Faslodex Girls

I just went back through my records and found that it was 4 months before my tumor markers showed any downward motion; and 10 months before they were back to what became my new normal [ie. higher than my norm for the four years before that.]

Hope this helps. Though, as you know, this is so individual I can't say that this is par-for-the-course.

*susan*

I just started faslodex in August. My tumor marker continues to go up but my PET scan showed the medicine is working. Today my marker is 788, up from 480. Anyone else seeing jumps like this? I am freaking out!

Hi kshammond, I can't help -- my onc doesn't measure my tumor markers. Well he did once, way back at the beginning, but they were barely out of normal range so he never measured them again.

One prevailing theory is the Faslodex is killing the cancer cells, causing them to be in the bloodstream to be "washed out". I have ZERO idea whether that would be true.

For a lot of women TMs don't mean much. If the scans are better, that's WAY more important.

It's hard not to worry.

I'll have to ask my onc how he feels about tumor markers. He's a minimalist at heart; I can see him not measuring just to cut down on the worry factor.

Nursie, yes, I have had intermittent mild nausea, very sporadic and easy to control with over-the-counter stuff like Emetrol and ginger chews/lozenges.

As far as loss of appetite, no.

Tina

Nurise,

I get what I call "rolling nausea" after my Faslodex shot. This is not a medical term, but instead reflects how I feel. Generally I get my shot at 10:30, and my nausea has calmed by 4 [after my nap.] The next two days I can feel unsettled. Day 3 and 4 are my fatigue days. Loss of appetite? I have taken more drugs in the last 8 years that claim that SOMEBODY gets loss of appetite, but that person is never me.

I think we should get a Chinese menu with each new drug so that we can check off the side effects that we prefer. I would choose weight loss, and loss of appetite as my top preferences! ;-)

*susan*

Interestingly, I was going to make a crack a la "I wish!" about Fasoldex causing weight loss when I posted here and something stopped me. I had a vision of my formerly plump Mom and two sturdy brothers in their last days with cancer, wasted away, cadaverous. And I thought, "Yes, Tina, you're really overweight and some of it is doubtless from Faslodex, but don't jinx yourself with a smart remark."

Never thought of myself as superstitious, but one can't be too careful! ;-)

Tina

Thank you ladies.

I get the flu like feeling but not till 2nd or 3rd day.

Hi Chris, yes I always feel body achy and my bones hurt for a few days after my shots but it might also be the Xgeva??? Then it gets better. As far a weight goes, I have definitely put on some weight since going on faslodex, even though my diet hasn't really changed. Clothes are feeling a little tight...:). Kelly

thank you so much ,im not getting zometa or xgeva as mo says my teeth are to bad to have those .I wanted to get all my dental work done but mynew onc ,says because my last onc gave me zometa that she wont give it to me ..its so nice to have you all .

chris

Hi Faslodex sisters,

I had my 30th set of injections yesterday, and today I feel like a mack truck hit me. I'm don't know if this is the flu, or if it's the Fas, because I've never had this kind of reaction on the drug before. I have to say I hope it's the Faslodex. I didn't get my flu shot yet, but this is definitely a reminder.

My bones don't hurt, but I just feel extremely fatigued, have a headache, and my muscles are a bit achy all over. So why would this be affecting me like this now, when the first two and a half years on the drug were fairly easy?

How are you feeling now, chris?

Tina, I just realized I had my 3oth injection yesterday. We're on the same schedule, as I started in July of 2011, too.

Tina, yes, you're right. I need to get my flu shot ASAP. Just as soon as I recover from my Fas shots!

Actually, I'm feeling much better tonight. No headache, no other flu symptoms- just pretty tired. I went out to dinner with my husband tonight, which helped. I think this is just a reaction from the drug, and I'm spoiled because for the last couple of years, I haven't had any problems except a sore bottom.

Hey, I'll take it, fatigue and all, as long as it keeps doing the job!

Has anyone had continuous headache from faslodex ? I have a headache that just won't quit and getting another shot in two days

Maureen,

No headache here, just butt and back aches. Have you ruled out the usual suspects like sinus issues, vision changes,etc.?

(Can it be that you are on the same Thursday injection schedule as Susan and I?)

Tina