Anyone on Faslodex?

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mom2acat
mom2acat Member Posts: 556
edited September 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
I was on Tamoxifen Jan 2004-April 2006, then Arimidex April 2006-April 2007.

After being dx with bone mets this April, I was switched to the Faslodex injections; once monthly, and so far I have had 2. I actually get the shot in two injections instead of one, since I do not have as the onc. nurse put it, "much meat on my bones".

I just wondered what your experience with side effects are with this drug. While I was on the Arimidex, my hot flashes actually started tapering off, but now they are back with a vengence, night sweats too.

Also, since the 2nd shot, which was 3 weeks ago, it still hurts where I got the injection on the left side, if I press on that spot it hurts. My left hip and leg are achy on that side too. I am wondering if with that last injection if the needle hit a nerve. I'm due for my next shot on the 19th; I also get Zometa at the same time.
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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited June 2007
    I am on Faslodex, my second injection is going to be next week. The nurse had me lean over slightly and the put my weight on the side I was not getting the injection in. She had me lightly stand on my toe (if that makes sense). I only had a little burning from the alcohol she used to clean the area. I have not had any other real side effects. If you go out to faslodex's website it has a very cool video on how it works. This shot allows your estrogen to flow but knows how to clog the tumor receptors so they can't feed off your estrogen.

    LuAnn
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  • JeanOneal
    JeanOneal Member Posts: 23
    edited June 2007

    I have had five Faslodex injections and except for pain while having, I am not sure there are other side effects. Since I am on oral chemo (Xeloda) and Zometa-the aching bones and fatigue may be from them. Jean

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2007
    Hi girls,

    This month I have been on Faslodex for 1 year! Same here as no side effects besides a sore behind for about four days. Nurse has me in same position to get that lllooonnnngggg shot. (time.....not length of needle) It takes one to two minutes to receive injection. Funny though, after getting 12 injections, sometimes there is pain at time of injection....sometimes not. But ALWAYS sore buttock!

    Jean, LuAnn & mom, are you getting faslodex after failure on Femara? I am. Original dx 5/02. 2.5cm IDC lumpectomy 3/17 nodes positive. 12/03 local recurrence w/ mets to skull, L3 and small area on outer lining of spinal cord. Rads, herceptin, femara, & zometa: NED until 5/06 FOUR tumors local recurrence (AGAIN). bi-lat mast (in hind sight, wish I'd cut the darn things off to begin with) stopped zometa & femara. Continued herceptin, started faslodex. Currently NED again. Gotta love NED!

    Mom2acat, I was thinking about posting this same question! Glad to see your post. I was wondering if anyone else has been on faslodex as long as me.

    Beth
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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited June 2007
    Beth,

    I was on Arimidex & Zometa (bone mets dx 7/07)7/06 to 2/07, I developed Lupus & RA so onc switched me to Aromasin. Aromasin 2/07 to 5/07, was a failure, had mild progression. An now on Faslodex, Herceptin & Zometa. I am hoping I get a nice long run with this combo. Lesion on my sternum has noticably decreased since starting herceptin 3 weeks ago so I take this as a positive sign!

    LuAnn
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  • mom2acat
    mom2acat Member Posts: 556
    edited June 2007
    Maybe my hot flashes will lessen again in time; maybe it's just the switch from the Arimedex to the Faslodex that has my hormones screwed up now.

    Thank you ladies for your responses!
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  • JeanOneal
    JeanOneal Member Posts: 23
    edited June 2007

    Beth-you asked if we had been on Femera before Faslodex. I had been on Femera and Aromasin and Arimidex. Extreme bone pain with them all so am doing better with Faslodex.

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  • mom2acat
    mom2acat Member Posts: 556
    edited June 2007
    I had my onc. appt. today; he said the leg and hip pain could be nerve pain, and since my tumor markers are going down, he does not think it is cancer related. He did send me for xrays today though, to check the progress of the healing from the radiation I had.

    Had my Faslodex today too, and an experiecing the sore hind end myself right now. It mostly feels like a "stinging" pain.
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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited June 2007
    I have been very fortunate so far, no sore hip to speak of. The most I have had is the burning on injection.

    LuAnn
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  • ming
    ming Member Posts: 57
    edited June 2007
    I just started on Faslodex after 20 months on femara. Slight progression showed femara had quick working. The nurse used the same procedure LuAmm described but she added that I take a deep breath right before the injection and blow it out very slowly over the time it takes to empty the shot out. I get two injections too. She said the breath thing helps relax the muscle. She also said massage or rub the injection sites with my hand to keep from getting a hard little knot. When my onc said the shots hurt I thought it was the needle that hurts. The achy feeling while the thick medicine goes in was not really bad. I think I can live with it!!

    Sounds like some good response - great to hear about the NED Beth -
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  • Momonana6
    Momonana6 Member Posts: 186
    edited August 2014

    Hi Ladies,  I have been on Faslodex since January of 2014,,,,very little side effects...some slight sore butt.  Only new issue is some nausea a few days after the shots.   Anyone have similar occurrence?  I am taking Herceptin along with the Faslodex....all in all virtually no side effects.  I took Arimidex, aromasin, and Femara for 5 yrs.....oooooo now those produced s/e....painful joints and serious wrist problems that disappeared when they were discontinued.  I have heard of women who have been taking Faslodex for a numbers of years.  Wow maybe that will be us!!  Peg

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  • Cstruble28
    Cstruble28 Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2014

    I have been on Faslodex for 6 months and up until 3 months ago I could handle hot flashes, dizziness, and even painful shots( whatever it takes right?) but now my otherwise cheery disposition and energy levels have plummeted into the depths of depression! I have 2 grandchildren and really want to stick around for them, but lately thoughts of just letting go have started popping up on a regular basis. My heart is always heavy and I would rather live with cancer than be this person I'm forced to be right now! DO NOT WANT ANTI DEPRESSANTS!!!! More layering on top of the issues

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  • highhopes
    highhopes Member Posts: 58
    edited August 2014

    Hi all,

    I had my third injection this past Wednesday.  The shots produced a stinging feeling  and my butt was sore that day.  I did a little massaging on the site and took a 30 minute walk after the injection to get the meds moving.  I alternated between witch hazel and calamine lotion swabs on the injection site to ward off any itching from the shots.  Previously I was on Femara for 17 months before my markers rose slightly.  Had a bone scan, nothing new appeared (yea).   My onc decided to be proactive and switch me from Femara to Faslodex.  Funny when I went through menopause, I never experienced any hot flashes.  When I went on Femara, hot flashes was the only side effect I had.  With Faslodex, I'm stilling having the hot flashes and the sore butt but so far no other side effects.   I exercise almost every day and try to stay active.  When I feel I need to rest I do that too.  Thanks for the tip about the deep breath when getting the shot.  . 


     

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  • crazylifex3
    crazylifex3 Member Posts: 19
    edited September 2014

    I started Falsodex on July31st, and experienced a huge amount of pain across my lower back, and developed a rash! I told my oncologist that I did NOT want to continue these shots and be in that amount of pain again!!! He actually convinced me today to have a shot of pain meds {dilaudid) before the injection of Falsodex. Also the Falsodex was lowered to 250mg instead. Im hoping that I do not have the terrible lower back pain like I did before. If this is the case Ill be so done with this type of treatment!!

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  • highhopes
    highhopes Member Posts: 58
    edited September 2014

    Crazylifex3,

    So sorry to hear that you had such a terrible reaction and that the back pain has disappeared.  When you get  you're next shot, check with them to see that the Faslodex was warmed up and that the injection is given slowly.  The shot does hurt even with trying to relax the muscle.  Hoping you are feeling better.

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  • crazylifex3
    crazylifex3 Member Posts: 19
    edited September 2014

    I tried the Falsodex shot again and this time my Oncologist suggested half the dose and the injection on one side. Unfortunately, I had nearly the same reaction... Back pain etc. I've decided that this shot just isn't for me! I will now be starting Halaven on September 25th.  I'm hoping that all goes well with this chemotherapy !!!

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  • highhopes
    highhopes Member Posts: 58
    edited September 2014

    Best of luck with the new med and to minimal side effects.


     

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