Faslodex Girls

Oh, Eva, it was good to read your days of feeling good and then waking with days of fear.  I realize I'm not alone.  Do we ever get over the fear?  I know if I have a good night's sleep my days are more fear-less.

And susan, thanks for your response regarding aromasin and fatigue.  I'm going to try to work through it as Today was really bad but I got out to a movie and dinner with friends  And I'm so glad I did  I think one of the secrets is to keep going.  I really do feel good other than the fatigue.  I'll figure it out.  I never was a great fan of Christmas even during the best of times so that really could be it.

Bless all of you.  So happy I found you!

Ranger,

I found radiation to be the most fatique-inducing treatment I have ever had. Wiped me out completely. My comfy office chair and I got to know each other very well. I would sit and fall asleep almost immediately.

I hope that your body recovers from that quickly, and you can then determine which s/e belong to which treatment.

*susan*

SPAM,

By the third month, you shouldn't have the energy drain anymore. I don't get that wave of fatigue so much anymore, but don't tell my husband. We go out to dinner on treatment nights, and I think it should stay that way.

*susan*

stella,

Have you read about the position you should stand in for the injection? It really does help tremendously. Wish I could remember what page of this thread that was on. It was a post by lowerRider, Sharon. If you haven't, I will endeavor to find it for you.

*susan*

Tree,

I do the opposite. The leg of the cheek currently being assaulted, holds no weight. And then reverse. Room temperature is essential!

*susan*

Thank you all I get my second dosage of the shot next week and after that once a month. I hope this medicine works. I have to say my last injection was on Friday and my butt is still sore. I can't sit on it. I hope it is better before the next injection. I will also do it in positions you guys told me.

On another note, which is completely off the subject of Faslodex, my son just called me.  And for the second time since I have been diagnosed with stage 4, 4 months ago, two of his friends mothers have died of one sort of a cancer or another. One woman had been sick for awhile, but the other died suddenly.  It's unbelievable the amount of people who are dying of cancer.  My older son was 42 years old when he died  of Melanoma cancer.  To me that's not old, but it is shocking.

By the way, he (my younger son) called to say how thankful he was that I'm still around and that the meds seem to be working.  I had to edit this so that you didn't think I was getting phone calls from heaven.

Scary stuff.

Tree, how terribly heart wrenching and for your Sons too because it brings it back to them your dx and we never know when its our day.  The Army is sending my son home to visit me at their expense, that makes me happy and sad both for him. I hope and plan to be around for several years but we never know. He's in Germany.

regarding the leg and butt and shots, my onc nurse both times had me stand on the oppostie leg she was going to inject. Example, standing on left leg, right butt check got the shot and vise versa.  She also warmed up the shot in advance for me to room temp. The first set of shots felt like it did back in the old day after some great you-know-what if you get my drift. LOL  My injection sites hurt so back for about 4 days. The nxt shots were't as bad. This Thurs I get my next set, then I go to once a month.

Susan, I see you have 2 and half years NED with Faslodex, boy is that encouraging.  How soon do they do the first can after being on it? Is it a bone scan they do? thanks

All, just met my doc and all is well. I just hit 8 months on faslodex, my doc says that 8 months is the median time research has shown it to be effective. So love hearing Susan's story and I know there are others. I'm NED as well and one year since stage 4 diagnosis. 

I'm still on quarterly scans, sigh. I hope to move to every 6 months after March. 

Can anyone on the thread with over two years on Faslodex check in? 

I believe LuAnn got 7 years. You might want to PM her.

*susan*

I tried another approach to the injections and it's worked well for me.  I have both sides done at once.  Room temp. only, that's a must.  I will even wait 1/2 hr. for it to warm if need be (I feel the syringes myself!)  Then, I stretch out each side by bringing one knee up at a time towards my chest; then walk alittle.  Has worked like a charm, no problems with the injections so far. 

I had my shots yesterday. I still think laying down is the easiest for me. Also using a heating pad for a good ten minuets afterwards as my husband rubs the injection sites to work out the lumps.

EvaP...The Faslodex web site states the median time for the drug to work is 24 months. We are all different. Faslodex did not work at all for two women at my support group, but thankfully has been working for years for many on this site.I hope it will continue to work for you.

Long Live The Faslodex Girls

Hi Syr mom,



My mom has multiple bone mets and has been on Faslodex since June 2012. I was looking on this thread for any mention of anemia because my mom was just told had anemia after she complained of major fatigue. Her iron and other levels were normal so her onc thinks its related to Faslodex. I couldn't find much online so I was glad to see your post. Maybe she is one of the 4.5% of cases? We are just hoping it doesn't have anything to do with her bone marrow function:(
She got a shot (aranesp) last week and it seems to be helping with her fatigue. Onc doesn't seem too concerned.

Good luck to you.

Ranger, I had one month of itching. I didn't do anything, but I think a benadryl cream might help. I was just too lazy to go buy something.

Today is a sad day for me. I arrived at the hospital and discovered that I would not be getting my regular nurse Linda. Instead I would have Nurse Judy who was actually my original chemo nurse. The two of them are often a pair, so I just thought Linda was taking the day off, or had a conference. Imagine my shock! She has been transferred off the floor. Last year she broke her leg which never healed and now she has broken her wrist. Can't be an onc nurse with both a limp and only one hand. I am heartbroken. I told the head nurse that I should have gotten a call. One of the things that makes my hospital special is that you always get the same nurse.

Injections were fine. Took a 30 minute nap this afternoon, the longest I can manage these days. Just finished eating far too much Chinese food.

*susan*