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

my legs are just weak and I am not good at walking far

I keep doing the treadmill at the gym and hope it goes away after I end them

Claudia----Check your thyroid. I have my own "earthquakes" and it turned out to be a thyroid problem-----kad2kar

Hi All



I'm a stage 2a survivor that is 2 1/2 years out. I've been on Tamoxifen for the past 2 1/2 years and am switching to generic arimidex next month. I gained 30lbs on Tamoxifen (plus I quit smoking 2 1/2 years ago). I'm switching without any time off from one med to another. I'm hoping I can lose the weight. I do walk every other day or so for 2-3 miles. I've had foot pain with Tamoxifen so I'm hoping this doesn't get any worse. I look forward to coming back to this thread for advise and updates.



All the Best

Jan

Thanks! I would also like to share my experience to others that may prove helpful on their med journey!



J

Mybee333...I have been on Arimidex almost 3 years. I am always tired, gained weight, and yes my feet and legs ache all the time. I take Meloxicam for the arthritis and it usually helps with the feet pain, but not lately. I feel depressed and get emotional and tear-up easily. I work 2 jobs, and in school too. 59 years old. Since breast cancer and Arimdex I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, kidney stones, stomach ulcers. Mostly what bothers me the most is my weight gain and muscle and joint pain and stiffness. In my dreams, I can run and feel slim and athletic. But when I wake up in the morning it is painful just to walk to the bathroom, or make my bed.

I will be starting on Anastrozole within the next 2 weeks, as soon as I am done radiation.. I am actually more afraid of taking this medication for 5 yrs than I was to have chemo or radiation...maybe I'll be one of the lucky few that have no SE but, if not, they sound worse than SE for chemo/radiation - probably because they seem to be so long lasting.

IamNancy I too was just like you. Afraid of this drug more than chemo. I even told my onc when I first met her that. 5 years! OMG. But here I am 2.5 years into it and not having major issues. At first a bit stiff but now only for a few seconds in the morning. Yeah I have some fluid retention. I have put on a few pounds but I think it's more from going into menopause and being so thin when I first started treatment… I don't have a weight problem.

My thought is I could always quit. So far things are better than they were the first year. Just be sure to exercise. It made a difference for me.

I keep looking at the stats of reducing reoccurance 40% on days like today when I am feeling just so tired.  Then again, I have been fighting a nasty cough that has kept me awake lately so...

I know I need to remember not to blame the silly PILL for all things as it sure is easy.

Note, I do go to the gym 4 times a week and part of my routine is serious stretching so I really do not have joint pain, just can not figure how to deal with the weakness in legs as working out and not better there

Claudia, if you have an appt with your onco next week, then ask that doc for something for anxiety.  I know mine gave me something at the start of this dang thing.  Good luck.

Hey, I go to the onco with my little piece of paper and questions!  If she can not help, then I move on to the next doc as in PCD. or the Onco will tell me what doc I should see and although my ins does not require a referral, she can give me a docs name to start with (like you need to see a dermatologist for that mole)

Tim, thanks for the tip!  I had palps a while back, after testing, no heart issues and I realized it was stress from my family at the time.  Realizing it, they went away!  but your tip is great!

Tim, I was waking up at night with palps! but after the dang doc visits, and when I started to think about the stresses in my life at that point, they stopped!

I do think the thread that someone started the other day called---Test, wait, drink wine, repeat as needed.....is a really good theory!

I have had heart palps while sitting and standing.  I have had it happen when I am driving.  Not a good thing.  When standing I have had it make me feel like I had really been drinking.  Strange thing is it will happen for awhile and then stop.  I hate to tell a doctor one more thing that is wrong.  If it is my oncologist will she look at me like "what do you want me to do"?  I am having an anxiety attach just thinking about it!

Timbuktu....I found that energy stuff like GU Gel was a lifesaver post treatment to give me an extra energy boost cycling.  I use them anyway when during long endurance rides, and even with something like 35 miles, they make a difference in how fast I go.

You will get faster and be less wiped out.  That is, unless you decide that you can do greater distances!!  But that will mean you are stronger.

The other thing is: are you eating enough protein???  I needed more than normal for at least 2 years following active treatment.

For me, lack of estrogen affects cramping more than anything else.  I keep electrolyte chews in my bicycle bag for that.  So something else to think about.

Have fun cycling! - Claire

I hope to get back to some type of exercise.  My issue has been work.  Too much and after vacation I have everything to do sitting on my desk.  I have bad cramps in my feet.  I have had them for so many years due to bad feet but lately they have really been bad.  I don't get enough protein.  I drink a protein shake in the morning but then if really busy I eat whatever is fast and usually  not good for you.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement.  I am sooo out of shape, really just started excercizing.

Can use all the help I can get!

I was going to take a bike ride today but did a weeks worth of laundry and cleaned instead.  I'm so exhausted it's hard to think that it wasn't aerobic but I do think there is a difference.  Now I'm trying to work up the energy to go to costco for a weeks groceries.  Protein, huh?  I'll try.  35 miles is spectacular.  I used to do 25 but I'm just starting again so I hope to gain stamina.  I think it was the chemo that destroyed it and I still don't feel anywhere near where i was.  After the surgery i was biking and walking and felt "normal".  A year after chemo I hired a personal trainer and thought I would die!  After one hour I felt awful and went home and fell fast asleep.  Not good.  I have to face my limitiations and my age..63.  Each birthday is a gift!