 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Breast Cancer / May 2005Can Arimidex Cause UTIs??
Tim once posted that no subject is too sensitive for us to discuss here so I hope I can ask my question without causing anyone embarrassment. Does anyone know if taking Arimidex for ER+ bc can cause any type of urinary or urinary tract infections? I am taking it and have developed a "weird" problem which my gyn and urologist do not seem to know what is causing it. All they want to do is fill me full of antibiotics (Bactrim DS) and Nitrofurantoin which is not eliminating the problem but just giving me all sorts of "other" problems including upsetting my stomach. When I saw them I told them about my bc and that I was on Arimidex but no one seemed to tie it with the problem. They did urine tests which showed I did not have a UTI but gave me the drugs "as a preventative measure". I have had Cystitis in the past "many" years ago and this is not the same symptoms. This is why I think it is somehow connected to the Arimidex. However, I don't see urinary problems listed as a side effect of Arimidex in my PDR. Since Estrogen is very important to a woman, can taking the Arimidex which basically shuts it off (from what I think I understand) cause problems in the urinary or bladder area? I am Post-Menopausal. This has been going on for about 2 months now and if any one has any information which can help me, it will be greatly appreciated, as usual. Thanks so much! Bea > Tim once posted that no subject is too sensitive for us to discuss here > so I hope I can ask my question without causing anyone embarrassment. > Does anyone know if taking Arimidex for ER+ bc can cause any type of > urinary or urinary tract infections? I don't know . . . I'm on Arimidex, and haven't had any UTIs, despite some history of getting them every once in a while. What are the symptoms? With UTIs in the past, I've had a burning sensation (in general & when urinating) around the urethra and a feeling of needing to urinate frequently even when my bladder was actually empty. Sometimes the urine would be darker than usual, and I think once might have had a small trace of blood. For what it's worth, I've also found that local irritation can have similar symptoms to a UTI. That kind of irritation could come from a change in sexual activities; new underwear in a different fabric; bike riding if it's not a regular activity; perhaps a sensitivity to a new laundry detergent, powder, lotion, scented or otherwise different toilet paper, or the like; or any one of a jillion similar things. And yes, nothing is too sensitive to discuss (well, maybe the relative "goodness" of medical systems in the UK & US is too sensitive <grin>, but nothing about symptoms, diseases, side effects, coping, etc., is too sensitive!). Rest assured, this topic doesn't even come close to being the most extreme that's been discussed in this group since I've been here! I hope you're able to figure out what's going on . . . I've always found UTI symptoms *very* annoying. Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email >What are the symptoms? Thanks so much for the quick response Ann. My symptoms are nothing like what you described and what I know from experience with UTI. I tried to explain this to the doctors but they seemed more interested in giving me an RX and the gyn did not even bother to exam me. It could not have been caused by any of the examples you so kindly shared either for personal reasons. I did some reading while waiting for any responses and what I did find out is that when a woman lacks Estrogen to lubricate the walls of this area it can thin out and cause the symptoms you described and the rawness I have developed. I think the Arimidex shutting off my Estrogen to protect me from a recurring bc (hopefully) has caused this problem and guess what the remedy mentioned for it was? Estrogen cream or pills!! Well I guess I am out of luck unless I can find a gyn who will understand what is going on and find something else to help me. Thanks for making this so easy to discuss. I am from a generation who were not allowed to say the word "pregnant" so I sure have come a long way since I found you fantastic people. (Not "all" Americans are as liberated as some think.<g) Thanks again! Bea >>What are the symptoms? > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Bea Could it be a fungal infection? Tim > I did some reading while waiting for any responses and what I did find > out is that when a woman lacks Estrogen to lubricate the walls of this > area it can thin out and cause the symptoms you described and the > rawness I have developed. I wonder if it would help any to apply one of the "personal lubricant" products that are used (usually for sexual reasons, I admit) to reduce friction and restore moisture, such as Astroglide? It's available over the counter, and is not an estrogen-based thing. It's basically sort of a water-soluble lotion. It can be bought online from mainstream-type stores, if it seems worth trying but buying it at a local drugstore seems embarassing. Their web site (www.astroglide.com) also claims that vaginal dryness (not exactly what you're reporting, I know) can be eased by drinking plenty of water, and doing Kegel exercises to improve circulation in the lower pelvic area. If you're having some difficulty related to tissue dryness caused by low estrogen, maybe (I hope?) there's some potential for those things to help your symptoms even though in a slightly different area? I'm sorry, I'm speculating a bunch here -- probably not helpful. Hope you figure out something! Perhaps a new OB/Gyn doc, or being a little more assertive with the one you've got so s/he at least does an exam? Best wishes, Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email > Tim once posted that no subject is too sensitive for us to discuss here > so I hope I can ask my question without causing anyone embarrassment. > Does anyone know if taking Arimidex for ER+ bc can cause any type of > urinary or urinary tract infections? > > I am taking it How long have you been taking Arimidex? Mary >How long have you been taking Arimidex? >Mary Over a year ago my first Oncologist had me on Tamoxifen for a few months but when I changed to my new Oncologist, he said since I was post-menopausal I was supposed to be on Arimidex. I have been on it for about a year now and the problem I am having started about a month ago. It is definitely not a yeast infection. I think the recommendation given in another post about a cream would be very helpful if I can get hold of the cream. I am due to see my gyn in June and I will see if she knows of something I can get locally. Thanks to all for the recommendations and the advice. Bea > >How long have you been taking Arimidex? > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > post-menopausal I was supposed to be on Arimidex. I have been on it for > about a year now and the problem I am having started about a month ago. I just wondered why you think the cause might be the Arimidex, especially since you've been taking it so long. I suppose we clutch at straws ... I hope you find some relief, it must be very distressing. Mary >I just wondered why you think the cause might > be the Arimidex, especially since you've been > taking it so long. I suppose we clutch at > straws ... >Mary The reason I am suspicious of the Arimidex is because I always understood that Estrogen was very important to women for their bones and in this area. Since the Arimidex shuts off my Estrogen and is causing me all these other menopause symptoms (hot flashes etc.) I wondered if the lack of it could be the reason for unusual dryness and problems in the vaginal area. Maybe it just takes a while being on it for some of the symptoms to show up. I posted my question on this site because I wondered if other women on Arimidex had noticed this type problem with it. Evidently it must not be the cause or is not common to all women. I'm clutching at straws because my gyn and urologist prefer to stuff me with antibiotics even though my tests show I have no UTI. If I don't get some better answers from them in June, I will seek new doctors. Bea > >I just wondered why you think the cause might > > be the Arimidex, especially since you've been [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Bea Hi Bea... My sister has been on Arimidex for 2 years and experienced vaginal bleeding and some pelvic discomfort sometime back...not sure exactly when.. She saw her primary care physician, after mentioning it to her oncologist who suggested she do so, and was treated with antibiotics for a UTI, though tests came up negative for an infection. She recently started experiencing the same symptoms, was tested again and no signs of a UTI were evident. She's going to talk to her oncologist about it again. See Less Common Side Effects (both UTI and vaginal bleeding are listed) http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/ari1028.shtml She is going to speak to her oncologist about this development, since it doesn't appear to be a UTI. Good luck getting to the bottom of the problem. I heartily concur with seeing new doctors if you get the same non-answers and treatment. > I think the recommendation > given in another post about a cream would be very helpful if I can get > hold of the cream. If you're talking about the astroglide or equivalent, and you're in the U.S., you should be able to get it in any of the big chain drug stores (CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreen's . . . hmm, what is that one out West . . . Osco?). It'd likely be near either "feminine hygiene products" (i.e., treatments for yeast infections, "intimate" deodorants, etc.) or near condoms. It's an over-the-counter thing. Or you can get it or similar products at (for example) www.drugstore.com . Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.