Arimidex

Hi everyone, I have been on holidays and have just caught up with some of the comments.  I agree with shortlionruth's comment about "just because we look okay, etc.".  People don't understand;  they think that you're imagining the pain, or you're a hypochondriac or any other number of scenarios.  I'm feeling quite down at the moment;   After a few days walking on holiday, I was in so much pain from one of my knees that I survived most of the holiday on painkillers and a knee brace.  I was so depressed I would be bursting into tears all the time;  (still am ) and to add insult to injury developed incontinence, possibly because of the effort of getting up and down to go to the toilet.  I'm hoping that will improve as the knee gets better.  I have to remind myself to be grateful to be here;  but I am sure that people think once you have finished your treatment you're better;  however, the after effects and the side effects of medication are too numerous to list;  and I don't think half the GPs have any idea what they are;  and to some extent that's fair enough, because we're all different.  Mentally I think I'm the worst I have been since diagnosis - which was just over two years ago.  I will be seeing the doc in a couple of weeks and will have a long chat.  Actually I just re-read shortlionruth's comments;  you're saying exactly what I'm trying to say, but waffling.  

You are certainly not crazy.  It's good that we can discuss our problems on here, because People think that when you finish your treatment and you're still alive that you should just get on with your life but it's not that easy.  I am greatful for surviving but I feel old before my time.  I suffer from poliarthritis which means that I have artritis in all my joints.  Just because we look okay, doesn't mean we are not still suffering  You hav to go through the cancer experience to know what it's like.

I read on the information leaflet in the box of Arimidex that urine infections can be a side affect and because the tablets leave you with little or no eostogen, it affects you more.  I think we are guinea pigs and everyone reacts differently.  I don.t think the Doctor's are aware of all the side affects either.

I know what you mean about wishing that we didn't have to take these drugs.  The side affects aren't very nice but I feel more secure knowing that they decrease the cancer returning.  In my case, I have a gene mutation where my Relatives have had the cancer return in 5 years or less and have not survived, so for me it is worth putting up with the pain and seeing my Children and Grand-Children grow up.

That's really very interesting Ruth as I got them a lot on Arimidex and feel like it's coming back on the Aromasin yet when I asked my doctor I was told that there is no connection. Of course, I don't believe it!

I get the shoulder pain too on Aromasin. On Arimidex I also got pain in a lot of other areas. There are blogs stating pain in the feet when waking or sitting for too long on Arimidex and I got this too. Feeling a bit crazy is normal when everyone else has it, not so crazy maybe!

I was really interested to hear of your hand, fingers shaking. Mine do that too and I wondered why that started but I realise now that it started after I went onto Arimidex. I suffered too much pain and have changed to Aromasin. I have pretty bad pain in my neck and both shoulders, on the outside of one in particular. I wish I was brave enough to stay off them, I really don't feel happy on these drugs. You don't like to complain when there are others a lot worse off but the pain does make you miserable.

hi Kathleen and Nola, and all you other ladies of course, Thanks for your comments, i will check with my local rural chemist next time i get it, as my husband collected it for me, and they still charge the same price???

I hope that the fish oil is helping with the pain.  I am limited to Panadol so I think the fish oil does help.  Although last week I had a urine infection (which I often get) and with the pain in my arm I didn't get much sleep.  I was in agony.  Now I have a viral infection.  I guess it's from our weakened immune system.  Regards, Ruth

Kathy,

I know where you are coming from.  I get terrible pains in my hands, arms and shoulders and it is worse at night.  Last week I couldn't move the arm I had the surgery on and as I was out of Town, I saw another Doctor who tried to prescribe me brufen which I cannot take because I am asthmatic and allergic to aspirin.  He insisted I take it and the Chemist was horrified.  I am limited to Panadol which doesn't do much.  Talking with other Women taking Arimidex, it seems ro be a common problem  Regards, Ruth.