Faslodex Girls Thread
Comments
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Thanks for the advice, JoynerL! That raises another question -- I'm at the cancer center daily right now for radiation. My RADS are 8:15, and I'm at my desk job by 9. I was assuming that I'd be able to do the same on shot days - get the shot and go to work. Am I being too optimistic?
Kathy
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Peculiar, from the time my nurse walks in with the (warmed) shots until I leave after being "shot" is about 10-12 min. BUT, you want to be sure that they're ready for you and that the shots have been warmed. It's going to be all about the timing and preparation and cooperation of the staff at your onc's office.
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Thanks, Lynn - I guess it doesn't really matter. It will take whatever time it will take and if I feel up to it, I'll go to work, and if not I'll go home. I'm so fortunate to have an understanding boss and over 600 hours of sick leave built up.
Kathy
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Kathy, The shots shouldn't give you any after-effects that would prevent you from going to work. I leave my MO's office and go about the rest of my day after the injections. A little walking does seem to help get the medication circulating, and I do rub the injection sites for a minute or too, but otherwisewise, no problem. Good luck.
Hugs and prayers from, Lynne
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Just had my first faslodex injections two weeks ago. Due now for the second one. I have on one side at the injection site a itchy bruised feeling bump. it is not swollen. hurts a little when pressed.
Has anyone had something similar? can we still do another injection or need to wait? Please share your experience. thanks.
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Just had my first faslodex injections two weeks ago. Due now for the second one. I have on one side at the injection site a itchy bruised feeling bump. it is not swollen. hurts a little when pressed.
Has anyone had something similar? can we still do another injection or need to wait? Please share your experience. thanks.
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Hi. I am having my first Faslodex shots on Monday. Is it advisable to take antihistamine on the day of the shots? Or should I wait and see if I have rashes or experience itchiness before taking antihistamine. Any other tips from long timers on Faslodex will be much appreciated. Thanks!
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Miracle, have you been reading the string back a ways, about proper position during shots? Important that you read all of that. I was told to take Claritin (or the generic loratadine) 2 days before, day of shots, and 2 days after. I have almost no pain or side effects. Walk briskly after the shots, too, if you can, to distribute the medication. With my first shots, I didn't know about this, and I did have pain for a couple of days. Big difference for me. Good luck! Piece of cake....
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Thank you JoynerL for the advice and good wishes. I will do that.I will also be starting on Ibrance in July. Any advice you have on that will be much appreciated too.
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JoynerL, it’s me again. Do you take Claritin each time you get the Faslodex shots or was that only during the first injection? Sorry, I haven’t had time time to browse the early posts on this thread
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I've taken the Claritin (in my case loratadine) each time except for the very first. The earlier posts include great advice on positioning yourself for the shots. I'm on my 16th cycle now.
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You need to join this string, too:
Forum: Stage IV and Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY → Topic: Ibrance (Palbociclib)
It's a very active site with good support and excellent advice. I think that it would be worth your time to read back over the string. Good luck, Miracle!
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Thanks very much for all the advice. I certainly need them. And thanks too for giving me the link to the other site (Ibrance.). It really is great to hear you are on your 16th cycle. Gives me hope
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And Miracle, I have virtually no side effects. I get more tired than I used to, but for the most part, life is normal (if sobered, by the realization of my situation). The Ibrance/Faslodex/Xgeva combo has been a lifesaver, quite literally, for me so far.
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Hello JoynerL. I had my first dose of Faslodex 2 days ago and it went well. No side effects so far. Hope it works well for me for a very long time.
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HOORAY!! What terrific news! Once you get over the fact of it, the actual getting of the shots is not bad. And the fact that they exist is fabulous!
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MyMiracle, Welcome. You are now an official member of the Fanny Pack. I must say that I am happy that I joined the pack 21 months ago. I have found Faslodex and Ibrance to be an easily tolerated treatment. I had my injections on Monday, too. To be honest, I was so busy after my appointment that I forgot all about the shots until I stepped into the shower that night and noticed that I was still sporting two band aids. I hope the combo of Faslodex and Ibranceworks well for you for many years.
Hugs and prayers from, Lynne
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Hi Lynne!
I've only be on the forum occasionally during the last year or so and kind of lost track of people. It's great to hear the Fas and Ibrance regime has been working great for you too. 21 months is awesome, as is this tx. Have you had to change injection sites? And have you noticed any different se's from Ibrance than when you started?
Sounds like you are doing well. How is your DH? I remember he had health problems just after you retired and you both had some tough going for a while.
Blessings,
Jo
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I really haven’t had any horrible side effects from Faslodex. Occasionally the shots sting a bit going in but like others, after I get them I kind of forget about them until I realize I have bandaids to take off.
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So I have been on Faslodex since April 5.Before this I was on ibrance and letrozole,my hair was thinning.Now my hair is nearly gone,I was not aware Faslodex caused hair loss.Anyone else experiencing this,or experienced this.If so does it stop coming out
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mimistewart- I have been on faslodex since February and haven't noticed any hair thinking. Could it be the letrizol is still in your body?
I'm with everyone else. I forget that I had the shot until I feel the band aids. Faslidex and ibrance have been a miracle for me. Before I started them I didn't think I was going to be around for long; but now I feel much better and have a more positive outlook.
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I had my first faslodex shots yesterday - piece of cake! I was pretty scared, but it was relatively painless. Two onc nurses gave me a shot simultaneously. They said their patients would rather just get the shots over with. I started 125 mg Ibrance yesterday, too, and I'm not noticing any side effects today. I did take Claritin 2 days before and yesterday, and will take one tonight and tomorrow. and I took a good walk after getting the shots. Thanks for all the advice and encouragement!
Kathy
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Hi, just want to know if anyone had what feels like a mosquito bite bump under the skin where needle went in. It is now about four weeks and it is still there. bigger now after third shot in same area. it feels a bit itchy and stinging. is there something I need do or just try to ignore the itch? thanks for sharing any info
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Well done, peculiar! It will get easier every time. You know what to expect now, so the fear factor diminishes every month.
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Hope991,
Mine itched like mad the first few times I had the shots, but only a bit now and then. Just apply some anti-itch lotion.
Tina (Veteran Faslodex Pincushion)
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Tina: So glad to see that you are still in the fanny pack/Fasland! Keep trucking!
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Ladies - I have posted a few times but not in while. I have been on a combination of Faslodex and Arimidex for 11 months since finishing chemo. Is there anyone else on this combo? My worse se are weakness and fatique.
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Hello. I just had my 2nd loading dose of Faslodex and all is well. I will be starting on Ibrance soon and would like to ask those who have been on Ibrance for some time, how often do you have blood tests?
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My miracle, I have been on Ibrance and Faslodex for 22 months, and if I remember correctly, the recommendation for blood tests is before each cycle and on day 15 of cycles one and two. If counts are too low at the beginning of any cycle, starting that cycle's Ibrance is delayed and blood tests are repeated a week later. In other words, assuming good blood counts, blood tests are done every two weeks during the first two cycles and every four weeks after that.The good news is that the appointments for my Faslodex shots are also every four weeks, so everything is done during the same appointment - blood tests, exam, injections.
Hugs and prayers from, Lynne
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Miracle, my testing is now the same as Lynne's, though my first onc (note the first, as in no longer my onc), failed to test my blood during my first cycle of Ibrance....she was just not paying proper attention to me. Pfizer counsels that it is important to test every two weeks during those first two cycles, to be sure that blood counts haven't dropped dangerously low. The Pfizer nurse, when checking in during that first month, asked about my blood tests and was surprised that they weren't being done. I then asked to be tested and was. Do be sure that someone is paying attention and checking your counts, generally per Lynne's outline, I think.
Don't be afraid of the Ibrance...rejoice that it's available! I'm just starting cycle 17 this morning!
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