Arimidex
Comments
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Hey shelbyhome
I take Arimidex for about five months, have no side effects. I take my at night . My Dr said to get plenty of calcium to prevent bone loss which i do from vitamins etc, i will be on it for five yr's. everyone is different so if you didn't have and problems before you may get along ok. hope this info helps ya!!!0 -
Thank you and I did talk tokickie said:Hey shelbyhome
I take Arimidex for about five months, have no side effects. I take my at night . My Dr said to get plenty of calcium to prevent bone loss which i do from vitamins etc, i will be on it for five yr's. everyone is different so if you didn't have and problems before you may get along ok. hope this info helps ya!!!
Thank you and I did talk to the Dr today and he said that everyone is different so I just have to try it and see. Thanks again0 -
arimidexshelbyhome said:Thank you and I did talk to
Thank you and I did talk to the Dr today and he said that everyone is different so I just have to try it and see. Thanks again
Hi, I am on arimidex now. Have been on it for two years. So far, so good. I am wondering if that's why I am gaining some weight. (Couldn't be because of my age!!) Good luck!0 -
I'm starting arimidex on June 1st....Suekirk said:arimidex
Hi, I am on arimidex now. Have been on it for two years. So far, so good. I am wondering if that's why I am gaining some weight. (Couldn't be because of my age!!) Good luck!
So I'll be checking back to see how you all are doing.0 -
oh, come on, Mama GMama G said:I'm starting arimidex on June 1st....
So I'll be checking back to see how you all are doing.
Come start on May 28th with me!!
I finish rads on May 26th. I can start any time I want. I chose my birthday because I'm trying to have a good attitude -- you know, I like myself, what better gift can I give to myself than to live, blah blah blah.
Really working on WANTING to take this pill........
Victoria0 -
Dear Shelbyhome,
I finish rads on June 11. I will start Arimidex the following week. I will be checking in to see how all of you are doing. I have a good friend who has been on it for two years.She says she has had no side effects or perhaps only some fatigue and weight gain that she attributes to advancing age (She is in her late sixties).
KayNYC0 -
I started Arimidex about 2
I started Arimidex about 2 months ago. I can't be positive, because I had just had a hysterectomy in August so I was somewhat newly post menopausal and just off chemo that gave me hot flashes, but I think the only side effects I have had were very rapid, intense hot flashes and my skin all over would turn red. This would last about 2 to 4 minutes then pass but the redness would take about 10 minutes to go away. It seems as though (knock on wood) the hot flashes have just about cut in half. Hopefully it was just my body getting used to the medicine. Maybe within the next couple of months I won't have any hot flashes...just thinking positive! Also, my onco had a bone density test done on me for a baseline as I understand Arimidex can be hard on the bones. I actually just got a call from him the other day on the results and my femur showed normal, but my back showed osteopenia. I have briefly googled it and need to do more research on that now. WHAT THE HECK!?! So, of course they neglected to also do a vitamin D whatever test, so when I see him on 6/24 then I will get that done. Then he can tell me exactly what calcium/vitamin D ratio to be on. He told me for the meantime to get on 600mg of calcium per day. Yesterday I found a 600mg calcium pill with 400IU of vitamin D. That's what I'll take until we get all the results. Please ask for a bone density screening and vitamin D level check. This is very important.
Also wanted to add that I started out taking it in the a.m. and a friend that was on it told me to try it before bed. That has seemed to help. 0 -
On ArimidexTawnyS said:I started Arimidex about 2
I started Arimidex about 2 months ago. I can't be positive, because I had just had a hysterectomy in August so I was somewhat newly post menopausal and just off chemo that gave me hot flashes, but I think the only side effects I have had were very rapid, intense hot flashes and my skin all over would turn red. This would last about 2 to 4 minutes then pass but the redness would take about 10 minutes to go away. It seems as though (knock on wood) the hot flashes have just about cut in half. Hopefully it was just my body getting used to the medicine. Maybe within the next couple of months I won't have any hot flashes...just thinking positive! Also, my onco had a bone density test done on me for a baseline as I understand Arimidex can be hard on the bones. I actually just got a call from him the other day on the results and my femur showed normal, but my back showed osteopenia. I have briefly googled it and need to do more research on that now. WHAT THE HECK!?! So, of course they neglected to also do a vitamin D whatever test, so when I see him on 6/24 then I will get that done. Then he can tell me exactly what calcium/vitamin D ratio to be on. He told me for the meantime to get on 600mg of calcium per day. Yesterday I found a 600mg calcium pill with 400IU of vitamin D. That's what I'll take until we get all the results. Please ask for a bone density screening and vitamin D level check. This is very important.
Also wanted to add that I started out taking it in the a.m. and a friend that was on it told me to try it before bed. That has seemed to help.
I'm so glad I finally found a post about this med. I just started two weeks ago upon completion of 6 wks radiation. I also am TRYING this med to see if I can tolerate any of the side affects.
I also have had intense HOT flashes...some days worse than others.I don't do well in heat, let alone HOT flashes. I also have started having times of extreme sleepiness? I always have had fatigue issues and a bit dif with rads..but his is more I must go to Sleep...also my feet ache. Wondering if anyone else has these side affect.
I also have Fibromyalgia issues.
I also plan to order calcium and the vit D. (thanks for the info about Asking for the VIT D level check!0 -
I think the only reason ITawnyS said:I started Arimidex about 2
I started Arimidex about 2 months ago. I can't be positive, because I had just had a hysterectomy in August so I was somewhat newly post menopausal and just off chemo that gave me hot flashes, but I think the only side effects I have had were very rapid, intense hot flashes and my skin all over would turn red. This would last about 2 to 4 minutes then pass but the redness would take about 10 minutes to go away. It seems as though (knock on wood) the hot flashes have just about cut in half. Hopefully it was just my body getting used to the medicine. Maybe within the next couple of months I won't have any hot flashes...just thinking positive! Also, my onco had a bone density test done on me for a baseline as I understand Arimidex can be hard on the bones. I actually just got a call from him the other day on the results and my femur showed normal, but my back showed osteopenia. I have briefly googled it and need to do more research on that now. WHAT THE HECK!?! So, of course they neglected to also do a vitamin D whatever test, so when I see him on 6/24 then I will get that done. Then he can tell me exactly what calcium/vitamin D ratio to be on. He told me for the meantime to get on 600mg of calcium per day. Yesterday I found a 600mg calcium pill with 400IU of vitamin D. That's what I'll take until we get all the results. Please ask for a bone density screening and vitamin D level check. This is very important.
Also wanted to add that I started out taking it in the a.m. and a friend that was on it told me to try it before bed. That has seemed to help.
I think the only reason I had tons of tests for vitamin deficiency was because it was discovered I had Celiac disease. So basically, I wasn't taking in nutients for MONTHS. I lost 65 pounds. Which I could definately stand to loose! So, I am taking D3 twice a day! Also Magnesium This was all found out when I had a severe electrolyte imbalance in Dec. right before Christmas, spent 4 days in the Hosp. The ER Dr. said he never saw anybody with such low reading and still conscious!0 -
Vitamin D and arimidex
I have been on arimidex for a year. Watch your Vit D level while on it. I was having a lot of neck pain so I have my doc check my vit D level and it was very low. Feeling much better since my endocrinologist upped my vitamin D.
My level was normal a year before starting it, so I am not sure if the aromatase inhibitors can change vitamin d levels or if that was menopausal related.
Anyway, many studies are promoting boosting vitamin d levels while on arimidex to help with pain. See: http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/SABCS/17546
I take arimidex at night as it made me tired at first if I took it in the morning. Other than the neck pain (which is now mostly gone), I have not noticed anything.
Good luck!0 -
If you were on tamox for 5shelbyhome said:Thank you and I did talk to
Thank you and I did talk to the Dr today and he said that everyone is different so I just have to try it and see. Thanks again
If you were on tamox for 5 years, why are you on Arimidex? I didn't realize that after you finished tamox, they put you on more hormone therapy. Thanks!
Leeza0 -
Mild Hot Flashes
So far I am lucky. I am experiencing hot flashes, but they are mild. I am propreventative while on Arimidex. I walk 5 days a week for bone density. I diet to prevent weight gain and to lose weight. I did a baseline of all my tiny aches or pains prior to taking Arimidex. I take tons of vitamins, especially vitamin D3 and calcum.
Big decision for me to take Arimidex. Side effects can be bad for some people, especially joint pain. My attitude is positive as I entered this phase being propreventative for side effets. However, if I get side effects that I do not want to deal with, I can always stop taking Arimidex.
How old are you? I am 69 and first day I started Arimidex was Thursday, March 19, 2010. I will see my medical oncologist the middle of June for the first 3 month checkup. Not sure about nerves in right hand as hand became numb (lasted about 1 minute) while driving car. It happened 3 times within a 45 minute drive. I don't know if this relates to the drug?
All of us on this drug should keep posting on how we are doing. We seem to be in the minority as Femara and Tamaxofin (sp??) appear to be the chosen drugs.
IMPORTANT - Know your bone density and Vitamin D reading prior to taking Arimidex.
Hugs,
Janelle0 -
arimidex side affectsDifferent Ballgame said:Mild Hot Flashes
So far I am lucky. I am experiencing hot flashes, but they are mild. I am propreventative while on Arimidex. I walk 5 days a week for bone density. I diet to prevent weight gain and to lose weight. I did a baseline of all my tiny aches or pains prior to taking Arimidex. I take tons of vitamins, especially vitamin D3 and calcum.
Big decision for me to take Arimidex. Side effects can be bad for some people, especially joint pain. My attitude is positive as I entered this phase being propreventative for side effets. However, if I get side effects that I do not want to deal with, I can always stop taking Arimidex.
How old are you? I am 69 and first day I started Arimidex was Thursday, March 19, 2010. I will see my medical oncologist the middle of June for the first 3 month checkup. Not sure about nerves in right hand as hand became numb (lasted about 1 minute) while driving car. It happened 3 times within a 45 minute drive. I don't know if this relates to the drug?
All of us on this drug should keep posting on how we are doing. We seem to be in the minority as Femara and Tamaxofin (sp??) appear to be the chosen drugs.
IMPORTANT - Know your bone density and Vitamin D reading prior to taking Arimidex.
Hugs,
Janelle
So glad to read about Vit D ...I did research and also found that Vit D 3 is the most important to take..I too am getting my Vit D 3 and Cal with Magnesium.
I am currently having side affects from Arimidex. Pain in my hands has increased..along with INTENSE hot flashes..make me drip with sweat. I also have these mainly at night and loose sleep which I already have issues with this and don't need! I have some of the hot flashes during the day but most at night. I've noticed also some depression settling in...
I did research for my particular breast cancer stage etc. and mine is sooo LOW in recurrence that I am truly thinking of going off the Arimidex. The side affects and causes (Osteo) plus meds and test (bone density ect) are not worth it to me... I understand that as in Menopause and depletion of Hormones..the chances are even more slim..ER post as well as my tumor though invasive was very small. Mine in particular is 85% non recurrence. My IDC was detected by Digital Mammo...and I plan to stay current on all my future Mammos.
I was also informed that the side affects gradually come on....so I have yet to know the FULL side affects even now.
Has anyone noticed weight GAIN in taking this? I seem to have.
I'll be calling my Med/Onc tomorrow to speak to him about my decision.
I'll keep you posted. I know I can always go back on it..if I need to.
Thank you for the helpful information here.0 -
Taking my first pill right now....Quiltngal said:arimidex side affects
So glad to read about Vit D ...I did research and also found that Vit D 3 is the most important to take..I too am getting my Vit D 3 and Cal with Magnesium.
I am currently having side affects from Arimidex. Pain in my hands has increased..along with INTENSE hot flashes..make me drip with sweat. I also have these mainly at night and loose sleep which I already have issues with this and don't need! I have some of the hot flashes during the day but most at night. I've noticed also some depression settling in...
I did research for my particular breast cancer stage etc. and mine is sooo LOW in recurrence that I am truly thinking of going off the Arimidex. The side affects and causes (Osteo) plus meds and test (bone density ect) are not worth it to me... I understand that as in Menopause and depletion of Hormones..the chances are even more slim..ER post as well as my tumor though invasive was very small. Mine in particular is 85% non recurrence. My IDC was detected by Digital Mammo...and I plan to stay current on all my future Mammos.
I was also informed that the side affects gradually come on....so I have yet to know the FULL side affects even now.
Has anyone noticed weight GAIN in taking this? I seem to have.
I'll be calling my Med/Onc tomorrow to speak to him about my decision.
I'll keep you posted. I know I can always go back on it..if I need to.
Thank you for the helpful information here.
Are any of you taking any supplements to counteract possible the bone issues?0 -
Oh my gosh i am getting appurdin said:Arimidex
I started taking this med. in Jan.The hot flashes was really bad.I had pain in my ankles and hands.my hands hurt so bad it got unbearable.So I just started taking Tamoxifin last week.I hope I do ok with this one.Good luck.
Oh my gosh i am getting a hot flash just reading this lol. I am on tamoxifen but will be taking arimedex so was just seeing what people said. Is anybody going on an IV bone med, it has been shown to prevent recurrance by 36 percent, and my onc is putting many patients on it.0 -
Took my first one tonight and
it's been on my shelf since March. I did not want to start when the weather was damp and nasty so that I could tell if side effects were from Arimidex or weather. (good excuse)
I still do not want to take it - I have fibromyalgia with a little arthritis and bursitis thrown in (for fun). So....
But, I think, how foolish! I was tough, mostly, thru dx, surgery, waiting. Decision regarding chemo and I did rads - thought my boob was going to slough off, I burned so badly. 1st mammo, thought I'd pee my pants, my knees knocked thru the whole thing. But I made it.
And then I come here, where so many brave women are, and I think - I can do this!!!
You (all) inspire me to be more courageous.
Hugs and prayers to you all,
Sue0 -
Shelbyhome, I have been on
Shelbyhome, I have been on Arimidex for 5 months now and have only had hot flashes and very mild at that. I am also taking calcium and vitamin D. As far as my treatments for my diagnosis, the hormonal therapy is the most important one for hopefully limiting my changes of a recurrence. Good luck and let us know what you decide.0 -
So far so goodMyTurnNow said:Shelbyhome, I have been on
Shelbyhome, I have been on Arimidex for 5 months now and have only had hot flashes and very mild at that. I am also taking calcium and vitamin D. As far as my treatments for my diagnosis, the hormonal therapy is the most important one for hopefully limiting my changes of a recurrence. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
but then again, I just started five days ago -- ha ha. I've decided it just has to work out for me since it's so important to my health. That's me trying to have a good attitude:)
I'll keep you posted and hope you do the same.
Victoria0 -
Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiencesaisling8 said:So far so good
but then again, I just started five days ago -- ha ha. I've decided it just has to work out for me since it's so important to my health. That's me trying to have a good attitude:)
I'll keep you posted and hope you do the same.
Victoria
That paves the way for the rest of us to look at what we can do about it if we have problems with this amazing drug. There's a great lil video on this website to give you an idea of what arimidex can do:
http://www.arimidex.com/how-arimidex-works.aspx0
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