Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

kittydog

 can't remember - have you tried wrist splints????  I had the identical problems you're describing at the 3 month point.  Doc had me stop for 6 weeks, when I started again, I was ok.  Wore wrist splints, and went to physiotherapist for treatment and exercises to do.  Good luck - hope you heal too.

Thanks Sunflower...no I have not tried wrist splints...want work over my night time tribute sleeve.  Plus the ones I have looked at here leave the thumbs out.  I hope he can do something that simple. 

Seems like I have been on this pill a year this June.  So many of my problems have improved...even the stiff joints unless I sit to long and even the hot flashes have calmed down.  Now if the darn neuropathy would go away I would feel great...but it has been two years now.

Hello all, I have a question... is anyone on Calcium and Boniva or something like Boniva?  My onc put me on Boniva last month she said they like you to take it while on the Arimidex?  If so, any side effects?

I appreciate any insight thank you, Ginger

Ginger I too have been on Arimidex for over a yr and Tamoxifen for a yr prior to that.  I just had a bone density test done and my bones are fine as well.  No Boniva or anything similar ordered for me.  I'm not even taking Calcium at this point.  I only take Vit D3. 

Welcome justme1,Are you taking Arimidex? Have you had any surgery yet? Your diagnosis is like mine,due to family history, I decided to get bmx with TE and my drs felt it was a wise choice. I was happy until I got my first saline filling in the TE. Now I'm not so sure,lots of pain and when not in pain,downright uncomfortable. I complain a lot I know it could be lots worse. I dunno how the stage 4 girls make it. Now I know why my mom didnt fight harder when she had ovarian cancer. All the pain and pills just wear you down and depress you. Dont feel like doing anything anymore,all i wanna do is take a Tylenol and sleep in the recliner. Am I just suffering the 3 wk out blues? Will this pass?

Glad to hear from you patoo & that you got your leg taken care of!

Thank you all for your responses, I will not be taking it this next time (which will be the 2nd one since its a once a month pill)  I did have a bone densitiy before starting the Anastrozole (Arimdex) and it was fine.  She did have me start taking calcium with Vit D, so I do take that.  I feel better hearing all these responses.  This is the place to get the "real" facts.  Thank you all again. Ginger

Pandemonium

I'd check with your oncologist about the head pain - headache, well, not surprising, but the pain you're describing seems to border on the Migraine level.  "Common" nausea, a known SE of Arimidex - check in with your doc just to be sure all is well.  The first few weeks - really the first 3 months - on the A Team are a HUGE ADJUSTMENT for our bodies - seems to level out, normalize, get used to things, however you want to describe it after the 3 month point.

Many of us had severe symptoms at 3 months - mine was CTS, hand pain, my doc had me stop for 6 weeks - when started again, was fine.

Very powerful this 1 mg teeny-weeny little white pill  AND, the good news, seems effective in keeping the Beast away!  Good luck - but also check with your doc about that head pain.

Thanks. Fatigue I have but not sure about swelling. Yet. Already plan on calling oncologist first thing Monday morning. Been on Paxil since hysterectomy 9 years ago at age 42 and generic Fosomax for 2+ years because already had osteoporosis in a few spots. Am small and small-boned. Have not really had any side effects from Fosomax. I am taking the Arimedex in the evening because it seems, based on reading, that it may help with some of the SE. And yes, I have not been a migraine person but this I believe is pretty close. Sinus headaches, yes, but this seems different. Heck, if my head is going to hurt this bad I may as well finally quit caffeine and get it all done at once. Thanks and I'll keep you posted. Tomorrow (sunday) is four months since diagnosis. Still sort of unreal.

p 

Pamdemonium -here is something you can try to relieve your headache (reflexology). When your thumb is against the side of your hand (along your first finger), there will be a small rise near the base of your thumb where it joins your hand. Using you opposite hand, pinch and rub this area. If you have the right spot your hand will hurt. Continue to pinch/rub this spot for about a minute and see if your headache subsides. If your headache is on the left side rub the right hand...if your headache is on the right side do your left hand. Hopefully, that will alleviate your headache enough that you can get through until you can get with your doctor.

Three more months left for me on the little white pill. Bones were great when I started and have gone slowly downhill. I am going to look into some "treatment" when I get off this one that I am taking at the moment. I could have had the infusions, the pills and I chose to take one step at a time. 

Anyone hear of ladies who stop arimidex after the full 5 years following up with raloxifene for their bones? My sis has been on evista for about 5 years to help her bones. She didn't have breast cancer but cervical cancer. We are both 5 years out now.

kdajay, funny you would mention the thumb-web thing for a headache...

I was visiting in-laws today, and complained about a sinus headache.  It's a classic one (for me):  pressure and dull ache on the left side of my forehead and left cheek below my eye, nasal stuffiness on the left side, and a mild left-sided headache that's triggering some queasiness. I know a couple of Advil or Aleve will knock it out, but I wasn't near my drug cache at the time.

One of my in-laws is a self-described pain reflexologist (or whatever).  So, he takes my right hand and starts massaging around in my thumb web until he finds "the spot." Then he says, "This is going to hurt for ten seconds, but it will make your headache go away!".

Now I have a sinus headache and a sore hand.

otter

Otter,

Your headache reminds me of a type of migraine headache. The feeling of fullness in the sinuses is part of the pattern as well as everything you described.     I had migraines for years, from age 14,  before they were finally diagnosed in my mid 20's. I even took Misoline an anti seizure med for some time because I was misdiagnosed as epileptic. My early migraines did not involve headache, just all of the other symptoms. You may want to see a headache specialist because a proper diagnosis can really set you free.

Ginger

The DivineMrs.M,



I was so happy to read your post. No sooner did I think the Arimidex was being tolerated and the anxiety began big time. I was just at the grocery store and felt weak, dizzy, hot, pale and very anxious like I was going to faint. I took half Xanax and it helped a little but hate that feeling! Do you think my Oncologist will prescribe Buspar and oes it make you tired? I work a stressful office job and need my mind to be clear and my energy to stay in tact, no falling asleep lol.



Have you ever looked into Cymbalta? Supposed to combat anxiety, muscle and joint pain, along with being an antidepressant. Seems to cover it all in one pill. Anyone else try this for the anxiety that Arimidex brings on and to ease the joint pain?

Mrs. M,



I have heard of Buspar, but didn't know too much about it. I was on Wellbutrin to quit smoking year ago (successfully). I was going off it in the fall when my breast surgeon told me to stay on it when he told me I had cancer so I wouldn't get depressed, so I did. I don't think it helps the anxiety that started from the Arimidex. Sounds like I will ask my Oncotype or Primary M.D. I would like to replace it with Buspar. If not that then Cymbalta. Although I heard Cymbalta makes you tired.



Thank you for such a clear and concise explanation. I can not have an episode like that again...grrrr.



I will let you know what they come back with!