Taking a break from Femara

Hi, everybody! I previously was on this board, but I couldn't remember my user name or password, so I signed up again today under a new name. I was diagnosed in October 2009 with stage IB Invasive lobular and ductal cancer. No lymph node involvement. First lumpectomy didn't get clear margins. Had cellulitis at time of second lumpectomy, so surgeon cancelled that surgery. Then decided on bilateral mastectomies, which turned out to be a wonderful blessing, because pathology report showed more cancer that MRI had not detected. Also had free-TRAM reconstruction at that time.

I had hysterectomy/oophorectomy in April 2010; then I started on Femara.

I've had so many SEs from the Femara. My joints hurt terribly; it's hard to go up and down stairs now; sometimes I lose my grip on a pencil because joints in hand hurt so much. Was diagnosed a couple of months ago with rheumatoid arthritis by a rheumatologist; my rheumatoid factor was high, and he says the rheumatoid arthritis was caused by all the trauma to my body (5 surgeries in all).

Also was hospitalized 4 times this past summer: first for sepsis, then fever, then abdominal abscess, then a blood clot caused by my pic line.

I asked my oncologist if I could take a break from Femara, because I'm not totally convinced that I have rheumatoid arthritis. I know some of the pain is from the Femara. I'm not sure, though, if Femara could cause my increased rheumatoid factor. Doc said I could take a 6-week break, so last Thursday I started NOT taking the Femara.

Since I've been off the Femara, I've had HORRIBLE hot flashes, like I did right after my hysterectomy. Has anyone else experienced problems coming off Femara? I've never heard of this, but the hot flashes are definitely worse since stopping Femara. I'm hoping this stops in a few days. My joints are already feeling a little better. My husband and I are taking a trip out west in a few weeks, and I really want to feel well during our trip.

Thanks for any info you all have!