Faslodex Girls

The worst thing about this disease is that you have pain and don't know if it's progression of cancer or a side effect from all the drugs you take. I have added more ammunition to my arsenal of drugs. Now in addition to Faslodex and Zometa, I got my first shot of Lupron three days ago. Seems my ovaries have refused to give up, even though I'm 63 yrs old. Today I feel like a space cadet. I know a side effect of Lupron is dizziness but I didn't want to be sent to another planet. Has anyone else had this problem?

Hi Katie,
Glad to report my dizziness is better today. Maybe it was just a fluke. After reading of some people's side effects for Lupron on a web site (mostly those being treated for endometriosis) I was really expecting something bad. Let me know how this drug is working for you.

I am starting Faslodex tomorrow and was wondering how I was going to feel. Thanks for all the great info. As I already have joint and bone pain for osteoarthritis and muscle and tissue pain from fibromyalgia and I am on 40mg Butrans patch which lasts 7 days. It will be interesting to see if there is much of a difference. My fingers and hands are already locked and painful. I am also going to be starting radiation again for my lumbar spine. I will let you know how it goes.
Jacqueline in Ireland

Yes, I had itchy welts after my first 2 injections and I believe it was because the nurse gave it in 1 dose. Then after that my nurse wasn't there and that nurse gave it in 2 injections and it was much easier that way and I've insisted on 2 shots since then. It's much better now. Some nurses give the shots better than others as I've found out. The nurse that gives the shots real quick and painlessly is going on maturnity leave after my next treatment. Good luck Jacqueline.
As far as joint pain I don't know if it's from the zometa or the faslodex. It seems to be getting a little better though. I've had 6 months on faslodex and 5 on zometa. I would like to know what causes the joint pain too. Was also wondering why some of you ladies are on lupron.
Jan

Hi Jan & Jacqueline,
I am on Lupron because my last blood test showed I had too much estrogen in my body. Evidently my ovaries are still producing too much even though I am post-menopausal. I also have Stage IV with mets to spine and suffer from fibromyalgia. Most of the time I don't know if my pain is the fibromyalgia or the cancer. My cancer is not very active now, since my Pet scans are negative, but I know I have a small lesion in my spine that could become active. That's why I am hoping the Lupron helps. I am also on Faslodex and Zometa. My onc is doing everything she can to delay my going on chemo, which is fine with me.
Hope your all all doing well and have success with your treatments.

Got my first Faslodex injection yesterday. It didn't hurt at all, the cytamen injection I got today for my pernicious anaemia hurt a lot more going in. But my bum got really sore last night and now feels bruised and hard. So right now I have a sore bum on both sides. How long before side effects, if any, of the Faslodex start to kick in. I couldn't tolerate the Tamoxifan or Arimidex due to the side effects. So far I am just feeling extra hungry, hope that does not stay.

Joanalice, you are the first person I have met with both cancer and fibromyalgia. I let my BC go undetected for years because I thought it was fibromyalgia pain, and I was having pain all over my body. When my breast got really hot and turned almost purple I knew than that something else was going on. I had a 10 cm tumor and that tells me the cancer was there for a long time. The BC was only discovered May 2006 and I had been working for a doctor for 5 years, they were stunned and asked why I didn't mention it sooner, my answer was, I thought it was just the fibromyalgia. It is still the same, I don't know which is which. My back has been killing me for years and they have finally agreed that it is bone mets after, isotope scan, MRI, CT and PET/CT scan. Just makes we wonder where else it is.
Jacqueline

I was diagnosed with met 12/5/06 My original bc was 10 years ago 12/96. It was found in my gall bladder and more tests found it in my bones and bone marrow. It is in my complete skeletal system - especially my scull, ribs, legs. I was started on Femara daily and zomita monthly. My markers went down every month. In June I started having bone pain again, muscle pain and joint pain. It got worse as time went by and my Aug 8th appointment the oc took me off of it. I now get a shot of Faslodex monthly. Just having had my first one, I don't know what to think about the side effects. Oc says it may take 3-4 weeks for the Femara side effects to leave. I really worry about the joint pain and hope it isn't arthritis. I do have pain in the bottom of my feet. Can hardly walk when I first get up whether it is from bed in AM or if I have been sitting in a chair for awhile. Thanks for all of your comments. I am new to this site. Just found it yesterday and am excited to be able to discuss our bc mets. Peaches56.

My body couldn't handle the Femara (I took it from December through Aug.7. I had terrible bone pain, muscle aches and like I have arthritis in my joints. Onc put me on Faslodex Aug 7 along with my Zomita I V. Onc said I would continue to have pains for 3-4 weeks. I can say I really have had them. Sometimes I can hardly get up and going. I hate it. I have been taking 8 Ibuphrophen a day until Thursday when the Onc prescribed some pain meds so I could sleep better at night. Some times I feel pretty good and other times very bad. The pain seems to move around and come and go. I hope the Faslodex works, I didn't think the shot was that bad, not even a sore hip. My onc said he may switch me back and forth with the femara when my body settles down. Has anyone been subject to retrying something they have had trouble with? I am new on the board and love all the notes and helps. Peaches.

I guess we're all different with our side effects. I just got home from having my treatment and I'm curious to see how I feel after this one. I stretched this treatment to 4 weeks & 5 days and I have to say I started feeling better this past week. I don't know if it's because I'm late getting the treatment or if I'm praying that my body is getting used to it and won't have the pain as much. Time will tell. I've read where women did have bone and muscle pain with femara and I didn't experience any problem at all. I guess all we can do is keep the faith help each other with any news or help we can.
Joanalice, What is aromasin and arimadex? Are they shots and what were the side effects? There are so many drugs out there and it's good to know what they can do to your body. Sometimes I feel like a human guinea pig.
Jan

I started Faslodex last Friday , I have been having a migraine headache since yesterday, was wondering if it's related, I will start on herceptin next Friday and that's also a side effect, should I worry?