Aromasin And Arimidex

I was on arimidex for a year and began suffering severe bone pain in my knee joints and in my hands....so the ONC switched me to Arimidex, and while it seemed slightly better for a month or so, it is back again to being very painful....now the suggestion is Celebrex...however I see no reason to take another $200.00 a month medicine to counter the effects of a medicine that is supposed to help prevent the return of cancer....what happens if I stay off all medicine. Am I tempting fate.
I was lucky first time, the lumpectomy seemed to have gotten it all and I had radiation and no chemo (it had not gotten into my Lymph nodes) but because I was estrogen positve I was told I needed to be on something for 5 years!!!...I feel worse now that before the surgery....any thoughts out there??? Joni

Jonip:
I have hormone responsive breast cancer (stage 1). My surgery was Oct05, chemo & radiation. I began arimidex April06. I have to do alot of standing on my job. When I started back to work fulltime, I looked like a 90-yr old moving around. I was fine walking for short periods. After sitting down, getting out of the chair was difficult to say the least. I took some physical theraphy which helped a great deal. There is so much info out there, I'm never sure if what I've decided to do the right wasy to go. I've decided that taking the arimidex is a necessary evil. Hormones are in the foods we eat or own bodies produce hormones. Arimidex is like a 1st defense against oestrogen produced in the breast. If I'm not mistaken, it blocks the development of the hormone in your system.
I am also taking Wellbutrin XL for the hot flashes & mood swings. The hot flashes are fewer especially at night. I found huge relief with a product called "Chillo pillow". It works between your pillow case & pillow. It provides cool relief at the base of your neck and seems to absorb the heat.
I just found this message board and already have it on 'my favorites' list. Thank each and everyone that replies. We are sisters in this daily fight!
Chemocurl

I am a member in very good standing in the joint pain,muscle pain,cramping in fingers,increase in cholesterol,and of course the all important NIGHT SWEATS!!!! club.Oh, forgot weight gain, and I can't even exercise! Anyway, I decided that all this still beats another round of breast cancer. I too use a chillow. I also found a great sleep shirt at
www.redhotmommas.com The material wicks away any moisture so if you do sweat, you feel dry almost immediately. Hang in there, we have alot of company.
Love and Hope,,Bobbie

I have been on Arimidex since 2001. I have had some joint and
muscle pain and some back pain this year. I asked my doctor if
I could stop taking it and she said it is not an option because of
the excellent protection it provides. When I asked about some
of the other drugs people have mentioned on this site, she said
they all have similar side effects and that she only knew about
problems with feet and hands and does not think the back
issues are related to Arimidex (she sees 30 patients a day so I
guess she has some knowledge I don't).

I have never heard of the chillow. Does anyone know where to
get that? That sounds really useful. I find that if I am hot one
minute I am going to be cold the next. I also have found that
the night sweats get better over time but the hot flashes during
the day get worse. For some strange reason, I have found that
when I feel one coming on I can often stop it by breathing
deeply. At work, I was able to get a net type chair instead of a
solid one and that did a world of good.

For exercise, I ended up doing stationary bike instead of
treadmill. It has a fan on it and my feet do not hurt as much. I
also put vaseline on my feet before I put my socks on and it
seems to be better.

Hope some of that helps...Love, Mary

Hi.....I was on Arimidex for only about 3 mos--9-04 till 12-04. My body could not handle it( Arimidex made a mess out of my intestines!!) I have been on Aromasin for almost a year and I too, had joint pains. I use to take FYI from Garden of Life and found that it was very helpful BUT very expensive so I switched to FeelAnew. At first I was sorry for switching (the joint pain was bad!!)but I also knew I needed to give them a chance. Well I am not sorry now!! I feel pretty good. Plus I have been able to exercise!! I hope this info was helpful!! Kathy

Thanks, this does help. I think I will also look at FeelAnew for a
little bit of help with the joint pain. Thanks again, MareP

I too am on Arimidex for one year. I have terrible joint pain. MSM helps. give it a try. I also experienced hair loss. Anybody else?

All the best

I was just reading a message in which you mentioned 'feelanew'. What is it and where did you get it?
I have taked MSM in the past but without the grand results most people have.
chemocurl

FeelAnew----this is what the box states......Joint Comfort Glucosamine & Chondroitin with Nexrutine. From reading the box Nerutine is a patent-pending natural COX-2 inhibitor. I found this product in Vitamin Shoppe (I live in New York) I have found that my knees and feets do not hurt as much since I have been taking this product (about 8 weeks) I hope this info has been helpful!!

Hi. Just want to comment on the celebrex you mentioned. It is a questionable drug to say the least. Don't take it.
-Kitty