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

Pbrain

3rd time, I'm a great believer in biotin.  It is cheap, water soluble so you can't od on it.  I've taken it ever since final chemo, one or two pills every day and my hair is as thick as when I started this whole journey.  It took awhile to get that way, but I just kept taking it.  I'm one year on arimidex, and no shedding.  Yay!

B123

not sure if this is the right spot to ask but..?im on arimidex and need to be on fosomax now. I took my 2nd pill but forgot to take it on an empty stomach. I took it 2 hours after breakfast then I took a calcium pill with my other vitamins. From there my stomach has been queasy and frequent bathroom visits for 2 days.. Got better with probiotics and now my stomach is a bit queasy again. Is this because I took that darn pill wrong??? 

proudtospin

my routine is morning pills (when I was taking my AL) but I always eat some b fast before taking any, my tummy is crankie till it gets some yogurt/toast in it

I used to take Fosamax but ended that long ago so do not remember any issues
what are the instructions for taking?  thought it was on an empty tummy or something

B123

proud topspin, it is to be taken 1x a week on empty stomach and nothing for 30 min but I forgot and took it after breakfast. Now 3 days later still gurgles and frequent bathroom visits, gassy?? Not sure what's going on? 

That's great your not on it anymore, did your density go up?

proudtospin

B--yes my bone density did go up and I went from osteopenia to normal.  I ended the med as it is not recommended to take long term, this was before all the BC crud started.  Since I have now ended my AL, I had a bone density check, I am fine!  little osteopenia in one spot but all is good.

so stuff does work!  I guess I would call your doc or ask at the pharmacy about the upset tummy, then again, I would likely pop a couple of tums~~

B123

good for you! And great to know! So glad it works and it definitely worked for you.. Makes me hopeful! I will be sure to take the next pill the right way..

3rdtimenow

Thanks, ladies, will continue with the biotin and hope for the best. Funny about the nails, mine have been so much better during radiation treatment, which I just finished. My diet was really good during, so that may be why. Someone on the rad forum said, when she finished rads her nails were not doing well, so she started using aquifer on her nails and they got better, maybe all those applications were good for our nails, so I am going to try that too. Lack of estrogen does dry everything out.

lago

B123 I was on fosomax but I did get acid reflux. Talk to your MD about something to settle your stomach. Fosamax is know to  have tummy SE. 

Janett2014

You do not take Fosamax with food. You have to take it on an empty stomach. Then you wait at leat 30 minutes before eating and taking other meds. 

Golden01

You can drink plain water and need to take it with at least 6-8 ounces of plain water. 

Janett2014

Totally forgot about the water! Yes, water but no food. 

lago

Oh right no food. I forgot. I was only on it a month. I pretty much knew I'd have issues. Had same issues with chemo.

Golden01

I start tomorrow. I'm going to take it and then head out for my walk with water bottle (actually, bottles, I live in Arizona and it is hot!).

Dogsneverlie

Hello!  Been away - family reunion and then pipes in bathroom flooded into kitchen - what a mess.  Trying to catch up out here and hope everyone is doing well!

I have noticed that when I get up in the morning my ankles and feet are SO STIFF and it hurts a little to walk.  This past week, BEFORE I get up, I move them all around in circles and try to work it out and then it's not so bad.  I've also noticed that by the end of the day, my ankles are really swollen!  I have broken BOTH ANKLES in the past so I am wondering if that is why they ache so much in the morning.

Anyone else with the ankles and feet? 

annieb4

Of all the SE's the feet are the worst for me, especially in the morning. Also my hands, but I don't walk on them so they aren't so bad !!

My knees hurt also if I have been sitting for a long time.

Spookiesmom

All my major joints hurt, seems the ones with confirmed OA hurt more. Pretty common SE in feet and ankles for some reason. 

checkers

Yup, seems to affect my feet and knees the most.  Especially if I have been sitting for a long time.

proudtospin

I have the dumbest feet!  times they feel like Arnold is holding me toes and just crunching them!  My trainer told me to massage them and soak in cold water.  Have not done the water thing but now try to remember to massage them with my hand cream.  Dang but it makes them feel better!

ruthbru

Get up & walk around a little every hour. Trace the 'ABCs' in the air with your foot/ankle, and also pretend you are squeezing a ball with your foot a couple times a day (I once had a horribly sprained ankle & that is what the athletic trainer at my school told me to do & it worked pretty good).

OvercomingOne

Hello ladies

I am losing my hair on this arimidex too so will probably will try the biotin as suggested.  But it is still better than having cancer.  anyone get a wig?

O2

Spookiesmom

I have a wig, after MO said I would loose my hair. I did. Wore the wig maybe 5 times. Waaaaaay to hot and itchey for summer in Florida. It's in a drawer. 

ruthbru

This is totally off topic; but I have often wondered how Dolly Parton has been able to stand wearing a wig every day of her life, and under hot stage lights too!

proudtospin

money money money!

3rdtimenow

Too hot for a wig, I'm in Arizona. Hope I get to keep some.

LizA17

I wear a wig every day as I have what appears to be permanent chemo induced alopecia. I have gotten used to it but it is hot in the summer. It is what it is but I don't have cancer and I'm thankful for that. Still hoping after the years of Arimidex, it might get a little thicker.

GG27

I have really noticed that my hair is falling out, comb is full of hair & I have only been on anastrozole for six weeks.  I asked the pharmacist about Biotin today & he said it wouldn't hurt.  For him to tell me to take it is quite astonishing as he usually tells me "don't waste your money" when I ask him about supplements etc.  So I bought a bottle & took one today, we'll see what happens.... fingers crossed.  

I really don't want to have to wear a wig again....   Anyone have good success with Biotin?  Hate taking yet another pill everyday, but seems to be my life now.   GG

Redheaded1

I have some biotin at home.  I took it a few years ago, when I showed my dermatologist how my nails were "peeling" and she told me to take it , but it would take at least a year before I saw it improve the nails.  So far, no hair loss, but my hairdresser has always said I have enough hair for three people.

What cracks me up is how I only sweat under the non surgical arm now....I wish I could have rolled over and exposed both sides, just to stop the sweat response.  Some days it feels like the right side is working double-time.

Spookiesmom

I was told I wouldn't sweat on ca side. I don't sweat on the other side either, and only have about 2 hairs. 

Good ? Ruth.

Bioten, took for a few months, made me itchey. My nails are a wreck, sparse hair. Sill better than ca. 

3rdtimenow

Hi hear ya ladies, so many meds, I hate taking all of them, it took me about a week to start Arimidex, but it's better than cancer. Since I have so many dates to remember now, I think I will just celebrate each new day as a gift, and if I want a glass of wine once in awhile I will have one. I am really trying to eat better and get more exercise, I am a chocolate fanatic, but limiting desserts to a few times a week. I have not had ice cream in two months. Thinking of all of you who have surgeries coming up, best of results to all of you. Stephanie

ruthbru

3rdtime, if you want some exercise buddies, check out the 'Lets Post Our Daily Exercise' thread on the Fitness Forum. A bunch of us post each week on 'Wednesday Weigh In' too......a consist challenge, isn't it?!