Femara - To take or not to take...

Hi...I was on femara for 4 years...persevered, I think, it was more like it.... until deep depression was starting to set in...so stopped and noticed alot of improvements all around such as not feeling like a 150 year old woman at times, aches, pains etc etc...I got to the stage that I would rather go through chemo again...I only wished I had got on to this blog earlier and I would have stopped taking it sooner. I am now starting Tamoxifen and I am not looking forward to taking it if any of the side effects are like femara...so finding people saying it has proven to be better is comforting...I am not looking forward to 5 years of it though...

Hi Glenis

Blowed if I know why we're all on different medication - possibly the type of cancer or something?  Had my CT scans yesterday, but they've sent the GP the results and left me with only the films which don't mean much to me.  See my GP in a couple of weeks.

You take care too.

I take Arimidex, but that has side affects too.  Guess we have to be guided by the medical people.  Good luck with it all.

Hi Glenis

I too find it a bit difficult to find the new messages, even though I've been helped before.  I'm okay - still on Arimidex etc.  I had to have CT scans this morning on my abdomen and pelvis so will have to wait and see my GP for the results.  Have had bloating so best to check it out I guess. 

Take care

I have not been on this site for ages and have just read about your latest treatment Glenis.  I hope everything will work out well for you with no more problems.

I wish you Both all the best. 

As mentioned previously I had surgery for breast cancer Dec 2011 and was put on Femara Dec 2011 and was meant to be on it for five years - I stopped taking after 5 months due to the horrible side effects.  I did my research and decided that, for me, the advantages did not outway the disadvantages, and if I keep ensuring I get regular check ups I should be ok.  The side effects were so awful and were interfering with my work in breeding and training horses.  I was to the stage that I could not even open a can of coke let alone break in a young horse.  My joints have improved by my hands are still not good with one finger permanently disabled.  I never suffered joint pain and other awful side effects before Femara. I will never take this drug again. 

Hi Glenis

I had heard about the new drug but haven't had the time to look it up yet.  I've just lost my best friend to cancer a couple of days ago.  We'd been friends since we were 6yrs old.  The new drug is called something like TDM1 - certainly sounds like a wonder drug.  Let's hope it will be something we may be able to take for a real cure.  Do let me know what your oncologist on the 26th says if you ask about it. I had an appointment with the surgeon's offsider Dr this week and I did mention it, but nothing came of it.  Likewise I mentioned the concerns about calcium.

I hope all will go well for your neorologist's appointment on the 18th.  Keep me posted.  Take care - Judi

Hope all goes well with the oncologist's appointment at the end of the month Glenis.  Yes, I seem to be the only person I know who has to take Arimidex for 10yrs - the surgeon told me this was because I also had the cancer in some lymph glands under my arm.  Most people I know are on it for five years. Bit of a blow, but I'm here - that's the main thing.  Cheers Judi

Hi Glenis, I too had thought of going off Arimidex with all the problems, but after seeing a different oncologist, back to my surgeon, etc. I decided it best to take the surgeon's advice and stay on the Arimidex - I have now been taking it for 7 years - surgeon wants 10yrs and then reassess I guess.  Do let me know how you go with the neurologist.  We're here - that's the main thing. Take care - Judi