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

My DH got his shingles vaccine 2 weeks into my 5 weeks of suffering. Did not take a lot of convincing. I think I scared the shit out of him. I usually don't complain about pain.

Preach 'get a shingles shot' to all the healthy people you know too. The saying 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is definitely true when it comes to shingles!

The brother of a friend just came down with a case of shingles that ended up in his EYES!

My oldest DS had shingles when he was 12 years old. I took him to the ER at Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. At first they thought it might be Cat Scratch Fever, as we had cats, but when they realized it was shingles, they had 7 different doctors come through to check it out because they were so amazed. They told him, he was 40 years ahead of the game. Thankfully he's never had it again. He's 41 now.

DH had shingles about 20 years ago. It was on the front/side of his head, so they did a light test to make sure it wasn't in his eyes.

Paula

Nancy, I believe you can, but it's always on one side of the spine or the other. I've never heard of anyone having it on both sides at one time. I think that's how they determine its shingles.

Paula

Someone, please repost the link to or info about the walking-at-home video. I haven't exercised in 2 months and need it desperately. THanks!!

Hi again. I had shingles about 3 years ago..think it was my immune system breaking down or fighting the unknown cancer lurking in my body at that time. Anyway, it was on my back just above my waist. I thought I had burned myself with my heating pad (using to relieve a muscle ache). I went to a doc who confirmed shingles.  It did burn and itch (I think) but otherwise wasn't too bad.  It went away in about 3 weeks total.  I used some kind of cortizone cream to relieve the burning feeling.  

Can you get a shingles shot before age 62? I thought that insurance wouldn't pay for it before that age....

Shingles shot was approved for 50 in March 2011 but it still doesn't mean your insurance will cover it. My LE MD is over 70 and his insurance wouldn't approve it.

DebDylan, yes, definitely chemo..I finished dose dense Taxol 5 weeks ago, my feet hurt, tingle type pain & my calf muscles feel like I walked in a up hill / down hill race. It will get better, soon I hope. I will start Arimidex in mid Feb. so I have been reading all your posts here lately.

Seems like you have a fun, supportive group that posts...

Rhoddy, are you on the weekly, 12 dose plan? My MO suggested cutting back my last dose or spreading it out to 3 doses, once a week. I just wanted to get it over & start rads. I definitely have no cold tolerance in my feet, my hands seem ok. But like this morning, very cold out, I have to concentrate to walk. Granted, we speed walk, in the cold. My ? To you & whoever wants to jump in, have you started Arimidex while you are still in chemo? I know some ladies take it during rads, my MO will prescribe it 2 weeks after rads are over..curious what everyone else is doing. My MO seems really conservative, but I am sure she knows what's best.

I had the expensive Neulasta shot after the 4 A/C & 3 Taxol tx. The last Taxol tx, my count had to come back on its own, it did after 3 weeks...so glad to be done with that part, it wears on you, physically, emotionally. It was hard on my family also, they were stressed the whole time.

If your insurance doesn't usually pay, see if you can get your doctor to code it that your are 'high risk' or something to that effect so that they will.

RE: the shingles vaccine - my BC dx trumped any age requirements at Kaiser.

When my mom got shingles, it was on her head. They worried about it spreading to her eyes (can cause blindness) or her ears (can cause deafness) but mostly they worried about it spreading to her brain and her spinal cord.

They did start her on antivirals, but she ended up in the hospital anyway... reaction to the medication, and overall immune system failure (she was end-stage Parkinson's at that point.) But she recovered from shingles with no lasting effects!

It's a NASTY disease, to be sure... one you do NOT want to get.

holeinone - My MO wanted me to wait until at least a week after all treatment stopped before taking Anastrozole... we waited between chemo and rads also.. he wanted to be able to tell which SE was from which treatment...and in the long run, it was easier on me.

I am wondering if it is okay to get the shingles shot while on Arimidex.  Blessings, your doctor said to get it before any treatment for BC?  I have Kaiser also.  They didn't tell me to get it before treatment.