Glucosamine for Arimidex joint pain
Linda
Comments
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I've tried it for my other joint pains and it didn't help me at all. But don't give up.
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I've just changed my Cod Liver Oil capsule for a combined Cod Liver and Glucosamine capsule. No improvement yet, but I'll keep you posted!
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I take Aromasin but in the first 14 months, I had severe joint and muscle pain. I started taking Glucosamine with Chondroitin and MSM. It took about 3 months to kick in, but it definitely helped, though of course the muscle pain wasn't affected. Fortunately, that disappeared on its own, though I still have it when I'm especially stressed or tired. I also take fish oil, calcium and plenty of vitamin D. These also seem to help with movement and flexibility. Finally, I can't say enough in favor of exercise and lots of it. Time and again, women here report that although the pain makes one not want to exercise at all, a regular routine of walking (or another aerobic activity), combined with strengthening and flexibility exercises are unbeatable for keeping the pain at bay and for giving you increased quality of life despite the SEs.
Marin -
I took Osteo Bi Flex for 2 months and had no symptom relief at all with it. Another thread here said that only about 20% of those taking it find any relief. On the other hand, I bought Turmeric capsules in the health food section at the recommandation of another sister on this board. I could tell a lot within 3 days! I take one capsule daily now for maintenance and would say that my symptoms are only about 20% of what they were! It's a lot cheaper, too!
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Ahhhh...I am a new member to this board. I am currently 3/4ths of the way through chemo, doing weekly taxol now. I'm managing neuropathy side effects very well with L Glutamine from the health food store. I have no numbness. I am very concerned about the instant "90 year old woman' effect that happens to so many when they start the Aromitase inhibitors. Ugh. I am wondering if I added fish oil, turmeric, keep taking L-glutamine, and add glucosamine BEFORE I start the arimadex or whatever lovely drug they decide I need. I teach art, I am on my feet all day. I need my fingers to work! Is there a way to prevent the aches and pains rather than chase them away? That is exactly what L-gluatmine seems to be doing for me with taxol. I can dream, right?
Linda -
Linda, Sounds like a good plan to me. I personally use Glucosamine/chrondroitin/MSM, Fish oil and Turmeric (among others) and have been on Femara for a year now without the joint pain. I was taking Fish Oil and Turmeric before I started the Femara but added glu/chr/MSM after and I have been fine. Best wishes!!!
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I am new and just starting Arimidex. I already have really bad joint pain even though I take glucosamine/chrondroitin and Fish oil. I have osteo arthritis.
My fear is it is going to get much worse. I am post menopausal but I am wondering if Tamoxifen is a better choice. I guess my underlying question is are all these side effects permanent. If you stop taking the drugs after 5 years does the joint pain go away, the bone strength improve, etc??? If these things are going to be forever I do not know if I want to take the drug. I am an outdoors person and not being able to walk without significant pain means my quality of life is going to be really bad. I am really concerned about it. Has anyone been through 5 years and had the side effects go away? -
Hi,
I've taken Glucosamine/condrotine and MSM but not consistently. I read the results of studies found them without merit. I have no idea the scope of the study or the measures or the intention behind it.
I saw my rheumatoidologist yesterday. He suggested that I continue to take it.
I'm finding that there are as many answers as you want to find or not find. The basics are always a good place to start. good food, good friends and good rest. You can define the word "good".
Best wishes for your journey -
Linda--I take it and could hardly walk without it. I am on Arimidex too.
I take
http://www.schiffvitamins.com/product_detail.asp?id=90#
They have it at BJ's and ever so often the paper has a $3.00 off coupon.
I have forgotten to take it and as the day wears on I can tell. So I do not think it is just in my mind.
Candyce -
pgnorris...I haven't done the 5 years, as per your question, but my pain decreased significantly and the insomnia completely disappeared after 15 months on the AI. My body adjusted, I assume.
Marin -
I did not have knee pain until [about] last Thanksgiving. I take that back. I did have knee pain on and off with my left knee. The pain was bearable, but.....Even just walking around the house was a bit painful. I started glucosamine/chondroiton/MSM and it seems better. When I have to squat the ole knees hurt still somewhat.
When I saw my pcp this morning he told me to bend my leg (from the knee) up and down while he put his fingers on each side of the knee. He said, yep, you have osteo arthritis. He said the left knee was worse. Yep, I injured that knee many years ago.
I don't know if the AI gave me osteo. All I know I did not have problems walking down the stairs or squatting until last November. So, I'm gonna blame it on the AI. I'm going to start taking tumeric again and see if that also helps.
Shirley -
I am taking Nutrajoint, which is a powder that is mixed with 6-8 ounces of liguid. It contains glucosamine as well as gelatin, and my internist highly recommended it, adding that it was easier to tolerate than some of the glucosamine pill formulations (ehich I could not tolerate). He also suggested that I order some "Neem," which he said had been used in India for quite a long time for joint pain. I have not yet received the Neem and will let you all know how/whether it helps.
Brenda -
I take Glucosamine, Vit. D and walk 30-60 minutes at least 4 times a week. Days I don't walk, I can tell! Like Marin, I swear by exercises and stretches!
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Ginger tea has an anti-inflammatory quality to it and is good for digestion/nausea too.
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I'm not on Arimidex but I do take the Glucosamine with Chondroitin and MSM combo. Sometimes buy brands that have additional ingredients - like hyronic acid (spelling???).
If you get a good brand - not some offshoot cheap brand - it will work. Just have to wait for it to 'kick in'.
I have arthritis and can feel the difference (for the worse) if I skip even one day! I take celebrex on an 'as needed' basis. -
Thank you Marin for reminding me once again of the importance of exercise. During my chemo I exercised all the time. Now I am trying to force myself into it. I currently am struggling with the joint pain and the limited flexibility. I do take glucosamine and I am trying to improve in the exercise area. I am also taking Lyrica for the neuropathy left from Taxol. My feet kill me. it is sometimes a vicious circle. I am going on vacation next week and one of my goals is to start walking for 30 minutes per day. It is a flat area. part of my problem at home is that my road is a major hill. It is not bad to get started but it is Hell coming back up after you have walked.
Kathy -
Kathy, really silly question here, but could you go up first?
LisaAlissa -
I see that there hasn't been any activity on this thread in over two years so I'm bumping it up in the hope that someone has some feedback.
Has anyone had any experience, good or bad, with taking Glucosamine Chondroitin / MSM for joint pain resulting from taking Arimidex?
Thanks.
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Hi Carol,
I have been on Arimidex for two months. I started glucosamine at the same time. And 1200 mg calcium. I am doing well. Some lower back pain has popped up but my scans show degenerative changes so no surprise. I walk 2 miles a day and ride my bike 2 miles a day and I think that helps a lot.
BTW, I am curious... did you do chemo? My oncotype score was 25 but no chemo and I am still nervous about not doing it all.
Pam
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The first few months of arimidex were fine. Then it hit. The last few months I have had to take advil most days. My hands are always bad. My legs are usually achy. However, I find the shin pain worse than any joint pain. I have been taking 1200mg of glucosomine since I started arimidex. I have thought about stopping it, but if it is actually helping, I don't think I could function with the level of pain I might have without it.
I definitely find that daily exercising and long brisk walks helpful. Sometimes it take a great deal of self-persuassion to get moving...but it is worth it! -
Pam,
I've been on Arimidex a little over five months. The joint aches have become more noticeable over the past month or so, especially in my left hip.
I am in somewhat of a unique situation in that I have a neurologically based disability (since birth) and so am not able to do much exercising at all. Also, my joints are more prone to arthritic changes than a normal joint. I just started taking Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM (It's called Flexamin, bought at Walmart) three days ago. They say it takes a few weeks to work. We'll see how it goes.
Regarding chemo, no, I did not have chemo. With my Oncotype score of 24, it could have gone either way, according to my onc. Both he and my breast surgeon said "no chemo", primarily because of the potential for neurologic side effects (neuropathy). The breast surgeon had said, when I was first diagnosed, that only if my Oncotype was very high would he recommend chemo for me. They both said 24 isn't "very high", whatever that means. I feel a little nervous about not having chemo too but they say in cases where the cells are highly ER+ (Mine was 99% positive), the Aromatase Inhibitors are very effective.
Good to hear from you again
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We are in the same boat. I am 99% ER + also and putting all my eggs in the Arimidex basket. I understand some studies are now looking at taking it longer than 5 yrs, like 10. I'm a candidate as I am going to have a hard time letting go of it.
If I am really achey I find Aleve (OTC naprosyn) helps me. But I don't like to take it regularly. I found a thread on here where everyone said Voltarin ointment or cream applied topically was terrific.
Bet it is as hot in NV as it is in FL.
Pam
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I have been on Arimidex for almost a year and it makes my toes, fingers, all joints and shin bones hurt.....The bone pain is the worse and also my lower back and hips hurt....I have osteo arthritits too and my onc said that Arimidex will exascerbate these problems........I take Tramodol (a prescription) for my pain.......OTC pain relievers quit working for me after the first month.....
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I am on Femara. I was on it for about three months when the achy joints, bones and muscles started. After taking Glucosamine, Chondrointon :& MSM for two days the pain went away. I take Glucosamine, Chondrointon & MSM every eight hours along with Tumeric twice a day. It doesn't work on everyone but thankfully it did for me.
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Pam,
It's currently 104 degrees at 7:00 PM, but "it's a dry heat". I hate when people say that
. In reality, it's like sticking your head in an oven! I'm a transplanted "East Coast girl" who's lived in NV for almost 12 years.I'm not looking forward to taking Arimidex for 5 years, let alone 10. I'm being cautiously optimistic about the Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM (I don't want to give it a whammy). I'll keep you posted.
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ajlive,
Thanks for the tip about Tumeric. I'll have to look that up.
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Hi ladies:
I've been on arimidex, and have experienced the weakness (got wiped out in the ocean and couldn't get back up; fortunately, found this funny, but it hurt in retrospect), no joint pains, yes to the stiff feet in the AM and yes to the exercise is THE MAGIC BULLET.
I am 53, wasn't in all that great shape, but I also took omega 3s 1200 mg./daily along with d and calcium per my oncs suggestion. I honestly think they should prescrible exercise when they prescribe an aromoatase drug. I haven't gotten my cholesterol rechecked yet, but I need to. Blood pressure was 120/80 last time I checked it, tho when I go to the onc I get an anxiety spike like crazy of course. Then they don't believe me that it isn't like that at home
.My biggest issue so far is: hips clicking and joints popping? It doesn't hurt, just feels disconcerting. No crunching, just snap crackle and pop.
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Dear All,
Have been on Arimidex since July 2008. In December, started having severe pain in my left elbow - bone hurt when I would accidently push in on hard surface, hurt whenever I would bend my elbow. I originally thought it was from a bone scan injection in that area, but after 4 months of pain, asked nurses and oncologist about glucosamine chondrotin. I used those air activated heat pads (shoulder/neck size) and would wrap it around my elbow and tape it on - wore almost continuously for the four months. I started using GC in March and after about a month, my elbow was much improved - I don't need the heat pads anymore. I also checked with pharmacist about potential interactions with arimidex and she said there were none. GC has helped me tremendously - Also, CVS usually runs a sale about once every two months (sale is on this week) for their brand - buy 1 get one free, so I usually make sure to get what I need when it is on sale!
Becky
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Tried it, it helped, but could not fall aslepp anymore and I felled spaced out. Went down from 3 pills a day to one. No change. To bad it wal helping me, specially on my neck pains, wich was the worst of my worries.
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I had horrible pains in my hand and finger joints, especially my two thumbs. Could not even open my prescription bottle for Arimidex anymore. I tried gluocosamine but it didn't help. My oncologist told me that it is great for knee joint pain but not for hands. I then tried tumeric supplement based on a comment on this discussion board. After my first pill, the pain in my hands was greatly reduced in about 2 hours! I could not believe it - thought it was a fluke. The next morning, my hands were stiff and painful again. Took another tumeric pill and in an hour or so - pain was gone. I can now use my hands again to open bottles, grip steering wheel, etc. Joint pain is not 100% gone but close to it. If you are having pains in your hand or finger joints, give it a try. I got it at Whole Foods.
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