Topic: Faslodex

nurse-ann, I am on faslodex and it has been the easiest tx I have had to date.  I hope it keeps working forever for me.  Currently I have been using it 17 months and counting.  this drug can be slow to start and can take around 4 months to start showing results.  Some onc give a loading dose but mine did not and I am doing fine.  It is an injection every 4 weeks. It is given in the muscle in the hip, to avoid any soreness or pain you have to relax your muscle prior to injeciton.  My first nurse taught me this and (knock on wood) have never had a problem.  You lean over slightly (I use the handicap bar in the rest room) and find out what side they will be injecting.  On the injection side you should tip your toe, this helps relax that muscle and leave all the tensionon the other leg.  This has never failed me ain do not have any injection site pain.

I was switched to Faslodex and Zometa back in March.  I  will be going for scans shortly. Tumor markers were down and then they went up.  Two weeks ago onc took me off of Zometa and I have to say I feel somewhat better.  Had itch and pain all over and it seems better since off Zometa.

Take care,

Geech 

By the way - there are 2 ongoing Faslodex clinical trials that will finish next year.  One is investigating whether a 500 mg dose is more effective than the standard 250 mg dose, and the other is investigating the effect of combining Faslodex and Arimidex.

Sandy

A question -  I started faslodex last Friday, two shots.  I threw up all day Sat. and into the wee hours of Sunday before antinausea drugs kicked in. I also had the mother of all sinus infections.  I've been flat out on my back for three days now.  Just starting to feel as though I can do anything.  Was this just an odd reaction?  Has anyone else experienced anything like this.  I didn't plan any time off of work because I was thinking there wouldn't be any se's so left a substitute with fewer plans than I usually leave.   

Sorry to hear about your side effects.  I had two shots two weeks ago and get my third one tomorrow.  I didn't have a problem either.  Good luck to you.

Sorry you had such a difficult time!  I think I am on #27 faslodex injection.  I haven't had any side effects for over the past two years.  Do I win the prize for being on faslodex the longest???

A year or so ago I keep getting sick so often, onc finally said, you catch every bug that crawls past you!  I haven't been sick since July.....nasty summer cold.

I hope, too, that this has nothing to do with faslodex!  Feel better soon!

Bethie

My number 1 gripe about Faslodex is the horrible cramping and nausea after injection.  Lasts all day and night, but it's gone the next day.  Next time I'm going to fast the day of injection so there's nothing to barf.  I like going off Femara. The weight gain has ceased and insomnia has gone.