Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

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  • MostlySew
    MostlySew Member Posts: 1,418
    edited September 2012

    Dobie, thanks. My body's just weird. I've had chicken pox twice also, and then a minor outbreak with the shingles shot. Go figure!



    Also, for those that haven't had the shot, or have had and get shingles anyway, there is an antiviral they can give you, but only if it's caught early. So at the first sign of a hives looking outbreak, get it checked.

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

    I did not get anything else removed, but I do have yearly pelvic ultrasound (ordered by GP).

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited September 2012

    B123-my onc recommended (and I did) have my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because I was 100% estrogen positive in one breast and 98% positive in the other and while tests showed I was in menopause I was still getting my period-so she wanted to get rid of as much estrogen as possible.  It was outpatient surgery and I was in and out in about 6 hours.  It was a piece of cake compared to BMX/SNB!

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  • B123
    B123 Member Posts: 730
    edited September 2012

    Spunkyboobster.. love your name! lol..  How is the Arimidex affecting you, do you have any major SE?  I would prefer to just do ovaries but feel that if Im going to do it, might as well do the whole thing and go back to Fareston so I can live normal again.  It has a SE of Endrometrial cancer but if I take the uterous out, I dont have to worry about it anymore.  I dont know if I can take this Arimedx anymore...  Just hope I can recover and get back to work quick!

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited September 2012

    B123-I am so sorry you are suffering with se's.  I have some stiffness, occasional bouts of depression, but nothing too serious.  I do try to exercise, eat better and I do take Claritin once in awhile-not sure if that helps, but figure it doesn't hurt.  No one suggested I have a hysterectomy, and I didn't ask-figure it's holding up a lot other stuff I don't want shifting around. Wink 

    I can understand your concern with balancing quality of life and reoccurance.  I wish I could offer you sound advice, but I don't know enough-I can, however, send positive thoughts and prayers your way.  ((hugs))

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited September 2012

    To the newly started on an AI from someone about to be done (one more month for me!):  I found the SEs to be cyclical.  I also have arthritis in my knees that predates bc.  The things that make the arthritis flare up (cold, weather changes, sitting still too long) also made the arimidex SE flare up.  I move pretty slowly when I first get up in the am, and right after sitting for a long while (30 minutes or more).  If I keep moving, even very slowly, things warm up and loosen up and the aching eases off.  I do take claritin and find that makes a big difference not only in my allergies but the joint stiffness and pain.  I also take gabapentin to keep the hot flashes bearable.  In the beginning I was looking for SEs, so I noticed EVERYTHING.  As time when on I got more relaxed about things and it wasn't so bothersome.  It is doable, try not to let yourself get too freaked out.  Also remember that a large number of women have no problems, and they don't tend to be posting here.

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  • Chris13
    Chris13 Member Posts: 254
    edited September 2012

    I've been taking the AI at night before bed (with a baby aspirin) and Claritin in the am. Jusst restarting the AI, but no MAJOR aches and pains other than the usual. Can anyone weigh in on a reason for taking Claritin at the same time as an AI?

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

    For me it just makes sense since they are related...at least I won't forget to take it (when I do, rarely these days) also if I get pains and aches they are usually in the morning and that is when I take  Arimidex.

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  • Lezza13
    Lezza13 Member Posts: 957
    edited September 2012

    I wanted to thank the women here who posted that they took Claritin for their bone pain with Armidex.  It was a blessing to hear those words. I am on Tamoxifen and was lurking because I had such awful bone pain in my hands and back.  I was tired of taking Advil twice a day ans waking up in so much pain in my hands

    I take a Claritin at night and I wake up with no more pain.  Thank you again!

    Chris13  I do not think it would matter when you take the Claritin.

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

    Hi ladies, just want to report that today I hit a milestone; I took the last of my 5 years of Arimidex. I guess that makes me a retired member of the A-Team. I think NativeMaine will probably agree when I say those years have gone fast. I found, like she did, that once I got back into life and didn't have that much time to think about it, then everything became easier. 

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited September 2012

    Congrats ruthbru!!! Free of the chains of A team!. I guess it really does have an end! Yay!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited September 2012
    I will still come back and bug you guys Wink......
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  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited September 2012

    ruthbru...HALLELUJAH!!! You graduated!!

    Please make sure you are a regular visitor...we enjoy hearing your experiences!

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited September 2012

    Ruth, Congrats!!! and I love what you said about getting busy in life makes us not think about all this stuff so much, I do find that...  continue to be on with your encouragement. Ginger

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited September 2012

    Congrats Ruth!

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited September 2012

    Yay, Ruth!

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

    Congrats Ruth! I just want to say that I've been on anastrasole since March and have not had SE's. I do take Claritin for other reasons, so perhaps that's why. I've had a little stiffness at times, but attributed it to age (71).

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

    Ruthbru~YIPPEE I A!!!

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  • Chris13
    Chris13 Member Posts: 254
    edited September 2012
    Thanks for all your great comments and responses. I hope you do hang around as a "senior advisor." Wink
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  • Chris13
    Chris13 Member Posts: 254
    edited September 2012
    Thanks for all your great comments and responses. I hope you do hang around as a "senior advisor." Wink And congrats on the journey...... stay well.
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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited September 2012

    Recurrence of shingles is very common indeed.  Trust me!  I have seen it .

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

    OK, I am convinced. I am asking for the shot when I have my physical in November!

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

    Two things help shingles if one takes them as soon as the symptoms start.  The first is lysine also known as L-Lysine amd the second is Olive Leaf extract.  Both are also effective against cold sores.  One can find them at any health food store.  The will shorten the time of the outbreak and make it milder.

    I still get mild shingles even though I have had the vaccine.

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited September 2012

    Ruth - Congrats on taking your last Arimidex!

    I've been on Arimidex for 19 months and I was really doing well. I've had some morning joint stiffness but it clears up pretty quickly after I'm up and around. Had hip pain on one side for about 6 wks in Feb that cleared up after about 2 months after MO appt, xrays and orthopaedic visit. For the past month, I've been having burning pain on the side of one calf. Amd more hip pain/butt pain on the same side. This not the same side as the last hip pain. It feels like the pain I had while on chemo after getting Neulasta. Have any of you had burning leg pain from Arimidex. I hate to see my MO with every complaint but I'm beginning to worry. I appreciate your insight.

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

    Could it be sciatica? I had that many years ago and the symptoms sound familiar.

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

    You could be right ruthbru...sounds very familiar to me too!

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited September 2012

    I thought of that but I don't have any back pain. I've never had sciatica before and you all know what I'm worried about. If it is sciatica, could it be coming from spinal bone mets or could it just be Arimidex muscle pains? It's not constant. This morning I woke up without the pain but it will likely recur at some point today. Arrgh. I hate BC!

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

    toomuch...sciatica is an irritated nerve and it can come and go...I know it's normal to think mets. but the chances of that are extremely slight. Sciatica from my experience isn't the back but the nerve down the hip or shin.

    BTW...the very WORST thing for sciatica is HEAT...that includes a hot bath!

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  • bethu77
    bethu77 Member Posts: 320
    edited September 2012

    Hello All- I haven't posted much on this thread and haven't read several of the posts. I just started taking the Arimidex a week ago. I was supposed to start in May but didn't want any more SEs. I thought since I already have joint pain and hot flashes, why not? I am actually hoping it works in the opposite way and takes them away...wishful thinking? I was told I have a 50% chance of no recurrence with this drug. Hoping it works!

    How long before any of you noticed any difference in your body? We have just relocated from Indiana to North Carolina and I am taking today off from unpacking. I have been doing it since August 20 and I am tired! I found an oncologist here and will see her for the first time on 9/21. It feels like I am beginnng this journey again. She will need to read all the reports and well, I am a little scared. My last onco has been with me since my first diagnosis in 2008 and knows my body and mind as well as I do. Has anyone else had to switch oncos and treatment courses?  

    I will try to read the past posts and catch up with all of you. How did you get all your treatment information to show at the bottom of your posts? 

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

    I had to change oncs due to a move (although it was he who moved), and that was HARD. I like my new guy (and know he is good as he was recommended by onc #1, but it is not the same emotionally....although we have developed more of a relationships now that I've had several appointments with him.

    Beth, you must have meant ER positive on your diagnosis, correct? (Otherwise there would be no reason to be on Arimidex)

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