Faslodex Girls

did our old one get bumped that far down the line?

yeah Shari!  Love to hear when a tx is working

I have been on nexium for years.  I think my A/C from my original chemo tore up my stomach and I didn't know it was acid reflux and dealt with the terrible pains for years before i got help.  This is one of those times one of those stupid commericials paid off.  I have been noticing a little more reflux lately so I suppose it could be the faslodex.

Oz, don't say that.....I want you to stay on the hormonals with us.  I know you are dreading having to move to chemo.  Faslodex is the slowest starting and can take 4 to 6 months to get going, problem is you don't always want to give the disease that much free time to get ahead of you 

I've been on Faslodex since last fall, I have no reaction to it other than itchy bumps at the injection sites, which don't happen every time. I am already on reflux meds since last year's 8 cycles of Xeloda which gave me gastritis. Interesting though to think that Faslodex could cause stomach issues. I'll ask about this next time. My onc told me also it is a slow starter. I had another chest wall nodule come up since starting it, it was cancerous but very low ER sensitivity which is unlike my other cancerous tissues which have been removed. My onc said stay on the Faslodex anyway since scans have been good. Of course I am due for a CT next week and starting to get anxious. Don't freak, OZ, stress is your enemy! Warm bath and glass of wine???

I was taken off Aromasin today and  had my first Faslodex shot and wonder what the side effects will be.  Didn't know it  takes so long to take effect.  I'll keep all of you in my prayers.

Take care,

Geech

Hi girls,

 I was telling you about my tumor markers creeping up since June. Well, the bone scan showed mets to my skull and thoracic spine. I am starting Faslodex on Monday. 1st 500 mg. and then next month 250 from there on. It is so comforting to know that you are all out there and that I am not alone. I sort of expected it, but the shock still stings! I had a PET/CT today and an MRI tomorrow. I only hope that nothing more shows up. Thanks for listening, Greta

Hi LuAnnH,

  Thank you, You are truly the best. Will I continue with Zometa when he begins the Fasolodex on Monday? Since the met is in the skull and spine, I sure need something to keep the bones strong. Did this mean that the Zometa was not working? I am blaming myself now, as I drank a glass of wine with dinner and the doctor at Sloan said "No wine it increases the Estrogen." I will keep you informed. Once again I thank you and hope that things are settling down for you as well. You had a rough week last week. Greta

Greta, you can do Zometa and Faslodex simultaneously, I have been since last fall and feeling very well. Good luck to you!

the other ladies beat me to it, yes you do both at the same time.  Don't beat yourself up over the glass of wine.  You have to measure both quality and quantity of life.  Do what keeps you happy, and one glass I doubt is going to make a huge difference.  I did hear though that folic acid will offset the estrogenic effect of alcohol.  Basically, take a little folic acid the day you want to have your glass of wine and life should be ok.

As for the injection, we do it in the restroom and I bend slightly and lean on the handicap rail in there.  If I am getting the injection on the left side I tip my toe on the left side to relax the leg and put all my weight on the right side of my hip.  Between the slight bend and relaxing the muscle it helps make it so the shot won't cause the discomfort in the muscle they are injecting it into.  Has worked like a charm for me everytime!

I'm not sure, if you ask in the moving beyond section I bet someone there could tell you what they take.  I'm not sure because I just quit drinking upon my mets dx.  Now anytime I try to take a drink of anything it tastes nasty so I don't even bother.