anyone take Femara every other day?

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Chutney
Chutney Member Posts: 38
edited November 2017 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Need to reduce "side" effects and wondering if any of the wonderful wmomen here have tried this tactic.  thanks :)

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  • jkcrml
    jkcrml Member Posts: 65
    edited June 2010

    Hi, i started on Femara 3 months ago and have a lot of side effects, i started taking it only on the week days and not on the weekends. It has really helped me, not sure how effective the drug is because of this but at least i can do things.

    Karen

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  • Chutney
    Chutney Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2010

    thanks for your response.  i read that the drug stays in your system for 2 weeks after you stop taking it completely so a level of the drug would be maintained at every other day or weekdays only.  as the drug doesn't guarantee non-recurrence, I'm thinking it's a decent trade off for a reduction of SEs.  thanks again for your reply. 

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  • jenn1975
    jenn1975 Member Posts: 103
    edited June 2010

    I just started taking it yesterday so I was wondering what types of SE's you  all have had?

    Jennifer

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  • Chutney
    Chutney Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2010

    there's some info on line re femara side effects - this site seems to be pretty decent: http://www.chemocare.com/bio/femara.asp

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  • jenn1975
    jenn1975 Member Posts: 103
    edited June 2010

    I have now been on Femara every day for 2 weeks and so far so good... no side effects

    Jennifer

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited June 2010

     Jennifer

    My side effects kicked in about 3 weeks after I started. I now feel weather fronts acutely, and my bones even seem to know when the rain increases.

    I'm Stage III, so I won't be complaining much about a drug that hopefully help keep me alive. I will be researching supplements and also will attempt to keep active.  Movement is key to alleviating stiffness, so even if it hurts you have to get out and exercise.  I'm going to try my first yoga class this week, if my first Zometa infusion doesn't prevent that.

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  • maltomlin
    maltomlin Member Posts: 343
    edited June 2010

    I've been on Femara for over 18 months and my s/e are negligible. A bit achy sometimes in the morning but as soon as I move around it goes. I still have 'chemo brain' and suspect that's down to the little tablets too. But I'm now over 2 years from dx and if it keeps the beast at bay it's worth it.

    My son is a pharmacist and tells me that the half-life (how long it is before the effect starts to wear off) is about 2 days. I have occasionally forgotten to take it and not worried unduly because of this but would have a word with my onc before reducing the dose.

    Take care

    Mal

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  • jenn1975
    jenn1975 Member Posts: 103
    edited June 2010

    Thanks for the responses... hopefully I wont get any of the side effects because I work out everyday. I am the manager of a health club and a personal trainer. I never even had one side effect through chemo except hair loss. I have been on Zometa since September of 2009 and have had nothing from that either so I am keeping my fingers crossed!

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  • jenn1975
    jenn1975 Member Posts: 103
    edited July 2010

    So I went to go get my prescription filled yesterday for the 1st time for Femara (I had a sample from the doctor's office for my 1st month) and I almost fell over... it was $98. I have the very best plan that Blue Cross Blue Shield offers.

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  • laurasf
    laurasf Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2011

    according to what I have read and my oncologist, there is nothing proven to show that Femara prevents recurrence of breast cancer. I felt that quality of life meant more to me than taking a drug with no promises. I could not bear the pain and decided my life off of femara was better.

    No more pain, foggy brain or drained pocket book. Side effects be gone ...

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited April 2011

    Laura - Frankly I'm a bit suspicious of your post as it shows that it's your very first post - most women's first posts are a bit different.  But assuming your post is legitimate, I will respond.  There are different levels of risks and benefits depending on our individual dx.  It sounds that in your particular case with your particular dx, your onc agrees that you may receive little to no benefit from Femara.  In that case, it makes sense for you to decline Femara. 

    But studies show that others of us who have been dx at different stages, tumor grades, etc. do receive benefits from Femara.  It's a risk v. benefits calculation for all of us.  I am glad for you that your apparent risk of recurrence is so low that you are comfortable declining Femara.  I unfortunately do not fall into that category, so I will continue to take Femara and deal with the s/es as long as I can. 

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  • Rozz
    Rozz Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2016

    I am so interested in this too. I started Femara two weeks ago and started getting terrible pain in my feet. It was so bad I could hardly walk so I thought maybe taking the Femara every other day would help. I see you posted in 2011 so how are you doing and did you receive blood work and a bone density test? Thank you so much for submitting this on Femara

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  • Delvzy
    Delvzy Member Posts: 527
    edited November 2017

    Has anyone sent more info on cutting back on Femara

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