Faslodex Girls Thread
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Welcome Mab60! I am a 14 year survivor of Stage 4, and hanging in there. Currently on Faslodex and Kadcyla.
LisaJo-hopefully those nodes are a temporary thing. I have been getting those too.
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Has anyone heard of a new protocol where Faslodex is injected into the thigh muscle, rather than the butt? Someone in the Fas & Ibrance just went for their 1st injection and was surprised by the new location. She was told it was new protocol to avoid hitting nerves. Interesting...
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Jobur,
That's news to me. I just did a quick Google search that included the package insert and couldn't find any site designated other than buttocks.
As would everyone here, I'd love to know the full story. According to the poster on the Ibrance-Faslodex thread, the new protocol of Faslodex injection into the thighs was approved Monday.
Tina
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Tina, I googled around too, found nothing. Remember the article reviewing best practices for large volume IM injections some pages back? The one from http://www.OncologyNurseAdvisor.com that showed the Z track method? That article showed 3 alternative injection sites, and there was one on the thigh. Maybe her clinic follows this protocol?
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Jobur,
Guess so.
As for the IM article, I posted it here a while ago. However, Astra-Zeneca Faslodex material and everything else I've seen relating to fulvestrant specifies injection into the buttocks.
Tina
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Hi, i will be starting Faslodex soon. Anybody have nausea with it? Im really worried because i did not do well on chemo and was throwing up all the time.
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Nausea is not one of the common side effects of Faslodex. I never even felt remotely like vomiting during my 5 years of Faslodex. Faslodex is, generally, FAR easier than chemo. Heck for me it was easier that any of the AI's. Best of luck!
*susan*
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Oh thank you. That gives me hope!!!!
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I haven't had any SE's to speak of but maybe because I've only had my 3 loading doses so far and now will go once a month. I do feel like it is affecting my emotions somewhat?? Been a little more weepy and anxious.....
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I had my faslodex injections on Tues given by a different nurse to previous times. The first injection stung but stopped paining when she stopped; however the second one really hurt and has continued hurting. I've quite a large solid lump around the site which I am massaging in order to break it down. I guess she didn't inject into the right area...
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Aoib, My second injections they asked if I wanted them to "tag team" me. I said sure let's try it. One nurse did great, no pain. The other hit a nerve immediately and I said so with a big OUCH! She kind of laughed and said "Oh my bad!" but continued to inject. That side hurt for TWO WEEKS unlike the better side that stopped after one day.
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I have found varying degrees of lumps, bruising, immediate or lasting pain and itching to be expected as part and parcel of these injections. Sometimes these side effects are minimal, sometimes not. Some vanish after a few days, some in a few weeks. The same nurse has given most of my injections for more than four years. The first year was the worst. I think her skills have improved while I've become more relaxed and tolerant. Once in a while, however, it can still be a major pain in the tush.
Tina
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hi ladies! I haven't posted in about a year but wanted yo check in especially with those of you new to MBC or faslodex. I'm 33 and I've been Ned on faslodex abd xgeva for 14 months. I have widespread bone disease. Susan and Tina and other long-time vitamin F sisters really encouraged me and I feel so blessed yo be going week now. Much love to you all.
Kelli
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Smellimd82, it's good to hear from you. I'm glad you're doing so well!
Tina
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Kelli, glad to read your post. I started xgeva and falsodex last month after I could not tolerate se on femara and aromasin. Hopeful after reading your post.
Mary Anne
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Hi Artistatheart and Tina, It sure is one pain in the butt on top of everything else. I still have a big sore lump (rather like moi). So happy though that faslodex is helping to keep me stable. I presume not getting the injection properly doesn't affect its efficacy? I'm paranoid but at this stage I tend to believe that if it can go wrong it will go wrong..
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Aoibheann,
What I was trying to say in my longish post above is that when the injections are given properly, they can cause a bunch of side effects, including big, sore lumps. I have had such lumps grace my hindquarters many, many times. In fact, one is doing so right now! It's itchy, too. Charming, eh?
I believe our bodies are simply reacting to injury, which is understandable. I don't think it means the shots are being given incorrectly.
I know it's easier said than done, but try not to let paranoia rule!
Tina
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Tina,
Thanks for clarifying about the 'sore lumps'. Just another SE then, I can cope with this.
Gxx
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Hello all, I received my second injection in my bottom yesterday. I asked about the thigh. They recommended against it.
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I called Astra Zeneca about the shot in the thigh. They said only in the buttocks unless the FDA approves the thigh, and they also have not heard anything about it. I asked my nurse this week and she said the thigh would pose more problems in her estimation. So guess the butt is it for now. I laid down this time ( on my side with leg bent) for both shots and it seemed a bit better on my left side where I have so much sciatica problems.
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Yes, Aoib a small price to pay if it works! I think we are all a lot paranoid. How can you help it?
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I never had nausea either with Faslodex.
Will get mine this Friday, and will ask, of course about the thighs. But I really hope that they would use a smaller needle-ugh.
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Has anyone had liver enzymes elevate on this tx? I had to stop Ibrance/Femara because of that and now they seem to be jacking up again. I am very nervous I am failing another med......If they are elevated tomorrow I have to have another liver biopsy to see whats going on. UGH. Otherwise, I can hardly tell I am on anything.
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artist, are all of your liver enzyme readings high, or just your Alk Phos? My Alk Phos was as high as 444 during my first few months on Faslodex+Ibrance. But my UCLA onc said she wasn't concerned because my ALT and AST were okay. My Alk Phos has been steadily coming down in the past 3 mos, so I do think that one can be related to these meds.
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Deanna,My alk phos is OK, it's the ALT and AST that are climbing again. They went down quick when I quit the Ibrance but after 3 doses of Fas they are starting to climb. However my Onc did say to expect that the first week or two so we are waiting to see if this second blood test is still rising.
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Artist, Fingers crossed that your enzymes come back down and you can continue with Faslodex. Try not to worry too much.
Welcome wakebrat7! Hope you will find this an easy and effective tx.
Hi Kelli, glad this tx has gotten you to NED and hope you stay that way for a loooooong time! 33 is way too young to have to deal with this dx. Sending hugs and hope you are feeling well and enjoying life.
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So I just found out my markers went from 90 to 111 in one month. I started falsodex in late September. I had a repeat pet scan and MRI about three weeks ago. The pet showed two nodes lit-low suv. The MRI showed my radiated bone met to be smaller and inactive and two inactive new spots. I see my onc tomorrow. I don't understand. I am so afraid I will have to go on ibrance.
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Lisajo, even though my TMs are usually pretty reliable, my UCLA onc once said she doesn't worry about them unless they double. In other words, those little ups and downs -- even 10% like your increase -- don't tell the whole story. And I'm not sure without going back and reading your earlier posts why you are afraid of Ibrance. For many of us, it seems to be a wonder drug. Yes, we complain about SEs here amongst ourselves. But for many of us, the SEs are very manageable.
artist, fingers crossed that your next bloodwork is better! I sometimes think the head trip these lab results do on us can be as damaging (that old mind-body connection) as anything!
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I just had my first two Fassy injections today - more on each hip muscle and I was standing - so far a little warm - hoping not too much pain will develop - I start Ibrance tonight as well and will continue to get Xgeva - not sure how often though. My Oncologist says it stays in your system and I have had 24 injections so far. Just wondering how long it took some of you to experience side effects of either of these in this combo.
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Hi SuzieP, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. Very glad to hear the you aren't having side effects as of now. We hope that you respond well to the meds, and that your side effects stay at a minimum!!
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