Forum Discussion

jacqueline_donn's avatar
jacqueline_donn
Member
15 years ago

Jacqueline Donnelly

I am finding this site really difficult and frustrating.  I've given up a couple of times but this I won't because I need help.  I've got lots of issues happening.  I was diagnosed on September 30 last year , my mum was suffering from terminal lung cancer and I was nursing her so my cancer went on The back burner. Anyway i only needed a lumpectomy and some radiotherapy and it was all over, right?  Anyway my mum died in January and I'm now suffering from post diagnosis/treatment stress.  But more urgently I'm having a real hard time with FEMARA and want to know how other people have got on with this drug and whether they have tolerated it and if they haven't how they have gone with TEMOZIFON(?).  Please help, and does this have to be such a secure site??

3 Replies

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    15 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your mum.  I lost my mum nearly 1 year to the day due to Dementia.  I miss her terribly. Even though she wasn't aware of my illness the first time around, I could focus on her and sometimes forget my troubles.  I personally had no trouble with Tamoxifen - was on it for nearly 4 years but had to change over to Arimidex when I had my second diagnosis in December 2010.  We are all different but we don't have to put up with anything that is not working for us.  As Tonya said talk with your doctor.XLeonie

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    I had trouble to start with getting on this site.Once you get on though, it's a great support. I was so sorry to hear about your mum.My dad died too of lung cancer and I helped nurse him -not an easy thing to do.However,I was healthy at the time and can't imagine doing it with my own cancer diagnosis. What amazing strength you must have to have endured all that.

    I had my first bout of breast cancer back in 2003 and like you,had a lumpectomy and radiation.I was 46 at the time and had to go on Tamoxifen but it didn't agree with me.I then tried Femara and that was just as bad -hot flushes,aches,irritabilty.So stopped that and hoped for the best. But cancer came back in the same breast last year(7yrs on),had mastectomy and chemo and am now on Tamoxifen. This time around it is kinda agreeing with me apart from the odd hot flush. I take a very low dose antidepressant which helps with those -also helps with sleep and mood.(endep 10mg).

    If Femara is making you miserable then you shouldn't have to put up with it. Ask your doc if you can try Tamoxifen.You've been through enough. Hop back on this site anytime - lots of nice ladies to talk to here.

                                  Tonya

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    I had trouble to start with getting on this site.Once you get on though, it's a great support. I was so sorry to hear about your mum.My dad died too of lung cancer and I helped nurse him -not an easy thing to do.However,I was healthy at the time and can't imagine doing it with my own cancer diagnosis. What amazing strength you must have to have endured all that.

    I had my first bout of breast cancer back in 2003 and like you,had a lumpectomy and radiation.I was 46 at the time and had to go on Tamoxifen but it didn't agree with me.I then tried Femara and that was just as bad -hot flushes,aches,irritabilty.So stopped that and hoped for the best. But cancer came back in the same breast last year(7yrs on),had mastectomy and chemo and am now on Tamoxifen. This time around it is kinda agreeing with me apart from the odd hot flush. I take a very low dose antidepressant which helps with those -also helps with sleep and mood.(endep 10mg).

    If Femara is making you miserable then you shouldn't have to put up with it. Ask your doc if you can try Tamoxifen.You've been through enough. Hop back on this site anytime - lots of nice ladies to talk to here.

                                  Tonya