FEMARA

slousa:  I just turned 68... unfortunately, don't think I could possibly fit into the "younger ladies" category.  Infohh:  My lymph nodes were clear, like yours, so maybe you're right. 

Hi Gingerstx,

LOL, I'm 71 and am hoping to finish Femara after 5 years, but one of youngest Oncos at our Institute of Oncology answered to a lady complaining about Femara extension, they must be treating her in the way to survive at least 20 years... joking apart, meaning  it could be that the extension healing  is giving a prolonged protection from recurrence... (sorry, English isn't my native language).

Sincerely greetings

Usha

Well my husband picked up my Femara prescription last night and I am disgusted to say that the makers of Femara are not honoring the June 15 date of the coupon.  I am even more disgusted that my insurance is no longer honoring the $30 copay for it.  I had to pay $97 for it.  CVS want take it back and fill it with the generic either because I have taken three.  There fault they didn't have it in stock and gave me three until it came in.         I sure hope next month that the generic copay comes in a lot cheaper.   I can't afford to pay that much more on my meds.

Still have knee and finger pain.  I am always tired too.  Other than that, I feel like I am trying to put my life back together unsuccessfully most days.   The heat here is so horrible and it's not summer yet.

I'm filling my prescription for generic Femara tomorrow and was just wondering if anyone is taking just a half dose? I was on Tamox for 3 months and was one of the 1% that got a blood clot and I'm terrified to take the Femara. Are there any studies that show that taking less works as well as taking the prescribed dose? I know, silly question but there's a study that was done that showed that taking just 1mg of Tamox and not the prescribed 20mg works just as well.

Terri

infohh...I recently stopped femara after almost 4 years (did tamoxifen for 2) standard procedure. I too was nervous coming off and thinking why not just stay on.  I so have pre-ost. and also arthritis has develpoed in my knees so staying on could have made that worse. Also about 6 weeks after stopping my period returned!  My onc said no way so a bunch of tests were ordered, pelvic ultra sound and blood work.  Blood work shows I am still post menopausal and all test showed everything healthy down below. Theory is that my 41 year old body was trying to start a cycle. Why wouldn't it,I am only 41. It does make me nervous though, what if my body suceeds and I start to cycle and build estrogen again.  Thinking oopherectomy might be in order.

Terri.....hello friend!!!  I have been taking a half dose of Femara (1.25mg) for a year now. My s/e's were horrible on a full dose. Severe joint pain. I just couldn't do it! My Onc of course would rather I take a full dose, but understands that quality of life is important. If you go to www.femara.com   then scroll down the page and click where it says   for full prescribing info click here. It will take you to a pdf document. Paragraph 12.2 talks about there being full estrogen suppression achieved with doses of .5mg, which is even less than 1/2 a pill.  I asked my Onc about taking one pill every other day, but he thought it would be better to have some in my system every day.  My joint issues are much better. I might someday try a full dose again, but not for now.

Sorry to hear of the blood clot. Hope  you are doing great otherwise.

Joni

Joni, I answered you back yesterday but now I don't see my post! Strange. I looked up that info on Femara and I think that I'm going to start off with a 1/2 pill a day and see how that goes. I read that even as little as .1mg cuts the estrogen but they suggest at least .5mg. I'll start off with 1.25mg and let you know how that goes. I'm sorry to hear that you have such terrible SE's but at least now you can function better and aren't in such pain. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I hope you are doing well, It's so nice to see you on here - seems like our June thread was ages ago!

Hugs,

Terri

Norma Jean, my ONC tests for estrogen every six months along with progesterone, thyroid, CEA and CA125. What he doesn't test for is Vitamin D but I'm going to try to get him to test for it when I see him next week. I think it's very important for our Vit D to be at least 80.

Terri

Good luck Kitty.  What alphabet soup do you try next?

Anyone having frequent urinary tract infections since starting Femara?   

so the 1000mg of Cranberry is a pill Crissy?  Man, they put everything in caplets these days.  I got some OceanSpray this afternoon, but called PCP (& got antibiotics) cause it was hurting!  Not abdominal pain, just peeing pain-hate it!  Sorry if that's TMI

I also take the cranberry pills. They have really helped me as well. I can find them at the local walmart.

Hi, haven't been on this thread in a long time.

Two month ago I asked my Pharmacist when Femara was going generic and he said he hadn't heard anything. Do you know for sure and do you have a date when it is to happen? Every time I get my prescription the Phamicist always ask " do you know how much this drug cost?' Geez, yes, I know I buy it every month and thank goodness for insurance because this is ridiculous. It's Not fair for us or the Insurance companies. $ 565.00 is crazy.

I have Osteoporosis and arthritis but my joints in my hands give me the most problems. Yoga helps a lot. Doc says I'm done with the drug in May od 2013. No longer because they don't see an advantage in more than five years.

artsee, I asked the pharmacist last week if I could have the generic for Femara and she said sure but she would have to order it. I asked why I hadn't been given it before and she said because I didn't ask for it.

Is anyone experiencing more aching in your joints since starting Femara? Is this a known side effect?

Is depression one of the SE's of Femara. It seems I'm getting so depressed lately. The other day my DD was over for dinner and was concerned about me. I guess it has been creaping up, and just was aware how bad it had gotten.