Hi, how soon are side effects generally noticed after starting this medication ?
Anastrozole side effects: Hi, how soon... - SHARE Breast Canc...
Anastrozole side effects
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Ditzy60
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Hi! I was just wondering the same about Zoladex. I get my 1st injection in 3 days. I am perimenopausal but I want to take Arimidex (Tamoxifen has side effects I should avoid). I need to have monthly Zoladex injections for 3 or 4 months & then I will start Arimidex.
My understanding (from what I've read) is that the menopausal side effects will start up faster than with a natural menopause (whatever that means as everybody is different). Since Zoladex puts the ovaries to sleep, that will be beginning of my hormonal adventure.
Let's say I am prepared for night sweats! Two sets of moisture-wicking sheets (1 set is modal), a "cool" moisture-wicking mattress pad & a moisture-wicking body pillow. I will be a "glamorous" sweat Betty in my 2 Donna Karen modal nighties! I bought a small fan for the bedroom. I might need to upgrade to a larger one. I've ordered a few modal & modal-blend sleeveless tops. I have some moisture-wicking tops as well. I saw my oncologist 2 days ago. She asked if I was ready for menopausal symptoms. I think I am, I think I am...
Sorry I can't give you a good answer to your question. I guess my motto is like the Scouts..."Be prepared!" I will be interested to know how things go w you when you start taking Arimidex. How soon do you start? Also, since it causes joint issues you might be needing some Advil. I can't take ibuprofen so I have Tylenol Arthritis (8 hr release) for that. The "fun" just never seems to end!
Hollykins!
Wow, I am in awe of how prepared you
are . I started the meds on Friday and felt awful yesterday with aching joints, today I feel ok. Had my herceptin on Friday and am trying to work out if aches were due to that, also had first biophosphenate injection. I only have to have those 6 monthly. I am post menopausal and so will be a case of dejavu with the hot flushes, night sweats if they occur. Good luck. Carolyn x
Yes. I like to be prepared (w just a "touch" of anxiety as motivation!) Also, I like to shop so that must be the "hidden blessing" of all of this.
All I can recommend for the side effects of starting 3 meds is..."eeny, miney, mighty..." Thank goodness there isn't a "mo." Re: your aching joints being bad yesterday. I know I've read that aching joints can be particularly bad in the 1st 2 (ish) weeks. I think it was in reference to Zoladex but it could have been both it & Arimidex. Ugh. Too many potential side effects to keep straight. I think it's a good sign your joints are behaving today. Maybe your body was in a bit of shock on Sat w all the new meds.
I like your Deja vu comment. That must really suck. "Menopause. Been there. Done that. Was about to get the T-shirt & then I got drugs instead. And they're not even the Fun kind!"
Have a great day, Carolyn ( aka Ditzy60).
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!
Wear green! I wish I had a green bra but I don't so a green top will have to do. 🍀 Hollykins
I am going to try and take each day as it comes and in sept am seeing surgeon where we are going to discuss surgery on my ‘good’ breast to match them up , his words not mine! Lol. My lumpectomy and 25% breast reduction with uplift has left me looking like a page 3 girl on that side and page 153 on the other !! Once it’s done I shall hopefully be in a fur trimmed red satin bra in time for christmas ho ho ho ! Keep on shopping Hollykins .
Carolyn
Carolyn, you crack me up! I can certainly relate to the p. 153 on my "good" breast as your dr would say. I had a mastectomy so I think Lefty looks kind of like the Table of Contents. For her I have 2 prosthesis. "Nadia" is my "Active" Anita prosthesis. So far Nadia (after the gymnast) has earned perfect 10's & has not done any back flips out of my bra. "Dory" as in "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" was bought for my new swimsuit to spend 2 days at the nearby mineral spa. She stayed put too. I like to give her land time as well.
We could online shop together for red satin (fake) fur-trimmed bras.
* Everyone on this site is welcome to join in. Maybe we can get a group discount! *
My birthday is Christmas Day so I think a 'practical' red satin bra would be a nice gift to find under the tree! 🌲
Hollykins
By George she’s got it ! ( sorry, showing my age there, can’t beat a bit of Rex Harrison, I would say George Bernard Shaw but I’m not sure the line is in the play !). Anyway, I digress, not sure if that is due to chemo brain, age or general dizziness 😊. I think in honour of your birthday a red satin, fake fur bra, ever so practical for the winter is a necessity and I shall start looking forthwith! May have to delete my browser history, if my daughter finds Anne Summers on there she will start thinking I’m heading for Tinder ..... now there’s an idea for 2020 😂. Carolyn
Hello, I have been on the medication going on 3years and the only thing I notice were more hot flashes but other than that no problem so far. I'll take the hot flashes if it helps to keep the cancer away.
Thank you
Hi Ditzy60! I hope things are going well for you. I take it you are enjoying your daily dose of Anastrozole?
I had my 1st Zoladex poke on March 20. It didn't hurt but that may partly be due to the numbing cream. My oncologist referred me to a gynocologist to discuss the Uterus dept. of my CT Scan. He said everything looked good. We also discussed having my ovaries removed. I'm not too keen on it but will discuss it w my oncologist April 15.
Have you ever thought about genetic testing. You can find some good info if you google "pizza hut pna."
Hollykins
Good evening Hollykins, I don’t think I’ll be playing Cinderella this year as if I were to get down on my knees, scrubbing brush in hand I think it would take more than Buttons to stand me up. Apart from aching joints I feel ok. Still waiting for radiotherapy start date, but hopefully they will sort it soon. I’m glad your CT scan looks good, hope all goes well with oncologist on the 15th, it’s not a decision to be taken lightly ! I haven’t given any thought to genetic testing but I will have a look.
At this moment in time I’m feeling chilled, drinking gin & tonic in a very sunny Southampton, hope you have a good rest of your day. Carolyn
Sorry to hear about your aching joints. How long have you been on Anastrozole? Now that it's after noon here in Regina, Canada (the Queen city) I will confess that the genetic testing reference is an April Fool's joke. It's a youtube link & it's Canadian.
Regarding ovarian removal. Yes, it would be convenient if I need to be on Zoladex for a year or two (until I reach natural menopause) but after 5 yrs on Anastrozole I might wish I still had my eggs (in a basket). Ovaries are supposed to be helpful for heart health.
Hope your radiotherapy goes smoothly. Do you know what kind of cream to use if your skin gets irritated? Not to bring you down, I'm a planner!
A G & T sounds great! It's cool to know you live in the U. K. I'm glad it's sunny there. I think I might have the flu. I had a wee barf. My 20 yr old said "Maybe you're pregnant." I had Essure coils inserted into my tubes in 2006. Since I'm 54 that would be a Real surprise! Btw, I noticed your photo. Very nice! I feel like I know a teeny tiny version of you!
Take Care, Hollykins
Good morning Hollykins, I hope you are feeling better, I have googled knitting for clumsy beginners in case of a miracle pregnancy but fear I’ll never master it ! Lol. Your April Fools got me good and proper, I was all set to spend the evening diligently researching !
As Geography is my thing, I googled Regina, it looks nice. I did visit Newfoundland and Nova Scotia very briefly 40 years ago, omg that makes me feel old !
Line Dancing tonight, been practising my Ye Ha’s, I have definitely become more sociable since diagnosis, hoping my knees hold out or if they don’t there is a handsome hunk to catch me as I fall gracefully to the floor 😂😂.
After a couple of hectic days at work I have today off, hope you have a lovely day .
Carolyn
Hi! Or should I say Howdy! I've done some line dancing but that was probably in my 20's. You go, cowgirl! And if you slip & a hunky cowboy catches you all the better!
When you mentioned Knitting I thought maybe I told you my 20 yr old daughter knitted. But I hadn't. Funny coincidence. She is currently knitting an 8 or so page book for University. It's based on The Ugly Duckling but stars a flamingo instead of a swan. I can knit & purl but that's it.
I felt fine after my wee barf on Mon. I'm chalking it up to my hormones adjusting to the Zoladex. I was concerned because my hubby had a cough for 10 days & our daughter came down w a slight cold.
Regina is a nice city. The snow was almost completely gone. Then there was a small snowfall Mon. night. Just a little April Fool's. I'm glad you took my PNA joke well. I must have some Hawaiian genes cause my fav. pizza is Hawaiian.
That's cool that you've been to the Maritimes. We 3 actually spent 2 weeks there last summer. We saw Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island (PEI). We decided to save Newfoundland for another trip because it takes a good day to get to & from by ferry. Just thinking about the trip makes me smile. I think it was our best summer trip ever. I'm glad we have great memories from that trip. I got my diagnosis mid Oct. I'm not exactly sure what to expect from side effects of anastrozole & zoladex...hot flashes? About a 74% chance w anastrozole. The Maritimes are pretty humid. Summers in Saskatchewan are generally hot but it's a dry heat. Thank goodness for air conditioning! I should be starting Anastrozole mid June or July. How long have you been on it? You mentioned aching joints (knees). Any other lovely side effects? Nothing like ending on a negative note. I hope you had a great day off. We are about 12 hours behind you! Take care! Hollykins
Good morning, Line dancing was fun, my knees held up luckily as I doubt any of the men there would have had the strength to hoist me to my feet !
Last couple of days has been stressful and I have been in meltdown mode. A simple trip to GP surgery turned into a 90 minute stand off with 2 very scary receptionists,I think maybe they thought I was a casting director looking for the two sisters in Cinderella! This was followed by a call at 6pm to say my herceptin was cancelled for next day as I hadn’t had bloods taken that they hadn’t told me I needed. Another battle but I got my treatment in the end. It’s strange that these are the easy bits but have been more stressful than the chemo, surgery etc.
I’ve been on Anastrozole just over a month, have achy joints and some night sweats but nothing like as bad as the menopause. I think touch wood so far it’s going ok.
I had a very strange dream last night that I was going to Manchester, ( where I am from originally) but for some reason was ride on the top of the train, holding a chocolate cup cake which melted to nothing as we arrived at Piccadilly Station 😂😂.
Hope you have something fun planned for the weekend and the weather is good.
PS Your daughters knitting book sounds great, made me smile. She must be very creative !
Carolyn
Hi Ditzy60
I'm glad you enjoyed line dancing. If you do happen to fall & the guys are too lazy to pick you up just kick them in the shins (above the boots if they are wearing them) to motivate them.
Omg! A stand-off! This is where you really need your shit kickers (rounded -toe western boots). Although for this round pickle stabbers (pointy boots) would be more effective! Thank you for the visual image of wicked step-sisters. I'm glad you can see the humour in that situation. But I am sorry you had to go through it.
Then you had to deal with the next shit disturber with your phone call. I hope I am expanding your vocabulary. Although I'm pretty sure all British don't talk like they are on Downton Abbey. Btw, I just found out the movie comes out in Sept. Jolly good! I'm glad everything worked out for you in the end. It really pisses me off when a medical person doesn't do their job & then I'm made to feel like it's my fault! Btw, I looked up Herceptin to make sure I knew what it was. Did you know it is the 8th biggest selling pharmaceutical in the world? Humira, for rheumatoid arthritis, is #1. I was thinking it was Viagra!
Let me try my hand at dream interpretation. Apparently the focus is supposed to be on how you were feeling. Perhaps the cupcake melting is a reference to the Wicked Witch of the West from Wizard of Oz. A reference for your wish for the Step-sisters to say "I'm melting!"
As for the weekend, the most exciting plan for today is to go to a craft store to buy felt to support the inside of daughter's knitted pages. She is done her book. She is creative! She is lucky her uni pgm let's her take fun classes!
Since you mentioned aching joints...have you tried glucosamine? Apparently it does take quite a while to show improvement. My doctor says it should help with knees. I've been taking (2 or) 3 a day in anticipation of achy joints. No hot flashes so far. It is raining today so that could create alot of steam!
Take care. Was great hearing from. Great job on standing your ground!
Say Hi to Anastasia & Drizella for me! As a casting director I know that you know who they are!
Hollykins
I don't remember when it first started but I took it for three years before I quit. I could hardly move at this point. Every joint in my body hurt. I would say it comes on gradually and it would depend on how much pain you could stand. I quit at this point and feel so much better and it has been about 4 months. I wish you much luck on your journey.
How did your doctor feel about you quitting?
I've been on an estrogen blocker for 9 months now. We switched from one to another after two months. The pain is mostly in my hands but also my elbows, knees and feet. I'm also having lower back pain. I'm 65 and have been a group exercise and dance teacher for over 30 years. I'm a physical education teacher and exercise regularly. Maybe the pain is from years of wear and tear and normal aging but I hoped keeping my body healthy through exercise would postpone the aches and pains. Anyway, if the pill is causing this, I don't think I can take it for 4 1/2 more years! Yikes! Luckily I have no other "menopausal" symptoms.
The doctor is not happy with me but after trying three other meds I chose quality over quantity. They have another that they wanted me to try but its side affects are blood clots..Wow...At 72 years old that's just what I need. They also told me I had a 5 to 7% chance of getting cancer again. I told them if they couldn't at least give me 50% why bother. You also might want to try some CBD oil to help with the pain. It helped some but after I quit it helped ease the pain till it is just about gone now. Good luck with yours.
VicRegPartner
Generally, it take 1-3 months for your body to adjust to the medication. You may start seeing side effects anywhere from 1 to 6 months, years later or not at all. It’s important to remember that everyone’s body is different. Ask your oncologist about possible side effects and be sure to let them know if anything feels unusual to you.
Usually after a few days.
I noticed affects of arimidex within a few days and after 3-4 weeks I switched to aromasin which has been much better, Have been on that for about 18 months now and although I still have joint pains in my hands and feet it is much more tolerable. Good luck!!
I started taking this drug 10 months ago. The first month was not so bad. The third month was horrible. No quality of life. My joints were so stiff. I had trouble sleeping. I forced myself to "exercise." No normal person would have considered it running. I went anyway. I found it helped, a lot. I run/walk and I do yoga. Either a half hour of jogging or an hour of yoga a day. I do the yoga at home, alone, because I live pretty remote, far from gyms and clubs and things. I still have occasional trouble sleeping because I feel stiff and get hot flashes. But during the day if I exercise the stiffness goes away and I can feel normal for most of the day. One day I forgot to take the medication. The next day that I remembered to take it the break in period started all over again - - good incentive to not forget to take it.
Hi fr Regina! I took my 1st Arimidex on Sat May 18. 3 doses. So far so good! I started my Zoladex injections 2 months ago. Within the last month or so I have been experiencing what I call "global warming" at various times throughout the day. I thought it would be another 2 months before I started Arimidex but I guess it's good to find out what I'm in for before the heat of July hits.
I am now part of a study of 40 women taking Zoladex plus either Tamoxifin or an A. I. It's purpose is to show how various activities help w side effects. I had a choice of yoga, exercise, massage & accupuncture. I chose accupuncture as it is supposed to help w hot flashes.
I did ask a pharmacist to check out my homeopathic remedies. There were too many ingredients to look up so she looked up some literature. The main thing seems to be to make sure the remedies are what they say they are (from a reliable source). I decided not to bother trying again (at least not for a long while). I took them for 3 weeks before I started Zoladex. I sure didn't want to start at the same time as Arimidex.
Yesterday we celebrated Victoria's Day. Our daughter was due on the stat in 1998. She waited until Queen Victoria's birthday May 24 to be born. Not sure if that would be considered patriarchtic or matriarchtic? Not even sure if spelling correctly. Please clarify! Did I mention I love "The Crown?"
Ta Ta
Hollykins 👑
Hi from Sunny Soton, I’m glad that things are going ok on the Arimidex. I’ve been taking it for over 2 months and had some muscle pain after a couple of weeks but it has worn off now. Not finding it half as bad as I thought hooray ! Have chucked my wig and feel liberated but not sure I rock the Uber short grey crop lol. Start radiotherapy on Thursday, got in a bit of a tizz as it’s been way over guideline wait time here but. Apparently the cancer site is very near my heart so it’s taken more planning. I’m sure some people were shocked to find I had a heart at all lol! Got a private msg from a creepy male on here wanting to be friends 😩😩, I hadn’t realised this site had a sideline as Tinder for the afflicted !! I think definitely matriarchal ( not sure about the spelling either), but it’s all about girl power lol.
Carolyn x
Hi! I'm glad your Arimidex experience is mostly uneventful. I'll have what she's having! I'm sure your hair looks great! You are lucky that ladies choose that style & you don't have to pay for it. I imagine maintenance is pretty easy. Wow. Radiotherapy. Gee, you really are getting the "Full Meal Deal" (a Dairy Queen motto). Even though radiotherapy may seem to have come late to the party, from what I've read there seem to be alot of "variations on a theme." I've heard radiotherapy can irritate the skin so I hope you have a soothing cream. Love your ❤ reference. You make me laugh!
A slight interruption by an incident of global warming. Ok. I'm cool (not really).
Now, when you say you received a PM from a creepy male. You really shouldn't brag about things like that. Now everyone is going to want a PM by a creepy guy. Lol. Seriously, how weird is that? Did you report him? I'm not sure how to do that ...maybe under 'Privacy Tips?' below. I love your reference to Tinder. Maybe the guy did get confused. If it was me, I would probably tell myself that it's cause I look so darn cute in my photo. Even though I don't actually have a photo!
I hope you have a great day/evening. It's sunny here again. Thank you for settling that matriarchal quiry. Two days until Queen Victoria's birthday. It seems to me "The Crown" is changing their main characters for the new season. In Canada we have an ice cream biz based on Prince Edward Island called Cows Creamery. They make funny tees. I have one that has a cow's head wearing a crown & pearls. It says "Two Barns, Two Quarts, One Cow." I keep forgetting to look up what the actual saying is. I wear one of my 6 Cows tees to my oncologist appts. Just for fun.
Hollykins
Ditzy60 Oh dear! I messed up! I was thinking of the show "Victoria" but talking about "The Crown!" I blame it on my Crown t-shirt. I have been watching Victoria more recently. Maybe the caffeine hasn't kicked in yet. How non-matriarchal of me! I will "Keep calm & carry on! 😳
Hollykins
Good evening, luckily my hair is low maintenance as I haven’t actually got a hairdryer as I threw mine away in a fit of pique when my hair fell out lol! I did in fact report my online admirer because although I felt that depending on someone’s emotional state some women may be vulnerable to such an approach. Had he been hot and under 40 I may have course have felt different !!!. Radiotherapy was interesting as for some reason they couldn’t position the bed correctly and in the end I had to have a newer model. As a result I lay for 90 mins with my arm above my head , I like to think I resembled a supine Statue of Liberty . I was so stiff I had to be helped down, arm still held proudly aloft , ( slight exaggeration 🙂). I think acupuncture sounds amazing, have you had any yet ? . Love the idea of you rocking up to your onc appts in your groovy t shirt, I may invest in some myself for the summer !
Carolyn
When u mentioned your hair dryer it reminded me of the time 2 winters ago that I opened our daughter's sliding window to air her room out. Naturally I forgot about it. Naturally it was frozen in place. Then began the hunt for the blowdryer I've had since 1982. No luck. Sent hubby to London Drugs (Canadian co. although we do have a London, Ont. near where my Mom was from). New blowdryer worked. Found old one. Apparently we 3 air dry our hair.
I'm glad you reported the dude. Furthermore to your Hot & Under 40....Might I add he resemble George Clooney?
Wow! That's a 1st time Radiotherapy experience. 90 minutes! I'm surprised you didn't drive home with your arm through the sunroof or out the window. I would have been in major trouble. I still can't raise my left arm above my head 5 months after my mastectomy. It's at around 165 degrees. I had a frozen shoulder on the right last yr. In the last month my left shoulder has been showing signs. Trouble doing up bra (thank goodness for my dd as dh is hopeless). My physio says it's not frozen except possibly external rotation. So I've added accupressure in my arpit & a muscle above to my boring "after mastectomy" arm exercises. Fortunately no Statue of Liberty poses. Just think if u had jumped off the bedy & lifted the other arm you could be Nadia Comanich after her perfect 10's at the 1976? Olympics (in Montreal).
I have had a series of accupuncture 3 different times in the past. It didn't work on my frozen shoulder but it did the other times. I think I wait until after I see my oncologist June 19. I will get some more info about the study then.
I did wear my "If Moo like Pina Cowladas" tee to my "Lifestyle Mgmt for Cancer Survivors" fitness class yesterday. My friend teaches it. I did 12 min on a stepper & 12 min on a treadmill (discovered the fan after 8). I've taken 3 similar classes previously. This is the 1st time I wasn't totally wiped out for 3 hrs afterward. I believe the website for the t-shirts is Cows.com but I will check on that.
It's 3 pm here but I will wish you a good evening. I hope the radiology people work out the kinks so you don't have too!
Hollykins
Good morning, fridays radiotherapy went better, no need to harness my inner Commanich when leaving the table ! In fact I felt so much more positive that I went to Zumba on my own , something I’m not that doing ! I love dancing there’s something liberating about it I think. Yesterday went to Uppark House to see how the other half lived, my daughter is convinced that in a former life she was definitely an above stairs type of gal ! She also firmly believes she flew with fairies as a child so she is prone to flights of fancy lol. Last night Take That were in town and as I live close to the stadium got to hear bits of it, thousands of screaming middle aged women was quite a scary sound !!. today I'm at work so writing this on my break. Was talking to my friend at work about face moisturisers she got all excited recommenced all singing and dancing product that would make me look ‘amazing’ and good value at £175 (298 Canadian Dollars) at that price I will be staying wrinkly forever !!!. Hope you are having a fun weekend, is it barbie weather there now?
Carolyn
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