headache with Femara?

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intothewoods
intothewoods Member Posts: 449
edited August 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hello,

I am new here. Just diagnosed with bone met and a local recurrence. I've started on Femara and I have been having headaches that don't respond well to Advil or Tylenol. I'm guessing it is a side effect. Anyone else had this trouble with Femara? Any suggestions?

Lisa

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  • wintersocks
    wintersocks Member Posts: 922
    edited April 2014

    Lisa, 

    I have been on Letrozole since August 12, joint pain, hair thinning, but no headaches. Have you mentioned this to your onc? 

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  • intothewoods
    intothewoods Member Posts: 449
    edited April 2014

    Thanks, Wintersocks. I certainly will let my onc know.

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  • ByFaith
    ByFaith Member Posts: 270
    edited April 2014

     Hi Lisa,

    Headache is a common side effect of all the AIs, although each person reacts differently and not everyone experiences the same side effects. I started on Femara and switched to Arimidex after 6 months and had side effects, including daily headaches, with both. Arimidex was better overall, but that's just me. 

    I have a long history of chronic migraines. When I visited my neurologist, they noted the AI was most definitely working against me in my quest to reduce frequency of migraines. On a rare migraine-free day, I may still have to deal with a bad headache unrelieved by OTC meds. 

    Perhaps you're experiencing migraines and that's why your pain is not relieved with OTC meds.

    I'd check with your oncologist for best advice.  

    Hugs, 

    Faith

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited August 2014

    I found that letrozole was the best thing yet for my migraines. They were a major issue for me for decades, a minor issue after menopause, and hardly a blip in my life on letrozole.

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