Starting Arimidex Thursday after 2 years of Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • Pinky68
    Pinky68 Member Posts: 206 Member
    #22
    jennytwist said:

    Hi Julie
    Hope you are feeling better every day!
    I was on tamoxifen for almost a year - the chemo put me into instant menopause but they had me on the tamoxifen for my first year out.
    I have just been switched from Arimedex to Aromasin to hopefully help with joint pain. I already have osteoarthritis so my Dr said it may be litte worse. I've been told to keep moving, which is sometimes really hard to do when it's hard to walk - but - it does help and keeps you from being too stiff to walk! If I sit tool long at work my knees don't bend when I stand up too easily but if it all keeps the beast at bay it's worth it!
    I think we all react differently to meds so I'm hoping you feel much better on this.
    I'm keeping you in my prayers!
    much love,
    Jenny
    p.s. hows your little one doing?

    Femara
    Don't know why I said I was starting Arimedex....I just looked at my bottle and it says Femara...I think the chemo is still affecting my short term memory!!lol

    Filled it last Friday, but I keep putting it off...tomorrow for sure..

    Is it better to take these in the morning or at bedtime?

    Hope your feeling good Julie,
    Joy
  • jphilpo
    jphilpo Member Posts: 177
    #23
    tamoxifen
    I can so relate to your misery. I was on femara for almost a year and switched to tamoxifen after pain and depression. I have been on tamoxifen for two years and my dr. is giving me a 1 month break to rest my body and see if it gets any better. Work is hard because I never feel good and I know co workers are probably sick of my issues. It is so depressing. I am considering getting off the tamoxifen just so I can work. I really just don't know what to do. I KNOW I'm depressed. I just can't take another drug!

    Jean
  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
    #24
    So far, so good with the
    So far, so good with the shot and Arimidex (please everyone, knock on some wood for me.) I started with taking the Arimidex at night, and I'm going to stick to it because I tend to feel a little nauseous a while after I take it. I sometimes feel like that first thing in the morning, too. I'm not having as many hot flashes, so far, as with Tamoxifen. I actually get cold sometimes. Yay! No joint or bone pain yet. I haven't missed a day of work since I stopped Tamoxifen 8/17. I was missing average of a day a month on Tamoxifen from not feeling well. By Friday every week, I was feeling like I was coming down with a cold. I don't have that now. BIG change! So for now, I'm going to keep on keepin' on!

    Thanks, Ladies!

    p.s. Jenny - Erin is awesome, thanks. Today is her 10th birthday! She has one foot in childhood and one foot in 'grown-up'-hood. She is still losing baby teeth, but can hold a conversation about cancer, estrogen, medicine, etc. Last night I was complaining about feeling a little queasy. She said, "Don't worry, Mommy.. it's probably your new medicine and you'll just need to wait until your body gets used to it..." I said Thanks, Mom. You're probably right! LOL
  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
    #25
    jphilpo said:

    tamoxifen
    I can so relate to your misery. I was on femara for almost a year and switched to tamoxifen after pain and depression. I have been on tamoxifen for two years and my dr. is giving me a 1 month break to rest my body and see if it gets any better. Work is hard because I never feel good and I know co workers are probably sick of my issues. It is so depressing. I am considering getting off the tamoxifen just so I can work. I really just don't know what to do. I KNOW I'm depressed. I just can't take another drug!

    Jean

    Jean,
    I SO identify with
    Jean,

    I SO identify with your post. Tamoxifen made me feel like crap ALL the time. And I was always apologizing to my supervisor for being stuck with the sick girl. Everyone at work is nice, but I can't help but feel that they are as tired of this after two years as I am. And being home and sick makes me feel even more depressed.

    Are you taking Effexor for your depression? It helps with hot flashes too. If you're not taking it, please consider asking your doctor for it. It does help.

    Please let us know how you're doing. Hang in there. It will get better. Even though most days it doesn't seem like it can, it will.
  • jphilpo
    jphilpo Member Posts: 177
    #26
    JuJuBeez said:

    Jean,
    I SO identify with
    Jean,

    I SO identify with your post. Tamoxifen made me feel like crap ALL the time. And I was always apologizing to my supervisor for being stuck with the sick girl. Everyone at work is nice, but I can't help but feel that they are as tired of this after two years as I am. And being home and sick makes me feel even more depressed.

    Are you taking Effexor for your depression? It helps with hot flashes too. If you're not taking it, please consider asking your doctor for it. It does help.

    Please let us know how you're doing. Hang in there. It will get better. Even though most days it doesn't seem like it can, it will.

    THANKS
    I did try the effexor. I had severe headaches, so I couldn't do it. Very frustrating. I can't believe I;m considering stopping tamoxifen, but, how do I function at work??
  • jennytwist
    jennytwist Member Posts: 896
    #27
    JuJuBeez said:

    So far, so good with the
    So far, so good with the shot and Arimidex (please everyone, knock on some wood for me.) I started with taking the Arimidex at night, and I'm going to stick to it because I tend to feel a little nauseous a while after I take it. I sometimes feel like that first thing in the morning, too. I'm not having as many hot flashes, so far, as with Tamoxifen. I actually get cold sometimes. Yay! No joint or bone pain yet. I haven't missed a day of work since I stopped Tamoxifen 8/17. I was missing average of a day a month on Tamoxifen from not feeling well. By Friday every week, I was feeling like I was coming down with a cold. I don't have that now. BIG change! So for now, I'm going to keep on keepin' on!

    Thanks, Ladies!

    p.s. Jenny - Erin is awesome, thanks. Today is her 10th birthday! She has one foot in childhood and one foot in 'grown-up'-hood. She is still losing baby teeth, but can hold a conversation about cancer, estrogen, medicine, etc. Last night I was complaining about feeling a little queasy. She said, "Don't worry, Mommy.. it's probably your new medicine and you'll just need to wait until your body gets used to it..." I said Thanks, Mom. You're probably right! LOL

    Hoping the
    Arimidex goes well for you!
    Wow - your little one is ten! I know what you mean about one foot in childhood and the other in "grown-up"-hood - happens so fast! Enjoy every minute with her - she sounds like such a sweetie - taking good care of Mom!
    keep us posted on your progress with the Arimidex - so glad you got started on it!
    much love,
    Jenny
  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    #28
    Tam
    Well ladies couldn't take any more Tamoxifen. The flashes were all the time and then felt hot inbetween any break I had. Even a watch on wrist or necklace made me warm. So I'm taking half a pill instead of a whole one..........I know, I know....... But the aches are better the tummy a little smaller. The osteoarthritis pain was all day and night which became nasty on this drug. Plus I now have teeth sensitivity so couldn't eat spicey food, cold or hot things, air con in the face in the car which I need to fightt the flushes would set teeth off, nothing acidic, tea or coffee a no no. If cancer comes back I will just have to deal with consequences. Effexor didnt touch the flashes but does for many.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #29
    JuJuBeez said:

    So far, so good with the
    So far, so good with the shot and Arimidex (please everyone, knock on some wood for me.) I started with taking the Arimidex at night, and I'm going to stick to it because I tend to feel a little nauseous a while after I take it. I sometimes feel like that first thing in the morning, too. I'm not having as many hot flashes, so far, as with Tamoxifen. I actually get cold sometimes. Yay! No joint or bone pain yet. I haven't missed a day of work since I stopped Tamoxifen 8/17. I was missing average of a day a month on Tamoxifen from not feeling well. By Friday every week, I was feeling like I was coming down with a cold. I don't have that now. BIG change! So for now, I'm going to keep on keepin' on!

    Thanks, Ladies!

    p.s. Jenny - Erin is awesome, thanks. Today is her 10th birthday! She has one foot in childhood and one foot in 'grown-up'-hood. She is still losing baby teeth, but can hold a conversation about cancer, estrogen, medicine, etc. Last night I was complaining about feeling a little queasy. She said, "Don't worry, Mommy.. it's probably your new medicine and you'll just need to wait until your body gets used to it..." I said Thanks, Mom. You're probably right! LOL

    Hoping and praying that you
    Hoping and praying that you will do great on Arimidex!


    Hugs, Lex
  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #30
    Arimidex
    As said, everyone reacts differently. I have been on Anastrozole (generic Arimidex) for about 6months now along with Alandronate to help calcium bind to bones to prevent fracture. The first three months or so I was a bit uncomfortable with joint pain and trouble sleeping. I also read about so many side effects that I kept thinking I may have them all. Tho I am still a little sore at times it is totally doable for me. I feel sooooo much better when I walk, stretch, and so some light yoga. I know people kept telling me that, but sometimes I just didn't have the motivation, now....I rarely miss a day of exercise. Give it time, and don't skip the after dinner walk! Good luck, hope all goes well for you also.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #31
    JuJuBeez said:

    So far, so good with the
    So far, so good with the shot and Arimidex (please everyone, knock on some wood for me.) I started with taking the Arimidex at night, and I'm going to stick to it because I tend to feel a little nauseous a while after I take it. I sometimes feel like that first thing in the morning, too. I'm not having as many hot flashes, so far, as with Tamoxifen. I actually get cold sometimes. Yay! No joint or bone pain yet. I haven't missed a day of work since I stopped Tamoxifen 8/17. I was missing average of a day a month on Tamoxifen from not feeling well. By Friday every week, I was feeling like I was coming down with a cold. I don't have that now. BIG change! So for now, I'm going to keep on keepin' on!

    Thanks, Ladies!

    p.s. Jenny - Erin is awesome, thanks. Today is her 10th birthday! She has one foot in childhood and one foot in 'grown-up'-hood. She is still losing baby teeth, but can hold a conversation about cancer, estrogen, medicine, etc. Last night I was complaining about feeling a little queasy. She said, "Don't worry, Mommy.. it's probably your new medicine and you'll just need to wait until your body gets used to it..." I said Thanks, Mom. You're probably right! LOL

    I'm knocking on wood for you
    I'm knocking on wood for you that you will continue to do great on Arimidex. It sounds like it is a lot better on you than tamox, which is good news.

    Hugs, Megan
  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
    #32
    eihtak said:

    Arimidex
    As said, everyone reacts differently. I have been on Anastrozole (generic Arimidex) for about 6months now along with Alandronate to help calcium bind to bones to prevent fracture. The first three months or so I was a bit uncomfortable with joint pain and trouble sleeping. I also read about so many side effects that I kept thinking I may have them all. Tho I am still a little sore at times it is totally doable for me. I feel sooooo much better when I walk, stretch, and so some light yoga. I know people kept telling me that, but sometimes I just didn't have the motivation, now....I rarely miss a day of exercise. Give it time, and don't skip the after dinner walk! Good luck, hope all goes well for you also.

    My filter is broken..
    Well, I've been on Lupron and Arimidex for about 3 weeks now. I feel a LOT better overall. My hot flashes are much better. I don't ache all over my body like I did before. I do seem to hurt worse from the left side of my side, all the way down my arm. I fell on it a few years before I had the lumpectomy/sentinel node surgery. Now it tends to ache like crazy. But I'd rather have just one area than my whole body. My leg and foot cramps are about half of what they were. I just really feel better overall.

    I do think there's something wrong with my mouth, though. LOL. I don't seems to have a good filter like I used to. I wouldn't say that I'm grouchy, I just seem to speak my mind more freely. It's kinda nice (I guess because I'm not on the receiving end.)I can't sleep at night for anything, without some help (Benadryl not that I'm not on Tamoxifen, or a very low dose of Xanax), and I can't wake up in the morning.

    I have been going to the gym for a couple months, but this last week I started a 12-week Biggest Loser program at the gym. We have 3 one-hour workouts a week. Pretty intense, but I feel so good afterwards. I tend to ache on the days I don't exercise. I go for my next shot on Monday 10/22. I will ask about Calcium. I'm not very graceful these days, I'm always running into or tripping over stuff. I have crazy bruises all over, that I have no idea how I got.

    Thanks all for you help. I do think I could be on this for the next three years, where the Tamoxifen was just nuts for me.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #33
    JuJuBeez said:

    My filter is broken..
    Well, I've been on Lupron and Arimidex for about 3 weeks now. I feel a LOT better overall. My hot flashes are much better. I don't ache all over my body like I did before. I do seem to hurt worse from the left side of my side, all the way down my arm. I fell on it a few years before I had the lumpectomy/sentinel node surgery. Now it tends to ache like crazy. But I'd rather have just one area than my whole body. My leg and foot cramps are about half of what they were. I just really feel better overall.

    I do think there's something wrong with my mouth, though. LOL. I don't seems to have a good filter like I used to. I wouldn't say that I'm grouchy, I just seem to speak my mind more freely. It's kinda nice (I guess because I'm not on the receiving end.)I can't sleep at night for anything, without some help (Benadryl not that I'm not on Tamoxifen, or a very low dose of Xanax), and I can't wake up in the morning.

    I have been going to the gym for a couple months, but this last week I started a 12-week Biggest Loser program at the gym. We have 3 one-hour workouts a week. Pretty intense, but I feel so good afterwards. I tend to ache on the days I don't exercise. I go for my next shot on Monday 10/22. I will ask about Calcium. I'm not very graceful these days, I'm always running into or tripping over stuff. I have crazy bruises all over, that I have no idea how I got.

    Thanks all for you help. I do think I could be on this for the next three years, where the Tamoxifen was just nuts for me.

    Good to hear that you are happy with your choice
    I hope it will stay easy for you. My problems with this combo started after 4 months on it.
    Keep us posted
    Hugs
  • Different Ballgame
    Different Ballgame Member Posts: 868
    #34
    Everyone Is Different
    Dear Julie,

    Know your body. Never assume that an ache or pain is due to advancing age. As one the girls stated in this posting, keep a journal of how you are feeling. Record date and describe any new feelings within your body.

    Armidex affected my heel, knees, hands, and skin. Side effects did not begin until 4 months after taking the drug and escalated with each new month until I stopped taking it after being on it for 10 months.

    I have met woman who were on Armidex who had very little side effects and some who had no side effects. Then, I have met women who had terrible joint pain and other side effects.

    The important thing is to tell your oncologist of any side effects that you may experience.

    Good luck to you. May you be one of the lucky ones who experiences no side effects.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle
  • Intrepid
    Intrepid Member Posts: 7
    #35
    Arimidex
    I did not take Tamoxifen, just started with Arimidex about 1 year ago. Happy to report no side effects. I am 67. No joint pain or anything. My friend who took it also said no side effects either. We take it in the morning. They just like to check for bone loss once in a while. So far I'm good. Good luck!

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