A small problem - Arimidex?

JAAL

grandmato3 said:

Arimidex
I already have osteoporosis - another side effect of the Arimidex that I acquired. I take calcium and vitamin D for that. I don't take anything else yet, because I'm concerned about the side effects on the digestive system. I have Crohn's disease and diverticulosis. After my next bone density scan, we'll see. My oncologist suggests a once-a-year injection that doesn't have much in the way of side effects; he's finding out whether insurance will pay for it. When I was considering treatment options after my mastectomy, the oncologist gave me tons of information to look over. He also let me make up my own mind, and only then gave me his opinion. Will let you know what he says about my current problem with joints and depression. Maybe he will suggest a different antidepressant.

Femara, Aromason, Tamoxifin side effects
After breast surgery, radiation therapy, and trying both Femara and Aromason, I am now on Tamoxefin. I tried to stay on the Femara as it seemed the best medicine out there, but the joint pain I had made it impossible to stand. I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, and my fingers and toes cogwheeled, stiffened and wouldn't move smoothly. So I am on Tamoxifin and pray that will prevent recurrence of the cancer. I have been noticing that I have that pain that usually means I am going to get a urinary tract infection more often. Not necessarily related to sexual activity, pain exacerbated upon urination. I have foound sitting in a hot tub of water anad taking Naproxyn ease it up within a couple of hours, plus drinking alot of fluid, cranberry juice. I have a gyn appt. in Dec. and will ask her for something to prevent this recurrence if possible. There is no problem with dryness vaginally. I am also very apprehensive about an up-coming MRI of the breast. The last MRI showed an increased dye up-take at the surgical site. The radiologist will determine if I need a biopsy after she reads this new MRI in Dec. I am scared to death that it is cancer growth, because I keep reading that if the dye is taken up it is usually cancer cells!? The radiologist feels that the smooth appearance of the dye line indicates scar tissue absorbing the dye. Has anyone been through this that can put my mind at ease. This cancer is so scarey for me, and my husband is reading all the negative things about cancer patients and I think he is going to just walk out on me. He just lost his father, and now the thought of living with a sick wife is too much. Of course, that leaves me in a great spot. If I get a clean bill of health I am thinking to ask the team not to share the information with my husband. I don't want to lose him. Sorry, I have alot of apprehension and it is pouring out.

Joycelouise

JAAL said:

Femara, Aromason, Tamoxifin side effects
After breast surgery, radiation therapy, and trying both Femara and Aromason, I am now on Tamoxefin. I tried to stay on the Femara as it seemed the best medicine out there, but the joint pain I had made it impossible to stand. I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, and my fingers and toes cogwheeled, stiffened and wouldn't move smoothly. So I am on Tamoxifin and pray that will prevent recurrence of the cancer. I have been noticing that I have that pain that usually means I am going to get a urinary tract infection more often. Not necessarily related to sexual activity, pain exacerbated upon urination. I have foound sitting in a hot tub of water anad taking Naproxyn ease it up within a couple of hours, plus drinking alot of fluid, cranberry juice. I have a gyn appt. in Dec. and will ask her for something to prevent this recurrence if possible. There is no problem with dryness vaginally. I am also very apprehensive about an up-coming MRI of the breast. The last MRI showed an increased dye up-take at the surgical site. The radiologist will determine if I need a biopsy after she reads this new MRI in Dec. I am scared to death that it is cancer growth, because I keep reading that if the dye is taken up it is usually cancer cells!? The radiologist feels that the smooth appearance of the dye line indicates scar tissue absorbing the dye. Has anyone been through this that can put my mind at ease. This cancer is so scarey for me, and my husband is reading all the negative things about cancer patients and I think he is going to just walk out on me. He just lost his father, and now the thought of living with a sick wife is too much. Of course, that leaves me in a great spot. If I get a clean bill of health I am thinking to ask the team not to share the information with my husband. I don't want to lose him. Sorry, I have alot of apprehension and it is pouring out.

Jaal, I am so glad it is
Jaal, I am so glad it is pouring out. Let it go. I would put a some faith in that radiologist...please don't think the worst. Your post made me think. We all know of the need to educate those around us about cancer, but sometimes we also need to educate them about how survivable it has become. Maybe you can find some ways to share good news statistics about wellness with your husband. You know, all those upbeat pamphlets, etc. that don't quite put our minds at ease? Well my husband eats them up! They put his mind at ease! I get a lot of "Everything is going to be okay, Joyce!". Just because I keep that still niggling doubt, after all it is my life, doesn't mean others around us will if we just give them the chance to feel assured. This may sound like I am just writing empty stuff to cheer you up, but there is another member of my household who has given me real experience in this and that is my 15 year old son. Of course he worries. So, when I got back from my one year check up I was sure to tell him,"I am back from the doctor and she tells me that I am cancer free as of now!" And we did a little celebrating. I haven't lied to him about the possibility of it coming back one day, but he does need a few sound bites to let his sweet little mind rest a bit from worry. I wish you the best, from the bottom of my heart, Joyce

JAAL

Thank you for your response.
Thank you for your response. It really is helpful to know we are talking to someone who really understands what we are facing. I remind my husband that there are many false positive MRIs and therefore perhaps mine is. I do find the radiologist to be sincere and very competent and her words did give me hope for about 4 months, but then my husband began acting really negative about everything, and was on me to call the surgeon about every symptom I had, and I know I began to waver in that gut feeling that everything is ok. I guess waiting six months to find out if the cancer recurred has been a bit overwhelming. I am trying to focus on the holidays, which I love, and make this a positive season for my family. I actually don't dwell on my cancer so it is the only subject we talk about, that could be a big downer for us all. I feel fortunate that I am not suffering many side effects as yet from the Tamoxefin, and I bought an over the counter med for the UTIs that seems to be working if I take it every six hours.It is called Cystex. IF that problem goes away I am sure I will feel alot more positive about everything. Thank you again.

Chellebug

JAAL said:

Femara, Aromason, Tamoxifin side effects
After breast surgery, radiation therapy, and trying both Femara and Aromason, I am now on Tamoxefin. I tried to stay on the Femara as it seemed the best medicine out there, but the joint pain I had made it impossible to stand. I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, and my fingers and toes cogwheeled, stiffened and wouldn't move smoothly. So I am on Tamoxifin and pray that will prevent recurrence of the cancer. I have been noticing that I have that pain that usually means I am going to get a urinary tract infection more often. Not necessarily related to sexual activity, pain exacerbated upon urination. I have foound sitting in a hot tub of water anad taking Naproxyn ease it up within a couple of hours, plus drinking alot of fluid, cranberry juice. I have a gyn appt. in Dec. and will ask her for something to prevent this recurrence if possible. There is no problem with dryness vaginally. I am also very apprehensive about an up-coming MRI of the breast. The last MRI showed an increased dye up-take at the surgical site. The radiologist will determine if I need a biopsy after she reads this new MRI in Dec. I am scared to death that it is cancer growth, because I keep reading that if the dye is taken up it is usually cancer cells!? The radiologist feels that the smooth appearance of the dye line indicates scar tissue absorbing the dye. Has anyone been through this that can put my mind at ease. This cancer is so scarey for me, and my husband is reading all the negative things about cancer patients and I think he is going to just walk out on me. He just lost his father, and now the thought of living with a sick wife is too much. Of course, that leaves me in a great spot. If I get a clean bill of health I am thinking to ask the team not to share the information with my husband. I don't want to lose him. Sorry, I have alot of apprehension and it is pouring out.

Increased up-take at surgical site
Hi Jaal,

How long ago was your surgery?

You are right in saying that dye is taken up quickly near cancer growth BUT that is not because of the cancer, but because of the increased blood supply to it.

Another reason for increased blood supply is due to the surgery itself. After surgery, your body does all it can to heal the area that was cut. That means that new blood vessels will be forming. So, it's very normal for there to be an increased up-take of the dye around the surgical site for many months after breast surgery. As my surgeon put it after my second lumpectomy, "We'll have to wait to do an MRI. If we do it now, the whole area around the lumpectomy will 'light' up."

I hope that eases your mind some!

Chelle

JAAL

In appreciation
It sure does give me comfort to know that the area may light up if the MRI is done soon after surgery. My radiologist did try to calm me down because I was all set to insist on a biopsy, she told me the dye up-take was too smooth for her to think cancer growth, she felt pretty sure it was scar tissue up-take. In the mean time I have been losing it with worry. I thought I was strong but found out differently.

If I get a clean bill of health, pray for that, I wanted to have breast reconstruction and learned that the only way the plastic surgeon would do it was to add a new scar else where. I really don't want another scar. I really wish they would come up with surgery to fill the hole where they excised the lump without cutting in another body area. I would think expanders could expand the tissue and then allow for a saline implant. Any ideas on this.

I was told my UTI that has been bothering me for a while isn't from the Tamoxefin. Am on Cipro, even though I asked for Bactrim, oh well lets hope.

I hope you both have wonderful holidays.

JAAL

UTI
The Oncology nurse practitioner assured us that the UTI is not a side effect from Tamoxefin. I am on Cipro and am now feeling better. I guess we blame everything on either the cancer or the treatment. Have good holidays everyone.

Irishwhispers

cabbott said:

Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors work differently to stop cancer. Tamoxifen blocks the estrogen receptors with a weak estrogen-like substance. Like putting watered down gas in a car makes it stop running, the weak estrogen-like substances keep cancer from growing. Well, at least they seem to work for awhile. But after a few years (some researchers think about 2.5 years) cancer sometimes mutates into a form that actually runs on the weak stuff. It takes about 2.5 years more before these cells get numerous enough to start spreading and causing problems. Taking you off the Tamoxifen after 5 years stops the new cancer from getting the Tamoxifen that is now fueling its growth and slows down the chance of reoccurance for another 5 years (hopefully!). While some women lose bone while on Tamoxifen, many build bone while on Tamoxifen. That may be from the extra estrogen-like substances in addition to their own estrogen. Tamoxifen can cause uterine cancer because it stimulates cell growth there. I was one of the rare lovelies to get stubborn ovarian cysts while on Tamoxifen. That can be one of the rarer but known side effects of Tamoxifen. California lists Tamoxifen as a carcenigen (cancer causing agent). Please note that early stage uterine cancer is much easier to fix when the doctors are looking for it than untreated breast cancer is. Just remember to see your gyn yearly and tell him right away if unexpected bleeding occurs.

The aromatase inhibitors can only be used AFTER menapause has happened. That is because they are not strong enough to stop the ovaries from making estrogen. However, they can stop estrogen from being made by our andrenal glands and body fat. Estrogen dessert about describes it. Since the estrogen level is pretty much nil, the cancer doesn't have any fuel at all. That stops estrogen postitive cancer from growing even better than Tamoxifen with its weak estrogen-like substances. (Totally off the subject, did you know that Tamoxifen was first created to help women get pregnant? Or that it is currently used by body builders to cut fat?)Cancer cells don't adopt to a no fuel environment. However, if an estrogen negative cancer cell exists, it could grow in either environment, so aromatase inhibitors don't mean a zero risk of cancer. As my oncologist said, "If it comes back, hormone therapy won't be all you need. It will be aggressive in nature. . ." He's a nice guy but he doesn't hold back on the bad news. Aromatase inhibitors don't seem to cause uterine cancer. Neither do they prevent it, but at least they don't cause it.

I've been on both drugs. After a surgical menapause for suspected ovarian cancer (false alarm), my doctor suggested I change to the aromatase inhibitor. I had been on Tamoxifen for 2.5 to three years. A study had been done to show that patients who switched at 2.5 years from Tamoxifen to Exemestane survived much longer and with less reoccurances than folks who stayed on Tamoxifen. A lot of research suggests that folks that START on the aromatase inhibitors get less reoccurances than folks that start on Tamoxifen. But the research is very young because the drugs haven't existed all that long. There is no research yet to show how long the better effects last. There is no 20 year research to show what the long term outcome will be on our bodies. There is no comparison long term research showing when is the optimal time to quit Tamoxifen and start on an aromatase inhibitor. There are only a few completed shorter studies so my doctor went with the one that he knew was successful mentioned above and suggested I switch. That was about 3 or 4 years ago. It is hard for me to separate the surgical menapause from the effects of the aromatase inhibitor, but between the two I certainly experienced plenty of hot flashes. I have also learned to really baby my joints. Aromatase inhibitors do cause inflamed joints that feel somewhat like arthritis. However, Vitamin D testing and treatment seemed to stop that effect on my joints. I was very grateful that it worked. I'm sure the orthodics and the exercises I do help too. But I still have to make sure I don't get an overuse injury. I am very active but I don't carry a shoulder bag, do too many toe stretches in yoga class, or work past the point of being tired at anything. Pain is not the same as tired. Tired muscles are good. Strained muscles are not. Another effect of aromatase inhibitors is that they are all bone eaters. Many studies have pointed out that going on bone builders like Alendronate sodium (Fosamax) will stop bone loss for folks on aromatase inhibitors. After 2 years on the Exemestane, my regular doctor finally decided that it was time to stop the bone loss and put me on the generic form of Fosamax. I don't have osteoporosis yet, but my back had some osteopenic spots and I didn't want it to get worse. Before you go on an aromatase inhibitor, you should have a bone scan. This needs to be repeated every two years to keep close track of how your bones are faring. You don't want to beat cancer only to break a hip and die anyhow of complications of osteoporosis a few years later!

So what should you do? You need to assess your risk. If you are dealing with aggressive cancer that just happens to be estrogen driven, then it is certainly worth your while to check out the aromatase inhibitors. Yes, I have hot flashes regularly (like every hour though they are not as hot this year as they were last year). Yes, my joints have been problematic at times, but I've found ways to take care of most of that problem. But these aromatase inhibitors are TWICE as good as Tamoxifen at stopping cancer growth and spread. If you find them unbearable, you can always go back to Tamoxifen. You could stay on Tamoxifen for a few years and then go on the aromatase inhibitors. You could go on the aromatase inhibitors for 5 years and then quit. Perhaps future research will discover that we can stay on the aromatase inhibitors much longer. Maybe they will discover that we can flip from one to the other back and forth for several decades. Maybe they will discover that 5 years is sufficient treatment. Right now, it is a guessing game. The only thing that is known is that the aromatase inhibitors are about twice as good as Tamoxifen, which was the gold standard for treatment for the last few decades.

C. Abbott

Another Cabbott Fan
That would be me!! Cabbott, I always read your posts!
I am very concerned(close to fearful) about going on Arimidex. Your posts truly are so helpful as others have said.

I completed 4 cycles of Adriamycin & Cytoxan & their cronies on November 5th. Now facing the next step.. Arimidex..

I have been "post-mentalpausal"..lol since I was 27 due to a complete hysterctomy I am 53 now... I wore the hormone patches for a short period of time... maybe a year or less...I have never taken hormones since. Not sure that is a good thing or not but, I just didnt think I needed them. My bones are just fine, I never suffered from "personal summers"(hotflashes) or any of the bad side effects from lack of hormones. Now.... OMG @ middle of the night Personal Summers!!! and thats just from 4 cycles of Chemo!

After researching and reading the posts here of about Arimidex.... I can say Im sooooooooooo not looking forward to taking it.... and to top matters off ....my onco's Nurse Pract... tells me I am going to have to continue taking it the rest of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!! don't get me wrong... I will do whatever it takes to keep the Reoccurrance Rate at its lowest...
as I elected to do chemo after my mammosite radiation... (I landed a 22 on my OncoTyping test - midrange)
I just have so many concerns over these drugs that they "say" will do this or that... and there is no long term research to truly prove the statements of lower reoccurrance ect....
I will be starting the Arimidex soon(1mg) and I know that there is a chance I wont have alot of the side effects... then again... I am the poster child for Murphy's Law!!! LOL

Anyways.. thank you for your information-packed posts.. they are so helpful!!!!!!

Hugs!!

~Trish~

creampuff91344

cabbott said:

Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors work differently to stop cancer. Tamoxifen blocks the estrogen receptors with a weak estrogen-like substance. Like putting watered down gas in a car makes it stop running, the weak estrogen-like substances keep cancer from growing. Well, at least they seem to work for awhile. But after a few years (some researchers think about 2.5 years) cancer sometimes mutates into a form that actually runs on the weak stuff. It takes about 2.5 years more before these cells get numerous enough to start spreading and causing problems. Taking you off the Tamoxifen after 5 years stops the new cancer from getting the Tamoxifen that is now fueling its growth and slows down the chance of reoccurance for another 5 years (hopefully!). While some women lose bone while on Tamoxifen, many build bone while on Tamoxifen. That may be from the extra estrogen-like substances in addition to their own estrogen. Tamoxifen can cause uterine cancer because it stimulates cell growth there. I was one of the rare lovelies to get stubborn ovarian cysts while on Tamoxifen. That can be one of the rarer but known side effects of Tamoxifen. California lists Tamoxifen as a carcenigen (cancer causing agent). Please note that early stage uterine cancer is much easier to fix when the doctors are looking for it than untreated breast cancer is. Just remember to see your gyn yearly and tell him right away if unexpected bleeding occurs.

The aromatase inhibitors can only be used AFTER menapause has happened. That is because they are not strong enough to stop the ovaries from making estrogen. However, they can stop estrogen from being made by our andrenal glands and body fat. Estrogen dessert about describes it. Since the estrogen level is pretty much nil, the cancer doesn't have any fuel at all. That stops estrogen postitive cancer from growing even better than Tamoxifen with its weak estrogen-like substances. (Totally off the subject, did you know that Tamoxifen was first created to help women get pregnant? Or that it is currently used by body builders to cut fat?)Cancer cells don't adopt to a no fuel environment. However, if an estrogen negative cancer cell exists, it could grow in either environment, so aromatase inhibitors don't mean a zero risk of cancer. As my oncologist said, "If it comes back, hormone therapy won't be all you need. It will be aggressive in nature. . ." He's a nice guy but he doesn't hold back on the bad news. Aromatase inhibitors don't seem to cause uterine cancer. Neither do they prevent it, but at least they don't cause it.

I've been on both drugs. After a surgical menapause for suspected ovarian cancer (false alarm), my doctor suggested I change to the aromatase inhibitor. I had been on Tamoxifen for 2.5 to three years. A study had been done to show that patients who switched at 2.5 years from Tamoxifen to Exemestane survived much longer and with less reoccurances than folks who stayed on Tamoxifen. A lot of research suggests that folks that START on the aromatase inhibitors get less reoccurances than folks that start on Tamoxifen. But the research is very young because the drugs haven't existed all that long. There is no research yet to show how long the better effects last. There is no 20 year research to show what the long term outcome will be on our bodies. There is no comparison long term research showing when is the optimal time to quit Tamoxifen and start on an aromatase inhibitor. There are only a few completed shorter studies so my doctor went with the one that he knew was successful mentioned above and suggested I switch. That was about 3 or 4 years ago. It is hard for me to separate the surgical menapause from the effects of the aromatase inhibitor, but between the two I certainly experienced plenty of hot flashes. I have also learned to really baby my joints. Aromatase inhibitors do cause inflamed joints that feel somewhat like arthritis. However, Vitamin D testing and treatment seemed to stop that effect on my joints. I was very grateful that it worked. I'm sure the orthodics and the exercises I do help too. But I still have to make sure I don't get an overuse injury. I am very active but I don't carry a shoulder bag, do too many toe stretches in yoga class, or work past the point of being tired at anything. Pain is not the same as tired. Tired muscles are good. Strained muscles are not. Another effect of aromatase inhibitors is that they are all bone eaters. Many studies have pointed out that going on bone builders like Alendronate sodium (Fosamax) will stop bone loss for folks on aromatase inhibitors. After 2 years on the Exemestane, my regular doctor finally decided that it was time to stop the bone loss and put me on the generic form of Fosamax. I don't have osteoporosis yet, but my back had some osteopenic spots and I didn't want it to get worse. Before you go on an aromatase inhibitor, you should have a bone scan. This needs to be repeated every two years to keep close track of how your bones are faring. You don't want to beat cancer only to break a hip and die anyhow of complications of osteoporosis a few years later!

So what should you do? You need to assess your risk. If you are dealing with aggressive cancer that just happens to be estrogen driven, then it is certainly worth your while to check out the aromatase inhibitors. Yes, I have hot flashes regularly (like every hour though they are not as hot this year as they were last year). Yes, my joints have been problematic at times, but I've found ways to take care of most of that problem. But these aromatase inhibitors are TWICE as good as Tamoxifen at stopping cancer growth and spread. If you find them unbearable, you can always go back to Tamoxifen. You could stay on Tamoxifen for a few years and then go on the aromatase inhibitors. You could go on the aromatase inhibitors for 5 years and then quit. Perhaps future research will discover that we can stay on the aromatase inhibitors much longer. Maybe they will discover that we can flip from one to the other back and forth for several decades. Maybe they will discover that 5 years is sufficient treatment. Right now, it is a guessing game. The only thing that is known is that the aromatase inhibitors are about twice as good as Tamoxifen, which was the gold standard for treatment for the last few decades.

C. Abbott

Aramotase Inhibitors
Cabbott, I have read your lengthy post regarding aramotase inhibitors, and have been on Femara for about three months. The main problem I have (besides bone pain, toe pain) is that I have been experiencing depression, which I have had to deal with before. Have you had problems with this, and if so, how do we combat it. The internet is a marvelous way to find information regarding the correlation between the drug and our mind set, but the use of anti-depressant drugs doesn't work for me. Four years ago I lost my daughter at age 40, and battled depression for several months before seeking medical help. They put me on Zoloft, and after about a week I felt like I was having an out of body experience....watching myself from above, and not being able to do much of anything because of the fog it put me in. Anyway, the depression I am currently experiencing has just about taken its toll on me as well as my family. Do you have any suggestions. I always read your posts, and have been so grateful to have someone who can explain things in layman's terms rather than the detailed medical jarrgon that most medical doctors have. I have also been having anxiety, which has been a problem. Help!

Judy

creampuff91344

JAAL said:

UTI
The Oncology nurse practitioner assured us that the UTI is not a side effect from Tamoxefin. I am on Cipro and am now feeling better. I guess we blame everything on either the cancer or the treatment. Have good holidays everyone.

A Small Problem - Aramidex
Cabbott, I have read your post regarding the side effects you have had experience with while taking an aramotase inhibitor, along with all of the responses, and have a question. Have you ever dealt with depression? I seem to have gotten into a mood that doesn't let up, and keeps me anxious and on edge all of the time. My ability to function normally seems to have diminished tremendously, and I am finding myself sitting at home rather than getting out and enjoying life. With the holidays coming up, I need help in this area. At first I blamed it on my immune system being so far down that I felt I couldn't get around people in fear of catching somehting. Now that I am gaining immunity, I really need to put this fear aside, and get back to living. We cancelled a short trip to relatives for Thanksgiving, and don't want to do the same for Christmas. I know lots of you have had mood swings that have caused you to be down, and would like help in dealing with this problem. Help!

Judy

JAAL

UTI
I am afraid that the Cipro didn't take care of the infection after all. The minute the 11th hour arrives I have the pain coming back. I will call the GP in the am.
My big problem today, there seems to be a new one every minute, is that my insurance has just said it wouldn't pay for my MRI. I was told I needed to have another MRI to determine if the cancer has started to spread, and if so a biopsy to confirm this will have to be done. I have been put on hold for six months which have been hell, and now I find out the insurance doesn't agree!
I am wondering if the insurance through my husband wont pay, can you submit to Medicaid? I have never had to use it yet.
I will be calling my surgeon to get him to appeal the insurance response, but I can't wait another three months while they deliberate. I also am retired and on a fixed income now so cannot affort the 3400 dollars for the MRI. So if you aren't rich you take your chances in this great USA? Has anyone out there won an appeal, and would you mind letting me know how? I am so frustrated, and frightened, but I also cant go bankrupt and drag my husband down with me. Any suggestions.
I also read the new person with the worry about depression. I have been blaming all the problems I keep running into, I am on Tamoxifen, and have broken down crying at the drop of a hat. Hopefully that will resolve if the insurance does. Hope you let your oncologist know how you have been feeling. An antidepressant may be what you need.

cabbott

creampuff91344 said:

A Small Problem - Aramidex
Cabbott, I have read your post regarding the side effects you have had experience with while taking an aramotase inhibitor, along with all of the responses, and have a question. Have you ever dealt with depression? I seem to have gotten into a mood that doesn't let up, and keeps me anxious and on edge all of the time. My ability to function normally seems to have diminished tremendously, and I am finding myself sitting at home rather than getting out and enjoying life. With the holidays coming up, I need help in this area. At first I blamed it on my immune system being so far down that I felt I couldn't get around people in fear of catching somehting. Now that I am gaining immunity, I really need to put this fear aside, and get back to living. We cancelled a short trip to relatives for Thanksgiving, and don't want to do the same for Christmas. I know lots of you have had mood swings that have caused you to be down, and would like help in dealing with this problem. Help!

Judy

Depression
Depression doesn't seem to be a side effect that I'm having, but a few of the other folks who write in have mentioned it. One said she went on a drug "holiday" and the blues lifted. You could talk to your doctor about that. Sometimes a different drug is needed. Other options I know about include taking an antidepressant or getting regular cardio exercise (hard enough to make you sweat for about an hour a day). A friend of mine tried exercise--swimming laps--after Tamoxifen gave her a regular case of the blues. She not only got up and off the couch, but she won some medals in the Senior Olympics.

C. Abbott

creampuff91344

JAAL said:

UTI
I am afraid that the Cipro didn't take care of the infection after all. The minute the 11th hour arrives I have the pain coming back. I will call the GP in the am.
My big problem today, there seems to be a new one every minute, is that my insurance has just said it wouldn't pay for my MRI. I was told I needed to have another MRI to determine if the cancer has started to spread, and if so a biopsy to confirm this will have to be done. I have been put on hold for six months which have been hell, and now I find out the insurance doesn't agree!
I am wondering if the insurance through my husband wont pay, can you submit to Medicaid? I have never had to use it yet.
I will be calling my surgeon to get him to appeal the insurance response, but I can't wait another three months while they deliberate. I also am retired and on a fixed income now so cannot affort the 3400 dollars for the MRI. So if you aren't rich you take your chances in this great USA? Has anyone out there won an appeal, and would you mind letting me know how? I am so frustrated, and frightened, but I also cant go bankrupt and drag my husband down with me. Any suggestions.
I also read the new person with the worry about depression. I have been blaming all the problems I keep running into, I am on Tamoxifen, and have broken down crying at the drop of a hat. Hopefully that will resolve if the insurance does. Hope you let your oncologist know how you have been feeling. An antidepressant may be what you need.

Depression
I do have my first follow up visit with my oncologist on December 9th, and will discuss the problems I am having with taking Femara. Another of the aromatase inhibitors may be what I will need to try, and will take Cabbott's advice and try more stringent exercise. I walk about two miles a day, but will probably need to include some cardio. I haven't really had the energy to do this over the past few weeks, but will give it a try. Anything is worth getting my body where it will accept the drug. The thought has entered my mind to stop taking Femara until I see the oncologist, and may try that to see if it affects my depression. Taking anti-depressant drugs just isn't for me, as I was prescribed Zoloft when we lost our daughter in 2004. It made me feel like I was having an out-of-body experience, and didn't react well with my system. Enough for me. Any advice I can get from those of you who have been having depression problems would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

Judy

JAAL

Depression
I can understand not wanting to take antidepressants. Walking is great therapy, it releases endorphons and makes you feel better, plus you tighten muscles, and are healthier for it.
If you have someone whom you trust, and who doesn't absorb your negative feelings and end up needing your support, talk openly about all your thoughts and fears, options, everything. If your husband is the support that is great. Good luck. Some of the meds do take time to adjust to, I just knew immediatly that I couldn't take Femara nor Aromasin. Doing well on the Tamoxefin.
Right now I am fighting with insurance companies to cover the medically necessary MRi 12-12-08.

JAAL

Depression
I can understand not wanting to take antidepressants. Walking is great therapy, it releases endorphons and makes you feel better, plus you tighten muscles, and are healthier for it.
If you have someone whom you trust, and who doesn't absorb your negative feelings and end up needing your support, talk openly about all your thoughts and fears, options, everything. If your husband is the support that is great. Good luck. Some of the meds do take time to adjust to, I just knew immediatly that I couldn't take Femara nor Aromasin. Doing well on the Tamoxefin.
Right now I am fighting with insurance companies to cover the medically necessary MRi 12-12-08.

grandmato3

Depression
I am on Arimidex and have been experiencing depression and anxiety. There are real things in my life to worry about - including of course the cancer, as well as our son who is a Marine. Not to mention money. I was on Lexapro, an antidepressant with - supposedly - few side effects. I felt a bit better, but got high blood pressure, which is a side effect, and the doctor took me off it. When I went to my oncologist a couple of weeks ago about the probloem and told him I'm concerned that the depression is from the Arimidex, he said it probably wasn't; but I did read on several drug sites on line that depression and fatigue are among the side effects of Arimidex. The oncologist prescribed another antidepressant, Cymbalta. When I read the list of side effects, I decided there was no way I'd take it. I could end up in worse shape than I am. The literature that came with the prescription mentioned mood changes, hallucinations, nightmares, thoughts of suicide (although that one occurs mostly in young people), and other good things in addition to the usual side effects. The literature also warned that the patient should have someone keep an eye on her and call the doctor if she behaves strangely. I absolutely won't take an antidepressant; I've heard so much from people I know who have, and they say much the same thing creampuff says. They feel better without the pills. I'll try walkinh regularly. That may help the aches, too. I'm tempted to stop taking the Arimidex and just take my chances and hope for the best. The way I feel now isn't really living anyway.

JAAL

Side effects from medications
I know how frustrating all of this is. I tried two medications and suffered through all kinds of debilitating pain from dry joints before I finally went on Tamoxifen. Luckily I have not had any side effects. I read that after two years on this med they want to put you back on Femara or Arimasin, but I guess I will have to find a new drug or at least a different one. Like you I didn't feel it was any kind of quality of life in pain every day. I was used to being active and enjoying life, I was crippled. The side effects went away quite quickly after I stopped the meds. Ask for a change of med, there are choices now. My sister has had no side effects from either the Tamoxifen nor the Arimasin, just lucky I guess. Hope you get this resolved soon, you don't want to feel depressed over the holidays!

dorothyt

JAAL said:

Side effects from medications
I know how frustrating all of this is. I tried two medications and suffered through all kinds of debilitating pain from dry joints before I finally went on Tamoxifen. Luckily I have not had any side effects. I read that after two years on this med they want to put you back on Femara or Arimasin, but I guess I will have to find a new drug or at least a different one. Like you I didn't feel it was any kind of quality of life in pain every day. I was used to being active and enjoying life, I was crippled. The side effects went away quite quickly after I stopped the meds. Ask for a change of med, there are choices now. My sister has had no side effects from either the Tamoxifen nor the Arimasin, just lucky I guess. Hope you get this resolved soon, you don't want to feel depressed over the holidays!

I'm feeling depressed also
I'm feeling depressed also and I take Arimidex. I found out that Arimidex is a depressant. Is there any medicines that do not have any side effects?

tasha_111

dorothyt said:

I'm feeling depressed also
I'm feeling depressed also and I take Arimidex. I found out that Arimidex is a depressant. Is there any medicines that do not have any side effects?

depression
Same here. Don't know if it's the Tamoxifen, the Effexor, or the events of the past year. I am getting off the Effexor because it's causing tremors like you wouldn't believe. Well, I think it's the effexor doing that. We'll soon find out. Hugs to you all J x

grandmato3

Depression - and other side effects
I also have tremors. My oncologist said 3 other patients of his who are on Aimidex complained of tremors also. He sent me to a neurologist to rule out anything else like Parkinson's Disease. The neurologist found no underlying cause for the tremors. I cna live with the tremors, but I don't want to live with the depression. Besides, all this kind of makes you wonder what other side effects are going on in your body that you don't know about yet. I think I'm going to find a doctor for a second opinion on the whole business.

young_one

grandmato3 said:

Depression - and other side effects
I also have tremors. My oncologist said 3 other patients of his who are on Aimidex complained of tremors also. He sent me to a neurologist to rule out anything else like Parkinson's Disease. The neurologist found no underlying cause for the tremors. I cna live with the tremors, but I don't want to live with the depression. Besides, all this kind of makes you wonder what other side effects are going on in your body that you don't know about yet. I think I'm going to find a doctor for a second opinion on the whole business.

There are three different
There are three different aromatase inhibitors:

Arimidex = anastrazole

Aromasin = exemestane

Femara = letrozole

As with any meds, everyone reacts differently to all of them. I know several who made the switch to Femara and are very happy to report significantly fewer side effects. Ask your doc about switching to Aromasin or Femara.