Life has its ups and downs, and I've had my share of downs, but every day I read obits of women younger than me, so I'm so very grateful for each day. And I think of all those war veterans without limbs, and people with ALS or Alzheimer's, so that's when I feel petty and vain myself about worrying about something so superficial.  Everything is relative.

But, as always, this is a comfortable place to come to vent and know that you'll find support among friends. 

proudtospin

Wave, maybe if we continue to post jokes and funnies, it will help you stretch slowly the muscles of your face? course, do you post on the ~~OMG they found a cure for stupid~~  thread?  maybe?

Slappy-Squirrel

I am supposed to start taking Anastrozole in a couple more weeks after I heal from the latest surgery (hysterectomy). Should I ask for a baseline bone density scan first? 

Shirley

proudtospin

it is a good idea, of course if you have a recent one, that may be ok

I had one in the beginning, all was fine and my wrists were even better than average (I chalk that up to all my spin and biking), then I had one recently after ending all the stuff, it showed a bit of osteopenia but not serious so I am continuing with my exercise drill

sweetandspecial

I hadn't had a bone scan before so my MO ordered one for a baseline before I started taking the little pill.  Mine was only from my middle torso to below the hips though.  No wrists or anything else.

proudtospin

interesting, the one recently was only waist down as well, no idea why dif but maybe it had to do with the fact that this one was done under Medicare?

shycat

I started Anastrozole at the end of June and won't have a bone density test (Dexa scan) until mid-September.  I thought it odd when my MO referred to it as a baseline with it being almost 3 months after starting the AI, but I suppose there's not much chance of there being bone loss so soon... I hope!

Spookiesmom

Proud

My one and only DEXA was waist to hip, done before Medicare. 

sweetandspecial

Yeah, I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, so the Medicare connection can't be the reason. Hmmmm.

sweetandspecial

Maybe osteopenia/osteoporosis tend to present first in the lower back/hip areas so they don't do more extensive scans unless necessary?

proudtospin

gee,  wonder my first dexa scan was so extensive?  I sure the did the arms and wrist but not important now...

sweetandspecial

I say again......hmmmmmm.  Probably just another variation in practice to make us all crazy!

proudtospin

oh, just to make me crazy?
they are successful!

it was actually done at the same facility but it was ordered this time by a dif ~

kamm

Dexascan is usually back, hips lower body. That's what they're most interested in because it gives them a good general idea of where you stand. That's funny. I never heard of wrists being scanned! Learn something new every day!

Slappy-Squirrel

thanks for the feedback ladies!

Shirley

OvercomingOne

slappy ~~~

You had Bmx and you have to take Arimidex?  You mean this breast cancer can grow ANYWHERE??   Dang!

O2

Janett2014

Overcomingone, I had BMX in April and started Arimidex at the end of May. Unfortunately I don't think this is an unusual situation. 

Slappy-Squirrel

I guess so. My MO really wants me to try it. My tumor was highly estrogen & progesterone positive.

kamm

If it's hormone positive your goin' on the Arimidex! Or one of the others. BMX or lumpectomy only takes care of the local occurence. The drugs are to prevent distance metastisis. I know, it sucks. After all of this you'd think you'd get a break but nope!:)

Spookiesmom

O2

I had the full works too, will be on arimadex for the next 8 1/2 years. Depends on your particular cancer, my MO told me I'm high risk for reoccurrence. 

lago

Overcomingone count me in as another who got the works with the bmx. Might even have to be on this estrogen sucking drug for another 5  years after the first 5.

Anonymous

me too. Lasted almost three years on Tamoxifen, then had to switch due to a bad PAP smear. I'll be on an AI for seven years if I can last it out.

On skin-I bought something called the Lift Wand. You use some Moroccan oils which comes with it and then this thing that passes a mild electrical current. Don't know if it is the oil or the current, but it seems to be helpful. Skin looks a little tighter and brighter.

I have a friend who has ALS. I ran into her the other day with her husband. She is having a difficult time talking, and said the doctor told her she had three months.

You are right wave, it is all in perspective. Like you and the others, I am glad to see my saggy skin with under eye bags. I've only used the lift wand a few times. I'll let you know how it goes in a month.

Redheaded1

 

 

 

there's bone density tests (Dexa) and there are bone scans, where they inject you  with a radioactive isotope and 2 hours later you lay on a x-ray type table and a plate comes down almost on top of you and slowly inches the length of your body.    Bone density tests are usually covered every 2 years by insurance

Redheaded1

Did somebody say they thought we needed to laugh more on this board?

I'll try to get it started.......

lago

Redhead I love it

Notbuyingit