Despite my protests onc wrote script for Arimidex

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cahjah75
cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I woke up this morning with swollen eyes, hands and feet. Went to onc this afternoon and he said to call my pcp. Yesterday rheumatologist sent me for ultrasound on leg veins to make sure it wasn't vascular and caused by a blood clot. Anyways, onc said that Arimidex is more effective than Tamoxifen and that I should do other things to prevent osteoporosis (I have 2 sisters with it). I told him I have enough arthritis pain and don't want more so he said to try it and let him know if I can't tolerate any additional pain if I get it. I'm having my port removed next Tuesday. In March he wants me to have another CT scan to look at the nodules in my lungs that showed up on the PET scan. So, tomorrow I start taking the Arimidex and hope I don't have any side effects.
Char

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  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #2
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    Oh, Char
    I'm so sorry for your pain. I have been on Arimidex since June. I have increased hot flashes, night sweats. I have fibromyalgia so I hurt most of the time. I know I have had some increased pain but not constantly, so not enough to switch. At least not yet.

    Sue
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #3
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    Suspicious lung nodules
    Just wondering: Why are you having your port removed if you have suspicious lung nodules that may require treatment that could use a port?
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #4
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    jessiesmom1 said:

    Suspicious lung nodules
    Just wondering: Why are you having your port removed if you have suspicious lung nodules that may require treatment that could use a port?

    After PET scan
    results my dr pointed out the nodules but did not think they were anything to worry about. The port was used strictly for my chemo.
    Char
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    #5
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    Hi Char,
    I'm sorry your in
    Hi Char,
    I'm sorry your in pain all the time. After all we go through it would be nice if the Med's we have to take long term didn't have all these side effects. I will be taking Arimidex when I am done with Herceptin.
    I hope you are feeling better your in my prayers Kay,
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #6
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    smalldoggroomer said:

    Hi Char,
    I'm sorry your in
    Hi Char,
    I'm sorry your in pain all the time. After all we go through it would be nice if the Med's we have to take long term didn't have all these side effects. I will be taking Arimidex when I am done with Herceptin.
    I hope you are feeling better your in my prayers Kay,

    Hey Char
    I just switched
    Hey Char
    I just switched from Arimidex to Tamoxifin, which does strengthen bones. My Onc. says the difference in effectiveness of the 2 drugs is low, and the benifits of Tamoxifin as a bone strengthener makes it a better choice for me. I told him straight out that if Tamox. was a step backwards from Arimidex, I didn't want to switch, but he assures me that it is just as good a choice for me. So have this discussion with your Onc.
    Dee
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #7
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    Arimidex
    Dear Char,

    Not everyone on Arimidex have bone and joint pain. I used Arimidex for five years as my first AI and did not have one bone or joint pain. I'm on Femara now and do have that side effect.

    I would certainly see your primary care physician to pick up a prescription for Fosamax or Boniva. If osteoporosis runs in your family it would be a good preventative measure. On Arimidex, I fell and developed three vertebrae compression fractures. No fun! I don't know why they don't give a prescription for bisphosphonate when they give one for Aromatase Inhibitors.

    If your lungs are clear after your March ct scan, you might want to consider something for vaginal dryness. I used a product called "Estring" along with Arimidex. My oncologist approved the recommendation from my gynecologist. Protects the plumbing too.

    If your nodules are indeed malignant then you do want Arimidex. I'm alive thanks to AI's and I love this drugs though when I hurt, I hate it. A real love/hate affair.

    It takes a good 3 weeks or longer before side effects are notice. Especially bone and joint pain. Wishing you the best on Arimidex.

    SIROD
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #8
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    jessiesmom1 said:

    Suspicious lung nodules
    Just wondering: Why are you having your port removed if you have suspicious lung nodules that may require treatment that could use a port?

    Ports
    I know this question wasn't address to me, here is my opinion anyway.

    When women are post menopausal and are ER or PR positive, they do better on target treatment which are the hormonals, Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Aromasin, Femara, Faslodex and etc.

    SIROD
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #9
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    SIROD said:

    Arimidex
    Dear Char,

    Not everyone on Arimidex have bone and joint pain. I used Arimidex for five years as my first AI and did not have one bone or joint pain. I'm on Femara now and do have that side effect.

    I would certainly see your primary care physician to pick up a prescription for Fosamax or Boniva. If osteoporosis runs in your family it would be a good preventative measure. On Arimidex, I fell and developed three vertebrae compression fractures. No fun! I don't know why they don't give a prescription for bisphosphonate when they give one for Aromatase Inhibitors.

    If your lungs are clear after your March ct scan, you might want to consider something for vaginal dryness. I used a product called "Estring" along with Arimidex. My oncologist approved the recommendation from my gynecologist. Protects the plumbing too.

    If your nodules are indeed malignant then you do want Arimidex. I'm alive thanks to AI's and I love this drugs though when I hurt, I hate it. A real love/hate affair.

    It takes a good 3 weeks or longer before side effects are notice. Especially bone and joint pain. Wishing you the best on Arimidex.

    SIROD

    Took
    the first pill today. Tiny thing! My sister took Arimidex 8 years ago and had no side effects. I have degenerative disc disease in my spine. I had 3 disc cervical fusion done 2 years ago. I also have lumbar spinal stenosis. My rheumatologist keeps an eye on things as does my spine surgeon. I do not want to take any more medication than absolutely necessary. I take plenty of calcium and Vit D. My sister who has osteoporosis could not tolerate Fosamax and she is the one who just had DCIS recurrence. She took Tamoxifen for 5 years 9 years ago and will now start taking Avista. Everything has it's downside and I'm hoping to be one with no side effects.
    Char
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #10
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    cahjah75 said:

    Took
    the first pill today. Tiny thing! My sister took Arimidex 8 years ago and had no side effects. I have degenerative disc disease in my spine. I had 3 disc cervical fusion done 2 years ago. I also have lumbar spinal stenosis. My rheumatologist keeps an eye on things as does my spine surgeon. I do not want to take any more medication than absolutely necessary. I take plenty of calcium and Vit D. My sister who has osteoporosis could not tolerate Fosamax and she is the one who just had DCIS recurrence. She took Tamoxifen for 5 years 9 years ago and will now start taking Avista. Everything has it's downside and I'm hoping to be one with no side effects.
    Char

    Osteoporosis
    My sister has osteoporosis also and can't take Fosamax. I told her to inquire about an infusion of Zometa or Aredia. Tamoxifen doesn't have the same problem with bones as AI's.

    I also can not take any bisphosphonate due to my uveitis.

    I do know what you mean about not wanting to have one more pill to take. I already take so many.

    Hard to believe such a tiny pill could do so much havoc. I do hope you have no side effects, Char. Everyone is different and one can not go by another's experience.

    Here is to hoping you will be side effects free!


    Doris
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #11
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    Hoping
    Dear Char,
    I am hoping that you have absolutely no side effects and maybe even have some relief from that nasty ole arthritis! You deserve a break and I hope it is on the way!!
    MB
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #12
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    sbmly53 said:

    Oh, Char
    I'm so sorry for your pain. I have been on Arimidex since June. I have increased hot flashes, night sweats. I have fibromyalgia so I hurt most of the time. I know I have had some increased pain but not constantly, so not enough to switch. At least not yet.

    Sue

    Praying you have no side
    Praying you have no side effects.


    Hugs, Diane

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