Femara

I have been on Femara for 2.5 years. Joint pains are really bad, worse in the morning have trouble walking.and also bad  joint stiffness I do not sleep well at night and suffer from bad anxiety. I have to have a bone infusion every year as The Femara has really affected my bones. I have no energy and always tired. My hair is so thin fro being on this tablet. My hair keeps falling out.

I had a lumpectomy in 2007, aged 48, followed by radiotherapy, then 5 years on Tamoxifen with only mild side effects - hot flushes, a few headaches.  After 5 years on Tamoxifen by oncologist recommended I change to Femara for 5 years, and I lasted 6 months, but have just made the decision, in conjunction with the Oncologist, to change back to Tamoxifen after a 2 week break, as I couldn't cope with the side effects.  First I got joint stiffness, followed by a stress fracture in my foot, which they put down to over-exercising.  While I was recovering the aches and pains got worse, and I gained weight, which I put down to not being able to exercise.  I slowly started to reintroduce exercise after about 4 months, but broke down again almost immediately, this time with my knee.  An MRI has revealed another stress fracture, this time in the top of the tibia where it weight bears the knee.  Other side effects are sleeplessness at night, aching in every joint (I hobble out of bed in the morning like a 90 year old) and can hardly bend my fingers sometimes, also very emotional.  Both my GP and the Oncologist seem to think Femara is the cause, so we will see how I go whilst back on Tamoxifen in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for that  Debbie. I too don't want to stop taking it, as I don't want the cancer to return. I do worry about osteoporosis. I will talk to my specialist at my next appointment.

Janice

 I have a lot of pain in my feet as well. Worse at night and in the morning,hard to walk. . I have been on it since July 2011.

 I have a lot of pain in my feet as well. Worse at night and in the morning,hard to walk. . I have been on it since July 2011.

 I have a lot of pain in my feet as well. Worse at night and in the morning,hard to walk. . I have been on it since July 2011.

I've been taking Femara for 10 months and have had joint aches that hinder my daily activities.  I am no longer able to do simple yoga exercises without joint aches even though I've been a yoga practitioner for nearly 30 years.  In addition, I've developed immobilising nerve sensitivity and damage within my feet, which is affecting my being able to continue to work ... a classroom supply school teacher.  My oncologist has suggested a 6 week break from Femara which I'm currently having.  After 2 weeks I think there are slightly less aches in joints but I still have the nerve damage in my feet.  Maybe the foot problem is a result of my 6 weeks radiation treatment.  It is very hard to isolate the specific cause.  I'd appreciate further comment on use of Femara and after effects of radiation.  The medical profession cannot give advice as it seems to affect individuals differently.

 I have been on Femarra since 2011. I  have really bad joint pains and thining hair. I did have pimples on my face for about 6mths,  but now I  do not have any problems with it, as it just went away.. I am on vitamin D as well, but after 12mths had a bone density test and found that it really affected my bones and had a bone infusion last December.

I am hoping the side afects will improve , as I do not want to stop taking it , as I do not want the cancer to come back. and it is supposed to be a really good drug to help stop it. I am 54 .

Speak to your Oncologist if you have any concerns.

Debbie