For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing

I use the Walgreens brand. It's best to put it in after you wash your hair when it's wet so your hair doesn't absorb the product.  You massage it into your scalp. It's clear and doesn't have much of an ordor. It can take 3-6 months for it to work. I do think it helps with holding on to your hair too.

I have fipples but I did get some fantom itch on my fibble for a while. Gone now.

I started anastrozole in July.  Early September I noticed that some of my radiated skin was itchy.  I called my RO who said to treat with moisturizers and hydrocortisone cream.  That seemed to relieve the itch and it faded away.  The itching return in late November.  I treated it again with moisturizers and hydrocortisone cream.  This time it got worse and appeared on non-radiated areas of my body - arms and legs. I developed a rash on one arm and opposite leg.  I stopped the anastrozole, took zyrtec and called my MO.  She sent me to a dermatologist who has an interest in skin issues related to chemo. 

The dermatologist felt that it was related to the anastrozole, not necessarily an allergic reaction but eczema brought on by the medication.  I stayed off the anastrozole for three weeks and it has totally cleared up.  My MO wants me to retry the anastrozole and the dermatologist agrees.  She feels that I can treat the symptoms if it reappears.  I've been back on the meds for a week and so far have had no reaction.

I had very oily skin and hair before tx. I had to wash my hair every day and use a different.shampoo every time. Since Tx, my hair is curly, I just wet it a bit to shape it . But my legs are dry. I never had to moisturize at all before.

Have had itchy skin for a while (before Anastrozole) and yes, the dermatologist told me to 1) stay hydrated, and 2) stay moisturized!

Brokendreams - haven't heard of the fingernail situation you're describing...

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Well, FINALLY I was cleared to go back to the therapy pool to exercise! It felt wonderful!!! The first time I took it sort of easy, as it had been more than five months since I'd done ANY exercise at all.

But the second time (last Thursday) I hit it pretty good....thinking of all the wonderful exercise I was getting.

Saturday morning my back hurt so bad I couldn't stand up!!! 

I am NOT going to blame this on the Anastrozole....I'm NOT, I'm NOT, I'm NOT!!!!  I REFUSE to have side effects!!!!!

The reality is that I have spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease, major arthritis, and until my weight loss program last spring, severe fibromyalgia. But I was feeling sooo much better there for a while...I just think I overdid it.

I just have to find a good balance where I can work in cardio, stretching, and strengthening....something I got at the pool. 

I'm also going to try Yoga (suggested by my new Myofascial Massage Therapist!!!)

Just call me the 

Oh blessings hope they find a solution and the water therapy helps.

brokendreams I had such bad nail issues from Taxotere that my nails never fully recovered so I don't know if my issue is from Taxotere or Anastrozole. I'm thinking its the Tax. They are actually better than they were a year ago.

Went for my one-year mammo on Thursday. They found a "cluster" of calcifications on the my left side.  Praying for NO cancer! I go for a biopsy this Friday.  Ugh!

Butterfly:  Thank you!  I am trying to keep positive thoughts..... 

kjiberty clusters happen all the time and don't mean an automatic diagnosis… matter a fact I believe it's the other way around. Usually not cancer. As you age this becomes more common but they will do a follow up if there's a cluster even if you haven't had a previous cancer diagnosis.

Here's something to sing in the mean while: linky Should make you feel all sexy too

Kjib, hoping its nothing!

Blessings, you overdose it for sure. My PT kept telling me BABY STEPS. She had to hold me back, so you have to hold yourself back a bit too. Too much and you are back at the beginining and have to wait to start again.

As for the nails, the tx leave lines on the nails, this is where my nails crack off, of course, below the quick! Ouch! But this is getting better. I haven't had to cut my nails yet, they break off still, but not as often. And, my toenails seem to be ok. Much love.

butterfly14,

It took me one year from the start of chemo for my big toenails to completely heal.  What you describe seems similar to what started to happen to me a couple of months after chemo.  I had rads before the start of AIs, so I'm sure mine was caused by Taxotere.  I watched it develop all through rads.  Try using a very strong moisturizer on them, especially at night.

Re: dry skin - I found the nicest moisturizer line that has no parabens or sulfates in it. It has the wonderfully whimsical name of Yes to Carrots. I found it at Target in its organic section, then saw it at Rite Aid in their's, so it must be everywhere. It feels and smells lovely and hasn't anything in it we shouldn't be using.

I have several types of it around my house and enjoy using it after showering, before bed and on my hands after washing them. It's creamy, but not greasy or sticky, and has made quite a nice difference. The skin on my face especially is much softer and plumper. It looks a lot better than it did, which I am delighted to see.

I stumbled across the brand while looking at the ingredients on all my former favorites - Lubriderm, etc. - and finding each was filled with chemicals we are supposed to be avoiding.

Hi I've been reading these boards for a while but this is the first time I'm joining in. I'm on Anastrozole since sept 2012. ( stage one bc, bilateral mastectomy in aug 2012, no chemo or rads). For first few months I really thought I was tolerating it well. Then end of dec went back to work. I am a massage therapist. After first day - I only did two massages- my lower back started to hurt. Within a few days I was in agony. (Only working one day a week). This lasted all week. Eased up some but happened again after working. I was having some back discomfort after surgery but attributed it to laying around a lot after surgery, and previous back issues. I have symmetrical hip pain and lower back soreness. I am doing my stretches but doesn't seem to help. Can anastrozole side effects worsen because of "use"? Has anyone else had a similar case? The only other med I take is armour thyroid and lots of supplements. No se there.

I had a real bad back problem about halfway through tx. Had to go to the chiropractor, take pain pills. They called it deconditioning. It took me a couple of weeks to get back to normal. I went pt after that it helped. Good luck.

Issi, I called my.onc first, saw his PA, and they recommended I see my PCP. I did and he gave the the ok. I felt better the first tx. I had to call the next day because it was back. But after that it was twice a week for a month. Then once month. But I could,sit, walk, and felt less pain. Good luck and much love.