FEMARA

I did not have radiotherapy on that side. My X-ray results are out. The diagnosis is calcific tendinitis. I take 1000mg calcium per day to fight osteoporosis but I do not think that caused this issue

physio did not help. I will have a cortisone injection in June. I do not know if I can do anything to prevent this calcification happening again. Anyone had a such issue. I do not know what caused it.

I need to reach out to my oncologist about an issue I am having. I have a rare but sever neuropsychological reaction to aromatase inhibitors. Much of it is under control with effexor. This reaction is not manageable with over the counter meds. It is sever, so please don't suggest them. I am trying to explain how I feel when I go to bed at night to. I am exhausted. When I lay down I feel edgy and start tossing and turning. I have been given a sleep aid hydorzine palomate which helps take the edge off but I still can't fall asleep until about 3 or 4 in the morning. I want to say my inside feel shaky. I just don't know how to describe what I feel. Just looking for ideas or words on how to explain it.

Gulp.

About to start taking Femara tomorrow.

Is it really going to be worth it?

I had a 5 way heart operation but now 2 have re-blocked arteries plus my left (widow maker) is 50% blocked.

What will Femara do to those arteries?

The side effects may be daunting.

Will taking calcium supplements as GP and oncologist suggest further block these arteries?

Already taking Vitamins D3 and Vit K2.

Yet to be determined with an upcoming appointment with a radiologist if I need courses of radiation for 3-4 weeks - 5 days a week.

I have been on Verzenio and Letrozole for 3 years. The manufacture for the Letrozole had been Accord. In August, I went to a different pharmacy and started getting more dry/itchy eyes and headaches. I looked at the bottle yesterday and noticed that this pharmacy dispenses a generic that is manufactured by Teva. In addition to the dry/itchy eyes and headaches, the lesion in my skull which had not shown any activity prior, did show activity on both the MRI done in January and the PET/CT scan earlier this month. My radiation onc is suggesting I consider radiation, although he said it was not urgent. My next MRI will be in mid May.

Since my onc said it is the Letrozole that is "doing all the hard work", I am trying to decide if I should try Femara (the Brand version of the drug which Novartis will cover through their PANO program) or go back to the Accord manufactured Letrozole.

Has anyone on this thread either changed to/used Femara or changed the generic manufacturer they were using. What, if anything, happened re your results/side effects?

All input will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Thank you so much @maggie15

I tried appealing to my cardiologist with no success alas.

UPDATE:

I was turned down after having a stress test run to get the stent I believe I need in my left coronary artery which is 50% blocked. 2 other of my coronary arteries are now occluded also.

So disappointed that a heart functioning only 50-55% heart is not worthy of a heart catherization. My angina is being minimized as it could be indigestion. WRONG!

It was determined I would not need radiation treatments at this time but wait until the end of July to see if my cancer has returned determined by mammogram, sonogram, and MRI.

The radiologist did clue me in that a mammogram and sonogram are NOT enough to catch small mm cancer and I should have a MRI as well. I will be sure to press his office to make sure the breast center does another MRI like the first time.

NOW on Day 19 of Letrozole and exhaustion and imbalance is setting in.

I take a supplement of Glucosamine, MSM, and Chondroitin capsule and instead of calcium supplement I believe would further block my arteries opted for a scoup of collagen peptides,

I began physical therapy today to be 3 days a week for at least 1 month to strengthen my legs and improve coordination.

My POTS condition that produces low blood pressure readings always a concern when I have been exercising or get too hot easily.

Does anyone else have coronary heart disease and blocked arteries?

High blood pressure mixed with too low of blood pressure?

Been turned down for stent implantation?

Have trouble falling asleep?

Suggestions?!

~ Mabellean

I have had a second opinion cardiologist and he refused to stent and wanted to put me on mRNA Infusions!

mRNA??? Please!!! I was aghast at that.

To me this is a matter of the doctors afraid Medicare or Humana Supplemental will not pay them.

Did the 2nd opinion Doc not know about COVID Jabs cause cancer and heart damage???

I wish I lived in Nashville, TN and could go to Ascension St. Thomas.

It is the "go to" in our state (and most of the Southeast) for cardio-pulmonary care.

As is the "go to" Vanderbilt in Nashville for Cancer.

My father was helped by St. Thomas but eventually surcomed to heart failure at age 73.

My mother died of multiple myeloma at age 71 and lived 3 1/2 years with this disease thanks to the help of Vandy. They typical prognosis was 6 mo.

I have got to place my FAITH in GOD now.

I pray I will be healed completely every single night or be taken to Heaven.

God's will.

~ Mabellean

I too share @potterylover 's concern.

What aromatase inhibitor carries the least amount of side effects?

Has anyone given …

"5 years you have a 3% chance of recurrence anywhere in the body. If I don't take them, it's a 6% chance of cancer coming back anywhere in my body."

Which is what I was quoted also by my oncologist practicing near Knoxville who is a Vanderbilt Graduate. He if anyone would be the most qualified I could have in this area.

As he said, "Let's give this the ole college try."

I will meet back up with him May 15, for labs and discussion. I am to call his office if I feel the side effects are too overwhelming. We may be able to try something else.

From what I am reading here and elsewhere the side effects can be debilitating at about 2 months into the process.

My problem is not as much with oncology as it is with cardiologists that will not factor in the cancer further diagnosis complications. I can't help thinking that it is a matter of them worried they will not get paid if they do not stick to the under 50% heart failure number and coronary artery must be 70% blocked.

Or that I may die on the table getting a stent. That should be my option as far as I am concerned. As a born from above follower of I AM I do not fear death. I look forward to the day I see Jesus' face-to-face. I have no death wish however. I certainly cannot take my own life. I simply do not want to be a burden to my dear husband of 40 1/2 years.

Nor do any of the doctors (GP and cardiologists) seem to grasp the counter-intuitive problem of taking calcium supplements of 1500 mg on already calcified arterial walls.

I DO have a very sweet story of courage of a medical professional to share one of the members of our private distribution list of pastors, oncology nurses, dear "adopted" family-friends and blood kin sent me. (NEXT POST) and my reaction.

I started letrozole in Jan 2024. I have been exhausted since the beginning. I am still as exhausted today. I also have muscle pain and joint pain that is bad and it is a SE, because it does not go away and it is new since I started letrozole. I take supplements including curcumin. I started acupuncture a month ago. Some days are OK for the pain. Anything out of my routine wears me out.

How are other people coping with SE?