Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

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  • Chris13
    Chris13 Member Posts: 254
    edited August 2012

    Hi Rocket,

    When you mentioned fallen arches--I don't think that could be an AI side effect. Not the expert on that, of course, maybe someone else will comment? 

     
    But--I do not have fallen arches, but am just getting better from anterior tibial tendonitis. Not sure why I had this -- but it got worse after surgery perhaps from the angles my foot was in post-op. But I do know that this pain under the inside ankle and arch comes in some cases from fallen arches. The tendon that stretches from behind the knee to the foot allows the foot to flex up and down and sideways. Very painful and hard to even walk when this happens. So your fallen arches may be causing foot pain. Orthotics and certain expercises can help. I'm also soaking my feet in ice water after walking. Supposedly anti-inflammatories don't help the healing but obviously help the pain. See a podiatrist or orthopeadist for advice....at least that problem is relatively treatable even if you have to wear dorky shoes. Undecided

    Hope this helps....if foot problems are an issue. I know I was more discouraged by not being very mobile in the weeks after surgery than the whole DX/treatment situation.

     (Sorry if this is too much off topic, ladies.)

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  • Rocket
    Rocket Member Posts: 1,197
    edited August 2012

    I do see a podiatrist regularly. Despite the pain in my feet, you ladies have inspired me, and I took my two mini-goldendoodles, Baxter and Murray, for a mile walk. I know that doesn't't seem like much, but I live in the mountains of NC having moved here very recently from eastern NC. From my house, at the top of a significant hill, is a 250 foot, one mile descent. Going down was tough, but coming back up was even harder! Fortunately my two dogs were pulling me all the way back up. I'm whipped! At least I made it. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited August 2012

    Walk sounds delightful Rocket!!!  I have done many mile-long uphill climbs that whipped my butt.  Especially when hiking with a friend who has a tendency to forget how many mountains......

    Suspect that Baxter and Murray were thrilled too!

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited August 2012

    musical - by hair "down" I mean nothing in it to tie it back.  I guess with shorter hair, their really is no down.  I used to have such long hair so when I said I was wearing it down, it mean 'down on my back' I guess.  Now, down is a mullet!  LOL

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2012

    Good job on the walk Rocket.  My poor pooch won't be getting her walk tonight-after a 12+ hour work day I just don't have the energy. We'll make up for it tomorrow.

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  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 827
    edited August 2012

    Sorry I think I got the dobie and the doxie mixed up, I sometimes get on when I get insomnia and then I am half asleep and have blurred vision.

    Oddly enough the Femara I started seems to be helping me get sleepy and I am reading in bed which seems to help me get sleepy. Odd also,seems I just get 1 or 2 really crushing hot flashes a day instead of all day. is it possible that the Femara is holding my estrogen at a low level so it doesnt go up and down all day? i probably dont know what I am talking about. Next wk my genetic counseling to see if I should get tested for the Brca gene. Only one wk into my new HT and the 2nd wk of Arimi is when all h..l broke lose on the side effects so hope the Femara keeps going neutral! Good luck everyone on the Arimi.

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  • rayofsun
    rayofsun Member Posts: 204
    edited August 2012

    Was on aromasin from march 2012 until the begining of July when I had to stop due to severe Joint pain. I could barely walk and I am very active. I also had alot of sweating and bloating.



    I started arimidex about 2 weeks ago and so far so good. Stomach gets upset easier at times. Also trying to stay ahead of the joint pain by being active. I am also trying to watch what I eat, more fruits and veggies which is helping.



    Ray









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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited August 2012

    rayofsun,

    I hope you stay SE free. 

    Arimidex was causing more and more SEs, so I switched to Aromasin.  The swelling and bloating was horrible, but now it seems to have calmed down.  I only have 5 1/2 months to go and then I am done with this stuff.

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  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited August 2012

    rayofsun...try taking a Claritin 24 hour allergy pill daily...the one WITHOUT the decongestant! I took them with my Neulasta and they worked wonders. I started Arimidex over 6 months ago and by about the 4th month, the joint and bone pain started. I started Claritin and since then, no pains. My MO laughed at me and poo pooed the idea but it works for me and is harmless they say!

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2012

    Ray- glad to hear the arimi is working for you.

    notself-wow! almost done-good for you!

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited August 2012

    It has been a long 5 years. August 7, 2007 was the date of my diagnosis.

    I will probably take 18-24 months off and then go back on one of the drugs.  There appears to be an uptick in recurrence around year 7-8.  It all depends on what the research says at the time.  But boy do I need a break from this stuff.

    For those of you just starting out, I won't say the time will fly by because there are so many reminders that force us to keep track but keep your focus on the present.  Enjoy yourselves.  Have fun.  Worry never fixed anything.

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  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 827
    edited August 2012

    Schatzi14, there may be something scientific going on there because some PS have put their "after implant" patients on Singulair,the allergy/asthma med cause they feel it reduces contracture.  Dont think there have been any studies done on it so its not routine,its just folk medicine right now but dont poo poo it,remember the scientists found out chkn soup really does help colds.

    So happy for all the strong,sweet ladies here whose systems tolerated the Arimi, I am taking the Femara and keeping fingers crossed for no SE, I have had a little soreness in the joints and some passing dizziness so far its great and I hope I can keep taking it. We all just want all the "insurance" med science can offer us!??? right?? I am trying to lean to veganism due to the info out by Dr John McDougall and Dr Joel Furhman but had beef on my burrito yesterday and it was yummy. anyone doing a diet cleanup thing?

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  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 423
    edited August 2012

    I've been on arimidex for exactly two months now.  I've noticed I feel cold a lot (when I'm not having a hot flash).  Is anybody else experiencing this?  It's the middle of summer and I'm wearing a flannel shirt over a long-sleeved T-shirt and I'm still cold.

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  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited August 2012

    Etherize, Haven't noticed cold a a side effect. Anemia and thyroid can both make you cold. Have you had a blood test recently?

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  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 423
    edited August 2012

    Actually, I have -- didn't test my thyroid but I'm not anemic.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited August 2012

    I try to eat more fruit & veggies, more chicken, less beef etc. but I really like food and just can not let the 'don'ts' rule my life. I am more about exercise, portion control, and keeping the weight in check.

    * now off to eat Mexican Smile

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Ruth:  I think you are doing the right thing--living your life!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited August 2012

    I think living life in a way that is meaningful/interesting/fun is the key.....cancer stuff will always be a part of our lives from now on, but it doesn't have to be the main thing, that is up for us to decide. A quote I read and that really struck a cord:

    "It is what it is. It becomes what you make it."

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2012
    I cut the amount of meat I eat and when I do eat meat I try to stick to grass-fed. I gave up drinking diet pepsi (toughest thing for me) and increased my fruit and veggie intake-and try to buy organic when it's one of the dirty dozen. I also drink green tea every day. I don't know if it will help, but it can't hurt! I also don't beat myself up if I stray-had a brat today and it was yummy.Smile
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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Spunky--where do you find grass fed meat in Illinois.  I am not a big meat eater, but my DH is.  Isn't most of it around here corn/grain fed?  (PS--I am not a farmer and don't know squat about the stuff)

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2012

    kjiberty- I get it at whole foods, the standard market-a grocery store in the western burbs, and often at independent stores/meat markets.  I think you can also find it online.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Of course, we have nothing like that here in Peoria (too small).  But I will make some phone calls.  Maybe Fresh Market carries it. Thank you!

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  • nancym712
    nancym712 Member Posts: 51
    edited August 2012

    I started on Arimidex in February and had an uptick in the achiness in my hip area and night sweats, some fatigue, that's about it.  I took ten weeks off of AI for vacation and just went back on August 1.  Again the uptick in the achiness in my hips, but my feet hurt.  I starting thinking maybe I just needed new work out shoes but from what I'm reading hear this is a SE if Arimidex?  What does Peripheral Neuropathy feel like?  When getting out of bed at night (at least three times) and getting up from sitting on the couch in the evening, I feel like I'm 80.  I hobble for a while and then it starts to feel better.  So far I'm just working through the pain and activity seems to make it moderate.  Words of wisdom?

    Found a Naturopathic Oncologist 25 minutes away and she's covered on my insurance.  Only had one appointment but i think she's just what I'm looking for to complement my MO.  All my MO really did was give me Arimidex and an Onca test, she's not much help with SE, just offers more drugs.  

    Thanks for listening.  What should I expect from these feet?

    Nancy

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  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited August 2012

    Nancy I am beginning my 7th  month on Arimidex and I had the achiness in my hips you describe...also my shins hurt. I started Claritin 3 months ago ( 1 24 hr. pill but just the one with the antihistamine and not the one with the decongestant) and since then I am much better. My MO thinks I am imagining it, but it works for me! I also used it with Neulasta during chemo...worked wonders!

    As for the neuropathy, I got that with my Taxol treatments. Luckily, I just have it in my toes and they cause me no discomfort at all....just numbness, more like they feel like when you soak in the tub too long. Sorry to hear you have pain. They do feel a tad strange when getting up after sitting or in bed but it soon goes away.

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2012

    Nancym712-I'm sorry you're experiencing se's, I've been on anastrozole for about 4 months and have many of the things you mention. I never knew there was such a thing as a naturopathic onc-thanks for mentioning it, I'm going to see if there's one in my area.

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited August 2012

    Nancy - my feet are the worst!!!! The bones in my feet hurt so bad!  I do the exact same thing and wobble for a few steps each time I start walking.  Two things have helped:  1)  Wearing shoes all the time (Booooo - I hate wearing shoes - I am a barefoot girl).  I have found that if I wear slides (That's what my teenage kids call them - they are coushioned sandals that your feet just 'slide' in to.  Mine are bright pink and black - made by Nike) - my feet feel much, much better.  2) I went to a pain doctor and received a prescription from a company called Total Pain Solutions (TPS).  Their website is totalpainrx.com.  My insurance covered all by the copay.  It's a cream you rub on your sore bones. Helps me a lot!

    Good luck!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited August 2012

    Make sure you always wear good shoes, and get rid of them as soon as the support starts to go (even if they look fine on the outside). Inserts help too.

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  • sebm9
    sebm9 Member Posts: 501
    edited August 2012

    nancym712: I had that soon after I started anastrazol; I popped a Claritin and within a few hours the edge was off the pain. By the next morning, it was gone, and I've been pain-free with a daily Claritin, ever since. I told my MO about it when I made the connection (last January), and she's been advising her patients to try it. It's given many women some relief. Not all, but many.

    I definitely have issues with my arches -- it came on like plantar fasciitis (which I've experienced in the past), but it doesn't seem to quite go away. Could be the old-lady fallen arches thing? :-) Whatever! I stay incredibly active.

    I've been training for this year's Swim Across America event in San Francisco on Sept. 29; I swim daily, but last weekend started doing wetsuit swims in the bay. I did 1.25 miles the first weekend, and this weekend did 1.5 miles -- the length of the official swim in September. The SF event raises funds for cancer research at the children's hospital where I work. 

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

    nancym712 , Peripheral Neuropathy can be caused by many different things. The symptoms are typically any or all of the following and to varying degrees: numbness, tingling, aching, burning (not as in not just hot, but actually BURNING, like being scorched!),  shooting and stabbing pains.  Some chemo's can cause it, but my understanding is it goes away. I had PN pre BC. My type as it stands has no cure at this time. If I need to get up in the night, its usually little short hobbling steps to you know where. By the time I come back it is usally much better. The thing is Ive noticed Arimidex has most certainly made my PN worse.

    MamaV I hear you on the sore bones in your feet.  Mine is more the left one and if someone were to even slightly squeeze my foot...well YOUCH!!  Yell .Im not sure but I think its because when I was young I broke the 5th metatarcel in my left foot.

     As sebm9 says the aching pain can also feel like plantar fasciitis, which Ive also had and which was also on the left foot, done as an injury and which I was fitted with a special insert for. Seb are both your feet the same regarding plantar fasciitis?

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2012

    My ankles and knees and wrists have been "cracking" which I figured was part and parcel, but now my neck it creaking and cracking-ugh.

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