Arimidex

Thank you so much Bella and Finita for your help,

I can totally understand the pain in the heel, while going through chemo I never expected such pain. My heels hurt so much & went very dry which meant they became flaky & being me I, of course, had to start pulling at the skin which meant they also begun to sting. I couldn't leave that dry skin alone.

The panadeine forte isn't doing anything to help the pain so I just have to walk like a penguin until I next see a Dr. She has made me have a blood test to rule out arthritis & even wanted to do an x-ray on my knees as that's where the pain is. I also bought a bigger pair of runners so it wouldn't be so painful getting them on.

The things you do!!!!

You've both been helpful so I thank you & wish you well on your journey.

Kind regards

Debbie

Hello Debbie and welcome to this page.

Regarding Arimidex, I am still on it and lately I am having lots of pain in my left heel, almost to the point that I cannot walk , but fortunately after a minute or so of walking , it gets better. The reason I am still on Arimidex, is because I find that the pain changes . It used to be my knees, then somtheing else and so on and so forth etc... I am  learnting to live with it and I am not on any pain killers, as  they don't work, nor am I on any other stuff. Panadol osteo is all  that I   take for my neck migraines.  Panadine forte is by far to strong, and you will eventually have stomach issues if you were to take it for long.  There are days were I just cannot even stand straight ... moaning and groaning while stretching helps and then I am ok again. It really helps to move . I have learnt to say ...Ouch... that is the Arimidex, and I just ignore it and move along...most time slowly !!!  It is hard !!

Take care

all my love

Finita xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Debbie,

You've come to the right place for people to share their experiences, and hopefully be of some help.  I, too, had extreme pain on Arimidex, to the point where I would just sit and cry;  I said to my husband I cant do this for five years.  Went on to Femara, and whilst I still have some joint pain, it is bearable.  Nothing like Arimidex.  And yet, I've heard of ladies who start  on Femara, have poor tolerance, and can manage on Arimidex!  Good luck with the Aromasin, with any luck just the change of medication might help.  I take a couple of Panamax pretty much each day, I was upset at the thought of having to do that, but decided that after having chemo etc, what's a couple of Panamax a day.  I cant tolerate krill oil, so there was no question of me taking them.  I know years ago when I had Ross River fever,  I had severe joint pain, and I got a lot of relief from taking celery tablets.  These should fit it with your vegetarian diet, but I guess just check with the doctor as to whether it's OK to take them.  Actually, now that I've said that, may be I should revisit them myself!  Take care, hang in there, and know you're among friends!

Cheers, Bella x 

Thanks for your comments, Girls.  Yes Finita, it took a lot of courage to leave the J.W.'s because all my Family are ingrained in it.  It is very mind controlling and you are not allowed to question anything.  I never saw any genuine love there, only fear.  I could never go back as I am now a Christian.  Having cancer made me have a deep appreciation of life and a freedom of choice.  I have an inner peace and I am greatful for what I have.  I try to stay strong and positive but  sometimes I  fail but I get back up again.  I love my Family immensely and that is why it hurts so much but I could never be a hypocrite and go back to them.  I am very fortunate to have many great Friends and My beautiful Children and Grand-Children and all you beautiful Ladies on this site.  What more could I ask for.  I am now starting to feel much better and although I am still not driving I am becoming a bit of a social butterfly.  I see my Surgeon next Thursday.  I hope you are all going well and I appreciate each and every one of you and love you all as Sisters.   Lots of Love, Ruth xxx

Hi Bella,  just to say that you did not offend and I must thank you, because like you I did not know that St. Peregrine is the cancer saint.  I will now look it up in google and get to know about him .

love and hugs

finita xxxxxxxxxx 

Hi sisters, I have just caught up with everyone's posts (I have been at work today, no access to internet).  Our different experiences with religion and what it does to people make for interesting reading.  I attended Salvation Army Sunday School as a child;  my dad said they were the only ones who were fair dinkum, and I think he based that on the fact that they were the only ones he had seen doing the rounds in pubs.  This was when he was a little boy and his mother had sent him to the pub to try to get his (alcoholic) father out.  My dad didn't touch alcohol until he was in his 60's, except for special occasions.  My brother and I went to Sunday School;  and Dad taught us to love and respect nature;  he'd take us outside and say - this is all the church you need, this is your God.   I have seen many people hurt badly by people who are supposedly God-fearing Churchgoers, and yet I find most of them to be hypocrites (as is borne out by your stories).  I have just tried to be like my father taught me;   be kind to people;  "do unto others" etc.   I always considered myself pretty much a non-believer;  but over the last few years I have changed my view.  When I decided that I did believe in God, I felt a great peace come over me;  but I consider it to be one on one.  I have a chat when I feel like it, give thanks every day for my life;  but I don't go to church and I don't preach;  in fact this is the most I have ever said on the subject;  and have said things here that I haven't told anyone.  I did not know until recently that St Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer sufferers.  I found out when one of my cousins gave me (and each of our other cousins, all cancer sufferers) a little coin-shaped medal;  and I keep it in my purse.  I was very touched to receive it.  I bought one for a friend;  she was also very touched.  (If anyone is interested, you can buy them on ebay for about $4.).  

I'm saddened to read that families are split by religion - Ruth your story is particularly touching - the JW's are so controlling and bigoted - we have one at work, and I think to myself, how did the preachings of Jesus become so warped that people think that is what we should do.  Somewhere it all went pear-shaped.    Finita puts it well when she says faith is whats important because to be faithful within onself is to be good and do good and no controling  and respect  others.   So true.

I've waffled enough I think.  I hope I haven't offended anyone with my comments;  that certainly isn't my intention.

Stay strong ladies,

Love,

Bella xxx

Ruth and Kathleen, I was born in Spain, when Franco the dictator was still in power and the catholic church even more powerful. and we were six siblings very poor and my father an alcoholic ...so sadly I do know about 3rd world standard. They were terrible times as we were controlled and obligated to do as they commanded. Everything was a sin, and we were always very bads girls, (we were only kids) and any thoughts  or ideas we would go straight to hell etc... Horrific!  thankfully that my parents were not brainwashed and we were told how to behave and what to do in order not to get into trouble. We migrated to Australia in 1962 and it was the best thing that my parents ever did. FREEDOM at last !!  but guess what ? they put us in catholic schools against our will because we were catholics. I must say , that it was nothing like in Spain and we were ok with it and the nuns were very kind to us , as we did not speak english . Later on as we no longer had to go to catholic school, we went to state school and that was so much better...we were able to study more and pray less etc... Finally as we grew older we stopped going to church altogether but we never did lose our faith or our love for God. But by then we were free and able to choose ... so now, I am a non church goer catholic and with no wish to change my relgion because I refuse to be controlled again. To have faith is good, and we cannot choose faith, it has to happen naturally ...so regardless of what religion one is, faith is whats important because to be faithful within onself is to be good and do good and no controling  and respect  others.  As for the Rosary I  love it..I must have about 6 of them and I even have one of our one and only Australian saint...St. Mary Mackillop .  As for praying the rosay, I only do the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.  One of my sister is now going to church and is learning the rosary etc...but she is not fanatical, she just likes the peace and comfort and also because of her girls . It is so good to be able to believe and have faith without being controlled of become fanatical.

Amen !

with all my love

finita xxxxxxxxxxx

Hi kathleen, you are right, we cannot excomunicate them all together , but we must learn to keep away and try to avoid them as much as possible in a very diplomatic way.  As for your sister, she sounds so much like my younger sister...not nice!  At the moment I must say that all is better for the wrong reasons, because nothing else can be done for my mum, so she has no more saying in the matter. It is very sad but it is also a relief and as for my mum, she is not suffering .  Unlike your sister, mine is a hard worker and very ambitoius and naturally she thinks that she is better than all of us, because she has more money etc... and pretty much keeps out of contact, and my nieces sadly are following mums footsteps. Their loss, because the rest of us sisters all get on well and love one another .  

such is life

take care ,

love fintita xxxxxxxxx

Hi Ruth, I am sorry about your fluid buildt up again, I hope that it will be better soon with help .  as for JW , you are one very strong and lucky lady , because they are so very controlling ...sad about your family though, that JW is more important than you, but that is  their loss and never give in to JW . People may be nice and all, but sadly they are all so extremely brainwashed that they have no saying. My thought to you...stay away always and you will always be a winner !

take care and lots of hugs

finita xxxxxxxxxx