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Arimidex

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Q: ARIMIDEX…………………..?????????
Can anybody tell me why this medicine called ARIMIDEX (ANASTROZOLE) is used in men ???
my husband was given clomid (50mg) – 15 tablets first..(to increase the testestrone level) then he refilled the same with another 15 and he took almost 5 in that and suddenly doctor asked him to stop it and prescribed him another med called ARIMIDEX ( the one which i was asking abt) .. in the pharmacy they said this med is for breast cancer.. so am little worried abt this ..

A: It controls estrogen in men if they’re getting testosterone therapy. Too much T at one time turns to estrogen. If you take it by itself your T level will go up.

Q: I want to know if the drug arimidex can be used to help stop the bone plates to fuse to early?
My 12 year old son has advanced bone age . He has the bone age of a 13 and half boy. His endo prescribed Arimidex but I don’t find any information regarding that arimidex can be used for stop the bone to fuse to early. Please help me he is only 4′7.

A: I had never heard of this. I prescribe Arimidex and other aromatase inhibitors for my breast cancer patients. I just did a search and found this article that shows support for the use of Arimidex and other aromatase inhibitors to help stop the bone plates from fusing early. Sounds like your endocrinologist is very up to date on new research.

http://journals.endocrinology.org/erc/006/0303/0060303.pdf#search=’aromatase%20inhibitors%20and%20bone%20plates’

Q: Arimidex what was your experience on it?
I just started taking arimidex and my doctor told me that it has the same effects of chemo and radiation…Has anyone else taken this medicine? If so what was your experience?

A: I found that it made me just feel “off”. Nothing I coud put my finger on but I didn’t feel well while taking it.

It also gave me arthritic like pain in my knees.

I have now finished taking it and am feeling well and the aches have gone.

Was it worth it? Well, my cancer hasn’t recurred yet!

Add: Just read Lo’s answer.

I also had hot flushes, I put them down to chemo induced menopause, but it may have been the Arimidex, they have certainly resolved now.

The osteoporosis can be an issue, I was lucky that it wasn’t a problem for me.

My latest bone scan actually showed I have very dense bones for someone my age – maybe I can blame my excess weight on my “heavy bones”!

Q: Do the side effects from Arimidex last after you stop taking it? Are the side effects permanent?
I’ve been on it for three months, following one year of tamoxifen. I am supposed to take it for two years. Not sure which is worse, the multiple physical side effects or the depression. Decided today to stop. But now I wonder if i caused permanent damage?

A: I’m not sure of what type of cancer you have but some women do have severe depression with Armidex, it does go away but it takes at least three months to completely get out of your system. Also many of these women have decided to take antidepressants to help with the depression, and it does really help. I for one have breast cancer and I have a very aggresive type of bc, so I also take an antidepressant. I try not to think about cancer but it hits you when you least expect it, and usually at bedtime when things are quiet. There are so many side effects of chemotherepy I am fighting alot of them and hope that they will go away when my treatment is finally finished. What other side effects are you having, if your uncomfortable writing about them go to a cancer support site for your type of cancer. I know that my chosen breast cancer online support site has helped me so much, I’ve been fighting this cancer since May 2006. Some days I really feel fed up and want to give up, but then I go to my website and talk about it with other women going through the same thing. It helps me continue fighting this disease. I will pray for you and hope you reach out there are many good people out there fighting the same battles as you are, and it’s so nice not to feel so alone in this battle. And I have many loved ones that care but don’t really get it (being diagnosed with the big C). I hope this email helps you and I apologize in advance for the length of it. Side effects do go away, eventually, so keep faith and good luck. Big Hugs,

Q: My mom needs to start taking Arimidex for breast cancer?
It’s almost $300 per month and she needs to take it for 5 years. Does anyone know where you can get coupons, samples etc?

A: this must be a pretty new medication because even the online site I use charges 300 per month. i can only recommend what the others have said, call the manufacturer, ask your doctor for samples and keep watching online sites for price reductions. I pasted the site I use link below for future reference

Q: Can you comment on the long-term efficacy of Arimidex as a treatment for the reduction of estrogen in males?
I am a 45 year old male with high estradiol levels (Estrogen E2), which interferes with my body’s ability to make use of my available testosterone. This condition requires medical treatment. I followed the advice of Life Extension Foundation’s article “Male Hormone Modulation Therapy”, and took a 7 week trial to reduce my estrogen naturally using Chrysin and DIM, combined with absorption enhancers Zinc, Vitamin E, and peperine. Unfortunately my estradiol is still a bit high. The article states that when natural therapies fail, the only alternative is to receive a treatment of Arimidex (Anastrazole) in a very small dose. I recently went to an endocrinologist seeking this therapy. She stated that Arimidex is not a recommended therapy for males with high estradiol because it is effective for only a very short time. Not trusting her opinion, I reviewed many studies on Arimidex that indicate it is very commonly used for long term treatment. Can you explain this contradiction?

A: You have a harmone system dysfunction and can corrected
safe and naturally. Liosten to what others have to say
about glyconutrients. http://www.glycoresource.com

http://www.mannapages.com/foryourlife

Q: Anyone on Arimidex develop bunions soon after starting?
I don’t wear tight shoes or heels. The thought just occured to me about the relationship.

A: I’ve been taking Arimidex for four years and haven’t developed bunions. I have had very stiff and painful joints though – mainly ankles, hips and knees – especially in the first several months after I started taking it

Q: Does anyone know if side effects of Arimidex subside after a period of time?
My mother has been on it after stage IV breast cancer for almost 2 years now and the side effects keep getting worse. Any help for sleeplessness, hot flashes or depression?

A: Arimidex suppresses the production of estrogens. It is quite normal that it causes severe menopause symptoms. Even menopaused women normally retain half their production of estrogen; on that medication, it is almost all suppressed.

There are other options for cancer hormonal treatment, which could be less debilitating for your mother. She could be treated using a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) such as Raloxifen. I suggest you talk about it to her doctor.

Normally, breast cancer hormonal treatment should be discontinued after 5 years.

Anyway, whatever you do, DO NOT encourage your mother to take phytoestrogen supplements, as those will stimulate tumor growth.

Q: What are the dangers of not taking Arimidex for breast cancer reccurrance?

A: I should think that would be obvious, you increase risk for re-occurance.

Q: If you are a Oncologist , please let me know if there is new treatments better then arimidex?
I’ve been using arimidex for 2.5 years and my bone density test is showing early sings of osteopenia/osteoporosis. I’m going to my Dr. soon and I want to talk to her about maybe changing/finding new options/treatments. I’m a young female and the reason for using arimidex was to get rid of estrogen due to cancer been estrogen posititive. If you know of any web site to go and find out new researches made for breast cancer survivor patients. Thank you and God Bless you!

A: If you’re young, I assume that you are menopausal (or you’re on ovarian suppression shots)?

As far as more effective treatments, the aromatase inhibitors, of which arimidex is one, are still the “best” treatment that we have. If it’s working (i.e. cancer’s not progressing), you should definitely stay the course. Bone health can be protected with bone-strengthening medicines such as zometa; you should be taking calcium and vitamin D, and getting regular weight-bearing exercise (such as yoga) to promote good bone health.

Q: Is it dangerous to eat tofu when on arimidex of breast cancer?

A: I’ve been on Arimidex for almost five years – next month’s prescription will be my last!

Throughout that time I have eaten tofu; I’m a vegan so it’s a regular part of my diet.

I have had no recurrences and had no sign of cancer at my check up in January.

Soya proteins contain isoflavones that can mimic a weak oestrogen effect. It’s not the same as the oestrogen your own body makes though – it is 1,000 times weaker than your own body’s oestrogen, but it’s this that has led to concerns (and rumour) about soya and oestrogen dependent breast cancer.

There is no actual scientific evidence that soya causes, prevents, contributes to or affects the progress of any cancer. There are those in the field who argue that isoflavones may be of help in preventing breast cancer or be beneficial to women who have had breast cancer.

There is current research into whether increasing phyto oestrogens in the diet helps to prevent breast or prostate cancer, and a study in 2002 found that women with the highest levels of soya products in their diets had the lowest breast density – higher breast density being associated with higher breast cancer risk.

And women with the highest levels of isoflavones in their diet are reported to have significant risk reductions for uterine cancer.

Tofu and other soya products are fine in moderation

Q: Do you have joint pain or other side effects from Arimidex? Is it pain or permanent damage?
I have been taking Arimidex for a year now and have a lot of pain in my hands. The knuckles in my fingers are developing bumps and are very painful. I am curious about any side effects you have noticed from this drug. If you have had these symptoms, does the pain and swelling of joints go away when you stop taking the drug or is it permanent damage? I’m also curious if you have stopped taking this drug and replaced it with something better? I took Tamoxifin for 2 years and 1 year of Arimidex. HELP!!!

A: You cn read about side effects here:

http://patientsville.com/medication/arimidex_side_effects.htm

Q: Side effect of taking breast cancer drug Arimidex?
My oncologist has recommended I now take Arimidex. How did you respond to the drug?

A: Hot flushes. (Oncologist suggested Evening Primrose Oil, helped)
Lethargy. (Take it at night)
Arthritic pains in knees (Oncologist suggested Glucosamine, helping)
Can accelerate osteoporosis – calcium & vit D supplements recommended.
All in all, better for me than Tamoxifen (which I was on at first) but I can’t wait until I stop taking it in 6 months.
I hate taking anything and one tiny pill (Arimidex) means I now take 3 large capsules (2 glucosamine, 1 calcium) 1 large gellcap (Evening Primrose) and 1 small gellcap (vit d) daily.
Given it reduces my risk of recurrance from around 35% to 25% it is worth it (grumble, grumble).

Q: My sister has breast cancer and is on Arimidex?
I was wondering if there were any other ladies out there who would like to share their experiences and any side effects when taking Arimidex?

Has anyone experience depression and anxiety?
Anyone feeeling tired even though their Blood counts are normal?
Any information so I can help her with this medication would be appreciated

Thanks

A: Tell your sister I know exactly how she is feeling – and started a website HAVING FUN AFTER CANCER – www.after-cancer.com to give others information I found out about side effects.

Many of the side effects can be treated with lovely products and therapies. i.e. fatigue is helped enormously by aromatherapy massage.

Do tell her to look on the website, and I hope my experiences will be helpful.

Verite R

Q: My mom has to take Arimidex for her breast cancer but it is too expensive for us.?
We were thinking of trying a Canadian Pharmacy or the generic Anastrozole. Any advice on either? I’ve researched Canadian Pharmacies, but there are so many. Can you please recommend a good direction to go? She makes too much on Social Security to qualify for manufacturer assistance, and there are no government programs. Please help?

Thank you so much

A: This program provides women diagnosed with breast cancer with personal guides to help them navigate through the psychological, emotional, and financial challenges of cancer. Funded in part by AstraZeneca, support may be provided by a former hospital employee, an oncology social worker, an oncology nurse, a nurse practitioner, or a chaplain. To learn more about this program, visit ACS online or call toll-free 1-800-ACS-2345 and ask for a Navigator in your community.

If you are interested in receiving other sources of helpful information, you may wish to order free items related to ARIMIDEX and breast cancer, or sign up to get more information.

Her SS, is it retirement income or disability income? If it’s retirement, she should be on medicare.

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