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

I've been alternating my Clark sandals (which are great), my Merrill flip flops, and the best by far, Gel-Kayano 19.  My daughter took me to Dick's sports store and I told the salesman that I had trouble with my feet, which was the best?

He showed me the Gels, they cost $150 but walking on air is worth it.  They soften the impact on the joints.  But ultimately, I know the pill is causing the pain.  I'm approaching a month back on and I'm starting to wonder how long I can last.  My muscles cramp up too.  I wish I understood why.

I'm going to Dicks too!! !Let's all meet at Dicks.... My NB's are wearing out and I'm ready for new gels...I also have Clark sandals and birkenstocks but they are the hard cork ones that don't flex too much - considered giving them away...

.Oh did I mention to you girls that since I switched to the Brand Name Arimidex 2 weeks ago, my hot flashes are less - still have the joint pain but I'm hoping it eases up - Of course with Claire as our guidance counselor, we might all be biking and getting those creaky joints loosed up....

Speaking of foot pain....I got out of bed today and the fleshy part of my foot pad (near but not very close to the big toe) felt like I had stepped on a thorn or glass. I couldn't see anything even with a magnifying glass (that was a bit of stretch--not to mention a sight.)

Is this the type of foot pain I can blame on the AI? It gets somewhat better with shoes and walking. 

Thanks to Plantar Fasciitis (not related to Anastrozole  ) no more going barefoot or wearing flip flops for me - unless they have a built-in orthotic. I now have quite a few pairs that do. My favorites are Mephistos, which cost about as much as my mortgage - but they make my feet feel WONDERFUL!!! For all my other shoes, my Podiatrist told me to get Power Steps (orthotic inserts) for support.

As for biking, I have several neurological balance disorders (again, not related to Anastrozole) which were very severe a few years ago. I used to love riding my mountain bike until I had a bad fall. My DH said I looked like a Hollywood stunt woman as I fell and rolled off to the side. I never got back on the bike for fear I would fall.

Last year, he got me a Miami Sun adult tricycle. We switched seats with my old mountain bike (more comfy) and had the bike shop make it into a three-speed bike. I LOVE it!!! I can fly down the road and never feel like I'm going to fall off. Plus, if I get tired, I can just stop pedaling and sit.

I also love the fact that it has a big basket on the back, so I can go out prepared with all my supplies.... (or food, for a picnic  ) It wasn't cheap, but it was sooooo worth it.

WalMart does make an adult trike (Schwinn Meridian) that sells for $249. It's a little bit bigger, and only a single speed, but that may be all you want.

Claire, you are inspiring!

Bicycle seats make a major difference.  Going for a ride in a few to get ready for tomorrow's event.  What I WANT to do is walk a mile or so each way to the pastry shop and indulge.

One thing I do use more of these days is energy potions.  They make a difference in performance and endurance.  Plus get me moving when I really want to sit on my butt.

Slept in this AM as was beyond tired from a hectic week of work.

Cool and cloudy here so fine for cycling.  Hoping the rain holds off tomorrow until AFTER I am done.  But if not, I have done events in rain before.  Just more fun when not soaked to the skin. - Claire

I am so thrilled for you Timbuktu!!!  Yes, it's wonderful to sleep and be really rested.

My ride went fine....23 miles all told.  I finally got the alignment of my bicycle speedometer gizmo correct so I know for sure.  I had screwed this up after installing a new battery.

Fun sights such as the Ballard Beavers are making their pond in the park ever larger and seeing someone with two baby dachshunds in a trolley behind their bicycle.

I came back with fresh salmon for dinner.  Early start tomorrow for the cycling event.  Plus got out and uploaded a new LinkedIn profile for the Founder of the President of the nonprofit I do work for.  A GREAT day!!! - Claire

What about clogs???  I am not kidding.  Back in the day, Dr Robert Linton (of Linton Compression Stocking fame) wholeheartedly endorsed them for the Mass General OR staff.  He was still doing 12 hour vascular surgery in his 70s.  (BTW - the MGH blurb on him has it wrong.....he was doing vascular surgery as late as 1972.  I was there.)

Good clogs have hard soles and over a long day, offer a lot more support.  Just a thought. - Claire

I remember coming in for #3 of Taxol, having done a 35 mile bike ride the day before.  My oncologist asked if any soreness or pain.  I mentioned my butt and glutes.  He said he didn't think that treatment-related, and that sports medicine was down the hall and he would make a referral if I needed it

I am not sure the poor guy has ever recovered from having me as a patient.  The interesting thing is that Group Health now has sports medicine doctors who are helping cancer patients.  I think I had something to do with changing their thinking.  My oncologist had to bail at the end of my chemo.....mother diagnosed with cancer and new baby.  He just couldn't do it all, and needed a quieter practice close to home.  I am grateful for his help.

Anyway, congrats Timbuktu.....new vistas.  Make sure you do FUN walks and let us know how the bike works out.  Good luck. - Claire

Blessings, yes they need to be golden, the sulfur is one of the three main reasons why it works. Here's the run down:

1.    Golden raisins- the ONLY type of raisins worthy of the recipe- require sulfur or sulfides in their processing to make them golden. Sulfur is an active ingredient in 2 effective natural arthritis supplenents: glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. Golden raisins come from sultana grapes and are cultivated under the name Thompson seedless grapes in the U.S.

2.      Sultana grapes contain proanthocyanidins which are thought to help fight infections and reduce inflammation. Grapes also contain resveratrol, a powerfrul  anti oxidant that is being studied for many of it’s disease fighting properties.

3.       Gin is flavored with juniper berries and juniper berries contain Terpinen. Terpinen has anti inflammatory properties. The essential oil that is in juniper berries contains more than 100 compounds including myrcene (an anti oxidant), catechins (anti oxidant),  and flavanoids (anti oxidant). Test tube studies have shown that juniper berries can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis.  Prostaglandins help mediate an inflammatory response and increase the sensitivity of nerve endings to pain. By inhibiting their production, a reduction in pain can occur.

Ruth, would you post the recipe again? How many raisins? How much gin? How long to soak them? Thanks

savgigi - its my understanding a batch is a bag/box of golden raisins -place in a bowl -cover raisins with gin... let sit for 2 weeks and then you eat 9 raisins a day.. I lightly covered the bowl with plastic wrap but poked holes in plastic to let gin evaporate every few days we'd stir -after 2 weeks we drained raisins (there wasn't alot of liquid left) and covered them in a container in refrigerator.

To prepare gin-soaked raisin, first empty one box of dried white raisin in a shallow container. Only white or golden raisin should be used for this recipe. Then pour enough gin into the container to cover the raisin.

Cover the container and keep it covered for 7 – 10 days to allow the raisin to steep in the gin.

Allow all the gin to evaporate to leave gin-soaked raisins in the container. These raisins keep well when refrigerated. The popular advice is to take nine of these “drunken raisins” every day. Most users report improvements in arthritis symptoms between 1 – 8 weeks of using this remedy.

I play too many games!

and since I have brain fog....what are the raisins supposed to do for us?