Femara (Letrozole) & Zoladex Implant - questions!

Hi jan I found it was the first few months with the pain then it slowly resolved I take one day at a time -I try not to make if a focus of my life I get on the merrygoround and step off at appropriate times - it's a real pain in the a*** at times but I have my life and my family support me even though they don't live near us I luv my job and my husband is very understanding most of the time :) I know that's not the case for everyone  - most of the time everything sits in the background and then sometimes hits me like a hammer (red wine helps on those occasions :)) message me any time :) Bonnie

Thanks Jan,

i will keep that in mind. I will see what the oncologist has to say . . .  and in the mean time, I have been googling all other sorts of Hormone therapies, to see if there may be somethign else/ So far they are all bad for blood clots or for menopausal women.

regards

Sue

Hi conder41, Did 10 months on femara ...  My side effects read like a horror story and I sincerely believe this drug should NOT be offered without proper research. It took 3 months to clear my system. 3 months for joints to stop aching, to get any energy back, etc etc. And am still trying to lose the weight I gained. Take care, Kate(edited, sounds like you're used to pain and got good supports, best of luck)

Hi conder41, Did 10 months on femara ...  My side effects read like a horror story and I sincerely believe this drug should NOT be offered without proper research. It took 3 months to clear my system. 3 months for joints to stop aching, to get any energy back, etc etc. And am still trying to lose the weight I gained. Take care, Kate(edited, sounds like you're used to pain and got good supports, best of luck)

Hello Bonnie59, I have been told about Femora causing lots of problems with bone and joint pain but so far that has not been a problem.  I have suffered most of my life with joint pains so for me it's probably "normal".  Mind you I am only going in to my second month of the treatment.  And I agree that groups such as this do help as we are talking with others that are or have experienced what we are going through.  Jan

Hi Sue....I couldn't have Tamoxifen for the same reason as you (blood clot issues).  As I have brain aneurysms Tamoxifen could cause problems with clotting and my oncologist was not going to take that chance.  I'm about to have my 2nd Zoladex injection and can tell you to numb the area where it is going (normally stomach fat) prior to getting the injection as it does hurt!  It's a VERY large needle!  I am lucky to have a daughter and daughter-in-law to be as Registered Nurses so can get it done at home each month.  A nurse told me last week that you can just numb it with a cold pack for around 10 minutes prior to the injection but think you can get numbing patches too from the chemist.  Jan

hi Conder41

sorry cant comment on the expanders - but Femora-- have now been on 21/2 years at first had lots & lots of bone and joint pain but it has now eased ( we walk everyday) and i added a higher fish oil dose to my diet - weight gain is another side effect but i keep hoping once i finish the 5 years that will slowly get better - memory or lack of can be a problem but have started lots of games to keep it going and other little mind games help -- you said you were going to start radiation soon -- i think that has some lingering side effects too -like cramping in the chest muscles even 2 years down the track - have regular physio to help open that area up thus lessening the cramps--

one of the biggest helps is to connect to a group who understand when we winge about all our aches pains etc it lightens the load if someone can listen and relate

good luck