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

Is anyone taking Anastrozole and Warfarin and a statin???  Even though I am and have been eating a low fat diet and exercising every day, my cholesterol level has gone sky high since I have been on Anastrozole - in January, I discovered it had gone up by 60 points in just 3 months (to 275). I've already had problems taking Omeprazole and Warfarin and am so scared of adding another drug to the mix (a statin???).  My onc told me to see a dr. where I live about the cholesterol level and I have been putting it off as I live in a small town "in the middle of nowhere" and drs. aren't familiar with Anastrozole at all!  And Warfarin is a whole other story ...  I was put on Anastrozole (it is my only choice) because of a pulmonary embolism that I experienced at the end of chemo ... 

If a dr. here suggests a statin, is this actually doable???  I am planning on biting the bullet and going to see a specialist next week ...

Just a reminder or even new information, at least it was for me, if you are on Anastrozole you should cover up when you go out in the sun.  I just returned from a trip to the Florida Keys to celebrate that I'm done with chemo and rads.  I went out on the beach used a 50 SPF sunscreen and covered up.  But for the little bit I went out into the ocean, I didn't cover my arms and the next morning I had a red, pimply, itchy rash all over my arms and neck.  It's been 3 days and it's still with me.  I am very fair and live in Illinois so I'm not use to that tropical sun.  But I did have a great time anyway and I didn't wear my wig!

Hi - I've been on Arimidex since the end of January and right away had night sweats  so they gave me celexa which helped tremendously. But... the last couple of weeks I've been unable to cry - even when something is sad - I get the feeling that the tears want to come out but can't. Anyone had this experience?

Glad you are there,

Marilyn

I have colored twice with Beautiful by Clairol. I got it at Sally's for 5.99. semipermanent and coverage for me was minimal.

Ohhhh, Dassi52, yes - I sure do miss the days when all I took was a tylenol ...  Great suggestion about talking to a pharmacist about warfarin and a statin ...  Because I have seen stuff on the net about statins and warfarin not combining at all ...  I am not confident about asking a doctor because of my experience of omeprazole and warfarin - one doctor (blood specialist) said it was ok. (it wasn't ...) and another said it wasn't and prescribed Zantac instead.  I don't even want to take Zantac and am trying to wean myself off it - only started taking it because of terrible stomach pain (in my back!) after starting Anastrozole almost two years ago!!!  I will see how that goes ...  I am really sad about doing everything I can to keep my cholesterol down and it is just going up and up ...

Personally, I haven't had any problems with sun and Anastrozole and I live in a tropical place where it is very hot and sunny all year round and I am fair skinned (before chemo even had blonde, straight hair and after - curly brown hair)  ...  That said, I try not to spend time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10am to 4pm ...  When I was having chemo I had to cover up and stay completely out of the sun, but now it's not as crucial.

I  have been taking Anastrozole for 14 months. I also take a very small dose of Lipitor (for 8 years) and just had my bloodwork done and cholesterol was fine. My hair is falling out tho....LOL

Schatzi my hair is falling out too.  Unfortunately this began before Arimidex so not sure what is going on. 

Lago thanks for all the info!  I did have a bone density scan about 18 months ago and when I see my MO in June I will ask him when we can schedule a new one.  I broke my arm right after Christmas.  Fractured actually but two fractures high up near the shoulder socket.  My sister is an RN and she works at a BC treatment center at the University of Colorado.  She was shocked that my MO had absolutely no reaction to the break.  Susan said there are red flags everywhere with a fracture.  I have a large frame, and I am tall.  All they told me after the bone density scan was that it was normal. 

Question......have any of you developed a new lump in the scar tissue?  I know my breast very well and this is a small hard lump right in the scar tissue area.  I don't have my Mammogram until June.  I am not really worried but wonder if a lump could develop as part of the scar.  I am almost two years out from my diagnosis and not sure if these things can develop this far out?  Any thoughts?

I agree with Lago, don't wait, but I had a lump near my scar tissue, they gave me a sonogram, and the radiologist said it was a cyst, typically not cancer. So maybe yours is a benign cyst. Hope that helps, but go get it looked at.

justmejanis I know we are sometimes reluctant to call. I've had this lump on my ear where it attached to my head (upper ear) since last Saturday. I'm pretty sure it's a cyst (what else could it be) but what ever it is it shouldn't be there. It has remained the same size so I called yesterday. Seeing the PCP tomorrow… just watch it will disappear tomorrow morning Granted if I thought this was cancer related I would call my onc. I can send her pictures through email so it makes it easier.

janis and lago...thinking of you both...

Justmejanis, have you tried eating a little something every couple of hours? I find eating banana helps ...  I am down to just half a Zantac at night now and am going to start alternating one day on, one day off.  Then I will really see if I need the Zantac because of the Anastrozole or if it is something else and I have to go and get that checked out, too ...  I sure hope not!

The problem with Warfarin is that it even says on the package that it doesn't combine with statins (i.e. Lipitor) or that they should be combined with caution.  And my blood clotting levels are nuts already (I am having my blood tested weekly after being on Warfarin for 6 months and prior to that, Clexane injections for over a year).  Although I mentioned my concern about Anastrozole raising my cholesterol, my onc. said it was rare for this to happen.  Well, I think that is what happened in my case as everything happened so quickly, despite my extremely healthy diet, etc.

Schatzi14 - my hair is starting to fall out now, too!!! Could be the warfarin, could be the arimidex ...  could be menopause ...  I haven't started saving the hair to glue it back on my head yet though (ha ha) at least I live in a hot climate ...

And yes - I too experience Anastrozole joint pain which makes me look like Mr. Burns from the Simpsons every morning when I get out of bed!  I can only hobble around for the first 10 minutes.  Really special after a night of not sleeping much and having many nuclear bomb type hot flashes and night sweats.  After almost two years on Anastrozole, I am still too scared to stop taking it and it is the only choice I have as there is less chance on it of me suffering more blood clots.

Justmejanis, glad to hear you are going to get that breast checked out!

Salad is hard to digest. But mostly stay away from things that are acidic near bedtime. Tomatoes and tomato sauce will hurt like hell.

SoLinda I have had heartburn for many many years.  In the past it was always treatable with OTC meds.  This past year it has gotten so much worse.  I drink a lot of water. Anymore anything Ieat give me heartburn.  I do prop myself up on several pillows.  When I lie flat it is worse and then I actually have the reflux.  Now that is some nasty stuff!  I do believe I will have to be scoped....I will know in a couple weeks.  My NP says she believes it is inevitable. 

Lago.....oh I have made lots of food sacrifices but to no avail.  I have had to cut onions out of my diet, big bummer as I love them.  All the acidic foods as well.  It mystifies me why even a piece of toast can give me heartburn now.  It is just plain annoying!

Lago I will, thanks for the suggestion!  Something has to help, right? 

Lago yes, medical issues are not always one simple fix.  I will ask my NP about the carafate suspension when I see her in a couple weeks.  Of course I may talk to her prior to that. 

Hope you are at your appointment and all is well.