Faslodex Girls Thread 2014

Has anyone heard of a new protocol where Faslodex is injected into the thigh muscle, rather than the butt? Someone in the Fas & Ibrance just went for their 1st injection and was surprised by the new location. She was told it was new protocol to avoid hitting nerves. Interesting...

Tina, I googled around too, found nothing. Remember the article reviewing best practices for large volume IM injections some pages back? The one from http://www.OncologyNurseAdvisor.com that showed the Z track method? That article showed 3 alternative injection sites, and there was one on the thigh. Maybe her clinic follows this protocol?

Hi, i will be starting Faslodex soon. Anybody have nausea with it? Im really worried because i did not do well on chemo and was throwing up all the time.

Oh thank you. That gives me hope!!!!

I had my faslodex injections on Tues given by a different nurse to previous times. The first injection stung but stopped paining when she stopped; however the second one really hurt and has continued hurting. I've quite a large solid lump around the site which I am massaging in order to break it down. I guess she didn't inject into the right area...

I have found varying degrees of lumps, bruising, immediate or lasting pain and itching to be expected as part and parcel of these injections. Sometimes these side effects are minimal, sometimes not. Some vanish after a few days, some in a few weeks. The same nurse has given most of my injections for more than four years. The first year was the worst. I think her skills have improved while I've become more relaxed and tolerant. Once in a while, however, it can still be a major pain in the tush.

Tina

Smellimd82, it's good to hear from you. I'm glad you're doing so well!

Tina

Hi Artistatheart and Tina, It sure is one pain in the butt on top of everything else. I still have a big sore lump (rather like moi). So happy though that faslodex is helping to keep me stable. I presume not getting the injection properly doesn't affect its efficacy? I'm paranoid but at this stage I tend to believe that if it can go wrong it will go wrong..

Tina,

Thanks for clarifying about the 'sore lumps'. Just another SE then, I can cope with this.

Gxx

I called Astra Zeneca about the shot in the thigh. They said only in the buttocks unless the FDA approves the thigh, and they also have not heard anything about it. I asked my nurse this week and she said the thigh would pose more problems in her estimation. So guess the butt is it for now. I laid down this time ( on my side with leg bent) for both shots and it seemed a bit better on my left side where I have so much sciatica problems.

I never had nausea either with Faslodex.

Will get mine this Friday, and will ask, of course about the thighs. But I really hope that they would use a smaller needle-ugh.

artist, are all of your liver enzyme readings high, or just your Alk Phos? My Alk Phos was as high as 444 during my first few months on Faslodex+Ibrance. But my UCLA onc said she wasn't concerned because my ALT and AST were okay. My Alk Phos has been steadily coming down in the past 3 mos, so I do think that one can be related to these meds.

Artist, Fingers crossed that your enzymes come back down and you can continue with Faslodex. Try not to worry too much.

Welcome wakebrat7! Hope you will find this an easy and effective tx.

Hi Kelli, glad this tx has gotten you to NED and hope you stay that way for a loooooong time! 33 is way too young to have to deal with this dx. Sending hugs and hope you are feeling well and enjoying life.

Lisajo, even though my TMs are usually pretty reliable, my UCLA onc once said she doesn't worry about them unless they double. In other words, those little ups and downs -- even 10% like your increase -- don't tell the whole story. And I'm not sure without going back and reading your earlier posts why you are afraid of Ibrance. For many of us, it seems to be a wonder drug. Yes, we complain about SEs here amongst ourselves. But for many of us, the SEs are very manageable.

artist, fingers crossed that your next bloodwork is better! I sometimes think the head trip these lab results do on us can be as damaging (that old mind-body connection) as anything!

Hi SuzieP, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. Very glad to hear the you aren't having side effects as of now. We hope that you respond well to the meds, and that your side effects stay at a minimum!!