Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    Claire:

    I just bought a large exerecise ball - now trying to figure out how to use it!!!

    1. Crunches on an exercise ball.  I do 270.  100 oblique situps.  100 straight situps. 70 leg/knee lifts on floor.  This tightens my inner thighs and lower abs.  All this helps with back muscles and keeps my waistine shapely.  Helps with core balance too (or you fall off). I do these weekdays

    Are the leg/knee lifts doneon your side? Do you keep your leg slightly bent ( soft at the knee?)

    thanks - YOU ARE INSPIRING!!!!!!!

    My acupuncturist, saw her this morning, also suggested Tai Chi might be good for the wobblies, helps balance.  Looking for a good beginner DVD now.

    Izzy - I used to think it was "superficial" - but knowing how much weight has to do with reducing reoccurance - I am SO FOCUSED on it now - also, know I will FEEEEEEEEEL so much better without this HUGE POT BELLY - HUGE!

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited June 2015

    On crunches......

    Start with straight up ones. You lie with your back/butt on the exercise ball with legs apart on the floor. So about a 90 degree angle. Raise your body about half way up from a back flat on ball position. I would start with just a few and then add.

    The first thing is balancing yourself on the ball without falling off doing the crunches! I am not kidding. I landed on my butt numerous times. So start with a few, then work up to something like 25 straight ones. You can add in obliques once you master this.

    Floor leg lifts: Lie on the floor, and place the ball between your ankles. Pivot your knees lifting feet from a few inches off the floor upwards. You have to use your inner thigh muscles not to drop the ball. I probably don't do these as well as I should, but they do work.

    Once you do the crunches, you will notice a difference in how your abs feel. It won't be the Arimidex either. This goes away.

    I still remember my first oncologist's face when I told him what I was doing. The color drained out, and I was the patient!!!

    Forgot to mention that the first exercise is pumping up the exercise ball.

    Happy crunching. - Claire

    This site shows plain crunches, except that I put my hands behind my head.

    Edited my Moderators to remove link as requested by 3rd party.

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited November 2011

    Actually, it all takes about 15 minutes out of the day.  Plus the daily walk which I often combine with errands.  So I think very high return for a minimum investment of time.  I do them in my night clothes and then shower.  So don't even change.

    I have done this for more than 10 years and it makes a major difference.

    That and cycling (which does require a lot more effort).  I make sure I need to be trained for events and do group rides.  That is what works for me. - Claire

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited November 2011

    Years ago I heard Richard Simmons say that people needed 4 hours of cardio and 3 hours of toning a week (which sounds like a lot if you haven't been active, but actually still gives you 161 hours each week to do everything else). Cardio can be walking, biking, a treadmill, swimming, dancing, an exercise class...whatever gets your heart beating. Toning is weights, situps, pilates, push ups, whatever tones the muscles......on your own, or in a class, and there are tons of good exercise DVDs to choose from also. I have found that what I do doesn't have to be intense, but it does have to be done RELIGIOUSLY.....no excuses not to do SOMETHING. I really do think that regular exercise can reset the body clock .......and since I LOVE to eat, I HAVE to exercise!

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  • cybermom
    cybermom Member Posts: 13
    edited November 2011

    Could you please expand on "unmentionable dryness" as I am experiencing same.

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited November 2011

    Just did a three mile round trip walking in the rain to the shoe repair to pick up my ankle boots.

    So walking off the leftover potroasst hash in advance.  Hoping everyone is having a terrific evening.

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  • beau
    beau Member Posts: 374
    edited November 2011

    HI cybermom,

    Unmentionable dryness in all forms, but coconut oil is great for mojo and even skin. Basically, i use some sort of body oil after every shower, coconut oil to relieve "unmentionable dryness",( which i picked up from this site and consider it  a life saver.) I also use warm compresses on my eyes at night for "dry eye". Pretty much envelope myself in moisture whenever I can.

    I hope this helps you with your journey. Quality of life must not be sacrificed if at all possible! This does not include memory recall problems or balance issues which I have decided are part and parcel of the territory. I just pretend that my "personality" will overcome these pre-mature problems and I will ignore the implication that i am at least 10 years older than I was before i started these meds. I am holding on to the hope that I will feel 10 years younger when I get off them. 

    Sure beats the alternative. Best, Beau 

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  • JenBro
    JenBro Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2011

    I love all these helpful hints! It really makes a difference to know what others are experiencing and what things have helped manage the Arimidex SE's.

    I went off Arimidex for one week to see if it made a big difference, thinking I'd stay off of it for the remainder of my radiation treatments. I can tell some difference. I wanted to stay off but my RO and my general doctor both said that recent studies have shown that there is more benefit from the radiation if I am also on Arimidex. So I will probalby bite the bullet and go back on next week.

    At all 4 of my doctors advise I got a flu/pneumonia shot last Wed. afternoon. By Thurs. evening I was starting to feel crummy. By Friday morning I was achy all over, headache, and fever.  Still feeling lousy today. I figure it's better to get a mild case of the flu then the full blown version or pneumonia which could be life threatening with a compromised immune system right now. I'm waiting to get past this flu before I go back on the Arimidex.

    I have been working with a trainer 1x a week to help build muscle mass and develop a good workout routine. I have loved to exercise most my life, so I'm trying to keep it up. I know I need to do much better. Especially since I have noticed weight gain with the Arimidex.I have equipment to do some things at home, or go to the gym, and try to walk as much as possible.(I'm going to try the crunches on the ball.)  My RO and GP said to focus on building muscle mass which will help with fatigue. It's challenging because I feel like being on Armidex and doing radiation is causing a LOT of fatigue. I really have to press through that and keep moving! 

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited November 2011

    Hey, all... I need to dispell this idea that the flu shot gives us a mild case of the flu. 

    The flu vaccine that most of us get is an "inactivated" virus (see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm).  The virus in that vaccine has been killed.  The shot does not contain the components of the virus that are needed for the virus to reproduce itself in our bodies.  So it is impossible to contract the flu from a flu shot.

    There is one form of flu vaccine that contains live virus -- it's the intranasal spray.  The intranasal vaccine must infect the tissues of the upper respiratory tract, and cause a mild case of the flu (sort of), to trigger an immune response. That vaccine is not approved for use in anyone 50 years of age or older.  So, it's possible that a woman in her 30's or 40's might be given the intranasal vaccine, but that would be obvious because it's a spray.  It also wouldn't be very likely, because the intranasal vaccine is mostly used in children and young adults.

    The pneumonia vaccine also cannot cause illness -- pneumonia or otherwise.  As with the flu vaccine, the pneumonia vaccine does not contain any live bacteria or viruses.  The vaccine contains some pieces and parts of the pneumonia bacteria -- the ones needed to trigger a protective immune response.  It is impossible for the pneumonia vaccine to give us pneumonia, or other respiratory infections.

    Now... it is true that any vaccine can make us feel achy and sore, and can give us a mild fever.  We can have "malaise" from a vaccine... but it's not because we've contracted an infection.  The illness we feel after getting a vaccination is because of the way our immune system reacts to the vaccine components.  It's a nuisance, but it's a perfectly normal and expected reaction to being immunized.  The body (the immune system) is doing what it's supposed to do -- mounting an immune response.

    The problem is that a normal immune response typically generates some stuff (cells, biologically active molecules... imagine otter arm-waving at this point) that makes us feel as if we're ill.  Weird, huh?  It's not always the virus or bacteria that make us feel sick -- sometimes it's the immune response itself that does that.

    Time for lunch. Class is dismissed.  :)

    otter

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  • JenBro
    JenBro Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2011

    Otter, thanks for the clarification and helpful info. I probably should have said it was my reaction to the shots, not actually getting a mild case of the flu. (even though that's what it feels like.) It's good to know that you can't actually get the illnesses themselves from the shots, and good to know my immune system is doing what it is suppose to do.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    Claire

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - and that website is wonderful.

    Unmentionable dryness.  I got this idea from another thread. I make suppositories out of coconut oil. 100% organic Whole Foods 365 brand ( black plastic jar in vitamin section, just near the Nordic Fish Oil = best fish oil, so much easier & more economical than capsules) - take a smal amount of the coconut oil, roll it into a "suppository shape" put it in Saran Wrap ( cling film for my British friends) - put it in the refridgerator.  I insert it before I so to sleep ( wear underpants & a thin pad) - and it melts quickly, but stays mostly inside.  Found it impossible to insert using it right from the jar, melts too quickly.  I like it MUCH better than those beads, or Replens - plus, it's so much easier, cheaper. Smells better too!!!!

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited November 2011

    I might also add that the shingles vaccine is a live one...i can't get it beause of my liver disease

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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited November 2011

    Sunflowers, that is what I use!  I love the smell.  I use it and other 100%pure lotions together, for extra moisture all over.  I am using shea butter (pure) which I like to use on my face.  Shea seems to moisturize me better than cocnut oil, though.  Love them both!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    Stage - I use the 100% pure cocoa butter ( also from Whole Foods) in the winter.  First time I tried it, I couldn't understand why it felt so "waxy" - til I realized it had a WAX COATING in the jar. DUH!  Also, didn't know to put it in the microwave for a few second to soften it...slow learner here!

    SO, you smell like a chocolate coconut sundae tooTongue out  Ooops..just realized you wrote shea, not cocoa butter.  I like the cocoa buter MUCH more than the shea.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    SoCalLisa,

    My oncologist had me wait SIX MONTHS after I finished chemotherapy b4 I could have the shingles vaccine.  Am sure that's why I had to wait, til my immune system was stonger.

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  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 2,859
    edited November 2011

    I got my shingles vaccine the day before I moved to WA knowing I would start chemo soon. Hopefully that left me with one less thign to worry about.

    Night terrors..... last night I had night terrors and screamed 6 times between 10:30 and 1AM. My husband woke me the last time saying "Wake up, wake up! This is terrible!"     i ONLY REMEMBER HIM YELLING WAKE UP.  Caps sorry,   I had a dream tis AM and I remember it well, the night terors I never remember. Does anyone have any idea if this is Arimidex related?   I don't feel rested after a night like this.  

    Thanks Ginger

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited November 2011

    I am not sure what to think about the shingles shot; Dr. Gott (newspaper columnist) said he feels that a person who has had chemo should be wary of ever getting it....others say it is O.K......

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2011

    Sunflowers, I like the coconut oil suppository idea, tell me did you have to run this past your Onc?  I'm only asking because before my diag. my OB had me on a Rx vaginal cream for the dryness and it worked great but becasue there was low dose estrogen my Onc had me stop it.

    Anyone,  I'm going to be starting Anastrozole now (I keep waiting, I have a cold, don't want to mix with OTC cold meds) maybe I'm just looking for reasons who knows? but, is it better to take in the a.m. or p.m.? anyone???

    Claire, thank you for the good advise, I always exercised and really need to get my act back on track.  Love to bike too, however winter coming not too likely. I know after all of this, I have to be a priority in my life, regardless of whatever has to take a back seat, staying healthy has got to be first!

    Ginger M

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited November 2011

    Ginger, come over to the "Lets Post Our Daily Exercise' thread; it's a fun way to keep (or be kept) on track with your exercise program. As for when you take it, that is totally a matter of personal preference. Pick a time, and if that doesn't seem to work, try another. I take mine right away in the morning and get it out of the way.

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2011

    ruthbru,  thanks, I would love to if I could find it??

    Thats one thing about this site that annoys me, every time I search it says none found, and you have to look so deep in for some stuff, its too time consuming.

    Ginger

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    Ginger - I told my onc what I used - didn't seem to be a problem.  I also cook with cooconut oil.

    Before I used to take a Vitamin E capsule, stick a pin in it, and use it as a suppository. This may be TMI, but I often have problems with bleeding - not like menstrual blood, but things are that dry.  Everything "on the outside" looks like, well, when I was about 10 years old - and that was 56 years ago Tongue outJust all sooooooooo strange.....

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2011

    Sunflowers- hahahahaha.....

    thanks for the info I do appreciate it

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited November 2011

    Ginger, two ways to find it:

    1. go to the top of this page and click 'Forum Index' at the top left~when you get there, scroll down to the topic of 'Day to Day Matters' ~ scroll down to the forum 'Fitness and Getting Back in Shape'~ find the topic 'Let's Post Our Daily Exercise'.

    2. second way to do it is just go to "Active Topics" at the top of this page.....scroll through until you find 'Let's Post Our Daily Exercise'. It is always on the active topic list because people DO post their exercise every day!

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited November 2011

    Ginger M, I take my anastrozole pill as soon as I awaken each morning.  That seems to work well for me. 

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited November 2011

    my GYN checked me out when I was on arimidex and she told me I had

    a urethral carunckle...caused by, lack of estogen..

    DX 2000-IDC-DCIS-LCIS- 2B..POS NODE--ER+. PR+, HER2 NEG
    Diagnosis: 11/24/2000, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIb, Grade 1, 1/8 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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  • izzy52
    izzy52 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2011

    thanks SoCalLisa for letting me know that I am not alone with the constant weight struggle and the disappointment in my results from my bone density, which is very worrisome.  I know it is tempting to blame something, anything for our troubles...but really I know that before the meds (chemo included), I was a different person physically.  I can exercise with the best of them but that doesn't mean my body doesn't let me know about it.  People tell me from time to time I walk with a limp and I don't even recognize that I am struggling that much because of the hip and foot pain!  Geez...oh for everything to go back to normal physically, huh?  

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2011

    SoCallLisa, what is urethal carunckle?

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited November 2011

    I just had the symptom of dryness and itchiness when I peed..I did not have any bleeding

    Symptomatic women may present when they discover a lump at the urethral meatus or because of symptoms such as light bleeding, dysuria, pain, or obstruction to urine flow. Microscopic hematuria and postmenopausal bleeding are other presentations. Bleeding may be associated with urination or it may be noted on toilet paper, feminine hygiene pads, or underclothes. In a review of 394 women presenting with urethral lesions, bleeding was the most common complaint [9]. Urinary obstruction was more common in women with a malignant urethral neoplasm than in those with a caruncle.

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2011

    WOW that is a lot of info, not sure I understand it all but not going to worry about that. hahaha

    thank you

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  • Sandeeonherown
    Sandeeonherown Member Posts: 1,946
    edited November 2011

    ginger_mea- i started taking mine at night last week and i am sleeping uch more soundly. even with a zeep aid i was waking up  many times when i took it in the am and i was exhausted by earlyeve...hoping the fatigue ends...and getting my flu hot tuesday am

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