Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

I had shingles on both sides of my face at once.  This is rare and I don't ever want to go through it again.  I got the vaccine.

Your posts are all so informative and helpful..I was on Fareston for about 6 months and felt great! The only downside is that it is expensive, it costs me 150/mo after insurance.  Plus, there is a SE risk of Endrometrial Cancer (scares me!!). So my onc decided to have me try the Armidex since I am now Post Men from the Lupron shots.  I have been on them for one week and my feet are killing me, my bones ache (especially in the morning), I was getting nauseaus but that has stopped.  I am not sure if I can take feeling like I am 90 years old for the next 5 years.  I would rather go back on the Fareston and pay the $$ but Im afraid of the Endrometial Cancer risk.  I have scheduled a hysterectomy end of September (or an Ooph only) but am afraid I am rushing into something for no reason??  Am I reacting crazy? Has anyone here had one?

The Fareston is mostly used in Europe, from what I was told.  People who can not tolerate the break down of Tamox CYP ingred, can tolerate Fareston (toremifene).  That was me and I felt alive!!  But to what expense?  Sigh....

Keep moving and give your body some time to adjust. Hopefully the SEs will diminish.

spunky, maybe your doctor could write the shingles shot under some sort of 'high risk' code and insurance would cover it.

Isnt that lovely, spunk ?
In most states the shingles  shot costs about $250 and  in MOST cases, they want you to be 60 or over.

Silly!

Just recently they lowered the suggested age for the shingles shot. I will ask my onc when I see him next week. Besides the pain, shingles can cause permanent nerve damage. My FIL had shingles, they couldn't get it under control and he can no longer lift his left ARM above his shoulder. It's frozen. This was before the newer tx for shingles, but still, you don't want it. Much love

Dobie...that's what I'm thinking. If chemo compromises the immune system, it would make sense to get the flu vaccine. I've been getting it for about 5 or 6 years. I have only had the flu twice in my almost 62 years. You feel like you're dying. So that on top of BC, chemo, etc would really be bad, and RISKY!



I have 2 sons who have both had shingles. One at age 20, and the other at age 11. That's right! I said 11. Doctors were so amazed at his young age, they had 7 different doctors come through the Er exam room to look him over.



Blessings

Paula

B123...try taking 1-24 hr Claritin allergy pill...just the antistimine NOT the one with the decongestant type! Take it with your Arimidex. I did as did several others and it works!

I have since cut down on the dose, taking just one a week and so far the pains and aches are fine.

Just a suggestion...my MO said it was OK BUT to try to do without if the pains subside.

I have no clue....I KNOW it works...many of us that had to take Neulasta with chemo were advised to take it also...it sure stopped the bone and joint pain so we tried it with Arimidex too.

Try it and see ....you will be amazed and it is harmless. It works when Tylenol won't. You have nothing to lose at this point! Good luck.

BTW...I am into my 7th month with Arimidex and no pain once I started the Claritin. Just give it a try.

kj...whatever Claritin does, it's a miracle as far as I am concerned. As I said, I took it daily for 4 months after suffering aches and pains for a few months. So far, this month I have taken just one as I haven't needed it (so far). If the pain starts again...back to the Claritin! I try to take as few meds as possible.

I agree with the shingles idea...I read here that Canada has a shortage of them (the injections  not the virus LOL) so might have to wait a while for one.

So it's important to take the Claritin at the same time as the Arimidex?  Allergy meds make me feel weird (fuzzy and floaty), but Claritin seems the least offensive.  However, I usually break the tablet in half and take one in am and one in pm.  Perhaps that's why I haven't had any change in my stiffness and pain? 

I just checked on Claritin at Walmart earlier today, for when I might need it later on. It said 24 hour nondrowsy. Is that the right one? It's the only one I saw.



Blessings

Paula

Tina, I take the 24-hour one and don't have those S/E's either.  I know what you mean though as far as making you feel loopy and out of it.  The claritan 24-hour one doesn't feel like I have any S/E's, which is good because there's enough from the other stuff.

Soteria...yes it is the  non drowsy one with JUST the antihistamine and NOT the decongestant ...the box just has the one drug...there is another type that has both on the box! Check to make sure you aren't getting the one with the decongestant....you don't need that.

Take Claritin, NOT Claritin D.

B123, I started out achy and slowly my body adjusted. I would say it was about 6 months before I thought one night, "Oh, I was not at all achy today." So it was a very gradual thing.

Ruthbru, thanks for that.. you make it sound so easy..   I hope I can last on it that long to find out if it works that way for me.  I feel very old.  Glad it worked for you...

Is it necessary to get ovaries out and/or hysterectomy to avoid any other cancers? I am bracha Neg.