FEMARA

WindingShores -

I had my BMX in February. I had post-op complications and was told to start the AI at the beginning of May. The MO did not seem to have a problem with the delay.

Anastrozole did not work for me, even though I titrated my dose. I titrated letrozole to full dose and have done well. There are side effects but they are manageable.

So far, while there are issues with my sex life, it exists. No so with anastrozole.

Windingshores, it's a difficult situation. You are a good friend. I hope you are able to get your friend's doctors working with you. I agree with Shetlandpony, perhaps a visit to the doctor with your friend would be beneficial, it would show to them that she wants you involved.

Thanks, MsPharoah. I will see how I get on with taking it at night, but for sure I will switch if I need to. I will definitely bear what you say in mind. I'm not the best sleeper, so don't need anything else keeping me awake

catsrus- mspharoah reminded me I should have also mentioned I take 20-25mg of melatonin every night, usually 10 or so minutes after the Femara (though there's no set time in between). If I don't take melatonin I have insomnia (I also have ADHD so have taken melatonin for years anyway). Melatonin is something that's possibly very good for breast cancer patients to take anyway (lots of info if you google it). I've found this is the best melatonin for me, by far, though unfortunately it's not the cheapest. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GFHPLQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage Maybe it's more effective for me because it's sublingual?

pboi- The muscle and nerve pain was from my ALND surgery. Mine was extensive, so I've had a lot of issues, and the radiation exacerbated all of them! During and after chemo I had pain all over the place, but the consistent pains has been joint pain, mostly in my hands, knees and feet (like arthritis). I know now it's a side effect from menopause, so I think when it was happening during chemo it was my body starting menopause (at least partly). I saw an increase with the oophorectomy and beginning Femara, but the pain leveled back to where it was rather quickly. Now it comes and goes but so far is very well controlled with the glucosamine supplement I mentioned in the post you read!

I will say this- I don't think you'll really know what kind of possible ongoing pain you're going to have until you're well beyond chemo and rads. I'm almost 4 months post rads and 7 months post chemo and only now am starting to think I'm finally experiencing what may be at least close to my "new normal," though I'm sure things will continue to change even now! The healing and improvement process is sooooooo much longer than I expected. To give you an idea, the muscles under my radiated areas are STILL very sore, as if the whole area is bruised. They've improved greatly over the past few weeks, but I'm still absolutely shocked at how long it's taking them to recover.

thx Texas, very helpful!

Are any of you experiencing hair loss since starting Femara? If so, when did it start? How much?

Poppy K,

My hair is not so much falling out as not growing, particularly on top. Pre bc I had the thickest hair, I mean it was mad thick, now I just cannot believe how fine it has become and quite soft too. I try to keep in short now and I struggle with the fringe, if it sticks up at all my scalp is visible in certain lights. I find it really depressing. I have been on Letrozole for nearly 3 years.

What is your hair like?

Thanks for the responses.

I had a lot of fine, wavy hair, which I lost with chemo. When my hair came in again, it was very soft, fine and extremely curly. Right now, it's about 3 inches long if I pull it straight. I've left it alone because I don't want it to fall out, so it's in curls close to my head. I don't know if it's my imagination, but it seems my hairline is "receding". I've always shed a fair amount of hair, but I don't know if that's what is going on. BTW, neither of my grandmas (or grandpas for that matter) had their hair thin as they aged.

hi Everyone! I've been taking exemestane since February but I stopped almost 3 weeks ago thanks to feet, ankle, knee, arm pain and swelling. I'm feeling better so my MO wants to switch me to Femera. So I guess I'm hair checking this thread out to see how people are feeling on it.

My hair got pretty thin while on Femara. It came back nicely in the last two years that I have been off the drug.. However in April I had a Reclast infusion for Osteoporosis and it started to come out in almost handfuls. Sigh....

JUST KEEPS GOING DOWNHILL.......😩

Artsee

Hi all - I shed a lot of hair (dermatologist said 1/4 - 1/3) 3 years before BC dx, from going thru menopause (around 47) and going on Blood Pressure medicine. Apparently BP meds cause hair loss even though they don't tend to publicize this SE. I had short layered hair which became hard to manage. My hair is fine in texture but I had tons of it. I have since grown it longer and it has filled in pretty well except I have a little more forehead. The derm explained that we go thru 'shedding phases normally' and of course, the loss of estrogen makes it that much worse. Being on Femara has not seemed to cause more hair to fall out but then again, I already had drained my body of estrogen. My hair dresser tells me he sees a lot of baby hairs when I go to have it trimmed. I did try Rogaine but I didn't like how it made my scalp itchy. I might have been allergic. I also got scared by reading that it causes you to shed more hair before it grows new hair but I know many women use it with good results. The one difference I see since being on Femara is that my hair seems a little more frizzy.

Does anyone here know of a post-menopausal bc patient with osteoporosis being treated with Letrozole/Femara for more than five years? I was post-menopausal and diagnosed with osteoporosis before bc.

Hi Ladies,

I'm a newbie here. Was diagnosed with DCIS in January, stage 0, had a lumpectomy. Radiation (16 treatments) in March-April. I started Femara at the beginning of June. My side effects are joint pain and terrible hot flashes. When I get out of bed in the morning I feel about 90 years old. (I just turned 55 and have always been in good health.) I'm also having eye disturbances; terrible watering and swollen. Not sure this is related and am visiting the eye doctor today. I'm strongly considering discontinuing the Femara. When my oncologist gave me the information about it he said without it I have an 8% chance of reoccurrence and with 5 years of it my risk goes down to 4%. I'm not sure that is enough of a difference to feel bad for 5 years. Would appreciate some insight from anyone!

Welcome mommafletch,

You may find this section helpful on Femara and SE's: Femara

We really hope the side effects get better!

hi everyone, I wanted to ask if anyone has problems with swelling after a lumpectomy. My left breast is now bigger than my right with swelling. I'm prone to blame it on the antidepressant citalopram since I seem to be really sensitive to anything that stimulates prolactin. Also tomorrow have an ultrasound of lumps on my right breast and hoping it's just because left breast is not draining to the left side anymore . Scared. And to top it of its the birthdate of my son who died when he was twenty two. Might as well be sad all at once I guess. I'm really sick o pain. Bother emotional and physical.

Is it to late to go to a half dose of letrozole and then step it up or should I wait till my ovaries are out and then try. I really need to loose weight by ao sore it's hard to walk fast enough for a good workout. Going to do chair yoga from you tube tonight thou cause the floor one causes to much pain even if it is for beginners .

T.