Faslodex Girls Thread
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So question....had my second set of shots yesterday and this time I'm really bruised up. Last time not so much. How does that happen? I want to try to prevent it next time. Last time, the shots didn't hurt at all and this time one did and one didn't. I was putting all weight on the opposite leg and did the walking, etc
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Larkin, It seems most of us have experienced good shots, painful shots, bruises, no bruises and some sciatic nerve issues etc. It truly can vary time to time and also the experience of the nurse giving the shots plays into it. You probably are doing all the right things, especially if you followed ( and the nurse followed) the suggestions at the beginning of this thread. You may find that subsequent shots go well and you will have no problems at all, and sometimes they just darn hurt! Did the same nurse give them to you this time?
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Lindalou, it wasn't the same nurse and while I don't want to blame her, I think she might not have had the most experience. Thanks for your answer too
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Jobur,
Thanks so much for the suggestions. I appreciate your trying to help me suss this out.
In response to your questions, my hemoglobin is on the very low side of the normal range. (I began taking iron supplements many months ago when my RBC fell below normal. No, I did not ask my onc if it was okay.)
My thyroid is fine; my PCP tested it recently to determine if the Synthroid I've been taking for decades is still working. Apparently it is.
I well know that exercise and weight loss would probably help. I'm trying to get the right kind of PT and non-narcotic meds to address my aches and pains so I can move! Ai yi yi.
Catch-22 Tina
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Tina2, Be careful with the iron supplements. I am sure you already know that cancer loves iron. With that said, I know a few women on very low dose iron. My energy was so low and I was considering a low dose iron, but then tried Methyl B12 Plus and claritin. Now I'm doing pretty good. Not sure which helps most, but a lot of women say the claritin helps.
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Thanks, rpoole. I've never heard that cancer loves iron. I'll ask my onc. In the meantime, I'm already taking Claritin for seasonal allergies!
Tina
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No bad interactions with Claritin and Faslodex that I am aware of Kaption. I take it frequently for allergies but most often for itchy, tingle, creepy crawly skin. My MO has never mentioned a problem. Recently we had a discussion about my problems with sleep due to pain and tingling in my legs and feet. I mentioned that Benadryl really helps me sleep at night and he said it was fine to take it every night, especially if it can help me limit narcotic pain relievers. I would recommend that you run it through you own nurse or MO just to be sure though.
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Thanks, Sarah. I'm off Claritin now and getting dairy out of my diet has really helped my sinus and allergy issues. I do miss cheese though!
Halfway through rads as of today. No serious se so far. I did finally figure out to take a pain pill before I went in. Hard table and weird left leg position were tough. Much better yesterday.
Does anyone use melatonin with Faslodex? Google research shows conflicting research. I'll also ask MO next week.
Hope everyone is having a great week.
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Kap- Happy you are halfway through it!
Hugs Carol
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Interesting doctor day. I had my last rad this morning followed by seeing my RO. All seems fine. Minimal se this time. Little bit of sore throat- but that's it.
Then I went to my MO for monthly appointment and treatment. (As a recap- I was on Ibrance/Letrozol & xgeva for a year. Since June I've been on Faslodex and xgeva). TMs having been rising dramatically since last spring and have kept rising since treatment change. Pain and PET/ct a month ago caused the rads treatment)
Anyway, MO surprised me by not doing a TM test and saying we were going to move up the PET/CT a month and run it the end of October. She said there was no reason to do the TM and "worry ourselves." But, now I'm wonder why she feels the need to hurry the PET.
A little nervous here, but I'm glad she's being extra careful.
Cross posting this in bone mets thread too.
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As I said above, my last rads were last Wednesday. RO warned me that my esophagus irritation would continue to get worse through the weekend. He was right ! Ouch! I've been on pain pills just so I can swallow at all. I'm not getting much food down. It may be slightly better this morning. So, hoping I'm over the worst of it.
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Kaption, Ouch indeed! Good of your RO to warn you what to expect. Hope your esophagus feels better soon. How are feeling otherwise?
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Jobur,
I'm still struggling this morning. I may give him a call tomorrow if I'm not better to be sure this is still "to be expected." Last night I also had achy joints and a slight fever (99.9) but that is better this morning. I'm very tired of course, but that is normal for post rads.
It will get better!
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Kaption, Sorry you are struggling this morning. Good idea to call in as they should be made aware and may also have a throat spray for you. Have you tried taking yogurt with your pills to swallow a pill?
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Thanks Linda. Good idea.
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Reiterated my complaint of "draggin' wagon" to the nurse and onc today at my monthly visit. My reward: an iron blood test and a B12 shot. Eager for the latter to kick in. Hope something does the the trick. I have places to go and people to see and things to do.
Tina
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Tina, I hope it does the trick. . .
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Tina, hope you get some relief!
I take B12 everyday. But I know of people who have gotten the shots and felt great.
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Happy to report that I think the B12 injection is kicking in. I've been able to spend most of the day on my feet with just a few short breaks. I'm pleased my doctor suggested the shot because I'm off on a trip Sunday; I don't want to waste precious time resting.
My oncologist also reminded me that folks on Faslodex must "walk the aisles" when flying to prevent blood clots. Please keep that in mind, Fanny Pack!
Tina
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Ooooops. Didn't know that and didn't think of it for the 9 hours I was on airplane Wednesday. Not to mention all the airplanes I've been on this year. I have thin blood though. It's genetic -- my Mom has it too.
Glad the B12 is going the job. Have a great time on your trip!!
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Addendum: He also suggested taking a baby aspirin. (I do this every morning anyway.)
Tina
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Tina, Sure, now all of ass dragging Ibrancers will be begging for B12 shots, ha ha! Have a great time on your trip!
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Hi all,
Does anyone here use valerian or melatonin for sleep? Is it ok with your MO?
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Kaption, I have Ambien for when I have a real problem (also for airplanes). I take it about once a month. My onc says "whatever you need. . ."
I've never tried melatonin but I hear it's pretty good.
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Yes, I have started using melatonin for sleep. It's fine with my MO and in fact it's supposed to help fight cancer. My onc's nurse said to start with about 3 mg about an hour before bed and you can work your way up to 10 mg. It doesn't start to work immediately for some of us, I think it takes a while for your body to adjust to it. I'm still on just 3 mg after starting about three weeks ago but I'm going to start taking more soon because some nights I just can't turn my brain off.
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Thank you, pajim and Faith!
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Kaption, here is a link to an active topic called Melatonin and Breast Cancer. Fallleaves collected and posted abstracts.
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Thank you, Shetland Pony. That is a lot of info!! I saved it to study.
I know insomnia is a problem, even outside our mbc world. I also know that the fact that I don't (can't) exercise like I used to is a major factor. My MO has let me take xanax for sleep for quite a while, but she isn't happy about it. I don't believe I have any se from it as yet. She tried me on another sleeping pill, but I woke up very groggy. I feel fine after xanax.
Just researching possibly healthier possibilities.
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hello
I have completed 9 months of the faslodex injections. The bruises on me came from the times I ever flinched or I felt the needle move. Be sure you tell the nurse that you bruised really bad the last month and they will be more careful too. Make sure you drink plenty of water each day too. Best to you - the shots get easier.
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My happy dance update. I've been on Faslodex since early June (after a year on Ibrance)
Tumor markers have skyrocketed and the PET scan 2 months ago was not great and I had constant pain the the T3area and my left iliac. Those two areas were radiated.
Yesterday I had labs and PETscan. I saw the results this morning and will see my MO tomorrow and RO Thursday. Results are all good/stable except the TM. I predict MO will say ignore the TM and continue on!
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