Faslodex Girls

Tina2

Welcome to the Fanny Pack, Christy. I believe Faslodex was first approved about 11 years ago, and then the higher dosage (500 mg) just two or three years ago. The standard protocol, after the loading dose, is 250 mg in each buttock every 28 days.

Be sure to read through this thread for tips on how to relax your leg and gluteous maximus to lessen injection site woes. There are other good tips scattered throughout, too.

Tina

MaryLW

Hi Christy, I find it very helpful to massage the injection site and to walk a lot the first couple of days. My nurse said to apply heat, and so did another nurse that I talked to. I found that really helpful. Someone else on this thread said that heat shouldn't be used, though, so you'd better check with your nurse.

NYCchutzpah

Another thing is too make sure that the shot is warm not straight from the fridge. The nurse told me that it easier to inject if it is warmed up a bit. I usually ask the nurse to let me put the shots under each of my armpits to warm them well. Nurse was nervous that I might drop the syringes the first time I did that 

pajim

Welcome Christy,  I find that standing on the other leg, warming the shots up, injecting slow and taking a walk afterwards does the trick for me.

Susan will have other suggestions -- she's been doing it for years.

I hope it's easy on you. . .

hollander

Greetings to the fanny pack--

I had my 9th Faslodex injections yesterday, and I had an odd experience.  I was already feeling sore on the way to my car after my appointment.  That has never happened before, and it was the slowest injection time ever.  I've been so fortunate to have nurses who know how to shoot me up the right way-- warm faz, slow enough (except for one).  But I'm wondering if I'm sore because the needles were in for so long??  Honestly, on the first one, I was thinking she should be finished when she said "we're almost halfway done with this one".  The needles had to be in for 5-10 minutes each.  I didn't feel a thing during the process, besides the leg with all the weight on it started to tire out a bit.  But I felt the soreness start to settle in as I drove home.  I took some advil, walked a little, and hit the heating pad, which helped.  It's not horrendous pain by any means, but I've been lucky to have almost none before now.  And I have yard work to do this weekend!!  Sorry to be a whiner, but I'm thinking I may have to ask this nurse to go a little faster next time, if she's the one to be giving them.  I'd had her once before, and she was the best, but she didn't take as long.  Has anyone had this happen before?  Maybe it's just a coincidence?  As long as it's working, I can put up with some discomfort, but it's hard when I know it's possible to be pain-free after my Faslodex appointment.  

Enjoy your weekend!

solirav

Hi Folks. I'm guessing I may be among the very unlucky few who have a local allergic reaction to Faslodex. I've been on it for years (the longest of anyone at my Cancer Center), but the reactions have happened since the very beginning. After each injection, I ended up with a half-grapefruit on each hip: red, hot, hard, painful, and itchy. Couldn't close my jeans or sit in bucket seats. And if any ever leaked out onto my skin(!) I got itchy red welts from hell. These symptoms were accompanied by fevers in the 102.8-103.6 (F) range. The fevers went away in 2-3 days, but the other symptoms would resolve ever-so-slowly over the 4 weeks. The lumps would still be palpable to whomever was assigned the injection room at my next appointment. My backside is full of scar tissue.

The first thing I found that would help, I only found three treatments ago. It's called Ibuleve (ibuprofen in a gel). I follow directions on the package, with a 3X/day application rate. Glory Halleluia. Everything quiets down after the 3rd day. You can find it on Amazon.

I write this in case there is another silent sufferer out there who might find this, and bless her heart, find some relief at last.

susan_02143

Welcome Solirav!

How long have you been on Faslodex? You must be very determined to keep going in the face of these side effects. Determined indeed. I will put Ibuleve in my back pocket, so to speak. Never know when the pain might become unbearable.

*susan*

Tina2

Hollander, the protocol calls for 1-2 minutes per injection. Some of us are begging our nurses to slow down. Since yours is going so slowly, you may want to encourage her to speed it up to two minutes!

Thanks for the good tip, Solirav. I've noted of late that the lumps I get are smaller and the bruising less the higher the injection. Interestingly, I still have itchiness, but far less than I did before the nurse started using a numbing spray before the injections. Maybe the spray is protecting the skin against any fluid leaking out. Whatever the reason, I am happy that I am not currently having some of the skin issues I once had.

Tina

MaryLW

Hollander, needles bother me so much that I'd be a wreck if the injection lasted 5-10 minutes! Mine last about 1 minute, which is plenty long. I think I'd ask her to go a little faster.

hollander

Thanks for the info, ladies.  I'll watch the time closely next time, and will probably have a different nurse anyway.  I know she was trying to help, but I don't want to be killed with kindness . Finally feeling less sore and stiff this morning, and the garden is waiting.  Hugs all around!

AnacortesGirl

Thank you for the warm welcome!



I've spent some time looking backward from Jan of this year. As to be expected there were good tidbits of information. I'll look at last year when I have more time. My daughter and her partner are coming to visit for the weekend. I love it when she comes to visit. She loves researching so she always has interesting things to pass on.



I'm kind of different when I get injections. I just want to get them over with so I'll tell the nurse to push the drug and I'll tell her if she needs to slow down. But I never tell them that. I just want it over with and as long as it isn't the sharp pain, I can go with the dull pain of the drug making it's lump.



I'm also one of the "counter leaners". I've been offered to lie down on a bed but that just doesn't appeal to me. I think I do better standing up because my mind is concentrating on the leg that I'm standing on -- that helps my leg on the injection side stay relaxed. We all figure out our routines!



I really haven't had any SEs from the shots. Except that I'm having more hot flash wannabes. It's like I'm on the verge of a hot flash but it doesn't really flare. I've been managing my hot flashes for the last three years by taking neurontin. That drug has been great the way it keeps the hot flashes away. But it seem the fasoldex is trying to overpower my dosage.



I also had a weird one a few days ago. It was about 2 days after the fasoldex shot. I started feeling like my throat was trying to be sore or irritated and I was slightly hot. Had a temp just under 100 so it wasn't really much. Don't know if this was an SE or just a fluke.



I'm just hoping for a long, long ride!

pajim

good luck to you Anacortes!  I have very few problems -- but of course the next injection may be a disaster (and it's next week). . .

I cross my fingers every time.

Moonwillow

Had my first 2 injections one in each butt cheek on Monday.  So far not so bad, yesterday I got a little "sea sick" and achey and my A double crooked letter is sore but other than that ok.  Far cry from what chemo did to me!  I can take it!  Seems like movement affected me so I took it easy and today my back hurts from taking it too easy, I was a bit lazy.  Not looking forward to the next set on the 23rd.  The nurses double tag teamed me and it was cold, asked them about warming it first they said it wouldn't make a difference.  They were also rushed - there has been such an increase of cancer patients since I first went in 2008.   

Tina2

Hi, Moonwillow. The temperature of the Faslodex may not "make a difference" to the nurses, but it does to your comfort. Conventional wisdom has it that the syringes of Faslodex should be at room temperature prior to injection. The package insert directs that each injection should take one-to-two minutes.

Welcome to the Fanny Pack! Many women here have had long runs on this treatment.

Tina

NYCchutzpah

According to my nurse the temp of the shot does make a difference to them also. The nurse has described the shot as oily, if you lok at say cold olive oil it is thicker when cold and looser when warm. My nurse has told me that it is easier for them to push it in when it warm and thinner. Before they give me the shots I offer (sometimes insit) that they let me put the shots under my armpits to warm them up close to body temperture. Maybe Moonwillow you can mention to your nurse that it is easier for your nurse to do the injection when it is warm. 

MaryLW

Moon willow, activity helps me with the injection soreness. I walk or swim and also massage the area. Try to get the nurses to warm up the Faslodex.

Tish_13

Last week was not good at all.

It all started with my last Faslodex treatment in August. My tumor markers were up. so I was scheduled for a bone scan and a CT. My bone scan was just this side of being called "super scan" which I take as being almost super Nova in lighting up the screen. The cancer in the bones is every where it could be with the exception of the skull. The CT shows mets to the liver. I like my liver and was hoping it would not fall victim to this parasite. I also like wine, but will do what I must to bring my liver back to health. During all of this my dear Mai Lei Kat's health starts to fail and we lose a wonderful pet of 15 years that we found as a kitten outside of a Chinese restaurant. The irony is she had an abscess on her breast that may have been malignant. She is now pain free, rest in Peace

So I am booted out of the Fanny Pack Bottoms Up Club and have started Xeloda...

and I am singing a new tune , which is better than crying. Take care ladies, Bottoms up!

hush little cancer don't you cry

ma ma gots a brand new drug to try

slurp it down, don't spit it out

curl your toes and burn your heart

die away and don't come on back

you're not wanted here no more

ma ma gots better things to do

and you are'nt one of them

so die away and don't come back

AnacortesGirl

And I just left Xeloda for the Fanny pack gang. You'd think that we would bump into the each other as we change chemo rooms! Kind of like back in high school or college where you drop some course and then pick up others. Or changing your major each semester. Or being a kid who keeps changing their favorite candy. I just want to start a treatment and stay with it for a year or two!

Tina2

Tish, that wonderfully sinister lullaby sounds like something out of Tim Burton by way of Neil Gaimon filtered through Stephen King. Just hearing it should make cancer shrivel up.

I'm sorry about little Mai Lei. As you know, we lost our diva tabby last week, too. It never gets easier.

Tina

MaryLW

Just had my 9th round of shots. They hurt more this time, and are still hurting. It seemed like the nurse went faster this time. I'm massaging the area and applying heat. The left (nonsurgical) side even hurts this time! Unfortunately, we're going to a baseball game later today, and I sure hope it's not too uncomfortable. When we planned it, I thought it would be ok, because the past three times, I've had almost no pain from the shots! Oh, we'll, I have a month before the next round...

Tish_13

Thank you Tina 2 have a purrrrfect day >^..^<

susan_02143

I have a glass of ice and a bottle of seltzer water standing by to start the hydration for blood work tomorrow. If the report from Tuesday's scan is good, I am preparing for Faslodex no 44. If the report isn't so good, I am preparing for bad news by having to pee all night long!  :-)

Can't believe that another 28 days have passed. The calendar doesn't lie.

Tina, hope your fanny injections tomorrow are pain and side effect free.

*susan*

pajim

Today was a four needle day.  (Lupron, Zometa and two Faslodex shots).  I have a lumpy rear from all the gauze.  Another nurse educated.

Does anyone know whether the metallic taste in my mouth is from the Zometa?  Or the Faslodex?  I don't usually mind because (a) I know they gave me the same stuff and (b) chocolate takes the taste out. 

Susan, I hope the report is good.

Groovywilma

Hey there Fanny Packers!  Just wanted to say hi again.  I like to check in now that I'm party of the club, even though I don't post a whole lot.  Susan, I hope you get to stay in the club and get your number 44!  That's so awesome!  Pajim, someone else told me that she gets the metallic taste from the Faslodex.  Last month I had the four needle day just like yours!  All the same ones, too!  Anyhow, just wanted to give a shout out to all you ladies! 

Tina2

Bottoms up, all!

I was freaked last month when my both oncologist and regular nurse were both out of the office, but young nurse who gave me the Faslodex listened to me,  injecting it high and taking her time. It was the least problematic injection yet. I think the NSAID I'm taking helps, too,

Crossing fingers for a good report for you, Susan. Pajim, I don't get a metallic taste, but may I have some chocolate anyway?

Guzzling H20,

Tina

pajim

You may certainly have some chocolate.  I am a card-carrying member of the "when the going gets tough the tough eat chocolate" club.

Of course that meant a serious oops(!!) when they put me on the scale yesterday.  It's all the goofing off this summer.  Back on the exercise bike.  The going can't possibly get tough until December (next scan) so I'll have to cut back on the chocoloate.  Sigh.

susan_02143

Faslodex no 44 is done. Though there was one new spot on the scan, the feeling was that this was not a progression and we should stay the course. Never actually saw my doctor; just her PA. Her earlier patient was, well, very sick and needed the onc far more than I did. We will not wait a full year before doing my next scan. I have been moved to the six month plan.

So, very good news. I will be signing up for that two-year cell phone plan.

*susan*

Tree3

Very happy to read that, Susan. Good for you. Yay!

susan_02143

Tree, Heading towards your part of Cambridge for dinner. I simply don't cook on treatment days, and I think we should celebrate just a bit tonight. Good to see you posting.  *susan*

Tree3

Thank you, Susan. Where are you going? Legal?, Red House? Harvest? Rialto?