Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

I have the same issue w/low blood counts & my onc sent me to a hemotologist/oncologist (when my wbc went to 2.8) and they kept an eye on my counts and determined that they seem to be my normal (3.2).  My counts were low even before Arimidex.  I never had chemo - can't blame my counts on that. 

Don't freak out yet - I did (thank you Dr. Google!) and there was nothing for me to worry about. 

That said, if you are worried about it, have your onc and your pcp do cbc's every 4 months or so to see if there is a trend.  That's what they really look for.

Good luck and breathe.

Trish

B123,

My counts are still low - the hemotologist thinks it's a auto-immune issue of some kind but nothing serious as to warrant a blood marrow biopsy/aspiration.  When I have my yearly pcp doctor physical in March, I'll have an interim cbc and then another with my onc visit in July.  I'm on the yearly plan now!  If they drop, then we'll see about doing a biopsy.  If not, it'll be my new normal.

what is NEU? 

Mena

Anybody have mouth sores with A?  I've never had canker sores, but I have 3 sores inside my mouth.

Mostlysew, so maybe it is from Rads and maybe a combo of the A1 and rads?? I dont know... my MO is also a hemotologist and she does not seem worried?  However in one year my AST and ALT doubled! I have only been on the A1 for about 4 months and Fareston prior for about 4 months.  My PLT also dropped which makes me very nervous???  Maybe your right, this could just be a new norm?  Thank you so much for chiming in and trying to relieve my fears! 

Spunkyboobs,

I get canker/mouth sores from eating walnuts (go figure) and from some breads. The last time I had one, I was at the dentist and asked him about them. They have a very long name, and can be brought on by stress, acidic food (good call Carole) and there really isn't a cure, just the 10 days it takes to heal. My husband swears rinsing with Listerine helps, but it doesn't help me. Good luck



B123 ... Hmmm, I don't know what ALT and AST are and don't see them on my reports. I do see that my platelets go up and down within a 2 week time frame for no reason I can discern. Maybe we should go back to school? Anyway, I've decided to concentrate on eating a balanced diet, and lots of protein and get some exercise and see what the next test in 4 months shows. I do hope you feel well.

NEUT are white blood cells that fight infection in the body. Sometimes a lower level can depend on some kind of bacteria or as a results of chemo treatments!

Now what puzzles me is that my levels are always low yet I never had chemo or any other infection That I can think of!

Also it seems that if the NEUT level is low the LYMPH % is high!

MENA

Mena, so the Arimidex makes the ALT higher then previous?? Maybe that is why my MO is not worried? However why the change in the WBC and the high Cholesterol??  Especially now that we have changed our eating habits so much more for the better and healthier? It doesnt make sense?

Lee7

Have you asked your DR about feosol spansule ?

There is a salt water rinse they recommend during chemo. Could that help with your mouth sores? Or biotin mouthwash works too.

I have been a bit anemic since tx too. But only needed blood tx during chemo. However. I run low on magnesium all the time. They keep increasing my oral magnesium. Fun! LOL

I hope all your counts come.up to where they should be. Geesh, who needs that. Much love.

Shatzi, that is my concern too! I have so many concerns, that I am losing sleep all over again!  I was told that Arimidex and Lupron together are stronger then Chemo alone, it kills any radical cells that may have gotten loose because it starves it.  I am very much counting on that and am so afraid of the what ifs..  I have headaches in the same spot almost everyday since the Arimidex, I worry that its more, back pain, I worry that its more?  I have noticed my hair slightly coming out and I hope to god that it is a phase and stops!!  Maybe it is a lack of vitamins or minerals we are missing?  I take Bioten everyday and I thought it was helping? 

I also notice that since I have been on arimidex ( Started Sept 20) everywhere I look, my pillow, the sink or clothes, there is a lot more hair than I care to see.

It's  so ironic because the main reason I prayed for no chemo,was  my fear of  losing my hair,  and now it is also falling out! Hopefully it will stop soon!

B123  Arimidex artificially raises our cholesterol levels and that is why our liver enzymes are out of range.   The way I see it, healthy eating does not change this.

Mena 

Moonflwr-I like the new picture!

Spunky, Thx! I like it too. But, you can see its so thin, its prob the A keeping it from growing in, just like schatzi. Oh well at least there is a bit of curl, but not tight curls, so I have some volume.

Bethany, how often do you get scans?



Mena, I didn't know A raises cholestrol. Sucks.

I did 5 years of Lupron and Arimidex.  My hair thinned at times, about once a year or so.  I have thick hair anyway so it's hard to see if it came back, but now, at 2 months after finishing both my hair seems to be the same as it was before diagnosis.  My energy level is so much better now than during treatment.  My arthritis is better.  I don't have the stiff knees and hips like I did on treatment.  Even my depression is better and I may be able to start decreasing my antidepressant next spring.