1. < Breast Cancer

Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

I completed all treatments for breast cancer but now I am supposed to take hormone blocker, named anastrozole. im concerned about the side effects. Has anyone here taken it and did anyone have hair loss?

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Oct 30, 2019
In reply to @sparklegram "Kathy, that's horrible! It shouldn't be this way. Does anyone know of a way to avoid..." + (show)
@sparklegram

Kathy, that's horrible! It shouldn't be this way. Does anyone know of a way to avoid these kinds of prices? (besides joining Kaiser!) Kathy, do you have Medicare?

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Next year in August. I'm 64 now. The ACA was the only insurance I could get - Medica in Nebraska. Glad it exists though otherwise none at all. It said the retail price of the drug was: 687.99 I hope when I get to January, I do not have to pay that amount.

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Oct 30, 2019
In reply to @kathyomaha55 "Next year in August. I'm 64 now. The ACA was the only insurance I could get..." + (show)
@kathyomaha55

Next year in August. I'm 64 now. The ACA was the only insurance I could get - Medica in Nebraska. Glad it exists though otherwise none at all. It said the retail price of the drug was: 687.99 I hope when I get to January, I do not have to pay that amount.

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@kathyomaha55 That is just crazy - I wonder what your state's attorney general or state insurance commissioner think of that...sure seems like price gouging.

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Oct 30, 2019
In reply to @sparklegram "bressie, i was on Arimidex for almost 2 years. I quit a week ago because I..." + (show)
@sparklegram

bressie, i was on Arimidex for almost 2 years. I quit a week ago because I simply can't take the side effects. My doctor has prescribed Exemestane. I'm hoping I can tolerate it better than the other. Like you, I'm in my 70's (I just turned 75) and quality of life is important! I will continue taking the meds for the 5 years. i don't want a recurrence, so...fingers crossed!

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I will start on Exemestane tomorrow - let me know how long it takes for the joint pain to ease. I'll be counting the days too! I want to take for the full 5 years too - but side effects really affect my quality of life. Hoping this new drug works better for me.

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sparklegram | @sparklegram | Oct 30, 2019
In reply to @kathyomaha55 "I will start on Exemestane tomorrow - let me know how long it takes for the..." + (show)
@kathyomaha55

I will start on Exemestane tomorrow - let me know how long it takes for the joint pain to ease. I'll be counting the days too! I want to take for the full 5 years too - but side effects really affect my quality of life. Hoping this new drug works better for me.

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Fingers crossed, Kathy! Keep us posted.

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cfacarol | @cfacarol | Oct 31, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "If you're online right now, please hop over to see this live presentation by Dr. Dawn..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

If you're online right now, please hop over to see this live presentation by Dr. Dawn Mussallem, a diagnostic breast specialist, on achieving optimal well-being through diet, exercise, and stress management, followed by a Q&A session for which Dr. Mussallem will be joined by these specialists:

ā€“ Kristin Lothman, MSW, LCSW, Mind-Body Counselor
ā€“ Dr. Raul Rosario Concepcion, Physical Medicine and Cancer Prehabilitation
ā€“ Debra Silverman, MS, RDN, LD/N, Integrative Cancer Nutritionist

Click this link to watch live or to see the archive any time: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-about-breast-cancer-survivorship-care-planning/

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The presentation was excellent. Evidence based information about how diet, exercise, and other strategies like meditation yoga can help with side effects of cancer treatment and lower the chances of recurrence.

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marjou | @marjou | Nov 2, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "@gwinter I underwent surgical menopause at age 44 (removal of uterus and ovaries). It was brutal...." + (show)
@trixie1313

@gwinter I underwent surgical menopause at age 44 (removal of uterus and ovaries). It was brutal. At that time they gave us estrogen pills twice daily which helped immensely but then the Women's Health Study came out and that was stopped. I think back then my Gynecologist gave me some sort of psych pill for a short time, but I don't remember the name. I do take my aromatase inhibitors at night and will awaken with sweats, but daytime hot flashes are minimal then. They tend to start about an hour after I take my pill. I stay away from alcohol as that tends to start them off more. I've also upped my exercise doing water time and a lot of walking. I think staying active helps a lot. With the fire here in northern California, I have both of my kids' families and animals living with us so am doing a LOT of cooking and baking and having huge hot flashes...I have one of those little fans that hand around your neck and it helps immensely!

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There is BRHT (bio identical replacement hormone therapy) that is made from plants versus synthetic hormones (pharmaceuticals). In Suzanne Somers book AGELESS she explains this along with a list of doctors, professionals who have done studies/work with women in this phase of our lives. It starts out with requesting a blood or saliva test which gives information on your specific hormone levels and what suggestions as to how to replace the loss of estrogen and progesterone. I am searching this area for myself in post menopause and looking for a doctor that can work with me on this.

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Nov 2, 2019
In reply to @marjou "There is BRHT (bio identical replacement hormone therapy) that is made from plants versus synthetic hormones..." + (show)
@marjou

There is BRHT (bio identical replacement hormone therapy) that is made from plants versus synthetic hormones (pharmaceuticals). In Suzanne Somers book AGELESS she explains this along with a list of doctors, professionals who have done studies/work with women in this phase of our lives. It starts out with requesting a blood or saliva test which gives information on your specific hormone levels and what suggestions as to how to replace the loss of estrogen and progesterone. I am searching this area for myself in post menopause and looking for a doctor that can work with me on this.

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Wow if it's chemically identical - is it not still estrogen? I would be afraid of using it. But that's me. I Just had a friend diagnosed with metastasized BC. Which is essentially incurable. She is terminal now as it's in many organs. šŸ™

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sparklegram | @sparklegram | Nov 2, 2019

@kathyomaha55, I'm really sorry to hear about your friend. Please let her know that we send her our love.

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karendb | @karendb | Nov 2, 2019

Hi kathyomaha55. I havenā€™t been here for awhile but if you donā€™t mind me asking did your friend have bc before this or was this her first time? I have my first mammogram this month after going thru a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation and am starting to feel very anxious and scared.

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Nov 3, 2019
In reply to @karendb "Hi kathyomaha55. I havenā€™t been here for awhile but if you donā€™t mind me asking did..." + (show)
@karendb

Hi kathyomaha55. I havenā€™t been here for awhile but if you donā€™t mind me asking did your friend have bc before this or was this her first time? I have my first mammogram this month after going thru a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation and am starting to feel very anxious and scared.

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@karendb Karen, Don't be anxious or scared. Get all the facts. If you start thinking the "what ifs," you'll lose focus and you need to stay focused to handle this. What I have learned throughout this ordeal is to lean on family and be grateful each day upon waking. Take one day at a time. You've got this...we're all here for you.

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