LindaAnnie

So far you've given the best answer to my question. My docs tell me my leg problems are not from the arimidex, but I think that is wrong. Oncology school just is not up to date on that one I think.
I've been on in for 2 years already. Supposedly, SEs show up sooner, ergo I am having no side effects. I will try to ignore as best I can and watch where I put my feet. I did have one fall when I was out for a power walk - and now I have the latest fashion jeans. You know, the ones with the rip across the knee. Fortunately nothing else happened. I'm 76 so I'm concerned about falls.

Wishing you strength and determination to get through this. jad

Thanks so much for your input on my question. Do you have any specific tips on how you were able to lose the weight your gained during chemo? MIne just sort of came off gradually, as long as I didn't eat much junk food. Have you found anything to help you with your sleep? I used melatonin all during my treatments, with my doctor's approval. Being active is tough with the muscle and joint pain, but it does help my sleep quality. Another tip is to turn off all electronics an hour before you go to bed. Even the TV. The blue light from them promotes wakefulness and interferes with natural melatonin production, which is trying to signal your body that it's time to sleep.

Hugs, I remember these side effects well, I wound up having to see a derm on an emergency biases 3 times during treatment due to issues with rashes.

I massaged jojoba oil and/or argan oil on my nails and body to help keep them in good shape. You can buy them on amazon, ebay, etc. It particularly great on your scalp.

If you continue having issues with contortion speak to your oncologist about lowering the dose and/or giving you something to help calm you down and sleep for a day or three after your infusion.

Hi! just wanted to say welcome and that I am sorry you are going thru all that you are. You will meet a lot of wonderful people here that knows exactly what and how you feel. We all have been in your shoes one way or the other . We are here any time you need us I pray that your journey goes well for you! Good luck and God bless you and your family!

Hello from the snowy midwest--Glad you are following. Do you know which chemo you will be getting? I had 4 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxen. What I will say is that it could have been worse, but it definitely took a toll on me. I never had nausea, I am assuming because they had me take steroids the day before, the day of, and the day after plus they gave me anti nausea drugs, Emend or Zofran, prior to the infusions and more steroids (in part because I would react with an allergic reaction to the Taxotere and the steroids and Benadryl stop that reaction). Most of the time I slept during much of the infusions because of the Benadryl. I was buzzed up on the steroids for a day or two after the infusion and was irritable but energized. Then about the second or third day after chemo I would crash with various aches and pains and tiredness. I was also getting a shot of Neulasta 24 hours after chemo. It has the side effect of severe muscle aches so that may also have caused the 2-3 day out crash. I tried more steroids for that which didn't really seem to help but then they had me take Claritan (not Claritan D) an hour before my Neulasta shot and for three days after. I think that helped more than the steroids. Nothing tasted good during chemo, I had bladder irritation from the Cytoxen (plus I was drinking a ton of water to flush it out so I had to urinate all the time); and generally I just felt achy and tired. My oncologist had me on a boatload of nutritional supplements specific for the treatment as well as having me go on a semi-vegan diet of no red-meat or chicken; no dairy; no sugar, honey, or white flour; no processed foods. It was hard and yet easy then as I just didn't feel hungry and little tasted good. Ironically, things like tomatoes and things with cumin tasted good. After my last round of chemo I ate raw, natural peanut butter on sprouted wheat bread toast for a week as that was the only thing that tasted good. I often got a bit constipated from the steroids so I tried to eat as much fiber and fresh vegetables and fruit and drank a lot of water as well as walking every day. (I walked with my husband because sometimes I was a bit unsteady and weak). I cut back on my work as I am an RN working in the hospital so I just couldn't do those 12 hour days during chemo. I work maternity services so at least I was less likely to be exposed to some of the germs that the really sick patients on other units have.
I wish you well during chemo. Try to find things that both help you relax and help you laugh. Hopefully your snow will melt soon as is predicted and we can all get outside and walk and get some sunshine. That does help lift your spirits.

Hi Linda...how did you survive last night's storm? We "only" got about 6-8" in Quincy, so not too bad and we did not lose power!
So...thanks for the "following"... What did the cardiologist have to say and have you made your decision regarding chemo? I did not have chemo but so many here did and will give you wonderful suggestions on how to get through it based on the cocktail of drugs you will receive. Stay warm and dry and keep in touch.

Thanks for the follow, LindaAnnie, and welcome to the WhatNext community! I had a lumpectomy, marginectomy and then a single mastectomy. Clear margins are vital. Hang in there! God bless!

Hello and welcome, we are glad you found us. Please feel free to join in the conversations. Here is a link to our cancer dx page for your type of cancer. Take a look at it to get you started on some information. You will notice at the bottom of that page 4 of our active users who have had that journey already, you may wish to contact them for their experience and wisdom. Also, I encourage you to go to the questions page now by clicking on the questions tab at the top of the page and post what is the most pressing issue you have right now. This will introduce you to the community and get you started on the help you need right now.

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GregP 3X Survivor
Team WhatNext Community Mgr

Welcome to the WhatNext family! The WhatNext family is made up of people like you who are looking for help or looking to help others. To help you along your journey the WhatNext family has put together a Beginner's Guide to Cancer that I highly recommend you check-out here: http://bit.ly/10BQKCi. Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to others or ask for help.

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David
Founder, WhatNexter

Hello...you will find lots of great information, experiences and support here...please let us know how we can help you...sorry you have to have more surgery next week, will they expand the margins again or do you need a mastectomy? We can help you deal with either outcome...I was 65 when diagnosed, strongly estrogen positive, had lumpectomy with a revision, sentinel node and other nodes were negative, low Oncotype DX score so no chemo, had radiation x 33 sessions, and have been on Arimidex for the past 3 years...I am doing well and retired last year after 40 years as a pediatric nurse practitioner, the last 33 years in one Boston neighborhood health center affiliated with Boston Medical Center...hope you like baseball because the Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training in 3 weeks!!! Visit us often, ask anything, and keep us updated...good luck next week and God bless!