Topic: anyone starting femara?

Hi Juliajo,

I take Femara. We've had some threads on it, but nothing stuck like bottle of tamoxifen or the arimidex one.

I'd be happy to post from time to time on it. Does seem a tad quiet on it's use, but there are ladies out there taking it.

I think the AI's tend often to get lumped into one group together.

Best to you,
Tender

I have been taking Femara for about 2 months now.  I took tamox for about 1 1/2 years, and during that 1 1/2 years had a hysterectomy, hence switching.

So far no major side effects.   I seem to be one of those people who have had very few side effects during and after treatment.  I do get hot flashes and have noticed some trouble sleeping-partly because my internal temp. gauge seems to be off but it could also be as a result of being in premature menopause.  Also, some minor weight gain-more annoying than anything else.  I have never had to watch what I eat and now I do.  Again, is it Femara or menopause or both?  Who knows.

Just within the last week or so I have noticed that my finger joints are a little stiff.  I am guessing that it is a Femara side effect but I would trade stiff joints, lack of sleep and hot flashes for survival.

I asked my onc. why Femara as opposed to other AIs and she said that as long as I can tolerate side effects she thinks this is the drug for me right now.  My oncologist is really up on research so I trust what she tells me and knows that whatever she suggests is the best choice for me.  I know she is very research driven and it may just be that the latest clinical trials were with patients taking tamox and then switching to Femara.  I am just guessing about that but I have a feeling that is why she has me on Femara.

Hi,

I am starting Femara tonight.  I'll keep you posted on side-effects.  I hope there are none!  I am post-menopause too. 

Victoria

Hi, I'll be talking to my oncologist this Tuesday 061708 about hormonal therapy and which one I'll be starting. I'm praying it will be one with the least side effects. I was put in pre-mature menopause in 1999 when I was 41 due to chemo and radiation. Then I guess the onc will consider me post-menopausal. I'm thinking maybe I'll take Arimidex or Femara? I wonder if it depends on which one your insurance will pay for? I'm willing to start the journey with you wonderful ladies!

I've been on Femara for 5 months and have not noticed any obvious SE. I was on Arimidex for 6 months previously and had to switch because of horrible bone and joint pain.

Hey Ladies,

 I am gonna jump in here too! I have been on Femara for 6 months now (I think) LOL can't remember! I am doing pretty good on it.

 I am getting sore hands, feels like I have been griping something all day. I am going to ask my Onc about some support type gloves, (I guess that is what they are called). I get achey joints when I sit down to rest. I just stand up and have to move a bit slow at first, but it gets better once I am back up. I tend to keep busy during the day, so my problems are at night when I go to rest and read or whatever.

 Hot Flashes are ON LOL! It is hot here now so I am sure that is contributing to them. I gave in and went and got Hair cut really short again. I could not stand it on my neck at first, and then my whole head was getting drenched. I am tolerating it much better with short hair.

 All of this may sound bothersome, but believe me I am just happy to be here to go thru anything other than bc. If this keeps me clear, I am game for it!   So noone be worried by my post, all of this is tolerable!

 Thanks for starting this thread! I look forward to seeing how you all do as well.

Susan

P.S. I may not be able to post alot because I am babysitting my grandbaby for the summer. I will try to pop in. She is at home for this weekend hence my posting!

My Femara side effects after 5 months of being on it--

achy joints, numbness in hands and feet (getting better with this), weight gain, hot flashes (seem to be getting better now) and now I have a dull ache at the bottomof my rib cage on my left side.  I don't know if that's Femara or what.  Oh, and I get tired just walking acorss the grocery store.  I am part of a Femara drug trial and will be on it for 5 years.  Sometimes I just want to stop taking it and risk the outcome.  I feel like I am 80 sometimes. (and I am 51....)

Yolanda

HI,

JUST STARTED THE FERMARA TODAY i WILL LET YOU KNOW

Hi: It feels good to have some sisters in Femara. I can't tell for sure what side effects, if any, I can attribute to Femara. Am headachy and have upset stomach. anyone else?

Hi All,

My onc wants me to start taking femara.  I was diagnosed in 5/2003, stage 1, estrogen receptive, had chemo and rad.  I was on tamox for four and a half years stopped taking it because I got tired of of the constant bloating, joint pain, moodiness, etc.  After stopping I have started dropping weight, no joint pain, not feeling depressed and  feel like my old self again.  The HFs stopped after taking tamox for two years. 

After reading some of the comments about the SEs for femara I am pretty terrified.  However my onc scared the crap out of me too regarding reoccurance!  I am still on the fence about starting a two year course of this treatment.   Since I stopped the tamox my quality of life has improved.  I feel like this nightmare is never going to end.  Guess I got a lot more reading and deciding to do.   

After 5 years of Arimidex, I went on Femara and then stopped it for 9 months due to joint pain, hot flashes and headache. The onc put me back on it this month for four more years. My understanding is the statistical reduction in recurrence is dramatic. I tolerated the Arimidex well, but this stuff does bother me, but I am dedicated to get through it. I was stage 3 and put into menopause by treatment. I trust the Dr. and if I can stick with it I will. I am hoping like all of the treatment, I will get used to it. If anything I think we are all helping the cause. I must admit that I am grateful to be here 7 years out! Hang in there.

I went off tamoxifen after two and half years at the end of may and on the recommendation of my oncologist, started Femara.  My problem w. tamoxifen was mainly constant and very unpleasant hot flashes,also weight gain.  On femara, the hot flashes continue, plus occasional heavy sweating at night.  Also, I have some cramping in my calves sometimes at night and increased appetite, which is very distressing.  I have gained over 20 pounds since finishing treatment.  My onco. says only 2 1/2 years on Femara, I am not sure why.

Linda

Hi Linny,

I've read a lot about femara and the studies say that our chance of reoccurance is lowered tremendously if we take this treatment.  The other AIs are steroidally based and trust me steroids can pack on quite a bit of weight.  With hotflashes i have found that if you can think "cool thoughts" and really think cool thoughts then your body can start to cool off.

hi, one week on femara. head aches, body aches, and upset stomach are the SE's so far. Really did not feel well today. Maybe depression too. I feel so sad. I want to cry but just can't so feel sad instead. Don't know if it is just having this all sink in or what. As many have said, it doesn't end. I went on Susan B. Komen walk and wore the pink survivor tee shirt. It seemed surreal. I haven't really totally accepted this even after all the treatment. For those of you who have been on longer please tell me your body gets used to this.

No hot flashes of any note yet. I am having a hard time. Thanks for being there. Julia

Hi: I am really having difficulty the last two days. achy depressed and stomach issues. I can't imagine facing the next five years feeling this way. Please tell me this gets better. Any thoughts about how to mitigate? Lots of water? vitamens? Exercise? looking for a light at end of tunnel. Help!