FEMARA

I was changed from arimidex to femara.  I still feel tired, worn out and old.  I have 4 more years to go and am wondering how I am going to handle taking femara.  Don't know of anyother options.

Exercise is the key to getting rid of the joint and muscle pain from letrozole. Just start walking as slowly as you need to and build it up over time. It really helps!

Scottiee, exercise is the key for me too. I eat a healthy diet with lots of veggies and I try to get an average of 1.5 hours of exercise a day, mostly walking and some light weight work.



Chrissy, I have been wondering about B12, because I had some things going on that could be from low B12. Any particular reason you focused on B12?

Thanks, Chrissy. I have taken a B supplement for the last two months and it does seem to have helped various ailments. I was thinking of getting my level checked next time I have blood work done.

My MO told me last visit that they are currently running tests to determine whether or not a longer time on femara/letrozole would be more beneficial.  To be honest, I don't much care.  I am completely determined to do the full 5 years, and equally determined not to do a moment longer.  I've been on it 9 months now.  Exercise and supplements help, but my joints do hurt.

Femara is keeping me alive full stop. I hope I can take it for the next twenty years!

I took my first dose of Femera today and I am scared to death of SE. I was under the impression that the only side effect might be hot flashes but I see this impression is wrong. Just googled it (dangerous thing to do sometimes) and I read the whole list of possible SE's. Of course, I'm going to do what the MO says. The thought of some sneaky stray cells lurking is more scary than SE's.  It just sucks that with BC, it's always something.

Hi Everyone,

Well, I have one more month of Femara, after being on it since 2007!! Two different oncs say that they haven't proven its beneficial after 5 years, so I have to stop. I am so scared to stop taking it! You all can make it fine for the 5 years. It seems like the side effects got much better after year 3. I actually havent felt the pains, aches and general fatigue in a long time. Actually since I havent been having side effects, I hope its still working. Just think of the SEs as proof that you are fighting this.

Momine, thanks so much for your response. Of course, I'm going to take the meds regardless of SE's. The thought of stray cancer cells is way worse. From what you say, it does sound doable, if not entirely pleasant but what is pleasant about BC anyway?? I've had a rough time of it. Had an MX of right side which was totally uneventful and much easier than I thought. Got great news and 1 week after - pathology report showed everything gotten. On the 8th day my chest swelled like a balloon, turned purple and green and I was in agony. Surgeon said rush to ER where he did emergency surgery for a massive hematoma and took out 1,000 cc's of blood. 3 days later, I started massive bleeding again and needed another emergency surg. I was so sick. Blood pressure 80/54, just sick. In intensive care then it just started improving. So I go home and then the surgical scar opened up which is where I'm at now. Have to clean it, put bacitracin in it and bandage it 2x a day. My original surgery date was 6/7 so this is going on awhile. I'm diabetic which is why it's healing so slowly. I guess if I dealt with all that, what's a few SE's, right?

Walker2222 - I also exercise everyday.  I work with light weights, walk, Pilates, and Zumba.  My Radiologist strongly recommended I take up exercise, eliminate all alcohol and eat whole foods to mitigate side effects.  Its definitely working for me.

I have tried wine and endup having a big hot flash.  Not worth the flashes eventhough I like a good Zen!

bevg49,

I am on day 40 with Femara, and like you, I was scared to death...I waited 2 weeks even to fill the perscription and then another few days before I popped a pill.   So far I have minor hot flushes, not so bad, first few days a little dizziness and that passed.   My biggest problem now is emotional...I am constantly in tears, super sensitive, my family and good friends are aware of this and are being very tolerant.   If this is as bad as it gets I will deal with it....this too will pass.

I'm on day 3 of taking the Femera and I have to say, I have not had any SE's whatsoever, not even a hot flash. I don't know if they are going to start later on, but if this is it, I consider myself lucky. The really bad thing is the emotional part. Even before starting the med, I am having major problems with moods. I am either crying for almost no reason or enraged at people, mainly my husband, sister, son and daughter. They have been there for me during this horrible time and I don't know why I am overreacting but very little things make me super mad then I end up crying for 10 minutes. My husband made fun of a show I like to watch. I told him to drop dead then cried.... I offered my sister a booklet on lymphadema (she was diagnosed same week as me). She said thanks but no thanks, she knows it all and doens't want to know too much anyway. It hurt my feelings and I got mad then cried... I am losing it and I'm afraid the Femara will make it worse. Of well, time will tell I guess. There are always psychiatric hospitals lol.

Sisters!!!

I know what you are going through.  I believe that the BC 'plays' with our emotions a lot!!!!  I too have had some of those days where for no apparent reason the tears won't stop flowing (yesterday was one of those days) but they are happening less frequently than a few months ago.  I have been glad to be able to use this site to vent on and know that others feel things too, (guess that is where the statement "misery loves company" describes us).

Sorry if this to too much of a repeat of a previous post....

WE ARE STRONG AND ARE DETERMINED TO BEAT THIS MONSTOR!!!  keep hanging in there friends...

Vickie

   By the time we get to start taking the AI's we have already been on the emotional roller coaster of finding out that we have BC and then the emotional side of the treatments.  Eventually the emotions of having BC finally catch up with us and in a lot of cases, still have to be dealt with then add in the AI's...........well we all know where that lands us. 

 The emotional side of taking any of the AI's is caused by the lessening of estrogen.Once the estrogen levels have dropped your body will even out and the crying jags will not be as bad nor as often. Hang in there ladies as it does get better. 

Love n hugs.   Chrissy