Faslodex Girls

Smiley2 I was on femara before faslodex.

Tomorrow is Faslodex No 27 for me. Seeing the aging parents thread to see what the week leading up to this treatment has been like. A hospital day will be a day at the spa compared to this!

*susan* 

Treatment day is over. To prepare, I had salt and pepper squid from a wonderful Northern Chinese restaurant, and I drank 2 litres of water. Not enough. The blood draw this week was bad. I actually screamed when the needle went in, and to add insult to injury, the red blood cells were damaged so all my blood work has an asterick this time.

Dr. Christina was very happy with my tumor markers. The jump three months ago doesn't concern her since the subsequent three months have been steady. She considers this stable; stable with NED. We have agreed to hold off on scans until September. We had a long talk about why she orders PET/CT scans and not CT and bone. I like her reasoning and feel very comfortable with her choice.

Onto the infusion room. For some reason, this month the injections were not as painful [esp left side] as usual. Today I am starting to feel the Faslodex moving around, but nothing that is wildly bad.

Blood test results show that in fact I do have thyroid issues. Guess I have to go back to the endro and eat some dirt. Damn, more drugs.

And so Month 27 is over. 

Reesie, the initial side effects of nausea and hot flashes from Faslodex slowly dimished over the past year for me, to the point of their becoming almost non-existent with the last three injections. Injection site soreness and lower back pain continue, but I am sure the latter is estrogen deprivation exacerbating arthritis. (I was taking NSAIDs, and they have helped a lot, but was warned by two doctors that they will do my innards no good. So stopped taking them. And the back and hip pain have returned. Ai yi yi.)

Hang in. If my experience is any guide, your body (and head,no doubt) will become at least somewhat accustomed to this stuff, and you will tolerate it a bit better each time.

Tina, my side effects experiences have been alot like yours and I've have doctors warn me about NSAIDS, too.  I get an infusion of Zometa with my injections so, it's hard to know what is causing what sometimes.  The drugs are working for me, so I hate to complain.  Still, this off and on pain, that worsens  "here and there" can really get me down.  Oh, and now I have lymphedema to add to my list of irritants!  I go to physical therapy for a special massage  2-3 times a week and will need to wear a compression sleeve (maybe not all the time though).  Good greif!

Robin,

As you will read, we all have different reactions to this drug, but overall, this is easy stuff. I certainly drive myself to the appointment and then back home. The injection itself can range from very painful to almost painful. My nurse and I can not for the life of us figure out why some months are worse than others. For me, the left side has been the issue. Again, why one side and not the other? Can't imagine.

After 2 years, I now get a bit of nausea the day of the injection and of course, my butts hurt! The level of fatigue that I experience in the first few days post-injection has increased a bit as well.

I can't imagine that a cruise would be a problem at all! I allow myself one day of self-pity which includes going out to eat the night of treatment so someone takes care of me just a bit.

Do make sure you read the earlier tips on positioning your body for the injection, and make SURE, absolutely SURE, that the Faslodex has been brought to room temperature before allowing them to start the injection. The difference between a cold Faslodex and a warmed Faslodex is HUGE.

Welcome to our club. I hope that the Faslodex works for you as well as it has worked for me.

*susan* 

p.s. Overall, my side effects on Faslodex have been much less severe than the aromasin that it replaced. 

Robin I have been slowly losing weight since I went off Aromasin and on Faslodex. I hope all goes well at your appt. Hugs and luvs, Mazy

Robin,

I didn't get the loading doses that others who started after me have gotten. When I started on Faslodex the protocol was one shot every 28 days, no loading. But the studies that have been published since then indicate that 2 shots per month has better outcomes. Unlike some other injections, Faslodex doesn't have a "first time worst" side effects.

I am sure others will be by to discuss how they felt after the loading injections.

*susan* 

Robin,

One dose includes two syringes. Every month you get two injections-- one left butt, one right. They are on the same day, every 28 days. Hope this helps.

*susan* 

Robyn..My loading doses were given every 2 weeks for 6 weeks..so a toal of 3 loading doses. A dose is actually 2 injections, one on each side of ur hip. The first dose was a doozy. HUgs, Mazy

Hi Everyone, I am new to Faslodex, I start next month.  I didnt realize its an injection in the muscle, that's the first problem; second problem, from what I'm reading here, there is pain associated with the Faslodex.  Are any of you pain free from it? If so, I would love to hear about it!

Hi Tina, I've been on Faslodex for 7 months now. What I have found helps is to warm the shots at room temp. They keep them in the fridge and given cold they will hurt. The nurses where I go know this. There is some ouchyness at the injection site but not enough to be a big woop! I'm also taking Xgena, it too is a injection once a month. For now I get very tired the day of and several days after. I work and take care of my 3 grandchildren. Don't get alot of chance to lay around but for now it is tolerable. I have gained about 6 pounds and I feel the being tired is attributing to it. Wish you well my friend.

Judy

Judy,

My radiation was done years before I needed the Faslodex. Sorry I can't be off any help, but maybe someone else will chime in. With my reduced brain cells, I can't remember anyone on this thread discussing this.

*susan* 

Robin, Im glad it went well for you. You have been on my mind and am relieved. HUgs tc, Mazy

Susan and Mazy, thanks so much for responding.  I have appointments with a local medical oncologist this week re the Faslodex and with my radiation oncologist next week.  Learning on Friday that I do need to move ahead with radiation in addition to doing the loading of Faslodex brought me to the boards to read more about Faslodex and see if anyone had rads at the same time.  Thanks again for sharing your experience!  *hugs* back to you....Judy