Topic: Evista anyone?

Posted on: Mar 1, 2007 05:02 pm

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 318

Brendatrue wrote:

I am wondering about others' experiences with Evista and reasons they have decided to try it. I have had breast cancer twice (in '95 at 38yo and in '06 at 49yo). I started taking Arimidex last August, in spite of having osteopenia, and planned to have IV Zometa every 3 months to address the expected bone loss from Arimidex. The range of negative side effects I experienced with the Arimidex was rather large. After a horrible experience with Zometa, my onc and I agreed that I would take no more AI's for the time being. I considered Tamoxifen, but agreed with his recommendation to try Evista. (He wants me to consider adding Femara or Aromasin in several months, if I tolerate the Evista, but I am not sure that I will agree to that.)
My side effects with Evista are significantly decreased. I am trying to gain as much knowledge as I can about the Evista so that I will be able to make the best possible decisions regarding my future care. Please share your experiences as well as reasons for trying, or not trying, this med. I appreciate all the wisdom I have gleaned from this discussion board! Thanks--Brenda

Posts 1 - 23 (23 total)
badboob67 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,330	Log in to post a reply Mar 2, 2007 03:58 am badboob67 wrote: Brenda, I am sorry that I have nothing to add, but wanted to "bump" this post to the top so it doesn't get lost. I hope someone is along soon that has some answers for you!
renee4 Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 124	Log in to post a reply Mar 2, 2007 06:35 pm renee4 wrote: Brenda, My ob-gyn recommended evista for me because of all the gynecological problems I have had with tamoxifen. But when I checked with my oncologist, she said not to switch. She said that evista is a poor form of tamoxifen and would be not be a good choice for me. Take care, Renee
FLtricia Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 109	Log in to post a reply Mar 30, 2007 08:43 am FLtricia wrote: My onc just put me on Evista because I already have severe osteopenia, and Evista protects bones (and actually strengthens them) as well as the estrogen blocking qualities. He did tell me it reduces risk 30-35% as opposed to 40-45% with AI's. My pathology puts me at low risk and he mentioned that this played into his decision. His plan is for me to stay on the Evista for a year or two, then re-evaluate my bones. He also said in a year or two something else may come out that's even better.
Brendatrue Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 318	Log in to post a reply Mar 31, 2007 08:56 pm Brendatrue wrote: Thanks to both of you for the input. I saw my onc last week, and he is strongly advising that I take Arimidex and Evista. He expressed concern that I had experienced breast cancer twice by age 49, which he suggested was sufficient reason to be as aggressive as possible with hormonal therapy. I have mixed feelings about this plan, although I guess I can assess the Arimidex as I go along, and stop it if I find the side effects too difficult to manage. I'll be interested to see if there are others taking Evista alone or with an AI, and what their experiences are. Brenda
sns AZ Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 196	Log in to post a reply Mar 31, 2007 09:21 pm sns wrote: I've been taking Evista for osteoporosis for the last year with very few side effects. Occasional hot flashes is about all I've noticed. I'm er-/pr- so probably isn't much help there for me (as far as bc goes), but figure the Evista can't hurt.
JillG Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 111	Log in to post a reply Apr 4, 2007 11:32 am JillG wrote: I'm so glad to be able to come here - my OBG just suggested this for my worsening ostopenia, and I am JUST getting over the hot flashes brought on by going into sudden menopause - it looks like not too bad a side effect. And did I read that it actually builds bone back? That would be great.
Peaches70 Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 209	Log in to post a reply Apr 29, 2007 07:19 am Peaches70 wrote: I'm starting Evista tomorrow morning.(Didn't want to start a new drug on the weekend) I'm really hoping that the hot flashes don't get worse. I've been having them nonstop since February. Some nights are like one long heatwave. The Effexor helped a little at first, but doesn't seem to be consistent.
rubytuesday… Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,784	Log in to post a reply Apr 29, 2007 01:27 pm rubytuesday wrote: Brenda, I'm interested in if you are doing Evista along with an AI....if so, how are you doing on it? How are the "power surges"? I was told that I have moderately severe (sounds like a contradiction in terms to me...LOL) osteopenia and am currently on Femara. TIA
Peaches70 Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 209	Log in to post a reply May 23, 2007 04:43 pm Peaches70 wrote: Okay, now I've been on Evista for 3 1/2 weeks. I increased the Effexor to 75 when the flashes started to get worse. I'm doing fine so far. A little dry mouth with the first few days of Effexor, but now nothing. I can do this!
virgjo Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1	Log in to post a reply May 27, 2007 08:29 pm virgjo wrote: I am 52 years ago and began taking Tamoxifen last March after an atypia diagnosis. My periods immediately stopped. Three months ago, my doctor switched me to Evista and my period immediately returned. Apparently, Evista is only for those who are clearly post-menopausal. I am now back on Tamoxifen.
Brendatrue Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 318	Log in to post a reply Jun 19, 2007 07:54 pm Brendatrue wrote: Sorry for starting this thread and not staying on top of it. Life has been fairly challenging in the last almost 2 months. I am now taking Evista and Arimidex. I was taking the entire dose of Arimidex and just could not manage the side effects. I have cut my Arimidex dose in half and plan to try the full dose again when I feel I have managed the half dose. I realize that this choice may not be right for others, but it is the only way I can manage right now. My hot flashes are manageable, I can now sleep again, I do not have the horrendous abdominal bloating & discomfort, I can use my hands without wincing or constantly asking for help, and I feel more in control of my emotional state (previously I felt like my life was being sucked out of me each day and my mood was unstable). I have a history of being VERY sensitive to meds, so I am wondering whether I will eventually be able to handle the full dose. If not, I will have to reassess whether taking a half dose is effective. Sometimes I wonder whether we women who are so sensitive to meds can take lower dosages of an AI and still have a beneficial result; I know that I have received benefit from other drugs I have taken when I have taken half the recommended dose. Do I sound crazy?!? Brenda
rubytuesday… Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,784	Log in to post a reply Jun 20, 2007 06:24 pm rubytuesday wrote: Thanks Brenda for the update. You don't sound crazy at all. You sound like you're trying to make it work. Best wishes!
sflow Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 129	Log in to post a reply Jun 20, 2007 07:24 pm sflow wrote: I have been taking both for about 6 months. I do have bone pain and hot flashes at night. I had ostopoenia before the BC Dx in October. I am willing to take the side effects of both if they reduce my chances of cancer recurrence and bone loss.
rubytuesday… Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,784	Log in to post a reply Jun 22, 2007 08:49 am rubytuesday wrote: I'm going to have to remember to ask my oncologist about Evista...thanks ladies and do keep us updated. My hot flashes have pretty much gone away from Femara so maybe adding the Evista now wouldn't bring them back???? I think it might be worth a shot for my bones sake!!!
WendyInCali… CA Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 167	Log in to post a reply Aug 18, 2007 07:56 am WendyInCalif wrote: I have just taken my first Evista yesterday after it was recommended by the radiation oncologist. She said a study showed that women taking Evista had less breast cancer. I saw med. oncologist the next day, and he agreed that Evista could be taken in lieu of Tamoxifen. I have not had a period such March (stopped Climara Pro Patch at that time). I am wondering if there is anyone who can share their experience with Evista? Thank you. I hope everyone is well.
Jaredsmom Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 37	Log in to post a reply Aug 18, 2007 02:40 pm Jaredsmom wrote: Hi Wendy. I'm very interested in hearing more about the specifics of your situation as I am taking Tamoxifen and strugglng with many side effects~most notably, ovarian cysts. I have been on the Tamoxifen since February and recently had a pet scan which came back with significant abnormalities in my ovaries...When I asked my oncologist about Evista...she said that I cannot take it as I am not menopausal. It's always very interesting to me when I hear all the different opinions of docs out there!!
WendyInCali… CA Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 167	Log in to post a reply Aug 18, 2007 10:23 pm WendyInCalif wrote: Hi Jaredsmom, Actually, I am perimenopausal, have not had period since March which is when I pulled off the HRT patch I had been using for two years. Radiology Oncologist, a woman, recommended Evista when I told her I was against taking Tamoxifen. She said studies had shown women treated with Evista for osteoporosis were less likely to develop BC. The next day, I saw my med. oncologist the next day and presented it to him, and he was quick to approve the med with no questions asked. I am on day two so cannot speak of side effects as yet. It is an anti-estrogen med with the added benefit of preventing bone loss. Risk of stroke (maybe high BP?) is listed. I have low BP but am thinking small dose of aspirin a day would be beneficial. Do a Google search and include the year 2007 and you will find the more recent results. I have not had a chance to do this as it has been just 3 days since I have been aware Evista was an option.
Jaredsmom Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 37	Log in to post a reply Aug 19, 2007 05:31 am Jaredsmom wrote: Wendy~ thanks for the information. I will definitely look into it.
Peaches70 Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 209	Log in to post a reply Aug 19, 2007 05:45 am Peaches70 wrote: I've been on Evista since April. The hot flashes did get pretty bad this summer, but I have a history of hot flashes even before beginning Evista. My onc put me on Effexor to help, and it did, a little. My mother showed me an article about using garlic and parsley capsules for hot flashes. I've been taking it since last Sunday and, knock on wood, it seems to be making a BIG difference. I had only one big hot flash all week and none at night at all. On the couple of hot days this week, I may have had a few smaller ones, but since it was so hot already, I couldn't really say they were hot flashes.
hotdog Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1	Log in to post a reply May 28, 2008 12:18 pm hotdog wrote: I to was on tamoxifin and then was swithced to Evista. One month after being on Evista my period returned and had returned monthly since. I am in process of having swithced back to tamoxin as I am premenopausal. Clearly evista is only for people in monopause.
reenpeal Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 1	Log in to post a reply Aug 6, 2008 08:18 pm reenpeal wrote: I was taking tamoxifen (2 1/2 yrs) and my legs were swelling and starting to hurt. My oncologist took me off tamoxifen for 6 wks & it got better. We are trying Evista. So far, not to bad but tonight my legs are pretty swollen. I don't really have any other side effects but this swelling is really uncomfortable. Anybody had the same experience? Any suggestions as how to manage the swelling?
awb Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,761	Log in to post a reply Aug 6, 2008 08:57 pm awb wrote: Have been on tamox almost 5 years, but no problems with swelling. Actually, I had heard that was a SE of Evista. I would try to elevate your legs whenever possible. After a short break of a few months, I may be going on Evista for further prevention. Anne Dx 9/5/2003, LCIS, Stage 0, 0/0 nodes
delatorre19… Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	Log in to post a reply Oct 6, 2009 06:31 pm delatorre1969 wrote: I am premenopausal and my doctor still recommended Evista. I took it for four days and experienced some pretty severe side effects. I discontinued it about 18 days ago and those side effects have greatly improved, but still are not gone completely. I had dizziness, tingling in my legs & arms, vein tenderness and swelling, heart palpitations, muscle weakness, and pressure behind one eye, and some joint pain. I felt as if I had aged about 20yrs overnight. My oncologist had me do some bloodwork and I am waiting for that result before deciding how to proceed. I am a little depressed to think it may be possible I will not be able to tolerate any of these hormone therapy drugs. I suppose "plan B" would be to wait and pray. I hope that you have better luck.

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