Angela

Hi again Chris

Could you tell me was your breast cancer 'Hormone Receptor Positve'- like mine.  I was wondering whether I might be able to take Femara instead of the Arimidex which causes such joint pain.  Femara might not have the same side-effects - but then it all depends on the individual as what might be good for one person, isn't necessarily the case for another.

Re leg cramps, I am on a trial period of stopping Arimidex to see if the joint pain eases (which it has) and yet lately have been having leg cramps in bed myself.  Chemist has recommended Blackmores Magnesium Compound - one in the morning and two at night.  Started it yesterday.

All the best - Judi Ann xx

Hi Genetten & Chris

Genetten - you are so right in that by being able to talk about things and support one another, we are not alone.  Like you, I get frustrated with the after effects etc.

Thanks very much for sharing - and caring.

 

Hi Chris & Judi-Ann,

I agree that one of the best things is we can talk to each other about our differant symptoms. You don't feel as alone. Friends try to be supportive but don't quite understand the frustrations of the after effects. I think a lot of people think you have had your op, chemo, radio etc and now all done & everything should be back to normal. If only!. Sometimes you wonder if the aches and pains are real or imagined.Good to share with you girls and know we aren't making up these symptoms and you can understand the frustration I feel with the after effects.

Thanks for listening.

 

Hi Chris

Nice to hear from you.  A Cancer Council help-line nurse spoke to me some time ago and she mentioned Femara too as an alternative - though I understand they all have similar side-effects, particularly with painful joints.  My GP mentioned Tamoxifen perhaps, but I did read up about that on the internet and there's some scary stuff there.  It would be great if you don't get joint pain and I'll be interested to hear a few months down the track how you're going. 

It will also be interesting to see how the clinical trials go.  I was told by one nurse from an organisation that most people take this medication for 5yrs.  I've been taking Arimidex for over 6yrs and surgeon wants me to take it for 10yrs!  I'm currently off it on a trial basis (3mths) and I must say my joint pain has certainly improved.

Overall, we're all here being able to discuss the medication and that's the main thing.

Best wishes Judi Ann

Hi Ladies, I've been on femara for a month now. It is also an aromatose inhibitor like arimidex. My surgeon wants me to take it for 5 to 10 years. There are clinical trials happening at the moment to see what time frame gives the best results in terms of preventing cancer from recurring. My Dr doesn't know what these results will be yet, but says in 5 years the results should be known, as people have now been taking these drugs for around 5 years. This is good for all of us at the start of our medication taking. We may not need to take it for ever if the results show 5 years is as good as 10 years, or maybe it will show that 10 years is much better. Who knows, what they will find out. So far I have not noticed any bad side effects from femara. I'm still getting hot flushes, but that is nothing new. Perhaps the only thing I've noticed, is that in the morning I seem to be getting leg cramps as I wake up. This might not have anything to do with this drug at all, But it is something that I have just started to notice. Chris xx

Hi Ladies, I've been on femara for a month now. It is also an aromatose inhibitor like arimidex. My surgeon wants me to take it for 5 to 10 years. There are clinical trials happening at the moment to see what time frame gives the best results in terms of preventing cancer from recurring. My Dr doesn't know what these results will be yet, but says in 5 years the results should be known, as people have now been taking these drugs for around 5 years. This is good for all of us at the start of our medication taking. We may not need to take it for ever if the results show 5 years is as good as 10 years, or maybe it will show that 10 years is much better. Who knows, what they will find out. So far I have not noticed any bad side effects from femara. I'm still getting hot flushes, but that is nothing new. Perhaps the only thing I've noticed, is that in the morning I seem to be getting leg cramps as I wake up. This might not have anything to do with this drug at all, But it is something that I have just started to notice. Chris xx

Thanks for all your help Genetten.  It will be interesting to know what the oncologist will say - will let you know.  I've never been a person who likes being in the water but would try acupuncture and thanks for the info about nurifen plus

I'm never quite sure how to use this blog, despite reading the 'help' section.  Takes me a while to find my messages!

Thanks for your good luck wishes. Judi Ann

Thanks Judi Ann,

I'll keep you informed on how I go with 2nd treatment. Good news is it did not hurt. I didn't know what to expect as have not had acupuncture before, but all good. If you do have to go back on Arimidex then maybe try acupuncture as well.At least it can't hurt to try.

I have also had three sessions in the hydro pool to try to build up my muscles (forgot I had them) around my knees and ankles to help keep the strain off my joints, so this might be worth a try for you also if you get the joint  pain again.

I find that nurifen plus also helps.

Good luck for the 11th.

 

Hi Genetten

So good to hear the actupuncture seems to be working and with just one treatment. Like you I hope this treatment will really ease joint pain for you.  If I have to go back on Arimidex, I might consider the same.

I see the Oncologist on 11th Oct for a 2nd opinion, so it will be interesting to hear what he might suggest.  Because the surgeon wants me to take Arimidex for 10yrs, I have a feeling the oncologist might just agree with him.

Good luck with your acupuncture.

 

 

Hi all,

I saw the acupuncturist yesterday for the nerve damage in my fingers and the joint pain in hands. She said that if it was going to work I should feel improvement within 12 to 24 hours. Well, last night I finally had a night's sleep without being woken up with my hands going to sleep. I hope it will continue and the same happens tonight. I am going back to her in a fortnight for another treatment so I will report in again then. But so far so good.

I hope all is goimng well for you all.