Anyone on Femara???

Hi Linsky --

I've been on Femara since October 2008. 

Hot flashes are extremely common -- this is an aromatase inhibitor (AI), which means your estrogen levels go essentially to zero. All the side effects are those of estrogen deprivation. I'm lucky;so far hot flashes are the only symptom i have, other than some minor achiness that calls for occasional ibuprofens. (When i started, it was 4-5 ibuprofens a week; now it's 3-4 a month. Really minor.)

Bone thinning is one major risk. It would be a good idea to have a baseline bone density test so you know how much leeway you have before you get to osteopenia (poor bone thickness) or osteoporosis (with some risk of fractures). I had a bone density test 3 months before i started - apparently i have very good bone density (i'm 65). My personal risk/benefit decision is that if/when i go to osteopenia, i will go off Femara. I don't want to risk the bone-thickening drugs (bisphosphonates) -- but ... i have stage 1 node negative ER+ bc (and i'm 65 -- 30 yrs is about the longest i expect to live), so my odds are very good even without an AI.

The most obvious misery is joint pain -- and it can be really bad. But not everyone gets it --  the only other perosn i know on Femara doesn't have it either. (Sample of 2 -- lousy stats...) Another  common effect is hair thinning - i haven't had that, and neither has my friend (and she has long hair), but according to my hairdresser, it is very common.

There are no really good data on how many people have serious side effects - but they seem to be pretty common.  So you'll have to see how it goes. Remember: you can always stop if the side effects get to be too much, so don't refuse to start for fear of side effects! (But do get your bone density checked!!)

Good luck; let us know how it goes!

mouser 

Just took my first pill tonight!

Hi Girls! There is more info on the Hormone Therapy boards. XX

Hi everyone...I started taking Femara on 1/1/09...and I might add with MUCH concern.  I haven't experienced much in the way of SE except some night sweats.  I did have a couple of days of headaches at first, but who knows with that...after all, WE are under alot of stress and strain dealing with this stuff.  My Oncologist says that any SEs will go away shortly after your body gets use to this new drug.  Well, lets HOPE he's right!!!

I've tried taking the pill in the morning and then tried it at night...doesnt seem to matter what time of day you take it.  But pick one time, and stick to it is what i heard.

I'm 60 and my greatest fear with taking this med is that in 10+ years or so, they'll come back to us and say Oh Whoops...we've now decided this (Femara) can make other conditions and/or cancer start in other parts of your body...Much like they are doing now with the HRTs...Took them also 10 years ago and now they are leaning towards the idea that they can 'speed' up getting BC...I really dont care for being a guinea pig...but what can you do.

This is such a journey and by the grace of God, we'll all make it through...and HEALTHY!

Cheryl

Linsky,

I've been on Femara for 2 1/2 years, and have had achy joints, thinning hair, high cholesterol, a catarac, and osteopenia. Ok, FOR FAIRNESS SAKE, we don't know what my cholesterol was, but it is controlled now. The catarac could be age, but that is also one of the side effects of Femara.  After experiencing vision changes, went and had my eyes checked, and that's when they found it. It is very small, and siince I had a fit in the chair, they said no surgery was needed. My joints behaved after about 2 months, which is normal, and my hair is thinner, but that has even slowed down. The same to the osteopenia....don't know if it is contributed to Femara, or was already there. 

I had no gastric problems, HensonChi, so can't help you there.  Are you taking it with food?  That could help in your case.

All of this is truly a leap of faith, and like Cheryl said, God will help us through it!

Jennifer