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

Hi All,

I hope that the new year has been getting off to a good start. It's been a while since I posted last. I appreciate the feedback. I'm a bit confused about the next step - actually starting the Arimidex.

I'm scheduled to see the MO tomorrow. The plan is to get a prescription for Arimidex. I've met with a new psychiatrist, had an evaluation of my mood issues, and have a tool for tracking any mood symptoms, sleep, and other factors. I've also been trying to keep track of my pre-existing joint issues. This will help me to discern what might come up as a side effect vs. What I've been dealing with already. DEXA showed osteopenia in spine but radiologist indicated that this might be due to a degenerated disk. (I've had a few severe attacks of sciatica. I also have bone on bone arthritis in one knee.)

I'm confused about whether to ask the MO to prescribe brand name or generic, and if generic then should I ask for Teva?? Would the MO have a sense of these issues? I figure I should search archives of these forums so I can request something specific but I feel absolutely overwhelmed.

Do you advise taking the AI in the morning or evening or does it matter?

I'd like to try some other approaches so I'm registering for a mindfulness meditation program. I'm trying to cut down on carbs and processed foods but that will take me a while!

I'd also appreciate your wisdom about the strategies that you've found most helpful for dealing with joint issues, hot flashes, and mood.

what do you wish someone had told you when you were starting AI? Suggestions?? Vitamin D? Benadryl for joint pain? Calcium?

Thanks for any suggestions.

HapB—. Sorry you had issues with Letrozole.

I debated about taking at night vs mornings. Since it’s a new med, thought maybe I should take in the morning in case I had a reaction but I think I am going to sign up for a clinical trial where I could be taking a chemo pill each morning so decided to take my AI at night so I can split up the side effects!

HapB- it’s Everolimus (Afinitor). I have been accepted, if I agree, to take part in SWOG-S1207 clinical trial to see if taking Everolimus plus Anastrozole for stage 2 or stage 3 ER+ HER2- patients reducing risk for recurrence or spreading of BC. Blind study, 50/50 chance of getting Everolimus or placebo

HapB- yes, I have been given a list of possible side effects for the clinical trial drug plus the research I have done on my own.

Blooming,

I kept my side effects in an Excel Spreadsheet and enter what happened at the end of each day. The dates were across the top. Listed experienced side effects down the first left hand column. The I used a self-developed scale.

I gave this to my MO b/c he had to write my mail-order pharmacy to get an "over ride" for the brand name Arimidex.

Once I got the approval, I called my mail order pharmacy and spoke to a Pharmacist (not the Customer Service Rep). The Pharmacist annotated my records with "allergic to generics." She said this annotation would ensure a second Pharmacist (the ones who checks for allergic reactions) had to apporved my Rx before it was mailed out.

Sometimes being anal is a benefit.

Coach Vicky

I usually take the Arimidex in the morning but am going to start taking it at night to see if it helps with the aches and pains.

Tappermom383– my Anastrozole is Accord as well

One pill down.

Think I will start a spreadsheet, too, when I start noticing side effects

Blooming, Like IAmNancy, I have few SEs from my Teva-made Anastrozole. Thinning hair being the main one and I think I have a genetic disposition to it anyway (Thanks, Gram!). I've been on it for well over 3 years. Sometimes it is very difficult to sort out what is AI caused and what is aging caused or even something else. I've been stiff in the morning for years. I'm still stiff but usually not as bad since I take a regular Claritin daily. Seems to help. Good luck.

HUGS!

Hi ladies, I haven't been here in a long while.

I am no longer taking Arimidex. After dealing with aches and pains that intensified at night and then a really bad flare up of an inflamed piriformis muscle that required PT for 3 months, my MO suggested changing to Aromasin. Within 2 weeks my pain was gone and I stopped PT. However, now I'm gradually noticing other SEs including fatigue, headaches and I have no idea if it's connected, but cystitis. The cost difference is ridiculous. I was paying $6 for Arimidex and am paying $165 for Aromasin.

I started yoga recently which has helped my overall well-being, but honestly, I'm tired of feeling like crap most of the time.

We're going to Florida for a month and I'm praying that walking every day will help. I really haven't exercised other than yoga. I had to quit Zumba because of the painful piriformis muscle. Today I got on the exercise bike.

I'm about ready to ask to try Letrozole again as I had fewer SEs on that than I have on Arimidex or Aromasin. MO suggested Tamoxifen if I can't tolerate Aromasin, but I don't want to take that because of the incidence of uterine cancer and stroke.

I guess I should just be thankful that I'm cancer free, but I'm sick of my quality of life taking a dive on these drugs.

Hello all, I've been reading up on this forum. I'm still doing radiation but my MO will start me on meds sometime near the end of Feb so I wanted to be prepared. I'm nervous as I really haven't had to take much medicine in the past and they did my bone density test and I already have osteopenia. My mom and grandmother both ended up with osteoporosis.....

Nancy618, what a surprise. I grew up in Sussex, WI. small world. how long have you lived there?

Sarah

I left a note for my regular physician last night and got a call this morning that I need to be seen. I had a UTI 2 weeks ago. I'm positive that's gone but I have lingering bladder discomfort and feeling like I have to pee often. Of course my doctor was booked so seeing a PA who probably knows diddly squat about AI side effects. I am NOT going on an antibiotic again. Twice I've landed in the hospital because of C. Diff after they insisted my infections weren't gone and needed another round of antibiotics.

Can you hear my frustration?

Spookiesmom, thank you for your candid reply.

Yes, QOL is so important...MAYBE won't get cancer again, but in the meantime, have aches and pains that are real, everything dries up including skin, eyes, mouth and urogenital area, have trouble sleeping...wow, what a trade off. I'm ALMOST to the point of chucking the pills too, and I've only been on them for 8 months..

Kae, you may have NO side effects...it varies so much from person to person. Good luck!

Blooming, I started arimidex the real pill , Oct 8.

Astra zeneka offers it for $1 a pill by mail

I take itfirst thing in morning, as coavh viky advised exercise and moving is key. I also take vit d3 , an algae based calcium, and multi and fish oil

I am achy mostly in am when I wake up but fingers crossed so far its doable. I also have osteopenia and am supposed to be taking boniva. But havent yet

Good luck

Mamaoz

Nancy...so sorry you are suffering. I cannot remember if I told you about D Mannose. Its a supplement you can take in leu of an antibiotic. It worked for me. Good luck