Starting Arimidex today (July 15, 2015)

Hi Jane, I have been talking Arimidex since Christmas and have only had some mild hot flashes and insomnia. I take mine in the morning after breakfast. I am very active and also take magnesium, calcium and Vitamin D3. You will probably be fine. I was really afraid of it but thought if it reduces my chance of recurrence then I would rather put up with SE's than deal with what our stage IV sisters so bravely live with.

Yes Jane I actually live in Oxford! Came over from the States eight years ago after losing my husband to Lou Gehrig disease....I'm half-English (mother) so I have dual-citizenship and I just love living in England - Of course you can come and visit me...maybe we should plan a six month anniversary if we make it that long on these tablets.

This is the first time I've had to navigate the NHS and so far I've been very pleased with my care - being in Oxford means the hospitals are teaching hospitals so I'm with a breast cancer center.

I read the article mentioned and it would seem that about one week after starting to take the pills the blood level is constant in terms of dosage - so we'll just have to see how we do after a week or so - fingers crossed that we're both lucky with the SE - I am on the generic called Anastrozole. XOXO

hi Jane, yep, I live in sunny but cold (atm) Australia. Oxford lady, you will not believe this but I was in Oxford a month ago having LVA surgery for my lymphoedema. Believe me I would gladly swap anyone's Arimidex SE'S for this hateful SE of BC, I am hoping and praying that this surgery will work. How are you traveling on Arimidex?

Hi Everyone, seems like we're going to have a pretty international group - I live in Rio de Janeiro but am currently in the UK as my son got married here last week (I'm also half British). I'll be starting Arimidex in about 10 days or so. My ONC first said to wait till after the wedding, then when i said I had a trip to Berlin planned for after the wedding he said to wait till after Berlin!! Scared the life out of me, so I'm sort of dreading it now.

Anyway, I will check back with you all after I start. It's great to be getting in at the start of a group like this and I look forward to more interaction soon. Meanwhile, best of luck everyone - I hope our journey will not be too difficult.

Hi Oxfordlady, I was at the Manor Hospital which is part of the Nuffield group. It's a private hospital as even though I am British by birth, the NHS only covers this surgery in some areas and even then it's very difficult to get the funding approved. So my DH paid for me to have it done and I am very pleased with the results so far. I go over to the UK every year to visit family and the Dr's who performed the surgery would like me to come back and see them, so who knows I may be able to see you in the flesh as it were.

Hoping all of you lovely ladies are not having too many issues with Arimidex, I have been fine so far.

Hi everyone. Just saw my MO. She wants me start the Arimosin ASAP. When I told her I was terrified of the side effects she looked at me like I was crazy. She said the majority of women have no SE. I would love to hear from those women! Maybe even start a new thread. Thanks for sharing. Diane

I started on Teva brand Anastrozole the night of 7-14. It took several days to locate a pharmacy that carried the Teva brand. I learned here that brand has fewer SE's, so I wanted to start with it. MO said it is usually trial and error until you find the right drug, but so far, knock on wood, I have had no problems. (I went through menopause years ago, so the hot flashes are behind me.)

Claire in Seattle, I have only visited your beautiful part of the country once. It is the exact opposite of southern Louisiana. You are an inspiration

Hi! I started Arimidex on June 7. I take it at night, just before bed, when I took it in the morning, I had insomnia. I have had no problems since. I read too much about bad side effects and wish I didn't. Good luck!!!

Too late on most of the lupines, but there were other flowers...and huckleberries. Wow, was it hot!!! So took things slowly. Loving my new hiking poles. Major difference. Picture from today. The whole hike was inspiring!!! Except that I didn't get to swim, but will do that tomorrow. - Claire

Hi everyone!

I started anastrazole June 1. I kept a diary of all possible SE's. Every day there was something, but all pre-existing stuff so I couldn't really tie it to the drug. And I was driving myself crazy looking for something. So I stopped the diary.

So far, so good. I did switch to Teva brand the 2nd month, Stop N Shop was more than happy to accommodate me on that.

I feel good, slight heartburn once or twice, I was taking it at night but had insomnia, now I take it in the morning.

Also, I have lost 15 lbs since BMX May 6, following WW and going to meetings, so weight gain has not been an issue.

Hi Jane Q. I filled my RX for anastrozole and then found a thread talking about the Teva brand (Anastrazole manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals). As I had already picked up my RX, I started taking it, then refilled for the Teva brand for the next month. I just want to give this the best shot I can and followed all the advice about Teva brand having purer compounds. Also, I believe Teva was the first pharma co to produce generic Arimidex (anastrazole).

And yes, Stop N Shop is a supermarket chain here in New York.

Hope you feel better.