Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

First of all, Janett2014 is correct.  It is recommended anyone with ER+ breast cancer not use certain ones.  I had seen the same list of ones she mentioned.  I checked with my oncologist and they checked with the pharmacist and he only mentioned fennel, clary sage and geranium.  I couldn't remember the other names at that point, but have been staying away from all of them.  Lavender was another one I heard wasn't good.  But, I specifically asked the oncologist about that one and she said it was fine. Her recommendation to me was using them in moderation should be fine.  But, everyone should check with their own PCP and oncologist.

Chloesmom - I have been using the Young Living ones - www.youngliving.com   DoTerra is another company that uses pure oils.  100% pure therapeutic grade I think is the wording.  I can't find the wording right now.  But, using the cheap ones you buy from Amazon is not good.  They usually have other ingredients in them that are not good for you that they use for filler.  I belong to a closed group on Facebook that uses the Young Living ones and she teaches online classes about how to use them, etc.

When I first started with them three weeks ago I was sick with a sinus infection so was diffusing Thieves and lately with all the pollen in the air, have been diffusing a mixture of Lavendar, Lemon and Peppermint.  Between new meds my allergist gave me and starting the EO's I've been still learning what is working for me.

I have also made a bug spray and a spray for itching.  Everyone reacts differently to the oils.  And, some are okay to put directly on your skin or ingest and some you must dilute.  Especially if you are pregnant or using on children.  That is all the type of thing I am learning from this Facebook group.

Just some of my experiences - I get monthly allergy shots for immunotheraphy.  I normally have to use Benadryl from Thursday until Monday.  This month I had forgotten until Saturday about using the oils or itching.  I made up a mixture and put it on the spot on Saturday afternoon and only had to do a little on Sunday morning and that was it.  Didn't need to take days of Benadryl.

And, like I said in my earlier post, diffusing them at night while sleeping has made my sleep more restful.  These are my experiences.  Everyone will experience the oils differently.

I'm still learning about it all.  But, there are multiple uses for the oils.  In what I've read, it seems to be a good way to go more natural with products in your home and what you put in and on your body.  I've been trying to get away from all the chemical and manmade things around me.  I've heard of others cleaning their homes with them and getting rid of all the chemicals they had in their homes, I used some in my laundry with my bedsheets as I'm sensitive to dust mites, can be used for cuts, bites, itches, inflammation, etc.

I'm no pro, but if anyone has questions, I can see what answers I can get for you.

Here are two webpages specific to cancer/breast cancer and EO's

http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/aromatherapy-pdq#section/all

http://breastcanceryogablog.com/2013/04/29/aromatherapy-breast-health/

Patty

Hi Chloesmom - No problem.  My post was a little long.  Sorry.  I have the book "Essential Oils" pocket reference by Life Science Publishing I bought on Amazon.  There is a section on fibromyalgia in case your book doesn't have anything.

I did check with the leader of our closed Facebook page, she says I can invite anyone that wants to join.  It's free to join the group and you can learn, ask questions and then if you decide you want to try the ones (Young Living) she uses, we can help you get started.  It's a very friendly and helpful group.  I learned a lot in the past three weeks.  And, if you decide it's not for you, you can always just stop the group.  It's not a group specific to breast cancer, but many issues and uses.

I am currently listening to a talk on EO's and safety.  Here is there webpage - http://www.atlanticinstitute.com/  I haven't finished listening to the talk, but it seems they have been researching this a long time.

Just thought I'd share for everyone interested in this.

Claudia, I started anastrozole at the beginning of 2014. I found that exercise is the best means against stiffness and minor aches and pains and it also helps to lower your cholesterol. However, in order to have impact on cholesterol it must be a good aerobics exercise at least 3 - 4 times a week, e.g. jogging, zumba, brisk walking - good cardio - for an hour at a time.

I'm taking Effexor for the SEs of anastrazole. Hot flashes are much better and so is the joint pain. Plus my mood is better. It's changed my life!

Had my first fat grafting last Wednesday. They took fat from my midriff, lower abdomen, and a bit from my sides. I'm not really sure why PS split it up, but I do doubt they would have been able to get it all off one. He may have been trying to not leave me with too much loose skin in one place because the Arimadex has totally taken away any elasticity.

I'm really sore and don't know when I'll be able to actually get jeans on to go back to work. At this point I can't imagine pulling up and zipping tight jeans.

Anyone else have this problem?

Patty9999 I sound just like you. I was getting so stiff, I could barely get around. I have had previous knee replacement and my knee had started hurting again and even stopping the Arimidex for a week wasnt helping. I have high blood pressure, so when I had my recent check up, I found I had extremely low vitamin D. Mine was 12 and my doctor said it should be 35, so I was given prescription for 50,000 vit D. I take it once a week, and have been on it 3 weeks. I have also been trying wearing different shoes, because I know from dealing with my knee, my shoes really matter. Something must have shifted because the shoes I have been wearing, Orthoheel, seem to be aggrivating my knee and legs. So, I have been digging out shoes I had previously bought and could not wear and for the past 3 days, I've had some clarks, and my knee and leg and hip have not hurt. I am praying it is either the vitamin D or the shoes or a combo of both and that this constant nagging pain will stop. My cholesterol was also up at this check up, so guess that could be another side effect.

Hi ladies.  When I was first dx, after chemo rads...I was put on Tamoxifin.  In December 2012  had my ovaries taken out as a preventative then was put on Arimidex.  I was menopausal about 3 chemo treatments into my plan.  The Arimidex causes joint pain for me and I have hot flashes still...  My onc has told me that he would like to see me stay on Arimidex for 10 years total.  Anything that may keep the C away, I will tolerate the SE's.  I wonder though about Tam vs. Arimidex??  

The 10 yrs. must be a new protocol.  I was on arimidex for 5 years.

Wonder if perhaps the 10 years is more for people with ILC since recurrence is often after 10 years so as much as I hate it I hope to be on it a long time.

nope, I have IDC, not ILC and I go to a breast cancer center. My oncologist told me the studies had found that after 5 years of meds, many people were having recurrence, and they are now recommending 10 years. She said you know how things change and by 5 years, they may change and say stop. I was just diagnosed 6/14 and at that time, she said it was a recent change.

angelia5 - That is interesting about the 10 years.  I reach my 5 years end of Nov 2015.  Last time I saw my oncologist a year ago she said plan was to stop in November.  I told her I was afraid to go off, although was looking forward to stopping because of the SE's.  I know that exercise would probably help some, but I am still having issues with my bulging disc in my back.  Seeing the physiatrist on Tuesday to see about getting another handicap placard for our trip to San Francisco.  I'll probably get injections in both knees, but not the spine yet.  I did just finish a health program with someone who guided me through my recovery and is a survivor as well.  She stated I'll probably notice a huge difference when I can go off the Arimidex.  So, torn right now as to what I want.  We'll see what happens September when I have my checkup.

patty, I can imagine how you feel. I see lots of ladies say they couldn't wait until the day they came off the meds and then, when it happened, they felt fear. I can imagine that, because I sure didn't want to hear chemo but when my doctor said no chemo, I felt like saying, are you sure? My main problems with Arimidex have been with stiffness. I have already had knee replacement, and since starting these meds, I've had more pain than in the past. I did find out I had extremely low vitamin D a couple of weeks ago and I have to say, since starting those meds, I am feeling much better in my legs. I couldn't even think about going to the gym the past few months, I could barely walk, but now, maybe I can force myself to go back.

Maybe try yoga.

Gentle yoga is working well on my AI joint pains.