Fulvestrant pain - any suggestions?

vickfromvic

Hi everyone 
I’ve just started on Fulvestrant & was wondering if anyone has any tips on decreasing the pain on injection & the sore bum afterwards.  I’ve been advised to use a heat pack & massage with Hirudoid, which I’ve done. Doesn’t make any difference.

Anne94

Hi Vick,
Have been on Fulvestrant since 2019, I have found a couple of simple things to do for these injections. 1) Ice the bum, numbing the backside helps. 
2) hold the fulvestrant in your hands while the nurses do the checks or if you are on Denosumab - this injection is like olive oil. warming it up seems to help make it a bit easier to push.
3) Make sure the nurses aren't pushing the injection too fast. Slow and steady.
4) heat packs post injection- soothes the area. 
This is what i do, hope it helps.
Anne xo

Cath62

Hi @vickfromvic, hold injections in hands to warm them up. Each injection must be given over 2 mins. That is crucial. Also make sure it is given in the upper outer quadrant of the buttocks. Massage after and walk a bit helps too. I am treated at the Wesley hospital in Brisbane and had to complain to get the nurses to do this correctly. The nurse unit manager had the staff retrained to help me. Speak up. Don't put up with this. You deserve to have good treatment. If done correctly life is so much better. Best wishes 

vickfromvic

much appreciated  Cath62 & Anne94

Julez1958

Hi @vicfromvic,
I am no longer on this drug but was advised to drink lots of water and do some walking the day of the injection.
That seemed to help me.