Arimidex

I didn't think I had mood swings, but for some reason for the past week I have been feeling really down and teary;  am coming good now though.  and when I think about it, I still have restricted feeling/tingling in my feet;  the breast care nurse told me it probably would never go away;  but on the plus side it's not in my hands, so I can still type/knit/scrapbook etc.  Actually, I feel better just reading everyone's comments, just to know that there is someone else (and more than one, obviously) that knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about or feeling.  Thank you sisters xx

hear, hear!!! Totally agree... I think we are the "lab rats"....

For me, the chiropractor works, and the gym is good, when I go... too.

Need to work more on my self discipline.. any suggestions???

What mood swings??? I keep telling my husband I don't have mood swings!! I think we are the only ones researching our drugs.

Hi Bella and Ruth,

yes I can honestly join the "chunky" survivor gang, too!!  Hope all goes well with the carpal tunnel, Ruth.  These days the surgery can be quite successful, if not annoying with one hand out to action.  But all should be good for the long term.

I, too, am amazed at how little drs, allied health professionals etc, know about drugs like Arimidex/Tamoxifin/Femara etc !

Certainly I don't expect them to be specialists, but if they look up the MIMS handbook, or even go online, the info is there.

I assume (please tell me what you think) that a lot of side effects from THE drugs is not all written up.  For whatever reason, a lot of information, is 'antedotal'???  keen to hear your thoughts.......Hate my mood swings the most!!!

You are right Bella. It's great to be a somewhat 'chunkier' survivor. Going to see about Carpal Tunnel on Monday as I am sick of waking up during the night with pins and needles. I had a nerve test done on my hand yesterday and when I spoke to the Neurologist (a professor) he said he doubts that medication caused or contributed to it and he has never heard of Arimidex or Tamoxifen!!!!

Good luck to all survivors.

Nola x

Hi Ruth, Hope all is well and the fatty lump is exactly that.  I think we're all once bitten, twice shy, and expect the worst.  Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother to this same rotten disease, that would have made it doubly hard for you, not having your Mum to talk to about it all;  who knows the stress of losing her might have contributed to your diagnosis.  I'm at a loss as to what the risk factors are, but I believe stress and heredity play huge roles.  I lost my brother (aged 54) to prostate cancer 12 months b4 my diagnosis, I was his primary carer, and I do believe that contributed;  and cancer is all through my family.  Enough of that...re the Arimidex/Femara ...I have just done all I could to improve my survival chances, and if that means taking Femara  every day for five years I will do it.  I do have stiff joints etc, but I think that is age-related (i'm 58) and down to arthritis, certainly don't have the pain that I had on Arimidex.  I do have trouble losing weight;  and my GP doesn't seem to understand or believe that Femara might have something to do with it.  Nor do a  lot of people for that matter.  I do have hot flushes too, quite severe at times, but the frequency seems to be diminishing;  and I seem to run at a higher temperature all the time;  that causes a few arguments at work re the air conditioning.  When I start getting too cranky about all that, I just try to stop and say to myself "well at least you're here, and doing pretty well".  I generally try to stay positive.  My heart goes out to each and every one of you (us); and as the old saying goes "a problem shared is a problem halved." 

Bella x

Hi Ruth and Nola,

so nice to hear how you both are managing.  I guess that is all you can do, especially when we have limited medications... esp for preventing follow up concerns.  Ruth, I had a "fatty" lump taken out years ago (after my lumpectomy), simply so I did not have to worry about it. You have a great attitude, that I find encouraging. So sad to hear you both lost your mothers to Ca. This is a rotten disease!

Just on an interesting note.... went to the gym dietitian for help with the weight loss.  She said she did not realistically expect much weight loss "till I finish my menopause".... is this when I finish Arimidex????

Hi Nola.  Hope everything goes well for you.  I am not worried about seeing the Surgeon.  It is just a follow up after my Mammagram and Ultrasound and when I had the ultrasound they told me that the lump hadn't changed so that was reassuring.  I know how hard it must have been for you with your Mum because I lost my Mum to Breast Cancer 7 Months before I was diagnosed with it..  All the very best with the outcome of your Doctor's visits.

Hi Ruth,

Thanks for your feedback. I am seeing the Oncologist on 2/8 to discuss with him and I am seeing surgeon next week for carpal tunnel in my left hand. (I am left-handed so not looking forward to this).

I also have it in my right hand but not as bad. I get so frustrated sometimes about the joint swelling and about my weight gain. I seem to just stay the same now and can't lose the weight no matter what I do.

I am worried about stopping Arimidex as I think it has become a bit of a security blanket. My mother passed away from secondary breast cancer just after I had a mastectomy and she was taking Tamoxifen for about 12 years. She didn't have problems with her joints.

I hope you have a great result with the surgeon. It is such a worrying time but I guess if they were very worried you wouldn't have had to wait so long. Thanks for posting and all the best to you.

Nola

Hi Nola,

I was operated on over 20 years for carpel tunnel on my right hand.  I also had it in my left hand but the Surgeon told me to have the one hand done as often times the other one comes good.  I did this and have had no problems until recently when my left hand has been playing up again. 

I can't really blame it on the Arimidex but I do get joint pain.  I also take Caltrate+D.  My Doctor justs tells me my body has had it. 

I have trouble keeping the weight off and one of my Friends who had breast cancer and just starting Tamoxifin and always been thin is having a weight problem.  I am also greatful for having survived but being low in estogen certainly has its problems.  I have a lump in my other breast and am seeing the Surgeon nexrt week.

It has been there for 2 years and hasn't changed so they think that it is a fatty cyst.  That is why I feel safer while I am taking Arimidex.

All the best, Ruth