Arimidex - first 6 months

@JWrenn yes sounds so familiar! One big opportunity to freak out is the time between surgery and when you commence radiation therapy. Just a whole lot of time to Google up everything because the questions you have won’t have been answered and often, they are only just emerging as questions. I stuck to reputable sites many being from the US and UK, hoping to glean a morsel of information that might have been useful to me, some of it about the most basic things.
I was also amazed how much detailed information post radiation was about brands of moisturising cream but not about fatigue and side effects. Because everyone is different I think that’s why doctors do need to make sure we get to ask questions about us. 🧐
I can’t see the point of further appointments with my rad oncologist because I had very standard right breast treatment and the last follow up appointment was a totally half assed discussion about diet and exercise and...why don't I join an older person’s calisthenics group? 😳😂😂😂😂 He clearly doesn’t know me.

@Temple there were a lot of things I’d read about that I then worried about that haven't happened, one being having drains after surgery. I had a lumpectomy and ( I presume) that’s why I didn’t have them. My husband tells me I read too much. He’s probably right but I also want to know what I might be in for in advance. I saw my radiation oncologist last week after finishing treatment and was asking about heart problems after radiation as it was on my left breast. Wouldn’t happen for ten to fifteen years if I have any. Still didn’t allay my fears though, as a history of heart problems in the family. And my appointment with the medical oncologist is via phone so it’s harder to have a rapport with them that way. 😕

@Temple  - have you considered changing your Oncologist?  I think it is very important to have faith in your Onc & be able to put any questions to them without feeling belittled or not believed!  If their 'patient style' doesn't suit you, you could consider changing Oncs - as you will be seeing them on & off for the next few years. 

My first Onc was VERY dismissive and when I told him of my severe side effects on Letrozole after just a few weeks - he basically denied that side effects even happen!  We all know the truth of that now tho!  You are so lucky that you've not had many/any.

I even felt that he was annoyed at having to spend time with me & that I wasn't sick enough to warrant his time ..... so I swapped to a lovely lady Onc in the same hospital and have been happy with her ever since.  I see her again on Tues.

Hi @Jwrenn
i was similarly so keen to know what would happen as soon as I took it. And nothing did change (eg joint and muscle pain)  from Day 1 and I am so fortunate knowing that debilitating pain can happen.

hi leia - i had radiotherapy last year and now on anastrazole - if u want to chat about anything in relation to either lrt me know :) 

Thanks for that. I’ve read from people with all the bad side effects, and it’s reassuring to hear that someone personally is doing ok. I’m just about to start radiation, and have the AI prospect after that.

Thanks @Temple for your post on the fear of side effects. I had that fear too and have only just started taking Anastrozole 10 days ago. So far so good , I’m not sure if side effects come on immediately or are still to come? I occasionally have hot flushes even before bc diagnosis so that’s no biggie. I didn’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling with the oncologist but put it down to seeing  her at the beginning of COVID-19 and she was just as scared of what could happen as we are. But maybe it was just her normal self. 

I think that it's great to hear when people are tolerating the AIs well.  It's important to see that there is a range of reactions to them so that others don't become too scared to try.  None of us would be on it if we didn't see that it's necessary.

I'm sorry that you had such a negative experience with your previous post @temple but really glad that you are finding the AIs okay.

Hi @Temple, Iit's great to hear that you're managing the anastrazole. When I started AI's, Letrozole to start with, later exemestane,  I balanced my fear of side effects with my fear of what could happen if I took nothing. That was the fear that won out. Four + years down the track, I have some side effects, but I manage them, and they're tolerable. But here I am, and life is good. Thanks for sharing your experience to date. I'm sure that in staring this thread,  there will be those who come after, searching for information who will benefit.

On the other hand, It sounds like you had a poor/rough/bad (pick the most appropriate word) experience with your previous post. I'm really sorry to hear that. I hope we do better this time around
Take care

That’s great to hear @Temple. I also am not having any problems with Anastrozole however I am  beating myself up worrying about trusting my instincts and not having drugs for bone density and taking a chance it will be ok. Too much time in lockdown mind going in over drive.
All the extra food was good tho 😂😂