Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

another gal with the creaky feeling. not so bad, but bit bothersome, still. what supplements could help? i don't see my onc until mid june and i'm a bit fed up. the creakiness has definitely worsened since my oophorectomy...agh!!

 already taking 3000 mg fish oil daily.

I am in year four. I kept moving, fanning etc. and all the creakiness, hot flashes etc. leveled off after about 6 months and I have been fine ever since (knocking on wood with one hand & typing with the other).

Went on Arimidex January 2010, generic July 2010...  After reading Lowrider's post, I went gluten free on August 17, 2010.  Do I love bread, cakes, pancakes & cookies?  Absolutely!  Do I want to be pain free?  YES!! So, I deal every day with the want of gluten and how much better I feel without it.  But, the gluten free does not do anything for the insomnia and hot flashes...but, to be honest, I agree with Ruthbru, the hot flashes have calmed down to only occasionally at night - and especially if I have some alcohol - which isn't often...And I do have some Ativan if I really can't get to sleep...Second diagnosis was a totally opposite ca so I'm thinking the Arimidex is doing it's job... 

Yes, you have to know your triggers. If you know what is going to cause you problems, you can avoid many of them before they happen. Alcohol warms me up too much too, so is rarely worth it. And I know if I'm going to be in a situation where I will be sitting for a long time.... I have to make sure that I get up and move around regularly or I will get creaky.  I never could sleep good so can't blame that one on Arimidex butI have found a hypnosis CD that actually knocks me out at night (that and an occasion Ambien)! And exercise, every day, is what has really helped me the most of anything!

don23

it can take several weeks - maybe a few months for the glucosamin to really be effective.  Also, have you had you vitamin d blood level checked?  I found taking liquid ( teaspon a day) of Nordi Naturals Fish Oil has also helped.  It really seems to take a combination of things to get this joint pain, stiffness, muscle weakness under control.

I am aslo one of the people who have really gotten benefit from Aupuncture - and swear by my monthly massage for keeping me moving.  Still, the first few steps in the morning as I get out of bed are way NOT graceful

don23, you can really push it: I take 5000 IU of D-3 daily, almost 1600 mg of cod liver oil (make sure it's pharmaceutical grade--free of mercury), and 3 tablets daily of Osteo-B Plus -- all recommended by my alternative medicine doc. My bone density has increased in lower back and stayed constant in other areas. I think some of that's due to exercise. Three months ago I couldn't walk to the mailbox without severe hip pain, now I can walk 20-30 minutes comfortably.

Ive been on arimidex since Feb.2011 and have run the gamut of SE. First was the nausua. It wasnt bad enough that I was loosing my cookies, but enough that I didnt want to eat anything. That only lasted a few weeks. 

I think for me the SE come in stages.  My hips really hurt and so does my back. But I find that throughout the day, this seems to stop. 

My newest SE is severe neck pain that has now gone onto shoulder pain. Ive taken muscle relaxers, and tylenol (cant take alleve or advil) and lots of heat. After a painful week,, I'll be going to my primary to see if PT will help. I know its the arimidex.

I'm also sleepless in NY. Sometimes dont fall asleep until 3am. Its almost like I dread going to bed because I know I'll just be lying there. 

I'm also very constipated and havent worked through that at all. 

I just keep telling my family that this drug is kicking my ass and please be patient with me. 

Emotionally, I think of the arimidex as a strong army working hard against those little cancers that may be going on. And I think its just doing its job. It helps me with putting up with those days I just dont want to do anything at all. 

Im also on D3, 5000IU. fishoil, and I take Caltrate 2x a day. All recommended by both my Onco and primary. 

As much as I hate my SE I think I am going to keep taking it and deal with whatever. I have been on it since Jan. and SE are still the same so I am just going to learn to live with them .

Nancy

Ruthbru,

I'm visiting my sister in TX and she has a grocery store called "Sprouts" that has - get this - dark chocolate covered walnuts. I got some and have been nibbling on them for 3 days. I can get my cancer fighting walnuts and dark chocolate at once. We also got organic blueberries and strawberries, some lentils, kale and other good stuff and have been walking, walking, walking.

I have a large bag of walnuts in the freezer and some really good dark chocolate chips with a high cocoa count. I am thinking I will get them out of the freezer tonite and see if I can fix something up tomorrow...I will report back after the adventure.

Have a good week everyone and hang in there. Walk...walk...walk

I've been on Arimadex since Oct, 2010 and I've had a relatively easy time but now I'm getting night sweats. Never had them before but now it's almost every night and I'm soaking the sheets. Any ideas? Thanks and have a joyous day.

marybast,

if I weren't already taking an antidepressant for clinical depression, which I have for years, I'm sure I'd need to be taking one because of the SE's of Arimidex!  No doubt about it - depression is a well known SE.  After all, we are now tromping around with absolutely NO ESTROGEN in our bodies.

Please see about getting an antidepressant - unlike Tamoxifen, there really is no restriction for any of them with Arimidex.  You will feel so, so, so much better. That numb feeling you describe really strikes a chord with me...ouch.  Sending you healing wishes...

Jo-5. Thanks for your input, I have been looking for someone who actually completed the treatments, including arimidex. My biggest SE is exhaustion. I never considered depression, but it gives me something to think about.

Marybast, hope you are feeling better.

Hang in there ladies!

Hang in there!

I do think some of the 'crash' is because during 'active' treatment, you are on the fight/never dare let down your guard mode.....so when you are 'done' and have to process everything you've been through and have to figure out how to move forward.....it is really hard.....then add having no estrogen to the mix.....yikes!!!