Done with Rads starting Arimidex, Aromasin, or Femara.

ReginaZ

Goincrazy,

So glad it is working for you! I hope it's doing the same for all of us. My MO said that after surgery, it's the most important part of my treatment.

Regina

CeliaC

Also reporting in about taking Arimidex and not much in the way of SEs. Hot flashes - No. Weight gain - No. A few aches & pains - yes, sporadically, especially if overdo daily activity, but manageable. Sleep - No problems. Overall, ok with this med, after much fearfulness about SEs.

WenchLori

Two weeks in and still no SEs, praying it continues 🤞

Butterfly1234

I'm 33 days and holding with no SEs. Praying with you and all

Tappermom383

Good news from three ladies I've been following and admire - you give us hope! I go for #14 of 33 rads today so I'll be joining you soon.

MJ

Butterfly1234

Tapper - how are you doing with rads? Just want you to know you can do this. There is light at end of tunnel. Things do get better.

Tappermom383

Sure do appreciate your support, Butterfly! I'm doing well - a little red and sore, really fatigued. My RO prescribed naps! Told me she'd write me a note if I need one. Gave me some samples of a new gel with lidocaine yesterday - seems to help a bit.

Some of the ladies on here have it so much worse - BermudaGal having to relocate to Boston for her treatments, another having to take a ferry or plane to the mainland from her island off Washington. So driving 20 miles down my mountain road isn't so bad! My DH has driven me all but two days so far. He's going away for a week soon (to visit his 95-year-old mother) so I'm not sure what I'm going to do. He wants to arrange rides for me (sweet) but the thought of having to make conversation with someone for 45 minutes each way exhausts me even more. Several people have offered to help so I guess I have to put on my big girl panties and ask!

Thinking good thoughts for continued success with your Arimidex!

MJ

CeliaC

Tapper - Indeed, as Butterfly says, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Glad to hear you have some lidocaine gel - really helped me. As for fatigue - it may last awhile - sleep/nap as much as you can and be kind to yourself. Healing thoughts and gentle hugs.

Tappermom383

Thanks, Celia. I took the first step and asked a friend in my fitness class - who had offered rides - if she would drive me a day or two when my DH is gone. She's ready to take it on and offered her husband should she be unavailable!

MJ

Butterfly1234

Tapper - glad you're getting a ride. Once your rads are completedand you're back to "normal" you'll realize you were more fatigued than you thought. So be kind to yourself and rest when you can!

Thanks again Cecila for the butterfly photos. Be well all!

CeliaC

Glad you liked the photos, Butterfly. Here are the photos in question - 1st one is a Blue Morpho that landed near my BC boob (4/25 visit to local Conservatory's Annual Butterfly Show with Sister & Daughter) & 2nd one is another of a Blue Morpho. Have several others to share, if anyone is interested.

Butterfly1234

alpLewes24

Very small, I take it in the morning

bravepoint

KB870 - I am feeling similar but think I have to at least give it a try. My bone density scan is tomorrow afternoon so my plan is to start the Letrozole Wednesday morning.....

CeliaC

I had strong misgivings about anti-estrogen meds, but in the end, decided to go with it, since I am 100% ER+ and that % was scary. As KB870 says, you have to do what is right for you personally. There are so many variables to each person's decision - this BC journey is not a "once size fits all".

PugsMama

Took my first aromasin today. The bottle is pretty clear about taking it with food...decided to take it with dinner. So far so good (it's only been an hour LOL!) I had the bone density test on Thursday, got the pills on Friday but procrastinated until today...I'm 100% ER+ so figured I have to give it a shot & hope for minor SEs...fingers crossed!

WenchLori

KB, best wieshed for you and praying no recurrence in your future.

I'm also stage 2 and 100% ER+ I think I have to put everything I have into beating this BC crap or I'll be always asking "did I do enough?"

bravepoint

WenchLori - I feel the same way. Getting psyched up to start letrozole this morning......

WenchLori

Good morning everyone! We finally got some much needed rain yesterday and it's much cooler here today as well. I'll take a walk later today on our squeaky clean grass. I saw my dentist yesterday for the first time in over a year. When I was told to wait until treatments finished I knew it'd be a year or more but for some reason it didn't really sink in, oh well. It wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be, I had 1 extraction and to fillings, I'll take it! I wear upper and lower partials so I need a new set. I'm going to see if our insurance will cover any part of dental implants but I'm sure they won't but it won't hurt to ask. Today is officially 21 days of my Airimidex and still SE free. Keeping my fingers crossed! 🤞

Everyone have a great day and take time out to be good to yourself!

Maimai

Thanks for starting this dialogue. I am new to the group. About to finish my radiation in two days. Started Anastrozole yesterday. Today, I felt dizzy, lack of energy, and wonder if they are because of the medication, as nothing else has changed in my daily routine.

Anyone had similar experience? thanks.

WenchLori

Maimai welcome! I had a little dizziness and lack of energy towards the end of my rads but nothing so far with the Arimidex. Praying it's the build up of radiation and not the Anastrozole that's having an effect on you. 🙏🤞

I was thrilled when I called Express Scripts and they carry the Arimidex which is free for me. Finally a break in the finances with this BC crap. I'm a glutton for punishment as I sat down and added up what the cost of this BC diagnosis has been so far. I almost passed out! Thank goodness we have great insurance! It makes me sad that not all of my BC Family are not as blessed 😢

((((((BC Sisters))))))

Butterfly1234

Hi Lori,

Are you getting name brand Arimidex or generic from Express Scripts? Generic anastrozole is free for me but I'm choosing to purchase name brand Arimidex directly. It's $30 for thirty pills. I'm on day 36 with no SEs. I also hope this continues. My MO said if I'm not getting SEs now he doubts I will. I know this stuff can be cumulative so I sure hope he's right!

Stay well all.

WenchLori

Butterfly, I'm using the generic brand as they wanted to charge me twice what your paying and I said no thanks! Praying your MO is right and no SEs show up. My MO was surprised that I'm not having any issues yet and says I may not have any but to keep an eye out for anything.

Fingers crossed 🤞🤞

Butterfly1234

me too!

klt5817

Hello Ladies,

I ran across this article after reading Dr. Angela Brodie's Obituary on the Wall Street Journal.  What a scientist!  Thanks to her hard work and persistent in discovering the Aromatase Inhibitor, that many women life have been saved.  I hope I'll be one of them.  God Bless Dr. Brodie, RIP.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/obituaries/bs-md-ob-angela-brodie-20170607-story.html

Tappermom383

What a fascinating article about Dr. Brodie - thank you for posting the link, klt5817. Don't you wish you could have met her? Although I'm sure I would have been tongue-tied around such a brilliant scientist. One of the many unsung heroes fighting the fight for all us survivor sisters!

MJ

klt5817

Hi "Tappermom383", Oh yes, I wish I could have met her, just to kiss her hands because I probably won't be able to say a coherent word. 

WenchLori

klt, what a wonderful article! I would have loved to meet her too! I'm good at smiling and long handshakes as I wouldn't know what to say either. I'd hope I'd at least get thank you out tho!

bravepoint

5 days of Letrozole and no SEs so far. How long do they take to start usually if they are going to?

CeliaC

bravepoint - yeah for no SEs! On Arimidex, so hope one of the other ladies can fill you in on letrozole question.