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

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  • heartrocklady
    heartrocklady Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2013

    Hi.  I had BC last year with lympectomy (left breast), lymph nodes removed (left arm), 2 rounds of chemo and 1 round of radiation.  4 months after my last chemo treatment my oncologist wanted to put me on Arimidex (spelling??) as I was 5% estrogen positive and their practice had seen 2 women returning with BC with the same % of estrogen as myself - one returning after 4 years and the other after 7 years.  The Dr. felt I needed to go on Arimidex.  He warned me that I might get hot flashes and achy body.  I do have hot flashes during the evening, but I now have such bad achy feet and legs sometimes I can barely walk or move......my body acts as if I'm 90 yrs old and I'm only 65!  I didn't feel like this before the 'A' kicked in.......Any advice would be helpful on what I should do.   Thank you

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    heartrocklady~~Have you tried taking Claritin or its generic, Loratidine with the arimidex?

    It helps a lot with joint & bone pain. It may not take it away completely, but it should make a big difference.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,707
    edited September 2013

    MarieK - You may just be one of the lucky ones that doesn't experience too many negative SEs from Arimidex.  But if you do, you'll almost definitely get over the excess fluid SE where the 'vag-jay-jay' is concerned.  That particular problem will make a wild pendulum swing in the opposite direction about as far as it can go Frown.  Hope all goes well for you - you've come to the right place for support and small group therapy.....

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited September 2013

    Hardrock, talk to your oncologist as there are 3 dif meds that are basically the same and some folks react better on one or the other.  Me on aromasin, no side effects although, I too get achie feet but no other joint pain.  I do work out a lot and my trainer is trained in working with survivors so when I complain or walk in stiff, he knows how to help (usually streching)

    good luck

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  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 339
    edited September 2013

    Heartrock: I'm 57 and I had the same SEs with Arimidex after about 3 weeks on it. I am now on Aromasin (3 weeks) and haven't had SEs yet.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited September 2013

    I'm almost afraid to say this but after being  back on Anastrazole for a month now, I have very few SE's!  Some fatigue, a little saddness, but nothing extreme.    For the past year and a half it's been a merry go round, going from one AI to the next.  This is my third try with Anastrozole.  Things may get worse later on so I hesitate to celebrate but I really think that after each "vacation" the se's lessened.

    The body adjusts to menopause, maybe it can adjust to these pills too?  We'll seeee.

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  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,707
    edited September 2013

    Oh Timbuktu that's great!  I do believe that for some of us the body does adjust and some SEs resolve.  My trigger thumb is a good example.  Have a wonderful weekend!

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  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 898
    edited September 2013

    I had extreme joint pain and stiffness during my year on Arimidex, both brand and generic. My MO suggested changing to Aromasin. I was very skeptical' especially after the first week, when I developed two trigger fingers. But now, after 3 months on Aromasin, I feel significantly better, the best I've felt in the 2 years since DX.



    Everyone is different. But, from experience, I think it's worth switching among the 3 AI's if you can't stand the one you're on.

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  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 898
    edited September 2013

    Hardrock, I'm 65 as well and, while on Arimidex, I felt at least 80! Compared to that, just feeling 65 onAromasin feels pretty good!

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited September 2013

    Thank you sweet!  Today is my birthday..64.  Every birthday is a gift now.  I intend to celebrate every moment!

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  • ndgirl
    ndgirl Member Posts: 986
    edited September 2013

    Happy Birthday Timbuktu! and many more! I turned 65 last month so I am in full agreement.. we will celebrate every day and year! I am doing ok on arimidex so far, but only 4 months in too.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited September 2013

    For Timbuktu linky

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited September 2013

    Thanks so much nd and lago!  Nothing like starting the day with a laugh!  It's the antidote to the depression that anastrazole brings on!  Smile  But more than that, caring and kindness...so appreciated!!!

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  • Jazzygirl
    Jazzygirl Member Posts: 12,533
    edited September 2013

    Timbuktu- happy birthday! I agree about birthdays being a gift!

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited September 2013

    Thanks jazzy!  I plan to enjoy every minute of my gift.  I hope you all do too!!!Cool

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Tim~~Happy Happy Happy Birthday!!!!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited September 2013

    Happy, happy birthday!!

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  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,707
    edited September 2013

    Happy Birthday Timbuktu and many more!

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  • Bren58
    Bren58 Member Posts: 1,048
    edited September 2013

    Timbuktu, I hope you had a great day!

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  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 339
    edited September 2013

    Happy, Happy Birthday, Tim!!!! I hope it was the best one ever!!!

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited September 2013

    Timbuck, I am so happy to be here with all the girls to celebrate your birthday - I just know you enjoyed every minute of your day and night...Wishing you and all of us many more.Kiss

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited September 2013

    Timbuktu....this day should kick off a WHOLE MONTH of celebration.  I would look at this as a warm up.  Have the happiest one ever! - Claire

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  • Loral
    Loral Member Posts: 932
    edited September 2013

    Timbuktu.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    FUNNY STORY: My 25 year old son, Jesse, and his friend Nathan stopped by today. I had on one of the bedazzled military style caps on my head. Nathan said, " Wow, you're getting hairier & hairier. You're starting to look like a little boy!" I said , "Yes, and thanks to these Estrogen Sucking Drugs they have me on, I'm now growing a little penis!"



    OMGoodness! The look on his face was PRICELESS!!!

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited September 2013

    Timbuktu -

    Wishing you a wonderful birthday and an even more awesome year to come!

    xoxo

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited September 2013

    You are all such special people!  May we all celebrate many, many birthdays!!!Smile

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  • virginiab
    virginiab Member Posts: 205
    edited September 2013

    My doctor wants me to start twice-yearly Zometa treatments as my baseline bone scan showed that I am close to being osteopenic. I forgot to ask how long it takes to get the infusion, and I fugured some of you probably had some experience with this. What should I know about scheduling this treatment?

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  • Shasha10
    Shasha10 Member Posts: 297
    edited September 2013

    Timbuktu

    Happy Birthday. And many,many more

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  • Loral
    Loral Member Posts: 932
    edited September 2013

    Virg---Isn't Zometa for bone cancer??  I have osteopenia in my hip and my Dr. just told me to increase calcium and Vit. D3...

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited September 2013

    Loral,  Zometa may be added to TX for someone with BC that has moved to the bones, but it is also used to treat osteoporosis or osteopenia when on AIs.  Some studies show that it helps prevent BC from traveling to the bones, some studies did not find this.  

    My MO insisted on Zometa for me because I was osteopenic and have a bad family history of osteoporsis.  I only had one treatment.  We fought about this, but he backed off because he saw how much I was exercising.  Waiting on the next DEXA to see if I need more.

    Virginialab, It is a 15 min infusion, but request that they take it slower.  I had severe bone pain in my leg and foot the next day, then no other problems.  

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