Femara and Chest Pain

JustStamping

So I finished up my Rads and Chemo treatments in April 2009.  I'd been procrastinating on taking Femara because of troubles I'd had with the other two popular drugs (can't remember their names now).  Also, I'd had troubles on Tamoxifen after my first BC diagnosis/treatment in 1998.

So after getting beat up by doctors, family and friends, I finally started taking the Femara.  The joint pain, constipation, hot flashes and fatigue I can handle.  It's these damn chest pains that are not manageable.

I get sharp stabbing pain in my upper left chest area.  The pain is not regular but is becoming more frequent.  The pain doesn't last long, but it does strike me with such venegance sometimes that it is agonizing.  I take Advil to control the pain but that too is taking it's toll on my stomach!

I've talked to my Onc about this but he insists that chest pain is not a side effect of Femara even though I found it on the Femara web site as well as the side effect pamphlet that comes with my monthly prescription.

Does anybody else endure chest pain with Femara?  What kind of pain?  Is the pain localized to one area or does it move?  What do others do for this pain? 

caaclark

I wish I had insight or could help you, Kristin.  I do not get that as a side effect of Femara.  I suspect it is one of those side effects that does not happen often, which is why your doc does not attibute it to the drug.  Hopefully someone else will be along to help.

apple

Kristin.. I would investigate this soon.  One website said chest pain occurred in 8 % of patients, but the website was confusing.  It certainly is good to be concerned.  I would not take something to control that pain but would definitely seek the opinion of another doctor if your onc. doesn't take it seriously.  I hope I don't scare you.. but I would pursue this soon.

on our website it says:

"Some side effects may mean that you're having an allergic reaction to Femara. If you have shortness of breath or chest pain, call your doctor immediately. 

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/aromatase_inhibitors/femara.jsp

also on a Femara website..

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4363-Femara+Oral.aspx?drugid=4363&drugname=Femara+Oral

it says: 

This medication (and cancer) may rarely cause serious problems from blood clots (such as heart attack or stroke). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: sudden shortness of breath, chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, tingling/weakness/numbness in the arms/legs, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, vision changes, sudden/severe headache.

D_RN

I also experienced crushing chest pain from five days on to when I stopped one month later. With my very high risk from diabetes to Family history so ended up hospitalized to rule out MI. None of the Doctors were familiar with the cardiac risks till I had to educate them. Later the cardiologist came back said he researched it and without his team in tow apologized. I get a echo tomorrow. Now back to just MRI vs Mammography every six months. I have LCIS XX almost two years ago. Took a long time to even try the medication knowing my long allergy list . I Keep getting encouraged to do a bilaterally mastectomy by everybody...oh just do it and then don’t worry ..unforetunely I am Allergenic to dye and silicone etc so So this is a non option ...no thank you. Alone very alone