I got back on my Arimidex a little over a month ago. I guess this is just going to be how life is. I actually found an article today with some thoughts I agree with and who just said it as it is...Arimidex is being on chemotherapy for 5 years rather than the intense hit of several months.
I have noticed I am tired more easily and have actually fallen asleep in my chair on occasion. Virtually unheard of for me!
It says that one of the RARE side effects involves losing your hair. Well... my lobular carcinoma was already a 10% chance so of course, I am again having more come out with each brushing and in the shower. It had gotten thicker again after that two and a half month stoppage, even my hairdresser noticed.
No, I am not an exercise nut, but I have been more active. My appetite has been lessening all month, even with a wonderful trip to Disney World, I didn't feel like eating as much as I should have.
The other night while in the car with my brother and his partner, I began to cough again. Usually happens late at night before I fall asleep. He noticed the sound of it right away and said, "Hmmm that sounds familiar." I told him it had been occuring at night recently but that was all, no other symptoms or reoccurence during the daytime. We are watching as that cough nearly caused me to drop out of the Chorale and sent me to urgent care last March!
But then there were the words of the author of the article I just read:
"Yes, while it doesn’t always get promoted that intention, Arimidex is considered a different form of chemotherapy, albeit one prolonged for five years. The only difference is that Arimidex doesn’t cause the severe symptoms real chemo does, except for rare incidents of hair loss. Despite rumors to the contrary, hair loss is in a small minority of this drug’s users. The biggest problem in using Arimidex is in its supposed tendency to weaken bones–hence leading to eventual osteoporosis or arthritic conditions." My knee and top of my foot have been giving me a good deal of trouble lately. I am hoping that yoga and a bit more exercise along with tennis shoes with good support even in the summer will help.
Then there was the potential of dealing with the second most popular side conclude of the drug. As with many pharmaceuticals, fatigue is already a common problem. Arimidex, however, was known to cause severer fatigue, nearly equivalent to what you’d expect taking chemotherapy. Yep, it is back. I have noticed that being tired and fighting the fatigue sometimes makes me really emotional and at times, quite unreasonable, which my family and friends can attest to lately. Thank God for their incredible support and patience!!!
"...this one of the most great cancer drugs on the market today as a more comfortable alternative to chemo" And I am grateful!
"With estrogen being the equivalent of Al Qaeda in an older woman’s body, having a drug that’s truly successful at keeping breast cancer at bay is a major breakthrough in the erratic pharmaceutical industry....But it’s a drug that you’ll have to choose for five years while not destroying any sense of quality to that time frame of your life." Therein lies the danger and the challenge.
I continue to learn and hope I will stay healthy, not break any bones, and manage to have quality in my life. I know the people helping me along are already the most treasured for their watchfulness, support and love keep me swallowing those pills one more day every morning.
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