Forum Discussion

c_yeo's avatar
c_yeo
Member
11 years ago

Femara

Hi all

I have 2 more sessions of radiation left to do.  Am doing ok so far with some small blisters. 

I will be starting Femara in a month's time. So far from all the reading, almost everyone has bad side effects. Just wondering if those people who has minimal side effects do not write about it. Love to hear from anybody who has minimal side effects or techniques to reduce these to make them bearable.

Thanks all. Hope everyone is as well as can be.

side-effects

5 Replies

  • c_yeo's avatar
    c_yeo
    Member
    11 years ago

    Thanks for dropping by with your info. Hopefully you are not some of the rare ones. Yes, hope it stays that way for you.

    My onco said that the side effects may only kick in after 6 to 8 weeks.

    I am hoping I can avoid the aches and pain too.

    Cis

  • Viv_C's avatar
    Viv_C
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi, I have been on Femara (Letrozole) for just over 2 months and so far had no side effects. A few minor hot flushes but that is it. Hopefully it will stay that way, though I see Chris said hers came on after about 4 months. I increased my exercise to an hour walking every day, not sure if this has helped prevent aches. Viv
  • Viv_C's avatar
    Viv_C
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi, I have been on Femara (Letrozole) for just over 2 months and so far had no side effects. A few minor hot flushes but that is it. Hopefully it will stay that way, though I see Chris said hers came on after about 4 months. I increased my exercise to an hour walking every day, not sure if this has helped prevent aches. Viv
  • c_yeo's avatar
    c_yeo
    Member
    11 years ago

    Good to hear of your experience.

    From what I have read so far, it seems that most people suffered badly with this drug. Very few like yourself who has little side effects. But good to hear that you managed to control the  side effects. I used to take Krill oil but stopped for radiotherapy.  So I will return to it when the time comes and hopefully will help with preventing aches and pain. Still a little concern that most people have bad experiences. Just hoping for a good run.

    Despite being osteopenic,  I am still prescribed femara but I guess it has to be weighted against the risk of recurrence. Have also been on calcium+d for years but now have been recommended to up the vit d dosage.

    Thanks again.

     

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi, I have minimal side effects from Femara. I have been on it now for 3 years in August. I did have bad side effects after about 4 months, but I am happy to say, that the side effects did start to ease after many months. I became very stiff and awkward, and getting up from sitting was hard, and I walked like an old woman for the first 5 or 6 steps. I tried many things, but in the end it was fish oil that helped the most. I took large doses, like 4 to 6 tabs a day, and gradually over the months my side effects eased off. I know it helped, as I had to cease the fish oil for a few weeks due to extra surgery, (it is a blood thinner), and the aches and pains came back. Once the side effects started to ease, I dropped the fish oil down to one a day, and this has kept the side effects at bay. I also take Vit D as the femara can weaken your bones. Hope this makes you feell a little less concerned. Chris