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

Timbuktu

Anyone know why prunes would build bones?  If it's true, word should be spread!

208sandy

Just checked Livestrong website - says prunes and prune juice are to be avoided if suffering from diverticulosis - this is why I check with my drs. before I try any new addition to my diet that is supposed to be a cure all.

Timbuktu

Smart!

IamNancy

Starting this medication today - feel really nervous about it.. finally feeling my energy back after chemo/radiation and don't want anything to stop that.. also starting a diet today - nutrisystem.. so afraid of anymore weight gain..hoping for the best.

Timbuktu

Good luck Nancy and let us know how the nutrisystem works, i could use some help on that front,

Looks like your bc was caught nice and early and you're going to be fine.  That's the important thing.

When I first started taking these pills I had no SE's at all.  I think the majority of people are like that.

lago

IamNancy I didn't have any SE for 3 months, then some stiffness. A year later after I started exercising more regularly my stiffness was almost gone. I didn't gain weight till 1.5 years after I started and I think that is just because of chemopause and not anastrozole. Granted no one thinks I have a weight problem but I would love to take off 5-8lbs.

WaveWhisperer

Lago, thanks for the link about fruits to avoid during a diverticulitis attack. I had been eating a lot of prunes, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, etc.

lago

Wave it sounds like you aren't supposed to eat anything that will make you poop when you have the little "d"

proudtospin

Nancy, do not assume the meds will give you side effects, many including myself, do not have any.  I will say that I worked out at the gym during radiation, slightly.  But as soon as it was over and as I was starting the meds...I hired a trainer at the gym to pump it up! I think it has helped me both mentally and physically.  Also, found out that there are bunches of ladies at my gym who have been through the same junk as us!  One of my pals had BC twice and her doc told her he would give her an antidepressent or she could join a gym.....she chose the gym!  Good luck!

Pbrain

Did anyone get headaches from Arimidex?  I'm about 3.5 weeks in and I have a headache that is similar to the ones I used to get right before my period.  I've had it for about 2 days and it doesn't respond to motrin, aspirin, caffeine, drinking water.  Arghhhh!

Timbuktu

Nope.  Well, that's two things I didn't get from Arrimidex!  No hot flashes and no headaches.

Just goes to show how individual these things are.

sweetandspecial

The headache thing is interesting because I mentioned to my hubby not too long ago that I don't seem to get headaches hardly ever anymore since being on Arimidex.  I used to pop ibuprofen quite frequently for headaches. 

Pbrain

Lisa Jayne, I'm the exact opposite.  I never get headaches.  That's why I'm so sure this is the crappy Arimidex.  I'm one of those people with next to no allergies, and I must have sinuses you can drive a truck through because I don't think I've ever had a sinus headache.

Like I mentioned before, Arghhh!!

Chris13

pbrain, headaches are a side effect of Arimidex. I had/have them slightly from time to time. I did a bit more at the very beginning. I don't think this is one of the SEs that lasts....don't see a lot of comments about headaches on the boards here.

So I hope yours taper off.

Timbuktu

I SO wish that every side effect had an explanation!   Why headaches?

It's one thing to have a SE listed and another to have it explained.  

sweetandspecial

I agree Timbuktu.  Even if it comes in the form of medical jargon that I don't really understand at least there would be an identified REASON for it.  

BayouBabe

Oh ... If only we were in charge of cancer and all it's fun, what a different world it would be! I totally agree with both of you!

IamNancy

Thanks for the encouragement Ladies .. and I am starting exercise today..

Timbuktu - I'll let you know about the nutrisystem after I am on it a week or two..

Anonymous

I'm new to the community, and I will share my experience. I've been on Arimidex since May 2005 -- with NO side effects. (However, I did have a lot of side effects with chemotherapy.) I did have hot flashes, but I think those were mainly due to being post-menopausal & suddenly stopping estrogen replacement (had them before starting Arimidex). My hot flashes have decreased to only occasional "warm flashes," and they don't disturb my sleep any more.

I had finished chemo in early Feb. 2005. As part of my post-cancer life, I started traveling with enthusiasm. Just a few months after starting Arimidex & six weeks after radiation, DH & I did a walking tour in Tuscany (my choice). To prepare, we were walking about 20 to 30 miles a week over rolling terrain. The next year, we did a walking tour of the Dordogne area of France. And the third year after my diagnosis, we hiked the Inca Trial to Machu Picchu! That's 26 miles of mostly stone steps at high altitude -- a rigorous trek. BTW, I'm not a spring chicken -- we arrived at Machu Picchu on the morning of my 60th birthday!

I have no osteoporosis & no osteopenia. At one point, I had actually increased my bone density despite the Arimidex. On my last scan, results did show a slight loss in density, but nothing to be concerned about -- plus I'm now 65! I assume that all the walking I do has kept my bone density at good levels. I do have osteoarthritis, but I had that long before cancer treatment. It's no worse.

My doctor has also told me about the studies debating about 5 years of treatment vs. 10 years. We have decided that as long as I have no side effects & no osteopenia, I will stay on it longer, unless new studies show it should be stopped. I feel that Arimidex is giving me the best chance I have for a long & active life.

Shari

ruthbru

Wow Shari, that is fantastic!

P.S. which of those three treks was your favorite and why?

Timbuktu

I'm so glad you posted optimist.  Your name says it all.  

IamNancy

Shari - wow - thanks for sharing..

WaveWhisperer

Shari, you are the post-bc woman I want to be!!!!! But everytime I start exercising and begin to feel good, I get hit with some new ailment that sidelines me -- a 3-month bout with asthma, plantar fasciitis, skin cancers, rotator cuff tear and now this darn diverticulitis.



But my MO switched me yesterday from Arimidex to Aromasin, just to see if I have less joint pain and stiffness. I'm eager to see if there's any difference..

Allagashmaggie

What an inspiration to all of us Shari. I would love to do some tramping in New Zealand as we have been there many years ago and was awe struck by the hiking trails. After my bc diagnosis I vowed it was my goal to return there. Your post has fired me up. Seeing as how I hit the 60th bday mark in 8 days, we need to not let too much more time pass before doing that. Thanks for the wonderfully upbeat message.

sweetandspecial

Shari, you're awesome!  I would love to do some of those walking tours you mention.  I also did a 4-day Machu Picchu trek (in 2002 at 40 years old) and will treasure those memories the rest of my life. My 14 yo son and I were in Peru on the Amazon (near Iquitos) with a school trip and had extended our trip an extra week to do the Inca trail as well.  You're an inspiration.  We on this thread tend to forget that most women don't experience SEs with Arimidex, it's just that the ones that do are looking for information and support and so we end up here.

Thanks for sharing!

pattithenurse

Thank you Shari!!! Your words are music to my ears. I just took my first dose this pm. Whew!! It was hard,but I did it! Wishing all you good women the best!

ndgirl

Shari! that is so encouraging to hear! that is just what we all need to hear.. good for you! I have only been on arimidex since May and so far have had no side effects either and hope this continues but I realize it is fairly recent. your walking and hiking sounds great.. makes me want to get going... and doing more of it! I also am (almost in Aug.) 65 and you are an inspiration to me. Thanks so much.

TMM60

I just started Arimidex this week. I just enrolled in a clinical study to find out why some women get muscle and joint pain and some do not. They took blood for genetic and other analysis first and then I started the drug. I am to keep a journal of my symptoms, if any and filled out many questionnaires. Hopefully, the study will help get to the bottom of this! Good to hear you have been SE free for so long, Shari!

ndgirl

TMM, good luck with the trial, maybe I should think of doing that as well. years back I was in a study for molecular breast cells I believe, cant remember the exact wording. Wish you well.

Jazzygirl

Shari- great story! Like you, I am determined to live an even better life post bc. You are an inspiration to us all!

Also, I spent time in Tuscany in 2009 and it has been one of my favorite places I have visited to date. I did a walking tour in Florence while I was there, and I can only imagine how wonderful it was to do a walking tour of the whole region!

I am taking my first trip since treatment late last year into this year to the big island of Hawaii and going to do a helicopter trip over the volcanoes, and plan to spend lots of time swimming with the green sea turtles!

Thank you again for sharing your story!