Posted on:
Apr 2, 2011 10:44PM
J
Northern NJ, NJ
Joined:
Mar 2010
Posts:
148
Latest activity:
Jan 26, 2014
Posted on:
Apr 2, 2011 10:44PM
judyfams
wrote:
I am post menopausal and in addition to BC, I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I've had the arthritis for over 30 years. The RA is under control so I did not want to go on any of the aromatase inhibitors due to the side effects of joint and muscle pain. My oncologist was really pushing one of the AI's. We had many discussions and I have been on Fareston for almost one month and feel fine.
Fareston is a SERM like Tamoixifen that is mainly used for metastatic breast cancer which I do not have. My BC was IDC, stage 1 - lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Fareston is an antiestrogen, that is also known as Tamoxifen for post menopausal women. I had a hysterectomy so I do not have to worry about the possibility of uterine cancer.
Is anybody else using Fareston also called Toremifene for early stage hormone positive breast cancer? And if so what have your experiences been with this drug?
Dx
3/1/2010, IDC, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
3/25/2010 Lumpectomy: Right; Lymph node removal: Right, Sentinel
Chemotherapy
5/25/2010 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Radiation Therapy
10/10/2010 Breast
Hormonal Therapy
3/15/2011 Fareston (toremifene)
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H
Headeast
Joined:
Oct 2013
Posts:
618
Latest activity:
Oct 1, 2016
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Jul 1, 2014 08:54PM
Headeast
wrote:
B123, today I received an email back from my MO and he told me not to fill the prescription for Anastrazole, that he will call the drugstore for Fareston instead.
I am really happy i have found this website. Without it I would be still suffering and with no idea that there are other options out there!
Surgery
8/21/2013 Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Surgery
8/21/2013 Lymph node removal: Right, Underarm/Axillary; Mastectomy: Right; Prophylactic mastectomy: Left
Chemotherapy
10/2/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
10/23/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
11/13/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
12/4/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Hormonal Therapy
12/25/2013 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Surgery
1/31/2014 Reconstruction (left); Reconstruction (right)
Surgery
5/16/2014 Reconstruction (left): Nipple reconstruction; Reconstruction (right): Nipple reconstruction
Hormonal Therapy
7/16/2014 Fareston (toremifene)
Hormonal Therapy
11/5/2014 Aromasin (exemestane)
Dx
IDC, 4cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 1/25 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
B
b123
Joined:
Aug 2011
Posts:
716
Latest activity:
Aug 16, 2022
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Jul 1, 2014 09:47PM
b123
wrote:
wow that was so quick and simple! Did he give his thoughts on it?
Dx
8/6/2011, 2cm, Stage IB, Grade 2, 2/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
N
Novagirl
Joined:
May 2013
Posts:
121
Latest activity:
Sep 20, 2021
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Jul 2, 2014 05:41AM
Novagirl
wrote:
Hi guys, I have been on fareston/toremifene for about two weeks now. Tamoxifen was horrible for me too. I wasn't anticipating any symptoms with tamoxifen so it threw me for a loop. I do feel better and I am surprised because it is a SERM too so I assumed I would also feel awful on this.
Currently on first line treatment: Ibrance, Letrozole, Xgeva, Zolodex since 12/22/18 Mets to Lungs and Bones. Originally diagnosed early stage at 31 during the one year postpartum period.
Dx
5/30/2013, IDC, Left, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 3, 2/12 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-,
Surgery
6/27/2013 Lymph node removal: Left, Underarm/Axillary; Mastectomy: Left, Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Targeted Therapy
8/30/2013 Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Chemotherapy
8/30/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Radiation Therapy
1/28/2014 Breast, Lymph nodes
Hormonal Therapy
3/30/2014 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Hormonal Therapy
6/20/2014 Fareston (toremifene)
Dx
12/7/2018, IDC, Stage IV, metastasized to bone/lungs, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Targeted Therapy
12/22/2018 Ibrance (palbociclib)
Hormonal Therapy
12/22/2018 Femara (letrozole), Zoladex (goserelin)
B
b123
Joined:
Aug 2011
Posts:
716
Latest activity:
Aug 16, 2022
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Jul 2, 2014 08:27AM
b123
wrote:
nova girl, Fareston works great doesn't it?! I'm just wondering about long term? It's about 25 years going now for the drug so seems good results but I think that's where the doctors are concerned?? They don't know it as well as tamoxifen or the AI s?
I prefer Fareston, no bone loss and you feel great!! It is a SERM? I think in Europe it's used a lot more then here..
Dx
8/6/2011, 2cm, Stage IB, Grade 2, 2/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
H
Headeast
Joined:
Oct 2013
Posts:
618
Latest activity:
Oct 1, 2016
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Jul 3, 2014 10:27PM
Headeast
wrote:
B123, yes, I think I helped my MO in making the decision and he knows i want to take something but without those bad SE.
I emailed him again today asking him if I can take it along with my diuretic or if he needs to change the prescription for the diuretic. It has a bad interaction and I confirmed it with the pharmacist. My doctor in Switzerland is the one that caught that interaction when i emailed him about the change in medication.
We have to be on top of everything and always ask for second opinions.
Surgery
8/21/2013 Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Surgery
8/21/2013 Lymph node removal: Right, Underarm/Axillary; Mastectomy: Right; Prophylactic mastectomy: Left
Chemotherapy
10/2/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
10/23/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
11/13/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
12/4/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Hormonal Therapy
12/25/2013 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Surgery
1/31/2014 Reconstruction (left); Reconstruction (right)
Surgery
5/16/2014 Reconstruction (left): Nipple reconstruction; Reconstruction (right): Nipple reconstruction
Hormonal Therapy
7/16/2014 Fareston (toremifene)
Hormonal Therapy
11/5/2014 Aromasin (exemestane)
Dx
IDC, 4cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 1/25 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
H
Headeast
Joined:
Oct 2013
Posts:
618
Latest activity:
Oct 1, 2016
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Jul 3, 2014 10:29PM
Headeast
wrote:
oh, and forgot to mention that my copay for Fateston was... $0.00! Yay!
Surgery
8/21/2013 Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Surgery
8/21/2013 Lymph node removal: Right, Underarm/Axillary; Mastectomy: Right; Prophylactic mastectomy: Left
Chemotherapy
10/2/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
10/23/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
11/13/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
12/4/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Hormonal Therapy
12/25/2013 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Surgery
1/31/2014 Reconstruction (left); Reconstruction (right)
Surgery
5/16/2014 Reconstruction (left): Nipple reconstruction; Reconstruction (right): Nipple reconstruction
Hormonal Therapy
7/16/2014 Fareston (toremifene)
Hormonal Therapy
11/5/2014 Aromasin (exemestane)
Dx
IDC, 4cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 1/25 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
B
b123
Joined:
Aug 2011
Posts:
716
Latest activity:
Aug 16, 2022
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Jul 4, 2014 01:34PM
b123
wrote:
headeast, really your co pay is 0$!? So lucky!! Originally I paid $150/mo so I went off of it, now if I go back it's $40/mo much better, but I would prefer your cost!! Lol.. So your mo had no problems with prescribing it to you? I checked the date on tamoxifen and some other serms and it's around the same dates that Fareston started so I'm not sure why the hesitation or why most people are not on it?
Dx
8/6/2011, 2cm, Stage IB, Grade 2, 2/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
H
Headeast
Joined:
Oct 2013
Posts:
618
Latest activity:
Oct 1, 2016
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Jul 5, 2014 08:13PM
Headeast
wrote:
B123, believe it or not, my doctors are not familiar with Fareston, my MO prescribed it but I guess he didn't look up at the issues with hydrochlorothiazide, which is why i am not taking it yet. I have asked other doctors about Fareston and they don't know it either.
I guess they just get used to prescribing one (Tamoxifen) and don't get updated.
I told you my doctor in Switzerland is the one that caught the interaction with both medicines, not the one here. I still like my doctors here though!
Surgery
8/21/2013 Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Surgery
8/21/2013 Lymph node removal: Right, Underarm/Axillary; Mastectomy: Right; Prophylactic mastectomy: Left
Chemotherapy
10/2/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
10/23/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
11/13/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
12/4/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Hormonal Therapy
12/25/2013 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Surgery
1/31/2014 Reconstruction (left); Reconstruction (right)
Surgery
5/16/2014 Reconstruction (left): Nipple reconstruction; Reconstruction (right): Nipple reconstruction
Hormonal Therapy
7/16/2014 Fareston (toremifene)
Hormonal Therapy
11/5/2014 Aromasin (exemestane)
Dx
IDC, 4cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 1/25 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
N
Novagirl
Joined:
May 2013
Posts:
121
Latest activity:
Sep 20, 2021
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Jul 7, 2014 10:15PM
Novagirl
wrote:
B123- so far so good for me. I still get warm flashes all the time but I feel so much better on it emotionally. I didn't realize it didn't have the bone loss issue. My MO said the drug is not approved for early premenopausal or postmenopausal BC women only for metastatic patients. He said it worked just as well but just didn't have the indications from our FDA. He did say it was used frequently in Europe and that it interfered with fewer common medications like tamoxifen does. I'm still on my samples so I'm not sure what it will cost me. Headeast-$0 copay sounds great to me!!
Currently on first line treatment: Ibrance, Letrozole, Xgeva, Zolodex since 12/22/18 Mets to Lungs and Bones. Originally diagnosed early stage at 31 during the one year postpartum period.
Dx
5/30/2013, IDC, Left, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 3, 2/12 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-,
Surgery
6/27/2013 Lymph node removal: Left, Underarm/Axillary; Mastectomy: Left, Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Targeted Therapy
8/30/2013 Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Chemotherapy
8/30/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Radiation Therapy
1/28/2014 Breast, Lymph nodes
Hormonal Therapy
3/30/2014 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Hormonal Therapy
6/20/2014 Fareston (toremifene)
Dx
12/7/2018, IDC, Stage IV, metastasized to bone/lungs, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Targeted Therapy
12/22/2018 Ibrance (palbociclib)
Hormonal Therapy
12/22/2018 Femara (letrozole), Zoladex (goserelin)
H
Headeast
Joined:
Oct 2013
Posts:
618
Latest activity:
Oct 1, 2016
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Jul 8, 2014 08:36PM
Headeast
wrote:
ok, my MO answered and told me to take it with the Hydrochlorothiazide, that it might raise my heart beats but that is about it. To call for an appointment three weeks after taking the first Fareston pill for blood work amd an EKG.
I still, havent started taking it. Scared of taking it, actually. I am still strugling with the fatigue from Tamoxifen! I need my energy back!
Surgery
8/21/2013 Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Surgery
8/21/2013 Lymph node removal: Right, Underarm/Axillary; Mastectomy: Right; Prophylactic mastectomy: Left
Chemotherapy
10/2/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
10/23/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
11/13/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Chemotherapy
12/4/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Hormonal Therapy
12/25/2013 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Surgery
1/31/2014 Reconstruction (left); Reconstruction (right)
Surgery
5/16/2014 Reconstruction (left): Nipple reconstruction; Reconstruction (right): Nipple reconstruction
Hormonal Therapy
7/16/2014 Fareston (toremifene)
Hormonal Therapy
11/5/2014 Aromasin (exemestane)
Dx
IDC, 4cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 1/25 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-