FEMARA

Chico - thinning hair is a possible SE of Femara.  I started Femara only 6 weeks after my last chemo in July 2008.  So, coupled with the chemo hair loss, my hair regrowth was very slow and is very thin, especially on the crown, compared to what is was before BC.  Fortunately, it has retained its wave (was straight before BC) so that helps!  But I have to wear it short now.  I only wash it once a week, and then use Moroccan Oil styling cream.

As for how long to stay on an AI -- my onc told me it may well be for the rest of my life, or until research says otherwise or something better is developed.  It's really the only arrow oncs have in their quiver (since they must follow standard of care) in helping us protect ourselves against recurrence.  Although it would naturally be beneficial if oncologists as a group would look "outside the box" for other means.....

wldflwr, yes, I've been using that for months now.  My presrciption is for 90 days and I get 90 days worth for $10.00.  I just have to remind the pharmacist when I get it filled.

Jane59, perhaps you could take a break for a couple of weeks from the Femara to see if the cardiac and respiratory side effects subside?  If they do, then you'll know it was from the femara.  In your shoes, this is what I would do.  Seems like a simpler way to find out than going through all kinds of testing and having to deal with more treatments and possibly cardiac meds as well.

Today is my onc. appointment to decide what to do now...  I have pulled my 5 years with Femara.  I have actually been off it now for a few weeks as I took all my pills and decided to hold off on getting any more (have to get 90 at a time due to insurance) hoping I am done with it.  We shall see.   I am a three time survivor, but all three were Stage 1, no positve nodes (DCIS, ILC and final one was DCIS with IDC).  I have started to notice some subtle changes since being off the Femara- eyesight is improving which is weird.

Hang in there everyone.

Just back in from the onc. visit.   I am officially done with Femara.  Because I had neg. nodes, he said that he recommended stopping it.  If I had had positive nodes, I would have continued for another 5 years.   I still have the shoulder pain at night too with stiff fingers and feet in the mornings.  Hopefully, the SE's will diminish with time.  I can honestly say I feel better with more energy since stopping the Femara 3 1/2 wks ago when the pills ran out.    Hang in there if you can.  My SE's eventually got a lot better the longer I was on Femara.  Physical activity helps with the soreness, stiffness even though it may be tough at first.

Thanks everyone for the congrats.   Hugs and blessings to all.  Headed to the gym.

I read about so many terrible side effects for Femara.  It made me afraid to even start it but the doctor insisted.  But.......I am on my 20th day of Femera and NO side effects.  I must tell you that every day before I take the medication I hold the bottle of pills in my hand and I pray over it and ask God that there will be no side effects.  So far it is working.  So, if you must start on Femara, please don't be fearful.  You need not have any side effects.  Ask God to help you.

I started Femara about a month ago.  I already have osteoarthritis so I'm not sure I'd know the difference between a Femara SE and what I'm already experiencing.  I am a candidate for knee replacement, so I'm already in a bit of pain.  Arthritis-strength acetaminophen helps a lot.

Michelle

Maranatha, how dare you be so presumptuous! Do not put words into my mouth or chastise me about my spirituality. Your last post is completely out of line.

I have to agree with the other ladies, Marantha! 

 You have only been taking the meds for a short period of time, almost too short a time to be able to make such bold comments about your situation or anyone elses.  I do hope that you continue to not suffer with any side effects, we are all individuals and we will all be affected differently by many things in life. 

 It is nice for you to have such a strong faith in God however I do not think that this forum is the place to push your religous beliefs upon others.  There are many fellow BC sisters who are religious or that say prayers for our friends but this is the first time I have seen anyone admonish another for not having that same strength of faith.

Prayer can be a very powerful tool in helping us handle different situations throughout life however I wish that dealing with cancer was just that easy.  I have friends who are very religious and I know that they pray for me constantly however they would never have suggested that I leave my treatment in God's hands alone.  Lassie11 you are absolutely right when you say the rest of us trust in science and doctors to guide our recovery, and that's where my friends prayers come in for me, they pray that God will guide the scientists and medical professionals to care for us all in the best way possible.

Just found out that my triglycerides were up to 591 and was put on something called trilipex. Also that tachycardia now is intermittant (only when upset or frustrated) so I made an appoitment with a cardiologist just to see if everything is okay. I read somewhere that femara raises cholesterol....for me it doesnt give me unbearable pain (most of it is restricted to the mid back and neck) but when I was on Osteoporosis medication like Boniva holy mother...I could barely move for a day or two after taking it. I do have cardiovascular issues that run huge on my mothers side (my uncle at age 37 got up to change the channel on the tv and fell over dead before he got a chance to do it) and my mother had a stroke at age 60 something (I'm 53) and a massive stroke at age 80.  I had an abnormal electrocardiagram just before I started chemo and got the "red devil" stuff anyway.

Anyone else have cardiac issues with femara or a year or more out from chemo? How were you treated for it?

Marantha -- I can see telling people to pray for comfort in trying times but telling them that praying will cure cancer or its medicines side effects is just plain wrong and no better (at least in my book) than the people who tell us to drink "Holy Tea" or worse yet to just sit back and pray (and wait to die). If God is "much bigger than cancer or medications" then why did so many of us have to go through living hell to be treated? Didn't you also go through chemo and other treatments for your breast cancer?

No never heard of that before but will try it. I had cholesterol levels in the 300's as early as age 21 so I think the femara is just adding to an already established cardiovascular problem. Does this taste like garlic? One of my issues during chemo is that all beef tasted like it had been drowned in garlic and made me very nauseated.

Re cholesterol levels and garlic:  I was put on Crestor for off-the-charts cholesterol levels after chemo.  Crestor bothered my digestive system so I purchased aged garlic extract in capsule form (my brand here in Canada is Kyolic).  It also contains lecithin. I take two a day. While my HDL levels are still a little high, my LDL levels really dropped and the ratio is good.  So I do believe aged garlic extract is a great alternative to statins.

Kyolic has absolutely no smell or taste.  One time when I ran out, my DH picked up garlic capsules at Costco and I just couldn't get past the strong garlic odour (and I do love garlic!! -- but only in food, not pills....).

Hello .... I have been reading your posts since February.  Started Femara in March.  I have been having a "Femara vacation" for the last 4 weeks due to bone and joint pain.  Joints have gotten much better being off the Femara but my wrists and hands are constantly hurting.  Is anyone else having this problem and if so, found anything that helps?