Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2010

    kira--drinking at least a liter of water or other non-caffienated fluids a day will also help keep the UTIs away. 

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  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited December 2010

    Thanks for the help. I have bought the juice, and will try it. It was an infection which is why I had the fever. It really caught me off guard how fast it came up. I went from feeling fine to the back pain and fever over an hour time. I ended up in the ER last night the pain was so bad.

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  • kadeeb
    kadeeb Member Posts: 305
    edited December 2010

    Ladies, 

    I know no 2 oncs agree on anything but mine put me on arimidex after chemo. I was post-menopausal. He said tamoxifen would have been given if I were pre-menopausal. I took the brand name for 3 years and have been on the generic for the last 6 months.  No difference for me. 

    sjeliers - you don't say how long you have been taking arimidex but I would say my SEs peaked out at about 1 year. Yes, the joints, weight gain(I didn't feel like exercising so I sat and ate), grouchy (that's because I felt like crap most of the time) the aches and pains moved around., sometimes my hands, sometimes my feet, no sleep, but it got better.  My onc has assured me that the joint pain is not arthritis and will go away when arimidex does and that there isn't any damage being done to them just a lack of lubrication which makes them more tender.  His words not mine but I'm going to stick it out. Only a year and a half to go.  I have heard of studies where patients continued to take arimidex for up to 10 years.  If he were to suggest that, I'd have to really get some good stats to give the go ahead. It's like so much of BC treatment, it's doable(but we're not going to like it). 

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  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 941
    edited December 2010

    Good afternoon ladies,

    I will be taking my last tablet of Tamoxifen next week and have my prescripton for Arimidex.  Should I  waiting to start.  Should I wait a week or just dive right on in? 

    Thanks for your input / insight!

    Trish

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2010

    prayrv--tamoxifen and Arimidex work differently, so you can go ahead and start right up with it.  On the other hand, because the two work differently there can be different side effects.  There's nothing wrong with waiting a little while to start the Arimdex so you can tell what SE are from Arimidex and what are just plain menopausal problems. 

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  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 941
    edited December 2010

    NM,

    I've been on tamox 3 years now and due to it's wonderful s/e's I ended up with a total hysterectomy with ooph last december..  That was fun (not!) 

    Thank you for your thoughts!  Hope you are well.

    Trish

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2010

    prayrv--I'm sorry to hear about your troubles with tamoxifen.  I hope Arimidex is a better experience for you!

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  • mary840
    mary840 Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2010

    I receive Zoladex injections and have been on Arimidex for about a month.  In that time I've had two instances where I had upper back pain and it is very painful to breathe, now I have a dry cough.  I exercise daily and haven't had many issues with joint pain.  Any ideas how to eliminate the cause of the upper back pain and subsequent breathing problems?  It's a little scary when it happens, so I appreciate any suggestions.

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  • spendygirl
    spendygirl Member Posts: 231
    edited December 2010

    Hi ladies - joined the Arimidex club yesterday.  I''ve been taking Tamoxifen since July, but had questionable findings on vaginal ultrasound and had open hysterectomy with bilateral ooph four weeks ago today. 

     prayrv - looks like we're starting at the same time.  Here we go!

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited December 2010

    mary840, Arimidex should not be causing breathing problems.  "Upper back pain" and breathing problems could be a sign of something serious -- heart trouble, lung trouble, pulmonary embolism...  Please talk to your doc about this as soon as you can.

    otter (2-1/2 years on Arimidex/anastrozole and doing pretty well)

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited December 2010

    I've been on Femara since Feb. 2008. The joint pain this winter hasn't gotten as bad as last winter. I did take a break of about a month this summer and went on half dose (a pill every other day) for another month then went back to full dose. It seems to be better this time around. My last PET scan in October was still clear (NED). I'm hoping I won't have to pay dearly for my short pain-free break.

    I don't mind the hot flashes most of the time. I feel they're doing my body good.

    I've been exercising everyday in the gym since I joined in January. That helps with the pain. I'm really concentrating on strengthening my knee this time because last winter I could barely walk or get up on the machines. This has also helped me to lose weight. I mostly exercise before breakfast, and now I read this is supposed to be a good strategy to keep off the pounds.

    I know someone in my exercise class who has been taking Femara for 15 years without side effects! Unbelievable.

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  • Desny
    Desny Member Posts: 371
    edited December 2010

    Hi,

    I have a few comments about Arimidex.  I have been on it for 3 years now.  Lots of stiffness and aches in the joints.  I am also on synthoid.  During chemo they increased my synthoid but months after chemo I was having racey feelings and heart palpations.  I went to doctor and I finally decreased and then got her approval to stop the higher dose.  Now during a 6 month check up with onco, my blood pressure is high.  I am now tracing it and am on a low dose to lower the blood pressure twice a day to see my regular doctor in 2 weeks to see if dose needs to be adjusted.  Anyway, after this long introduction.  I wanted to ask - is this another side effect of Arimidex?   I must add life has been throwing us allot of crap this year.  I did ask the onco doctor if Arimidex can elevate bp and she said yes, if I am susceptible and use allot of salt. I do not use allot of salt.   I won't stop the Arimidex for this ( I want to finish out the remaining 2 years) but wanted to see if others have similar issues.  Thank you for listening and please share your experiences.  I respect your opinions.

    ps - I go to swim aerobics and exercise classes at least 4 days a week.

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited December 2010

    I also experienced a rise in blood pressure, which is really wierd since before Arimidex I was always on the low side. I see the dr. in a week, so will see what advice he gives me  Karen

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2010

    For blood pressure; eat 2-3 ounces of at least 70% dark chocolate every day (it has to say 70% plus on the package...no, Herseys Kisses don't count!). Seriously, it works. My BP dropped 15 points!

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited December 2010

    ruthbru, that's the best prescription I've ever heard of.  I will certainly try it.  Karen

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2010

    Unlike most prescriptions, it has no adverse SEs....unless you eat too much and gain weight! 2 or 3 squares a day; I do the 86% cocoa and then I'm not tempted to eat more as leans toward the bitter side (so I eat a calcium chew with it...thus getting my calcium and Vitamin D all at the same time as I am lowering my BP Cool).

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited December 2010

    Checking this thread just reminded me to take my anastrazole....5 days down and 1820 to go. So far I don't notice any difference. I bought a pill tray so I can remember to take it.

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2010

    Congrats on 5 days, Shelly!  I use a pill box, too, but I've been using one for years to help me remember to take my blood pressure, depression and reflex pills.  It does make life easier.  I put my morning pill box next to the coffee pot where I will see it every morning.  The night time pills are in a box in the bathroom next to my toothbrush.  Helps keep me on track. 

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2010

    I have to have the pill box or I can remember if I've taken it or not......if there is no pill in the box, I must have taken it!

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  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited December 2010

    ruthbru:  That info on eating 2-3 ozs of dark chocolate daily for bp sounds great but what about the sugar content?.  I would have to check that out since I am wavering on being borderline diabetic.  I have to watch my sugar and carbs.  Also is this safe to do if one is already on bp medication?  Will it make one drop too low?  I take bp meds twice a day but due to my stressful life, I always range higher than I should be.  My docs don't seem to be concerned since they know my personality.   Thanks for the info.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2010
    I don't know about the sugar part of it.....does really dark chocolate have less sugar (it tastes like it does). About the stress, here is one thing that I just added which is kind of weird. We went to a charity fund raising dinner two weeks ago & the after dinner show featured a hypnotist. After the show he was selling his CDs. He had a number of title; 'Stop Smoking', 'Improve Your Memory' etc. etc. one title that caught my eye was "Reduce Stress & Tension". It only cost $10, so I figured 'What the heck." I've been putting it on every night when I go to bed and, man, do I fall asleep fast! (I don't know what he even says in the middle of the CD because I am OUT!). Whether I am less stressed out I couldn't say as of yet. But if you want to check him out you can go to www.FrederickWinters.com it says on the flyer I took that you can also download him on ITUNES.
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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited December 2010

    ruthbru.. i love the chocolate prescription as I wonder if Arimidex will be my next med.

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  • paamboli
    paamboli Member Posts: 58
    edited December 2010

    Three months on Arimidex, and my orgasm is GONE! Words fail me...

    paamboli

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2010
    You can eat the chocolate with or without arimidex Kiss!!
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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2010

    ruthbru--I've got a couple of relaxation CD's, guided imagery rather than hypnosis, but they also work pretty well at putting me to sleep, too!  I had forgotten about them.  I'll have to go find them and start using them again. 

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  • BlessedOne2
    BlessedOne2 Member Posts: 106
    edited December 2010

    Ladies, I just need to vent a little.  I have been on anastrozole since August.  The joint pains started with Taxol was weren't too dificult to deal with.  Lately the aches (whether joint or muscle) seen to be happening more often.  This evening for instance top center of my back, knees, lower back.  At night I ache on my right. Onco says it may be a bursa (sp?).   I forgot to mention it to my PCP for a recommendation.  I think also the med may be depressing my mood.  As I'm typing I can feel tears that are trying to seep out.  I only gained about 7 lbs so far since starting the meds, but it could be from the month of predisone that I was on for a dry, persistent cough  that lasted two months and refused to go away until I started taking the predisone. At night I go between the sweats and chills and being uncomfortable because of the aches.   I will have first bone scan in March.  What's good for the aches and how often?   I know that exercise helps and staying hydrated and I hope to resume that soon.  Thanks for reading and listening to me.  Wanda      

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2010

    You have been through a lot and your body is still adjusting. If you can get started with some exercise I think it will help with the aches, the weight and the mood too. Hang in there! Ruth

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  • molly52
    molly52 Member Posts: 389
    edited December 2010

     Hello BlessedOne2,  here is a link to another thread called "Arimidex Side Effects & tips to help" it is a summary of our collective wisdom on what has helped.  

     http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/754832?page=1#idx_14

     If you are feeling weepy - an anti-depressant would help with that.  As Ruthbru said - you have been through a lot - be kind to yourself.

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2010
    Wanda-the cough may be a sign of pulmonary fibrosis-scar tissue forming in the lung from radiation damage. Be sure to follow up with your Rad Onc because that can need long term prednisone treatment to prevent it from becoming severe. My mom had bursitis often when I was young, and I remember her saying she had to keep moving or the shoulder would freeze up. Ask for a referral to a Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist for some exercises that can help. Narcotic pain medications don't help much with bone pain, but drugs in the Advil/Aleeve/Tylenol category do. Try taking Extra Strength Tylenol (Acetominophen) 3 or 4 times a day, regularly, and see if that helps. Also, you are at the point when everything starts catching up with you, physically and emotionally. Depression is a known side effect of the anti-estrogen drugs, so it may be helpful to take an antidepressant. That helped me, along with some counseling.
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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited December 2010

    BlessedOne2, you've been on Arimidex just long enough for the major SE's to hit.

    I've found that exercise helps, even though I seem to keep forgetting that little tip!  For me, it doesn't take a lot of exercise -- just stay active to keep yourself limber.  Taking an NSAID like Aleve or Advil (ibuprofen) helps me too, when the aches and pains get bad.  I haven't needed any narcotics, and as NativeMainer said, a narcotic analgesic might not help so much with AI pain.

    And, finally, I think my Arimidex pains are worse when I don't keep up with my Vitamin D and calcium supplements. I'm not sure of that, but there does seem like there might be a relationship and IMHO taking Vitamin D is a good idea despite what that recent study said.

    I have no suggestions about the depression.  I am absolutely sure I get more blahs now than I used to get.  Sure, they could be due to all the stuff we've experienced, but I don't think that's true for me.  I just get weepy some days for no reason at all; then all of a sudden my mind snaps out of it (like when I'm in the shower or something and can totally relax).  Voila!  I really do think it's brain chemistry at work, and the low estrogen level from the AI is messing with that.  I'm on enough other things that I don't want to take an antidepressant; plus my blahs don't affect my life (yet).  I can sure see how that would happen, though.

    Hugs to all the Arimidexians!

    otter

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