Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

To be alive, to be able to see, to walk. . . it's all a miracle. I have adopted the technique of living life from miracle to miracle.

Artur Rubinstein

So, with my leg pain, have been really confused about what’s causing it. Messaged my MO through the portal, who replied in 7 minutes:

I've been taking Arimidex since June of 2019. In the past year I've had increased left knee pain( mild osteoarthritis), left lateral leg pain, increased morning stiffness. PT is not helping. I don't know if this is age induced, or because of walking 10,000 steps a day, a SE of Arimidex, or a combination of all three, but it is painful and limiting .Would it pose any danger if I were to take a break from Arimidex for 4-6 weeks? My hope would be that it is not the Arimidex that is causing the problem.

His reply:

A six week break is the tried and true way to distinguish joint pain from arimidex vs underlying arthritis. Enjoy the time off and assess for any changes on August 1, then contact me.

I appreciate how responsive he is- am looking forward to the six weeks. But wish, like you Sandy, I was off an AI forever

Judy, my PT (Mara) has me mostly doing stretching & core-strengthening exercises--she hasn't been able to do much massage or myofascial release because the trigger points are so painful. I increased my Tylenol to 8-hr x2 at bedtime & morning, with 6-hr at 6 or 7 pm (I so wish I could take a nightly Celebrex, but will have to rule out a GI bleed first. CBD with turmeric does help a bit). My ortho (Bass) & her trainer are on break this week, but will try to see her a couple of weeks early at her Lincoln Park office rather than wait till 7/11 at Skokie. Will discuss possible add'l imaging (venous Doppler for "squeezing" calf ache & MRI or at least hip/thigh ultrasound to determine muscle damage or inflamed hip bursa).

Since going off Letrozole my hair has gotten much fuller, my "back-ne" has cleared, the non-arthritic joints don't hurt, and my head & neck no longer sweat.

After talking with the new podiatrist this a.m., I have learned that the "boat has sailed" on conservative (non-surgical) mgmt. of my L bunion, due to the fact that the 1st MTP joint is, in his words, "shot." Had my old podiatrist last year been willing to discuss bunion surgery, the OA in that joint might not have progressed this far--but now that a year has passed, it'll have to be fused (even if I don't get the bunion realigned). Too far gone for shots (Synvisc or cartilage graft). New DPM says "whenever you're ready, I'll operate." In the meantime, Voltaren gel and ugly stretchy shoes are my only options. He also had some very choice words for the Sklar Bunionectomy group--the words repeatable in polite company referred to venality (no-insurance/cash-only policy) and "malpractice suit waiting to happen" (surgery done on-site in their office rather than a hospital or hospital-adjacent surgicenter). He said the photos in their ads show young patients whose bunions were mild to begin with. So I will try to get my traveling & performing (including Bar Show) in before I get the surgery, which will require at least 2 weeks of rest & elevation and 6 weeks in a cast & then surgical boot. At least it's not my driving foot. And I will have to ditch all my wedges and even "kitten"-height heels. Will probably see if I can get wider-forefoot sneakers (the newer Hokas, even W width, seem to have narrower toe boxes than their predecessors).

The toe OA has been half a century in the making (my bunion first began to bother me at 21),, so AIs had nothing to do with it. And my knees needed replacing in 2012-13, before my BC dx. My MO is ordering a new DEXA, in light of the deterioration of L3-S1's facet joints, but she also thinks Letrozole had nothing to do with it.

And though my PCP is onboard with authorizing my Paxlovid refill (label says "1 refill before 4/24/23"), N.Shore's policy is "no positive test, no Paxlovid." I can't even bring it in to CVS or Walgreen's, because they'd have to call Glenbrook Outpatient Pharmacy, which would deny permission. So I have to hope I either don't catch COVID again, or wait to test positive until just before the refill eligibility expires. So frustrating--we always keep Tamiflu on hand just in case, and we ought to be able to do the same with Paxlovid.

I have my dreaded weigh-in tomorrow--am teetering between size 12-14 (or L). The only Ms/10s that fit are either those that are not "body-conscious" (tops, dresses) or stretched over the past year or two (jeans, shorts). I might get sympathy over not being able to exercise, but none at all for the nocturnal carb-comforting. I fear they'll put me on either strict keto or meal-replacement shakes (which taste like the container they come in).

Judy, last time I had hip bursitis (and inflamed glute) was in spring 2015 (on the sunny side of the BC "break in time"). Dx'ed at Skokie walk-in by Dr. Hoeper (sports medicine)--he did an ultrasound and injected the bursa. (Same side, IIRC). What got me through a 3-city CLE trip through Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville) was the cane (Leki "Wanderfreund") and both Flector (diclofenac, RX-only and crazy-expensive in the US) and lidocaine (5% Lidoderm, no longer covered by insurance now that 4% is OTC) patches, alternating every 12 hrs. Never did try PT; about a month later, in Las Vegas, the pain just faded away--needed a cane on arrival, packed it away for departure. I will ask Dr. Bass about an ultrasound--Mara (my PT) suggested I might inquire about a cortisone shot, which requires ultrasound for proper placement.

Mara is at a loss to explain why I keep getting worse. Myofascial release is hitting my trigger points and I keep wincing & flinching. I see Brooke 6/27 & 7/6--Mara will consult her as to game plan. I noticed that doing the abductor work with a rigid belt (the kind they put around a patient's waist for walking therapy) rather than elastic bands was less painful. Bob is singing the praises of the butt-raising/leg-extension cushion I bought him off Amazon--maybe I'll get one each for the recliner and my own driver's seat so that my butt isn't lower than my knees.

I'm gonna tough out the bunion & arthritic toe as long as I can. I had expected my next surgery to be a L breast reduction (for symmetry and an instant 5-lb. weight loss), so this foot development threw me for a loop.

I quit AI's at 3+ years and I absolutely believe that my quality of life (but not my hair) has improved. I tried both astrosole and femora and I hurt all the time. The former also made me a real "bitch." I was mad at everything.

I'm having a good spring/summer. Lost about 10 lbs. and have more energy and my golf has improved, although the very dry course may also have something to do with that.

Thought you might like this. I have it on my door.

Welcome oldladyblue. Glad to have you join us. We remain a small group, but we hang together well.I too, quit Anastrozole ( generic for Arimidex ) in my last three months. I started out with Arimidex, but was automatically switched by my provider when generic became available. Had horrid time ( likely with the carrier material in the pill ) at first and thought I'd have to find something else. Then, my system adjusted. Over time though -- not only did I get irritated and mad OFTEN, but it was often instantaneous. From big things to little -- everything qualified. When I figured out why the huge change in my otherwise rather serene, un-ruffleable personality I quit the pill early.

Took a fair amt. of time to get back to being more sensible and reasonable, but a tiny bit has persisted. I have to watch my frustration level. That is when I'm vunerable.

Sounds like we may get afternoon storms today. I have to work, but hope to be done soon enough to not have to be out in a storm. Our last one, last week was a doozy. Then again, here in our little pocked sometimes most of what is predicted slides right on by us.

Hope you all have a ood day. MC -- love your sign.

I had no problems at all with anastrozole. I'm hoping for the same with letrozole. It may be a little rougher on me than anastrozole, but I hope not too much. I just started Xeloda so I'm blaming all my problems on it.

Great sign!

Love the sign Mary. I need a tee shirt that has that in it. I’m doing Ok with anastrozole. I’ve had trigger finger and some other joint pain but nothing debilitating, just annoying.

At Outer Banks (Duck) NC this week. Enjoying time with our kids and their pups. We’re close to the beach, but the stairs over the dunes are gone and it’s hard to return from the beach. Thankfully there’s a place nearby where we can easily access the stairs.

More PT on my shoulder when I return home though, mostly from mastectomy/implant surgeries. Stay well.

Welcome - oldladyblue. This is a good place to hang out. Lots of support here and some laughs as you can see.

The fillers in the generics do make a difference. Some doctors have managed to get the original approved but not all. When I was on the AI threads, I seem to remember that there were preferences for specific manufacturers.

Reading "Lost Book of Eleanor Dare." I think I'm going to like it.

We played a rousing game of spoons last night after dinner, in which I was the first one out. I blame my short arms. We had thunderstorms last night and today it's a cloudy, cool day. We'll probably just take a walk. It's quiet in the house right now. The kids have taken the dogs for a walk as we had a maintenance visit since the cable box hasn't been working. Usually there's some barking at something. Lots of rabbits in the yard, so maybe they're protecting us from the bunnies.

The login issue is annoying. It's about 5 clicks to get to favorite topics once you gain access to the site. I sent a note to the Mods. Wish they wouldn't break things that are working. Enjoy your day

Cardplayer, what kind of game is "spoons?" The only non-culinary "spoons" with which I'm familiar are the kind played as a folk percussion instrument, or the sleeping-à-deux position.

Nice day today--will try to suck it up and don socks (as loose as possible) & sneakers and do my walk--with the cane if necessary. Got read the riot act by my weight loss NP yesterday, who told me I have to try to tolerate more exercise and intermittent-fasting--especially not eat ANYTHING after dinner, much less the carb pity-party I've been throwing myself. She said that it's more important not to lose my inhibitions at night, in order to keep the insulin & therefore glucose "spikes" down. Tough to stick to an 8-hr eating window, especially with Bob's work hours so unpredictable. Dinner at 8 most nights is as early as we can eat--often, much later depending on new admissions and traffic woes. As it is, I have to wait till after 2pm most days before solid food touches my lips. (That's not a problem for him, as he fears eating before leaving for work will "get him going" during his commute, with nowhere safe to make a pit-stop en route). She says I can't let him dictate my eating hours any longer--but if I eat alone I tend to overeat out of sheer boredom, since I really need the distraction of personal interaction rather than either watching TV or staring off into space.

As to exercise, she said to use the treadmill, which I can do in OOFOs sandals. Will have to--by June 30 I need to report whether I've completed the mandatory biennial 30 hours of continuing legal ed (CLE) to keep my law license. The CLE videos I watched in 2020 were what got me "sanely" through quarantine. I can prop up the iPad on my treadmill's book rack and watch while I walk. Alas, there's no podcast option, so I can't listen while I walk outdoors.

Why do I maintain my law license even though I'm retired? Because I never know when I'll have to use it. Not going back into full-time practice, though--as the technology required to do closings, transactions and especially litigation has gotten way past my aging abilities to comprehend and utilize.

Had my CBC draw and FIT stool screening test yesterday to check on my anemia and rule out a GI bleed. The CBC is improving (the only actually, rather than bordline, "low" component is my hemoglobin, which improved from 11.7 in May to 11.9), and the stool test was negative. So I asked my PCP whether I could safely take a Celebrex or even an Aleve to relieve the inflammation in my hip/knee/back. He replied that there are "risks & benefits to everything," but I could try--"just not make it a daily thing." Back in the day, a Celebrex at bedtime really helped my arthritis & connective tissue pain, far more so than Tylenol. I think the reason I may have had that "small gastric ulcer of probable chemical origin" back in 2014 was that I was abusing ibuprofen: in 2013, I had weaned myself off Norco, tramadol & gabapentin by taking the "Bonesmart Cocktail" of 3 ibuprofen plus 2 extra-strength Tylenol. (Bonesmart.com is the forum to which I subscribed before & after knee replacement surgeries in 2012-13).

Steps and walkway hardscape workers finished on Tuesday and I am so pleased with the results. Our old steps had been replaced once before but were not to code since the steps had varying "drops" and were murder for me with short legs. We changed to 5 new steps with "drop" at minimum to meet code, and this required both guard rails and a handrail. The new steps are also 5 feet wide. They look nice and are much safer than previously. The two natural stone walls they built, one for the lilac that was being strangled by its previous concrete and natural stone surround and the other to fill in a low spot on the lawn, are beautiful. They are shaped like a relaxed letter "C". The second one became the new home for a Black Lace Elderberry bush and a rhododendron that used to be next to the old steps. My son had decided to toss a Japanese Holly that he thought too sparse. I suggested he rehome it with me so it is now in an area near the driveway where it can grow as large as it wants. We need to replace the pachysandra that used to be in one of the beds but we have lots on other areas of the property that we can transplant. This same company did the realignment of my flagstone patio and that looks great as well. There was a lot of natural stone left over from the project (1.5 pallets) that because they don't have a forklift, they were going to have to just trash. I told them to move it to the top of the driveway and to leave it. Also there is about 5/8's of the pavers pallet left and it was to meet the same fate. So we now have an idea of how to expand the area where we have a fire pit; we have the materials except for a crushed stone base which we can buy and the space to do this. My DS likes projects like this and he has offered to help us. We just have to figure out the layout (area). Unfortunately we have very rocky soil which means for every hole you dig you extract at least 5 lb. of rock and that explains the rock walls around every flower bed I have. The contractors did haul away all the rock they unearthed when digging for which I am thankful.

I am still waiting for the floor guys to contact me and I will call next week to remind them that the 2 year anniversary of them beginning the restoration is fast approaching as is the 3 year anniversary of the initial damage. It is time for them to be done and out of my house. I would never hire them again. The caliber of the work is fine, they do not coordinate the contractors and that is an issue. I have a punch list of items they still need to fix as well. I want my house back now that the outside was done in record time. Last thing on list is refinishing kitchen cabinets and I have a contractor for that. Have a good weekend.

Petite: Here's how I log on and I never have to fill anything in.
Choose Log in on the opening page
Click Username and my prefilled in user name and password appear
click on Sign in
Select Community at the top of the page and then click on Active Topics
Click on the 3 horizontal bars in the top right corner
My favorites appears in a list, off to the right is a number if there is a new message you haven't viewed, click on that # and select which forum you want to go to, otherwise just click on My Favorites

I agree, it's a lot more clicks than we had to do before.

Puffin, my login routine is exactly like yours. I haven't experienced any problems described by others. I always use my laptop, not my phone.

We had rain in the early morning hours but not wind. So we didn't have to get up and roll in the awning. Our awning is electric, not manual, so we can't tie it down.

Today is supposed to get very hot and lead to storms by 4 pm.

I did not have radiation treatments so have no insight into side effects.