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Victoria's avatar
Victoria
Member
12 years ago

Femara Side Effects on High Level Sport

Hi,

I have been on Tamoxifen for just over 2 years and was told I would be on it for 21/2 years and then switch to Femara for another 21/2. I was pre menopausal before my diagnosis and the side effects of Tamoxifen have not bothered me too much at all. My oncologist has suggested I at least try Femara and if I don't like it I can go back to Tamoxifen  but I'd need to take it for another 8 years.

Every woman I have spoken to that has been on Femara says it is awful. I fully understand that everyone is different but I am not keen on taking a drug that is going to prevent me doing what I love doing. After the surgeries, chemo and radio, I have worked my way back to full fitness and I row competitively and train around 7 sessions per week at very high intensity. The Tamoxifen has not held me back at all. 

I'd love to hear from any women who are taking or have taken Femara whilst participating at a high level in sport.

I'm seeing my oncologist in a few weeks time to have THE conversation!

Thank you

Victoria

5 Replies

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Victoria

    Luvly to meet you.  I have been on Femara 15 months and like Chris I am not in to high level sports like yourself.  Well done.

    I do find I have those symptoms Chris described.  I also find the more exercise I do the less I am concerned by the symptoms.  If I am not moving I tend to stiffen up.

    I am getting back in to the gym and water aerobics and loving it and the Femara is not hindering me in any way.  I see a Bowen therapist near home every fortnight and she pretty much just retunes my body.  It is great.

    Life is certainly bearable for me on Femara.  Not ideal but a necessity. 

    I wish you luck with your decision.  Unfortunately these drugs appear to be a necessary evil.

    Chris - question for you hun. How many fish oil would you take? Is Krill better than fish oil? Thanks.

    Good luck, Mich xoxoxoxooxxo

  • Victoria's avatar
    Victoria
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Chris,

    Thank you so much for sharing your Femara experience with me. It's great to hear something positive about it and to know that you are now symptom free. I don't currently take fish oil but I do eat a tin of tuna every day! That is a great suggestion and I'm now feeling a little less anxious knowing that there is something out there that can potentially lessen the aches and pains should I experience them.

    Good Luck to you too Chris.

    Love Victoria xx

  • Victoria's avatar
    Victoria
    Member
    12 years ago

    Thank you so much Annie. I have printed off the Bone health fact sheet.

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Victoria, I am on Femara, but not into high level sport. I have been on Femara for 2 1/2 years, and am not worried too much at all about side effects. In the beginning they were bad. I felt very old, and all my joints hurt, and getting up from sitting was hard, and even rolling over in bed hurt. I found fish oil to be very helpful. When I first began to take Femara, there were no problems for the first 2 months. When they got bad I started large doses of fish oil. This eventually helped to stop the aches and pains. I now only take one capsule a day, and my joints are all fine now. My Dr told me to wait and see, and I am glad I did, because it has all settled down, and as I need to be on it for at least 7 years, I am pleased to be symptom free. Good luck with it all. Love Chris xx
  • Annie_Gayed's avatar
    Annie_Gayed
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Victoria,

    This is Annie from BCNA. Given hormone therapy can affect bone health, it's a good idea to chat to your doctor about your sporting involvement. There are ways that you can keep your bones healthy during treatment which are outlined in our bone health fact sheet.

    Hopefully a few women will jump on and share their experiences with you.

    All the best Victoria.

    ~ Annie