Trying to make sense of it all.....
What I am feeling like at the moment, as I wait is that sometimes I feel like - I am not wording this so well, sometimes I feel like a bit of a fraud - being Grade1 and probably Stage 1 as well - mayb...
Forum Discussion
Your family has certainly been through a great deal! But in answer to your question, and remembering this is only one person's experience, the three main things with hormonal treatment in general and Femara in particular are:
Arthritic-type aches and pains, particularly in the joints
Vaginal dryness
Reduction in bone density
The positives are that hormonal treatment had been effective in reducing the chance of recurrence of hormone positive cancer. Tamoxifen is now considered even more effective over 10 years rather than 5 and early research indicates Femara may be the same. Femara can only be used if you are post-menopausal. But it's highly variable and the question will be about weighing up the likelihood or actuality of the negatives with the estimated level of protection.
I have been on Femara for almost 5 years. I have had no problem at all with aches, pains or joint problems - I have creaky knees but I had them before bc!
I have severe vaginal dryness. It could of course be ageing, but it happened in 6 months after starting Femara so I think not! There is a group on this site (Let's Talk Abouf Vaginas) for more information. There are certainly ways of dealing with it but effectiveness is also variable.
My bone density when I started Femara was excellent so I think I will get through 5 years without too much damage, but I am not at all sure about 10. Regular tests are part of the monitoring which allows your oncologist to discuss options if the impact is becoming too great.
Ask questions! What are the figures for benefit? How is your bone density before you start? As with any treatment you can always stop if the side effects get too much.
I have found it all goes faster than you think!! I think I would find if harder to see someone close go through it all, for myself it's just been a not too difficult process of adapting to a few changed circumstances. Mostly I feel fine and best of all, appear to be cancer free. Best wishes.
Arthritic-type aches and pains, particularly in the joints
Vaginal dryness
Reduction in bone density
The positives are that hormonal treatment had been effective in reducing the chance of recurrence of hormone positive cancer. Tamoxifen is now considered even more effective over 10 years rather than 5 and early research indicates Femara may be the same. Femara can only be used if you are post-menopausal. But it's highly variable and the question will be about weighing up the likelihood or actuality of the negatives with the estimated level of protection.
I have been on Femara for almost 5 years. I have had no problem at all with aches, pains or joint problems - I have creaky knees but I had them before bc!
I have severe vaginal dryness. It could of course be ageing, but it happened in 6 months after starting Femara so I think not! There is a group on this site (Let's Talk Abouf Vaginas) for more information. There are certainly ways of dealing with it but effectiveness is also variable.
My bone density when I started Femara was excellent so I think I will get through 5 years without too much damage, but I am not at all sure about 10. Regular tests are part of the monitoring which allows your oncologist to discuss options if the impact is becoming too great.
Ask questions! What are the figures for benefit? How is your bone density before you start? As with any treatment you can always stop if the side effects get too much.
I have found it all goes faster than you think!! I think I would find if harder to see someone close go through it all, for myself it's just been a not too difficult process of adapting to a few changed circumstances. Mostly I feel fine and best of all, appear to be cancer free. Best wishes.