FEMARA

Clynnejohn5, I had the shin pain in Arimidex. On Femara, I'm having more muscle discomfort than bone. Sharp, aching pains in my thighs and buttocks and stiff shoulders.

Thank you for the replies. My shin pain comes and goes but the joint pain seems to be worse with the constant rain here on the east coast. I’m refilling my femara tomorrow and hoping the side effects lessen as I’m on it longer.

Tkane10 I get foot pain too. Like something has crushed my foot. Hot baths and/or heating pad helps me.

This might be a dumb question but here I go. Does anybody know do cancer cells have like a life cycle? I mean, if there happened to be a few rogue cells in our body and we deny them the estrogen they need to grow then will they eventually die out? Or do they just hang out and wait for us to go off our anti estrogen meds and then start growing again?

For my aches and pains, I make a 1% dilution of hemp seed essential oil and Copaiba in unscented lotion. I had some CBD oil that I tried sublingually that made me hyper, so I added half a dropper in the lotion too. Helps to get rid of the pain overnight for me.

nancy, I see that you have been on several aromatase inhibitors. Was it side effects? What is cocalba lotion? You just rub it on your back or what?

I changed AIs because of side effects, yes. My MO led me to believe that there would be one that wouldn't have any or at least fewer than the others. I've had side effects with all of them. Giving Femara a try again.

Copaiba is an essential oil. I use it with hemp essential oil diluted in unscented lotion. NEVER use essential oils without diluting. No more than 5%. Before using any essential oils, check out some reputable websites to learn more about them. I recommend Edens Garden oils. Lots of info on their site. And they promote safe usage, unlike some other popular EO companies

Nancy, I use "Plus" brand. The balm I like is PlusCBDoil Balm, 100 mg.

I started using the balm and taking the supplement at the same time, a couple months ago. Maybe I could experiment and see if one or the other alone helps, but I feel so much better, I'd rather not mess with success!

This past Friday, my onc's nurse said I should start taking Famara. However my first ovarian suppression shot (zoladex) is not until this afternoon. I keep reading online and also on femaras website that femara should not be taken before complete ovarian suppression. I also remember my onc telling me the same thing at a consultation and her handwritten notes say famara 1 month after zoladex. Which would make sense because I read that zoladex does not start working for 3 weeks. It's bothering me why she would change her mind and give to me before ovarian suppression when that is advised against. I've read on several reputable sites that taking it before ovarian suppression will cause the ovaries to make more estrogen. Off topic but I was never told to get a dental clearance before my first chemo. Ive learned that this is highly recommended. Both of these things make me wonder if precautions are being taken to ensure that I have the highest chance for a successful treatment. It's bothers me and makes me wonder if I'm just a number. What do you all think? Thanks

The joint Pain I can manage. Its the weight gain that is getting me. It seems no matter what I do I keep gaining weight and have only been taking it about 15 mts, by the time I hit 5yrs I will not make it through the door . No exercise or diet control seems to help. I also notice stomach bloat much more now then ever before . Does anyone here have the same issues with weight and bloat

Hi everyone...seems like so many have an issue with weight gain and exercising while on aromatase inhibitors. It just seems contradictory to me since weight loss and regular exercise has been shown to lower recurrence rates by 40 percent. Obviously doing both would be the most beneficial but seems like very few can maintain that. We need better treatment options!

Hanes makes a stretchy short cami style bra that’s very comfy. And since it’s stretchy it conforms to your unique shape. It literally looks like a cutoff camisole. I got it at Belks.

Check with your insurance company. Mine covers prosthetics and brasbut I have to go to a specific provider.

HELP. My pharmacy (Kroger) tells me they are unable to supply me with Teva and substituted Breckinridge instead. I asked if I could at least have Accord, but unable to refill my script with that either. I checked with CVS and Publix and same story. Is there a Teva shortage or somewhere else I should check.

Teva is tolerable for me and had worse SE with Accord with hot flashes, joint pain and insomnia. Start the breckinridge tomorrow unless I can find the Teva.

Thanks!!!

If you've not tried the Breckinridge brand before, you may consider just purchasing a week's worth of it to see if you develop different/worse SEs. This could be a blessing in disguise...

novmoon, if it makes you feel any better my Pharmacy was recently bought out by another company. I had been on the Accord brand of letrozole up until that point. With the new Pharmacy buy out they are going to start using Breckenridge. I was a little concerned but had a lot of side effects on the Accord. So, the pharacist agreed to fill it with 30 days of the Breckenridge to see how I did. I've been doing much better on the Breckenridge so far. So, I agree maybe a blessing in disguise.