FEMARA

ducky, I have been on Femara since Nov '09-initially had SEs like hot flashes, joint pain & MAJOR fatigue.  I am one of the ones who switched to taking the pill at night & lo & behold, most of my problems went away; that's not to say I don't have SEs---I still have some joint pain, usually daily, but not always the same joint & nothing that Ibuprofen or Aleve for the persistent ones can't help.  The main benefit for me has been peace of mind (for the most part) & since taking @ night, no more fatigue.  My main complaint-weight gain, not so much pound wise on the scale, but my inner tube around the middle has definitely ballooned. I walk 2-3 miles per day rain or shine; I can't imagine what I'd look like if I didn't do that.  My eating is not very controlled so I can't blame Femara for all of it, but I do!   

Ducky, I've been on it for 2 months.  Perhaps because I've already been through menopause, I've had no SE's except for some insomnia.  I started having sleep problems about 5 years ago so had hoped that the tiredness attributed to Femara as a SE would help me sleep better,  but instead my insomnia is a little worse.  It's still a walk in the park compared to the possibility of having a recurrence of cancer in my life.  It seems like everyone reacts to Femara differenlty and you just might be one of the lucky ones who have no SE's at all.  Since it's already sitting on your counter, why not give it a try?    

Chrissy, when I first started it I took it before bedtime, but the insomnia kicked in right away.  After two weeks I switched to mornings, thinking that maybe I'd taken it too close to when I wanted to sleep and it had made me overtired.  I've been trying various things like warm milk and occasional sleep aids to see if any help, but so far haven't hit on a solution.  I may retry taking it at night and see if there's any difference now that I've been on it a bit longer.  I'm having my first lab tests early next month and I'm hoping that maybe they'll indicate some imbalance that's causing the problem.  If not, I'll ask my MO for some meds to help. 

ducky,

Why do we get mammograms and check our breasts monthly?  Why do we have lumpectomies and mascectomies? Why do we go bald with chemotherapy and let our breasts be fried with radiation?

Because, we all want this nasty breast cancer which is threatening our life to go away, and to once again, get on with our lives.

I sure haven't enjoyed taking Femara for the past 9 months, but I do appreciate what it is doing to keep any breast cancer cells from being nourished and invading my body.  I think of it like insurance.

  Sure, I was a bit tired when I first started taking it.  My knees ached in the morning but got/gets better even after my first cup of coffee. Yes, I grew soft fine pale hair on my face (so I had it lasered off).  It's all okay.

Femara gives me peace of mind.  I would take it  beyond the 5 years which is recommended now if that recommendation increased.  It has clinically been shown to significently reduce reoccurrance of cancer.  That's good enough for me.

It's normal to be scared.

As suggested, you could try it for, say, three months.  My GP said it takes about a year for the body to adjust to the levels of estrogen and progesterone being decreased in your body and the side effects should lessen as it's the actual lowering of the hormone levels that causes the havoc, not actually maintaining the lower level.

Only you can decide for yourself.

I take 10mg  about half an hour before I go to bed or I take it and go to bed and read for about half an hour.  I started on 5mg, it worked but to me not well enough so I added another one and it works like a charm!  Mine are 5mg per tab.   Hope it works for you as it's a great way to sleep without adding more chemicals to the body.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

ducky,  I have been one of those who has had a lot of SE.  I have been on Femara since December.  My Oncologist decided it was time to try a different AI just to see if my side effects ease off any.  I have to say that taking 3 motrin at bed time has really helped, taking my 1200mg of Calcium and 4800 IU of Vitamin D have all made a difference in my pain.  I would call and tell my oncologist but my insurance co pay will be cheaper with the other one.  I was able to get on the floor this week on my knee....something I haven't been able to do since I started Femara.   Even my foggy brain has let up some.  I have one more week of pills left....I can't wait for my one week break!!!  I will have to clean my house from top to bottom that week.

I say give it six months and see how you feel.

thanks ladies again.........................this is what I needed......your all right.............I can try it, and if it gets tough, I can always end it.

I am 76, so how much Estrogen could possibly be left in this ancient body..............I went through the change at 56, had my Estrogen levels checked yesterday, and waiting for the results.............if its low they say the drug doesn't have to work as hard, thus less SE's....................

Rohanna, you are doing the reverse of what I did.......had such bad reaction to Arimidex and am doing great on Femara.....Hope the change will be good for you and to you.  Good luck!

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

Getting ready to start Femara this week. Wish me luck !!!! I have been on Lupron since August of last year. SE are JOINT PAIN, HOT FLASHES and more JOINT PAIN and HOT FLASHES but that is it. Hoping that Femara and Lupron don't produce more SE's as these suck, but are tolerable for what the drugs are acomplishing:)

Rohanna, my SE's on Arimadex were, memory loss, hair thinning, every joint painful, I'm 59 but moved like a 90 yr old, depression and general malaise.  I didn't realise how bad I felt until I stopped taking them but I knew I felt bad.  The change of meds bought with it a whole new outlook....yahooo!!  Goodluck with yours!!!

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

I have always tried to keep my weight fairly even and I succeeded for most of my life until I was Dx'd with BC.  since then it has been a loosing battle and the lbs have gathered in placed I'd rather not have them....all I can do now is keep it stable and try not to put on any more but at 5'4" I look like an apple with limbs and a head!.....ugh!

Love n hugs to all.  Chrissy

ChrissyB-I totally relate (sorry if this is duuble posted. Computer acting wonky!)

Took 3 mg Melatonin half hour before bedtime last night and had a beautiful sleep.  Thanks for the recommendation!

Well, I am glad I stopped by tonight. Tomorrow I see my Onc for the last time. (He is moving) I have been on Femara for a month now. I am walking like an old lady. The joint pain, fatigue and after reading all your posts, I realize how emotional I have been latley. Although the joint pain and fatigue could do that as well.

I am thinking it's a quality of life issue. Tonight I want off. After spending a year recovering from BMX, chemo and rads, I just want to go back to being me. Tomorrow in front of the Onc I will give him all your suggestions and see what he says. I am only taking 1200 Vitamin D so perhaps upping it will help.

Thank you, beautiful ladies for your constant source of info. Onward

Congratulations, HelenNC!  That's great to hear!  Hope it continues.