'I am so lucky'

'Hopes and Dreams'
thank you for your lovely letter. What a beautiful location you live in. I don't blame you walking near the sea is so healing, I find I can breathe! Sadly living in Melbourne the weather is so unpredictable, but summer will come one day. 
I don't know if it's physiological but even 4 days of arimidex is so much better than tamoxifen. I feel like a fog has lifted, I feel more like me, even verging on happy! Lol.. As for side effects, I think the hot flushes are more intense but not more often or less. And for the moment all pain has disappeared. So that's great. 
You are right about being so very aware of your body. But I believe over time we become a little more relaxed and everyday isn't all about BC. 
Enjoy your walks and the sunshine :) x
Janine

Janine, I also just started Arimidex 10 days ago.  After all the frightening appointments, biopsies, jabs, x-rays and surgery it was popping that first pill which caused me so much anxiety!  I was swept along with no control for everything else on this journey but to a certain extent Arimidex was something I was doing myself.  I probably overloaded on information but when it comes down to it, do I really have a choice?  Anyway, early days but so far so good.  I'm definitely more aware of my body and how it feels.  Everyone seems to have some pain but to varying extents.  

It's a beautiful day here - my husband and I walked along the beach for an hour.  6 weeks post op I put on a sports bra and for a little while could forget that all this has happened.  I look the same, only I can tell my new implant feels tight and numb.
But the sun is shining and I feel 100 times better than I did a month ago!

Good luck with Arimidex Janine, hope you are to effected too much :)

Janine!!

Such great spirits! No greater peace I say than this very moment, there's no before and there's no after to think about or worry about. I was on Tamoxifen for 4yrs, to be honest I didnt notice any side effects. After the recurrence last year, my Surgeon tossed the Tamoxifen and my Oncologist put me on Arimidex after I completed Chemo in December. Ive noticed Im in so much pain daily with Arimidex, he said it'd be just stiffness but its pain and I really dont think about it, Ive just put up with it. So definitely worth a try and see what suits you more :) Melinda 

Mel thank you   I guess like anyone it depends on the day or more accurately the moment. Believe me I really would not have thought of myself as positive. Though this evening I feel relaxed and happy. I swallowed my first arimidex and no disasters! Lol blimey the mind noise can create such obstacles! Anyway nice evening= spaghetti bog, red wine, lovely partner :) ( not necessarily in order of importance

Hi Janine,  
I love the positive message in your post - such a good reminder to be grateful, thankful & of course kind to ourselves :) 

Mel xx

JanineG said:

So much mind noise nowadays! Not sure why every decision seems to cause such anxiety. Before BC I didn't over think everything!

That is so true! Before it was all "I have to make this decision, I will think about it. Yes, this is the best direction for me." and now it's like "I HAVE THIS DECISION TO MAKE! WHAT DO I DO, WHAT IF IT'S WRONG? MY GUT KIND OF KNOWS WHAT I WANT BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS IS SO HARD, OH GLOB SOMEONE PLEASE WEIGH IN ON THIS." every time there's even something small.  ... or maybe that's just me hahaha! :D

Thankyou Rowdy
you have brightened my day. The chance that making this change may make me feel better in my self makes it worth while. And yes I found active treatment so much easier than the day to day struggles. Onwards! Xo

Hi Janine I was on Tamoxifan and changed last year. I'm now on Arimidex and still have hot flushes and joint pain but I feel better in my self. When I was on Tamoxafen I was more anxious. Good luck with the change I honestly thought once I had finished active treatment things would get easier. This is a tough trip and we all need to keep moving forward and I will do what ever it takes to keep bc away, have a good dayxx

Thank you InkPetal. You are right. Il just give it a go. So much mind noise nowadays! Not sure why every decision seems to cause such anxiety. Before BC I didn't over think everything!

I haven't done this specifically but have changed out meds for alternatives over side-effects before.

I was put on Letrozole (a similar inhibitor) and only felt the slightest of headaches and numbing sensations of all the terrifying things that can cause. Arimidex has a meaner list of side-effect possibilities compared to Tamoxifen but honestly, when one thing is hitting like a brick and there are alternatives out there I feel it's well worth trying. You can always just change back.

I hope it treats you gently. x