Switched to Femera today

Anonymous

Hi,

Got terrible hives from head to toe from Arimidex. I went back to the MO today and was given a sample of Femara ... Was told not to start it until my rash has cleared up ( hopefully that will be soon).

Anything I need to know before starting this? I was also told to take a multivitamin, caltrate and glucosamine chrondrotin in addition to the Vitamin D I have been on for 2 years

Hopefully this combo will help with any side effects....

ChiSandy

Nachout, I suspect one of the reasons my letrozole SE’s have been so minor is the meds I’d been taking all along. For the joint pain, my arthritis formula generic Tylenol at bedtime and my celecoxib in the morning may be going a long way to mitigate it. As to hot flashes, mine are merely occasional sweats, probably due to the Wellbutrin I’ve been on for decades. I never did get any relief from glucosamine-chondroitin back in the days before total knee replacements.

As to bone loss, I take a gummy multivitamin, as well as calcium, D3, K2 and magnesium. Because of my GERD I must take a PPI (Dexilant), which dramatically reduces stomach acid as well as leaches calcium from bones, and calcium carbonate (such as Tums or Caltrate) needs stomach acid to be absorbed. So I take calcium citrate “petites” (easier to swallow)--a pair 3X/day, which provides 1200 mg. calcium as well as an extra 1500 IU of D3.

As to the lowered metabolism and carb cravings, I take GTF chromium (not picolinate) to help metabolize the extra carbs. But as to the weight gain? Alas, no pill for that. Bob is letting me join a gym and maybe even get a personal trainer session once a month. Meanwhile, I have that Fitbit--the tattletale on my wrist. If he goes vegan, I might--otherwise I might try Weight Watchers if low-carb seems to be too difficult for me than it had been pre-cancer.