All Topics → Forum: Stage IV and Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY → Topic: Faslodex Girls
Posted on: Mar 16, 2008 09:37 AM
ozzie2 wrote:
Ok LuAnne here it is just for u the Faslodex Girls thread...lol..
only prob is we will have to keep bumping it up..
so all you Faslodex Girls... come on in...
and tell us how your going ..
hugs
oz
Posts 1 - 30 (1,158 total)
Mar 16, 2008 11:30 AM LuAnnH wrote:
did our old one get bumped that far down the line?
Mar 16, 2008 12:58 PM mom2acat wrote:
I have an update in my "digestive problems" thread.
Doing ok with the Faslodex, still have to take my Fiorcet about 2 hours after my injection though to avoid a migraine.
My bone scan I had on March 4th was good, no signs of the cancer progressing.
~Shari
Mar 16, 2008 01:09 PM LuAnnH wrote:
yeah Shari! Love to hear when a tx is working
Mar 16, 2008 02:18 PM jeanne46 wrote:
I get my next faslodex injection this coming Thursday. I have no idea if it is working, since first scans after beginning the treatment aren't due for a month or so. I do have a question - does faslodex cause heartburn for any of you? I've recently had really bad "acid stomach" and had to take nexium for relief.
Other than that (if it is related), it's been relatively free of side effects. And my hair keeps growing!!
Jeanne
Mar 16, 2008 05:01 PM LuAnnH wrote:
I have been on nexium for years. I think my A/C from my original chemo tore up my stomach and I didn't know it was acid reflux and dealt with the terrible pains for years before i got help. This is one of those times one of those stupid commericials paid off. I have been noticing a little more reflux lately so I suppose it could be the faslodex.
Mar 17, 2008 08:53 AM ozzie2 wrote:
LuAnn not sure if the last thread got lost ?? just saw a post of yours saying we need a Faslodex Thread...wonder if the Admins would make one if we ask?
I'm due for my 3rd injection on the 28th March...and having bloods done also.. dreading it...as I know this med hasnt kicked in yet! as my Skin mets are getting bigger ...so if markers are over the moon I think they will stop this injection....so nerves are setting in already.. yikes..
hugs
oz
Mar 17, 2008 11:21 AM LuAnnH wrote:
Oz, don't say that.....I want you to stay on the hormonals with us. I know you are dreading having to move to chemo. Faslodex is the slowest starting and can take 4 to 6 months to get going, problem is you don't always want to give the disease that much free time to get ahead of you :(
Mar 17, 2008 11:46 AM mom2acat wrote:
I had acid reflux long before I had cancer, so I don't know if the Faslodex affects that or not. My reflux seems to flare up most from stress or eating the wrong food.
Mar 18, 2008 09:07 PM AliceJean wrote:
I've been on Faslodex since last fall, I have no reaction to it other than itchy bumps at the injection sites, which don't happen every time. I am already on reflux meds since last year's 8 cycles of Xeloda which gave me gastritis. Interesting though to think that Faslodex could cause stomach issues. I'll ask about this next time. My onc told me also it is a slow starter. I had another chest wall nodule come up since starting it, it was cancerous but very low ER sensitivity which is unlike my other cancerous tissues which have been removed. My onc said stay on the Faslodex anyway since scans have been good. Of course I am due for a CT next week and starting to get anxious. Don't freak, OZ, stress is your enemy! Warm bath and glass of wine???
Mar 18, 2008 09:30 PM mom2acat wrote:
I know how it feels waiting for those scans! I know it's easier said than done, but I hope it doesn't weigh too heavily on your mind until it's done and the results are back, and I'll keep you in my prayers that they are good results!
Mar 20, 2008 09:33 PM GEECH wrote:
I was taken off Aromasin today and had my first Faslodex shot and wonder what the side effects will be. Didn't know it takes so long to take effect. I'll keep all of you in my prayers.
Take care,
Geech
Mar 21, 2008 03:35 AM LuAnnH wrote:
I honestly cannot say I have had any terrible side effects from faslodex and hope I can stay on this tx for may more years to come!
Mar 21, 2008 06:57 AM ozzie2 wrote:
I had several side effects with the 1st injection..the second I had non...due for the 3rd next friday....keeping fingers crossed as I do have to have bloods done and I know that my skin mets are getting worse...besides that I am feeling well...no bone pain etc..wonderful..
Just so depressed with the loss of three beautiful ladies...gosh Its so hard to stay here with so many ladies passing lately...
Yes a stiff drink was needed and I had several today..havent had a drink for mths...wow..
hugs my wonderful support ladies..
Hugs
oz
Mar 23, 2008 11:19 AM Helen1 wrote:
Ozzie I am a week ahead of you in the faslodex cycle. Had my third one on 3/21. The side effects hit sooner this time. I have been having nausea for about 7-9 days post injection and some of the mets area will flare. Fortunately not all at once. This time, I am a little moody and have pain in the long bone of the thigh on the left. After first injection it was in both legs at the same time. After the first week though, I start feeling better, but there are still the occasional PMS like mood swings. After a year of taxol/taxotere then a year of xeloda- Faslodex seems like a piece of cake sometimes.
Hope you continue to do well.
Helen
Mar 24, 2008 09:02 AM ozzie2 wrote:
Helen I know u are right in saying that the mets will flare I only hope my Onc will take that into account..the skin mets are getting worse by the day I hate to look at them, not weeping etc but the rash gets bigger...yikes...
keeping it all crossed for u also hon...will keep u posted...
hugs
oz
ps I have a computer that has a mind of its own at the moment, curser moving all over the place...smack...
Mar 24, 2008 09:05 AM ozzie2 wrote:
ooops meant to say I am sorry to read of the SE you are having ...pms mood swings went through that yrs ago when this all started....ahhhhhhhhhh..
gosh an my second inj was SE free....
hugs
oz
Mar 27, 2008 08:38 PM greta wrote:
Hi girls,
I was telling you about my tumor markers creeping up since June. Well, the bone scan showed mets to my skull and thoracic spine. I am starting Faslodex on Monday. 1st 500 mg. and then next month 250 from there on. It is so comforting to know that you are all out there and that I am not alone. I sort of expected it, but the shock still stings! I had a PET/CT today and an MRI tomorrow. I only hope that nothing more shows up. Thanks for listening, Greta
Mar 27, 2008 08:45 PM LuAnnH wrote:
Greta, sorry to hear you had to have progression. It sucks, so far I have only had progression once but I remember freaking out major when that happened. I have been having great success with faslodex and hope it works well for you. Be sure to let me know if you get pain at your injection site, I will give you the tips/tricks my onc nurse taught me when I first got the shot, never had a problem when I follow her instructions.
Mar 28, 2008 07:08 AM, edited Mar 31, 2008 07:52 AM by ozzie2
Greta sorry read of your progression, this sucks I wish u all the best with the Faslodex ...
Well girls from today I leave the Faslodex thread...Yep as I expected I was taken of it today after only 2 injections of 250mg...Bugga...
so onto xeloda as from tomorrow...as I said my skin mets were getting bigger, the tumors in my axilla an arm bigger and more poping up, and TM went from 420 to 900 in 2 mths... double bugga...
so now I am doing exolda for 14 days then 7 off...4 in the morning and 3 at night...500mg...and then tabs for nausea and diarrhoea etc,so that makes 11tablets with the bonefos...
thanks for all the help with the faslodex ,now wish me luck with the xeloda...dreading it...
good luck to all u girls and I hope it keeps working for u all for yrs to come...with luck I might get a chance to try it again...who knows but I do have to try and get this BC under control..
hugs
oz
Mar 28, 2008 10:39 AM LuAnnH wrote:
Oz, I hope the xeloda works for you, sure does sound like faslodex was not your magic bullet. Be sure to check out planet xeloda for help on that one. Also, start lotioning your feet and hands now, that seems to be one of the side effects you need to stay ahead of.
Mar 29, 2008 01:04 PM, edited Mar 29, 2008 01:07 PM by greta
Hi LuAnnH,
Thank you, You are truly the best. Will I continue with Zometa when he begins the Fasolodex on Monday? Since the met is in the skull and spine, I sure need something to keep the bones strong. Did this mean that the Zometa was not working? I am blaming myself now, as I drank a glass of wine with dinner and the doctor at Sloan said "No wine it increases the Estrogen." I will keep you informed. Once again I thank you and hope that things are settling down for you as well. You had a rough week last week. Greta
Mar 29, 2008 01:09 PM greta wrote:
Hi again, LuAnnH.
Don't forget to tell me the tricks of the trade with the Fasolodex shot. I will take any info I can get. Greta, Thanks
Mar 29, 2008 01:09 PM AliceJean wrote:
Greta, you can do Zometa and Faslodex simultaneously, I have been since last fall and feeling very well. Good luck to you!
Mar 29, 2008 01:12 PM mom2acat wrote:
I also do both at the same time, I have been since April of last year. I get my Zometa and Faslodex both on the same day.
Mar 29, 2008 03:19 PM LuAnnH wrote:
the other ladies beat me to it, yes you do both at the same time. Don't beat yourself up over the glass of wine. You have to measure both quality and quantity of life. Do what keeps you happy, and one glass I doubt is going to make a huge difference. I did hear though that folic acid will offset the estrogenic effect of alcohol. Basically, take a little folic acid the day you want to have your glass of wine and life should be ok.
As for the injection, we do it in the restroom and I bend slightly and lean on the handicap rail in there. If I am getting the injection on the left side I tip my toe on the left side to relax the leg and put all my weight on the right side of my hip. Between the slight bend and relaxing the muscle it helps make it so the shot won't cause the discomfort in the muscle they are injecting it into. Has worked like a charm for me everytime!
Mar 29, 2008 09:31 PM AliceJean wrote:
OOOH, folic acid huh? How much do I need to take to offset like, say, 3 glasses of wine!!??
Mar 30, 2008 03:07 PM LuAnnH wrote:
I'm not sure, if you ask in the moving beyond section I bet someone there could tell you what they take. I'm not sure because I just quit drinking upon my mets dx. Now anytime I try to take a drink of anything it tastes nasty so I don't even bother.
Mar 31, 2008 01:37 AM jeanne46 wrote:
I am so bummed that I have to leave you ladies. Went for my second monthly injection two weeks ago and my doc found some swollen lymph nodes where there had been none a month before, and none that showed up on scans in January. Biopsy confirmed more cancer spread and its his opinion that my cancer is resistant to anti-estrogen therapy. I actually just found out I was ER+ in early February. For the two years since my recurrence, I was diagnosed as triple negative. So, back to chemo starting this coming Tuesday.
I wish much better luck to the rest of you. Faslodex was so easy and non-intrusive. My new cocktail, at least, won't make my hair fall out.
Mar 31, 2008 07:57 AM ozzie2 wrote:
Jeanne sorry that u too have to leave this thread...think I must also be resistant to anti-estrogen threapy as none has worked for me..this is a bumma, and they wont do my Hormones receptors again, they see no reason ?? weird really, I do and dont want to know if they have changed..
good luck with the new cocktail...
hugs
oz
Mar 31, 2008 11:49 AM jeanne46 wrote:
Oz,
Missed you post about leaving faslodex, too. So sorry it didn't work. The big plus with xeloda is that it, like faslodex, doesn't require constant visits to the chemo infusion room!
Make sure you use lots of cream on hands and feet to keep them softened. Best of luck with the new regimen. Will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you and me.
Hugs,
Jeanne