Arimidex

Hello Ladies.

This is my first time writing in this blog. I was diagnosed with BC in July last year and had subsequent masectomy. I was lucky to not have to have chemo but did have radiation. the cancer had not spread into the lymph nodes. I feel very lucky to have escaped anything more sinister. I have been prescribed Arimidex for 5 yrs. I am finding that the aching in my legs, (mainly knees) feet and hands is getting worse and worse. I am relatively fit and try to keep as active as possible. I have found that I am increasing in weight for the first time in my life which is upsetting so I am constantly trying to watch what I eat. I was wondering if anyone knows whether when we stop the medication the aches and pains go or whether they will stay? Also I am mystifyed about the 'extra' tablet in the blister pack. It says to take it at the end of the cycle. Is this each time? What is it and why take it?

Hello Yana,

I am glad that your sore throat is better.  I know what you mean, so many different syptoms occur that you wonder if is the Arimidex or not.  I am also having trouble with insomnia.  I would just love to get a good night's sleep without having to go to the toilet a few times a night and just being able to sleep instead of tossing and turning all night.  I am so tired during the day that it is hard to think clearly.

Hi Ruth and Kathleen

thanks for answering so quickly. My sore throat has become better, maybe it was just that - a sore throat - and had nothing to do with Arimidex. But you wonder when you hear about all the SEs. The worst at the moment are the hot flushes or better the one big hot flush, because it feels as if I am constantly hot and sweaty. I used to get that in the first 2 years of menopause and it was the reason why I went on HRT. But this is obviously not possible now. Aches and pains are not too bad, I have been going to Aquarobic classes 2-3 times a week all through chemo and most of radiation and now I find it definitely helps with the stiffness. 

Insomnia is another one, my sleep is quite light at the best of times and now I find I can't go back to sleep once I wake up. I had to get up and watch some TV or read a few nights now. Eventually I went back to bed for a couple of hours. Thankfully I'm not working any more and it doesn't matter much if I'm tired during the day. But it is not the best feeling. Any bright ideas on the sweating and insomnia? Any experience with melatonin? 

But we are still here and can enjoy our families and friends on our good days.  I have a friend who has secondary BC in her sternum and is on palliative Chemo, it teaches me to be grateful for every good day. And it's definitely good to be able to share in this forum.

Take care.

Yana

DearRuth

Thanks foryour message.Iam a firm believer  that humity levels and  air pressure have lots of different and sometimes painfull effects on joints. And I can also relate to the insomnia. It frustrates me that I then nod off halfway through the following morning!

I too have been thinking aboutwork, and there's a tempting switchboard/admin job, only 11hrs per fortnight,which I reckon I could handle.I'll give an applicationa go.

Take care

love from Kathleen x

DearRuth

Thanks foryour message.Iam a firm believer  that humity levels and  air pressure have lots of different and sometimes painfull effects on joints. And I can also relate to the insomnia. It frustrates me that I then nod off halfway through the following morning!

I too have been thinking aboutwork, and there's a tempting switchboard/admin job, only 11hrs per fortnight,which I reckon I could handle.I'll give an applicationa go.

Take care

love from Kathleen x

DearRuth

Thanks foryour message.Iam a firm believer  that humity levels and  air pressure have lots of different and sometimes. And I can also relate to the insomnia. It frustrates me that I then nod off halfway through the following morning!

I too have been thinking aboutwork, and there's a tempting switchboard/admin job, only 11hrs per fortnight,which I reckon I could handle.I'll give an applicationa go.

Take care

love from Kathleen x

Dear Kathy

Was great to read your message.  We're the same age, though I have only just turned 56.  Diagnosis ISa big scare, wake up call-changes everything! Interesting your comments about Zoloft-mightt be good for me.  I have been on Endep for the 2 years I've had breastcancer: not sure it's "cutting it" now. I do become irritable very easily, and angry too.

Your aches in legs/feet/hands inthe morning are exactly the same that I experience. So I'm not just imagining it. And the mention about humidity-I feel sure it's all related. Thanks again for your post. Sharing our stories helps immensely.

Take care

Love from Kathleen

Hello Nola.  Good to hear from you too.  I am glad that you are getting some help from the psycho/oncologist.  I am struggling to lose weight.  I try so hard and the weight doesn't budge.  I have sleep apnea and the specialist told me to lose weight because excess weight makes it worse.  I am at my wit's end.  I also suffer from anxiety, sometimes worse than others, especially if I don't get much sleep.  I am glad to be a survivor but Breast Cancer certainly changed my life.

Hi Kathleen.  Good to hear from you again.  I hope everything goes well for you.  It seems such a battle after being diagnosed with cancer.  I have to be tested every 6 Months because I have a lump in other breast  which has to be monitored for any changes.  I am on other medication for blood presseure, thyroid and asthma and I know that all medications have side effects  Today, I am having a lot of problems with back pain. The wet weather prbably isn't helping.  I am not working and although I would like to be in the workforce I don't know if I would cope.  Some days are better than others.  My Doctor doesn't want me working.  I suffer from insomnia even when I am walking, other times I don't have too bad a sleep.  I have to get up to the tiolet  at least a couple of times during the night and this disturbs my sleep as well  It is hard to remain positive sometimes although I am glad that I am a survivor.

Hi ladies, it's a while since I checked in here but notice that we are all experiencing some sort of side effects from medication. Hopefully one day the Drs will listen and understand what we are saying to them regarding weight gain and joint aches etc. I also suffer unbearably from depression and anxiety and I am seeing the most wonderful Psycho/oncologist. She gives me lots of strategies and help me through the tough times. 

It's very challenging at times even reminding myself that I am a survivor. I try not to do the "what ifs" but sometimes it is difficult because having breast cancer certainly changed my life.

Hope you all stay healthy.

Sending love to all, Nola