Femara - To take or not to take...

This drug put me in hospital.  It gave me a breast infection, UTI and a rash all over my body that resembled molten lava.  Three specialists in the hospital didn't know what was wrong with me.  Didn't know where the allergy came from!!??  My husband looked up the product information leaflet on Femara and told me to stop taking it.  Within a week I was better.  I have tried all the AI's and Tamoxifen.  My system just outright rejects them.  It's not that I don't want to take them - I can't!!  I have to listen to my body.  If my body is saying "NO" then I won't fight what my body is trying to tell me.  I have talked to many doctors and there is a 50/50 split on whether or not to take these drugs.  

I may well develop secondary breast cancer but until they come up with something better for women I will take my chances.  Besides, there are no guarantees I wouldn't get secondary breast cancer anyway.  Whatever lies ahead for me I want to live as well as I can, be happy, healthy, and embrace my life.  What will be will be!

Hello Boatgirl

I am three years since cancer and partial mastectomy.

I am still not taking Femara.  Feeling ok but still tire quite a bit.  That could have something to do with the fact that I work physically hard on our farm.

I still have the results of taking Femara for 5 months.  My right hand ring finger is completely rigid.  This was the way my whole body was going on Femara.

I think each person must make their own decision and not be persuaded by others one way or the other.  It is a very personal decision.

Hi Jules

I have been looking at the posts of women who a few years decided not to take drugs.  I agree with your thoughts about quality of life vs a small reduction in risk.

I too have made that decision after having major headaches that lasted for days but mine was also based on the chain reaction of side effects.  I have oesophagus disease that I treat daily to reduce the risks of elevating this. 

I read there is a risk of osteoporosis from Aromatase inhibitors.  I will be discussing this with my GP today but it seems the treatments for this have possible reflux side effects.  This is the very thing that I take drugs for  to avoid the risk of further damage to my oespagus and stomach.

I am concerned that my other health issues weren't considered when prescribing the drug - it seemed that preventing breast cancer was the priority.  Having said that I now live with that nagging thought in the back of my mind - how will I feel if breast cancer comes back?  

So here I am asking you and other ladies who have made similar decisions a few years ago - how are you feeling today?  Do you have any advice from your experiences 4 years down the track?

Cheers

Deb

Hi Girls,

I am new to this site but have been reading the blogs about Femara.  I have secondary cancer (LCIS estrogen pos) but am doing really well.  I have taken Femara for (8 months) and yes I have had joint pains in my thumbs, fingers, knees, elbows etc.  I have felt about 150 years old when I got out of bed in the morning. My onc suggested I take fish oil capsules 5000mgs. I take 5 capsules of 1000mgs and have found a significant positive difference in my joint pain. On a scale from 1 - 10. 1 being the least pain and 10 being the most pain. Before the fish oil I could rate my pain as an 8 or a 9 and after approx 3 weeks on fish oil my pain rate was 2 - 3.  This has improved my life enormously.  I cannot comment on other side effects like dissiness or blurring eyes for I have not had any of these with the exception of fatigue which I try and conteract like Iliana said by doing exercise.  I like to bike ride, do Walk at Home DVD's with Leslie Sansone, yoga or a beach walk.  I know it's so hard to exercise when you feel so tired but even 5 minutes of dancing can help you feel better. Believe me I have those days I don't want to get off the couch or out of bed for that matter but I have noticed when I do a little something I do feel better.  

Re: depression.  I was already taking Venlofaxine ( Effexor 150mgs) for chronic depression.  This is often given for hot flushes as Illiana mentioned (Prystiq) the new generation of Effexor. I had my ovaries removed and was hit like a steam train with hot flushes so I am not sure if the anti-depressant is helping with those, if it is I can't imagine what it would be like without them.?? Like having an  perpetual sauna internally. LOL. 

My onc also said I could use vaginal estrogen cream as it does not work systemically.  I was getting a few UTI's and thinning of the vaginal walls.  For me this has worked well.  As we know, all cases are different just as we are individuals so it's worth asking our onc's or gp's/and or naturpath's lots more questions to find answers that improve our quality of life..... Surely that's what it is all about!

Good luck everyone I hope this helps. x

Hi Girls,

I am new to this site but have been reading the blogs about Femara.  I have secondary cancer (LCIS estrogen pos) but am doing really well.  I have taken Femara for (8 months) and yes I have had joint pains in my thumbs, fingers, knees, elbows etc.  I have felt about 150 years old when I got out of bed in the morning. My onc suggested I take fish oil capsules 5000mgs. I take 5 capsules of 1000mgs and have found a significant positive difference in my joint pain. On a scale from 1 - 10. 1 being the least pain and 10 being the most pain. Before the fish oil I could rate my pain as an 8 or a 9 and after approx 3 weeks on fish oil my pain rate was 2 - 3.  This has improved my life enormously.  I cannot comment on other side effects like dissiness or blurring eyes for I have not had any of these with the exception of fatigue which I try and conteract like Iliana said by doing exercise.  I like to bike ride, do Walk at Home DVD's with Leslie Sansone, yoga or a beach walk.  I know it's so hard to exercise when you feel so tired but even 5 minutes of dancing can help you feel better. Believe me I have those days I don't want to get off the couch or out of bed for that matter but I have noticed when I do a little something I do feel better.  

Re: depression.  I was already taking Venlofaxine ( Effexor 150mgs) for chronic depression.  This is often given for hot flushes as Illiana mentioned (Prystiq) the new generation of Effexor. I had my ovaries removed and was hit like a steam train with hot flushes so I am not sure if the anti-depressant is helping with those, if it is I can't imagine what it would be like without them.?? Like having an  perpetual sauna internally. LOL. 

My onc also said I could use vaginal estrogen cream as it does not work systemically.  I was getting a few UTI's and thinning of the vaginal walls.  For me this has worked well.  As we know, all cases are different just as we are individuals so it's worth asking our onc's or gp's/and or naturpath's lots more questions to find answers that improve our quality of life..... Surely that's what it is all about!

Good luck everyone I hope this helps. x

Hi Girls,

I am new to this site but have been reading the blogs about Femara.  I have secondary cancer (LCIS estrogen pos) but am doing really well.  I have taken Femara for (8 months) and yes I have had joint pains in my thumbs, fingers, knees, elbows etc.  I have felt about 150 years old when I got out of bed in the morning. My onc suggested I take fish oil capsules 5000mgs. I take 5 capsules of 1000mgs and have found a significant positive difference in my joint pain. On a scale from 1 - 10. 1 being the least pain and 10 being the most pain. Before the fish oil I could rate my pain as an 8 or a 9 and after approx 3 weeks on fish oil my pain rate was 2 - 3.  This has improved my life enormously.  I cannot comment on other side effects like dissiness or blurring eyes for I have not had any of these with the exception of fatigue which I try and conteract like Iliana said by doing exercise.  I like to bike ride, do Walk at Home DVD's with Leslie Sansone, yoga or a beach walk.  I know it's so hard to exercise when you feel so tired but even 5 minutes of dancing can help you feel better. Believe me I have those days I don't want to get off the couch or out of bed for that matter but I have noticed when I do a little something I do feel better.  

Re: depression.  I was already taking Venlofaxine ( Effexor 150mgs) for chronic depression.  This is often given for hot flushes as Illiana mentioned (Prystiq) the new generation of Effexor. I had my ovaries removed and was hit like a steam train with hot flushes so I am not sure if the anti-depressant is helping with those, if it is I can't imagine what it would be like without them.?? Like having an  perpetual sauna internally. LOL. 

My onc also said I could use vaginal estrogen cream as it does not work systemically.  I was getting a few UTI's and thinning of the vaginal walls.  For me this has worked well.  As we know, all cases are different just as we are individuals so it's worth asking our onc's or gp's/and or naturpath's lots more questions to find answers that improve our quality of life..... Surely that's what it is all about!

Good luck everyone I hope this helps. x

Hi Ladies, I am not that familiar with PRP but I do wish you all the best with your endeavours.

Hi Ladies, I am not that familiar with PRP but I do wish you all the best with your endeavours.

Hi Ilana.  I will.  Will talk to my Onco early Oct and get back to you.  Like you, I believe if this proceedure works elsewhere what is there to lose? 

Hi Suzieq

Noone knows abt the PRP. My gynae oncologist doesnt even know anything about it!. The only way i came up with the idea is because im a botox dr and we do it on the face. I work with a surgeon who does labiaplaty etc and asked him if he would inject me. He hasnt done it b4 either. Im happy for you to email me privately to talk further dr.ilana@hotmail.com