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

Spookiesmom

There is already a thread called Warm and Fuzzy with THE funniest pictures, sayings there!!!!! Start at the beginning, be prepared to pee your pants laughing!!!!!

Redheaded1

Spookie---I stumbled across a thread on the Stage 4 board called You know you have cancer when---and its a hoot too.  One gal told about goingto the dentist and getting in the chair and automatically starting to unbutton her blouse before she remembered where she was.......

 

Spookiesmom

TeeHee! I have that in my favorites too  have posted there too. Sometimes you just need to laugh at all this!

Golden01

I went for a test at the hospital the other day. They gave me a gown to put on but I didn't listen carefully to the instructions. Turns out I was supposed to open it to the back but I had done the opening in the front. Just habit, I guess. The technician said since I was "well-covered" that it didn't really matter. Then we walked down the hall. 

Vadre

**** Would whoever talks with her MO first please fill us in ****

My instinct tells me that this is ridiculous but I'd rather be sure!  It's mostly a moot point because I have no bodily fluids to speak of either!  I love the way you think Annieb4!  We could certainly use this to our advantage. It only seems fair considering the other SEs we have to endure. 

{{{gentle hugs}}}

aviva5675

the Warm and Fuzzy thread is one of the highlights of my day. ok that might be kinda sad. But it is great, so funny and inspirational...come on over!

Spookiesmom

and feel free to put a funny there!

Anonymous

This one is funny also:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/7/topic/6...

tongue-in-cheek on where we got BC!  

Now I'm heading over to Warm and Fuzzy; haven't seen that one before.

OneLump

I started Arimidex Tuesday.  So far, it's okay.  No hot flashes to speak of yet.  My joints are starting to feel a little stiff today, but I have been making sure I get my 10,000 steps daily.  I have also been lifting weights (Total Gym) 3 days a week.  I have noticed that I am sleepier than normal and I am slightly nauseous all the time.  If I don't think about it, it's okay, but when I'm just kind of sitting and not doing something, it is more noticeable.  I also have a weird metallic-like taste in my mouth that comes and go.  I will be taking Arimidex for ten years.  Hope I don't get anymore side effects than these.  I would think one week is too soon, but am determined not to let them get to me.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.  I am sorry you are all going through this journey, but am glad we will become friends while on the path.

flaviarose

hmmm, one lump... I started arimidex in January..... the usual joint pains... but lately I have had this random, transient nausea.... so maybe it is a side effect of the arimidex, and not the metastasis to my liver that I have been speculating about!

lago

Nausea can be an SE of Anastrozole but not as common. Mild nausea isn't something to panic about but contact your doctor if it is more severe linky 

dsil

I was wondering if anybody has experienced any kind of problems with their eyes that can be attributed to Arimidex or one of the similar drugs? 

OvercomingOne

I do get the nausea and just today got very dizzy~~~~~ just ignored these SE and went on about my business!  Hard to do sometimes though........

O2

doxie

dsil,

What kind of problems are you referring to?  I've developed severe dry eye that we finally know is caused by the lack of oil coating my eyes.  Blurred vision is at it's worse in the morning when I wake up.  Took tests and many visits to get to that point of clarity.  My eye lids are swollen and block the ducts.  I wash my lids with baby shampoo and use very hot compresses on them twice a day.  Almost takes care of the problem.

WaveWhisperer

Doxie, have the very same issue with blocked ducts and extreme dryness. Opthamologist gave me two kinds of drops and I do hotcompresses every night. Never had this until BC and AI's. Will have to try baby shanpoo... Thanks. Uncomfortable, isn't it??

lago

I got dry eye from Anastrozole and now from Exemestane. When first diagnosed I didn't even know it was from the drug until doxie started posting about here issues. I use drops in the morning and sometimes evening. AC and winter its worse.

doxie

WaveWhisperer,

It's "no tears" baby shampoo and is true to word.  It's best to dilute it 1:1 with water.  I follow with a hot compress.  My eyes are no longer scratchy and burning. 

Yes, lago, AC and winter are not helpful.

teachermom4

Hello Ladies,

I've been on our drug of choice for a little over three months--so far so good. But in the past week I have been having throbbing headaches nearly everyday. I looked on the arimidex website and saw this listed as a potential SE but am wondering if any of you have experience this lovely SE? Sheeeesh, it's always something, right?

lago

teachermom my SE from Anastrozole didn't start till after months. Have you checked BC.org info on headaches from treatment: linky 

Redheaded1

Yes, I had nausea initially, but after a couple weeks, maybe 3, it completely stopped, and I have also had some blurry vision with it, but that is letting up some.  I have a cornea disease that also causes blurry vision, but it did get worse for a while right after I started.

I did call all the drugstores in town when I was donw to my last pill in the 2nd bottle and found that CVS carries the TEVA brand made in Israel.  I switched, and I feel I have fewer side effects with it than I did with the ones made by SUN (India).   I owe Lago and the others a big thank you for helping me to see what all the different generic brands are and then researching where they all come from...... Its something in the binders/fillers, I think.

Jo6202

dsil, I am having dry eye problems too. Opthamologist has me using over the counter artificial tears. He said it could be a side effect from having radiation as well as my lovely new meds.

MENA1954

I have been using the TEVA brand for about one month, and I also notice a big difference.

The pains and aches are more manageble, my sleep is a little better, although I have noticed an increase in my headaches,  all in all it was a good move from those made in India!

Mena

sherryh16

I had been suffering from dry eye prior to BC diagnosis, most probably from wearing contacts 35+ years.  Eye Dr. had said I should use over-the-counter eye drops and not wear contacts too long each day. Following chemo I now have a blocked tear duct so now my right eye overflows with tears--though not so much when not wearing contacts.  This tear duct issue is apparently a rather common SE of chemo (taxotere).  It can be corrected surgically, but for me not that great of an issue to warrant another surgery.

aviva5675

got some tear replacement drops when I went to Walmart today. Have put them in once so far and actually feel a bit better. Also got some wipes for my eye lids, will do nightly before bed. So will see how that is. And try to drag myself away from computer would help!

checkers

Hmm, you all have me wondering if I might have dry eyes. I've noticed lately that I am blinking all the time. It was really noticeable when I was video taped for Relay for Life.  It was only a 2 minute segment and I must have blinked at least 50-60 times! I've been waiting to get my eyes checked until a year after chemo because they say the chemo can temporarily alter your vision.  In the mean time, I'm going to pick up some OTC artificial tears to see if that might help.

Spookiesmom

I've had funky feeling eyes years before chemo. Been using an OTC called TheraTears. Makes them feel pretty near normal all day. Doesn't have the vasoconstrictor like Visine, etc,

Janett2014

I found out today that my Anastrozole is $197.98 for a 30 day prescription at CVS. Our insurance has been paying at 100%, but that will change on January 1st because we will start over with a new deductible. I just want to say thanks to the people on here who suggested Arimidex Direct. That is what I will be doing for $30.00 a month!! 

lago

Janett also check out GoodRX. You can mail order for $12 or in my area it's as low as $14.25 to $14.30 (Walmart, Walgreens). CVS is the most expensive at $92.42

Do note that if it says coupon you need to download that coupon and use the information from that, not  your GoodRX card. I've been paying for my Estemestane this way. Same issue you have with deductible. Saving $100!

Janett2014

THANKS, lago. I will check it out!

Anonymous

I have been getting low grade headaches almost every day. I pop one Excedrin Migraine and it takes care of it. Now that they think aspirin helps reduce recurrence risk, I figure I am good to go.