Faslodex Girls

Oz,

Missed you post about leaving faslodex, too. So sorry it didn't work. The big plus with xeloda is that it, like faslodex, doesn't require constant visits to the chemo infusion room!



Make sure you use lots of cream on hands and feet to keep them softened. Best of luck with the new regimen. Will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you and me.



Hugs,

Jeanne

I am sorry to see you ladies leaving me here.  I wish you guys the best with your next tx though!!!!

Its been a long time since I posted.  My life has been pretty down, not because of the cancer (bone, my onc says it is in remission now) but because I have had herniated disks in my lower spine and then diarrhea since mid October.  I had steriod injections for the pain in my back and leg.  I have had colonoscopy, ct scan to try to figure out the diarrhea.  I was diagnosed with lymphocitic colitis (quite rare and no known causes).  My question that I keep asking, could it be caused by my Faslodex shots?  I have been on Faslodex since Aug 7, 07.  I am taking Asacol and Entocort for the diarrhea.  I go a few days of being better (hopes jump) then I have a flare up that puts me down.  I have ask my Onc about Faslodex causing diarrhea and he just says "It is not the Faslodex".  Today I really wonder and have a call into my GI specialist to see if he can do some research.  I don't have much sa from the Faslodex.  I have a sore throat, cough and runny nose off and on.  Today my diarrhea started about 2:30 Am and lasted until 10:30 with some nausea.  I feel drained when this happens.  My diet has been mostly rice and bland foods, whenever I try adding new foods I have a flare up.

  I have a prayer request for everyone.  It is for my 11 year old granddaughter, Maja.  She was diagnosed with bladder cancer, Epithelial Carcinoma.  She was evaluated by MD Anderson Pediatric Cancer center in Houston Texas and they say they have never had a case of bladder cancer in a child before.  They are a big center but are referring everything to Baylor Pediatric Cancer center in Houston.  IT is a little bigger.  Anyway, they haven't decided what to do with her.  The tumor was removed by a cystascope in pieces.  We are all so worried and need all the prayers that can be offered in her behalf. This type of cancer is normally only found in older men who have smoked all their lives or have had prostate problems that prevents them from emptying their bladder.  The oncologist at MD Anderson said they are finding more and more cases in children that has never been a child's disease.   I'll keep you posted. 

Please if anyone has had diarrhea from Faslodex, let me know.  Mable

Hi Ladies,

  Well I wrote to you often about my tumor markers creeping up since June. It turns out the the cancer has metastized once again. This time in my skull and to a large degree in the thoracic spine. I was given my first shot of Faslodex yesterday. 500 mg. to start and then 250mg. every 4 weeks. I had an MRI today to see if Radiation therapy will be warranted. I will continue with Zometa and a Homeopath suggested something called Syphilinum. I just asked that group about it. I will accept any suggestions you might have to get these bones strong to fight off this cancer. I did Yoga today, as I thought that should help to strengthen the spine. I have no pain, for which I am most grateful. I am going to ask my Onc. to clarify the PET/CT scan that I had, however. That has lots of big words that made lots of areas in my body appear in trouble. The Onc. only seems concerned about the spine. I also have something called Schmorl's nodes on the spine. Anyone ever hear of it? I had a Pet in Dec. and none of this stuff was there. I hope my cancer has not decided to become agressive when it was not in the past. Great to know that I have Faslodex company. If it were not for you ladies, I would be so worried and not have a clue as to what I was doing. Best of wishes to us one and all. Greta 

Hi River,

  Thanks for the vote of confidence. I will keep you posted. This web-site has been a God sent to me. Greta

PS Mabel, my granddaughter had Ewing's sarcoma (usually adolescent) bone cancer in her femur at age 5. She went through chemo, we were bald at the same time. Now she's 12 and has had 2 titanium prostheses and a total hip replacment but is cancer free. It is so hard to watch a kid go through cancer. Sending all good vibes her way...

I have been on Faslodex for a year now. My shots are painful going in, though I am tolerating them better now, I guess I am getting use to them. I just have a little bit of bleeding with mine, but not bad; by the time I get home I can take the bandaid off. I've never had any bruising with mine.

As for reflux and heartburn, I have had that long before I had cancer, but I think the Faslodex or maybe even the Zometa can aggravate it. I now have what my internist calls "chronic gastritis". I am on generic Prilosec, I have it by prescription, which is a lot cheaper for me than buying it over the counter. I also watch what I eat, I limit the amount of citrus and tomato products I eat. I also cannot take any ibuprofen or naproxen, which makes it a little hard at times with the arthritis in my hips and knees.

Greta, so sorry to hear about your mets. I had radiation for the mets in my left hip last spring; it took awhile, but it really helped me with the pain I was having there.

Mable, I will keep Maja in my prayers. If you think she would like some cards from us to cheer her up and give her support, let us know! I would be glad to send her one. 

this is the way the first nurse taught me to get my injection and I am on number 10 or 11 now and never have a problem.  We do it in the restroom in the chemo area.  I slightly bend and hold the handicap bar on the wall.  If I am getting the injection in my left side the I tip my toe to the ground on the left side and let all the weight of my body rest on the right side.  That relaxes the muscles the injection is given in.  I bruise easy so there is always a huge black and blue mark but never a knot or any pain from the injection.  Sometimes I have a little burning as the injection goes in because it is so thick and slow to inject. 

As for heartburn, I have been on nexium for years so wouldn't know if faslodex causes me any issues in that area.  I have really had no side effects from faslodex other than increased appetite.  I hope your next injection goes better.

I have had 4 injections- the last one being last Friday (4/18) I get mine like LuAnn rx'd.  I haven't had any bruising or bleeding at all and I take coumadin as well.  I do have itching for about a week and some nausea off and on for the first week w/ some occasional vomiting, but other than that the side effects aren't nearly as bad as the ones w/ taxol/taxotere or xeloda

Helen

My doctor has been having me get a bone scan every 6 months since I've been on the Zometa.

Another Faslodex girl here.  I followed LuAnn's recommendations and also had a great nurse to administer my first shots (2, one on each side) and it was a piece of cake.  No pain at all.  I have had bouts of nausea and some itchy skin that I think the drug caused.  Other problems, I'm not sure of, joint pain, bone pain in back is worse than before.  I do hope and pray that this works for me and for a long time. I had progression with Navelbine and would love to stay off chemo.  I'm also getting Zometa with the Faslodex. 

Anyway, just wanted to chime in as a new member of the club.  LL

I googled to see if Faslodex could cause some stomach problems.  This thread came up.  No one has posted on it for awhile so thought I would see:    Who is new or still taking the Faslodex.  Just had my 2nd one on Monday.  Have my first Zometa on the 19th - ugh from what I have read. 

I warmed the Faslodex this time - it was warmer than the first time and the injection didn't hurt as much.  I take Protronix for my stomach issues anyway (stronger than Nexium) and have had lots of increased burning since 2nd Faslodex injection.

I discovered after my chemo the first time and I had such HORRIBLE stomach issues and then later when I had to get steroid injections in my back - it was the STEROIDS that cause such stomach issues.  Didn't think I would have a problem with the Faslodex - what is up with that.

Hoping I don't start having increased stomach burning - have been pretty comfortable on the Protronix. 

Let me know how you're doing if you are on Faslodex - I'm bumping the thread after google located it for me.   

I have had some really bad pain in my low back and also in the thoracic spine since I have been on the Faslodex.  Oncologist said Monday it could be a good sign - sign that the treatment was attacking the cancer cells. 

I've had some hot flashes for a few days and I have a headache for a few days.  Then the aching that everyone talks about.  Now if I can just find relief for the burning of the stomach.  Eating small meals but so far hasn't helped.

Here's to us both !

 Naniam, I haven't had any stomach issues with Faslodex, and I've been on it since July.  I do have some bone pain, but I don't know if it's from the drug or the cancer. I have gotton a headache a couple of times after the treatment, but then I also get an Xgeva shot the same day, and my onc thinks it's more likely to cause the headache.

  I'm just hoping I can stay on this protocal a long time.  Today I see my oncologist to go over the bone and CT scans I had last week. I'm a lot more nervous than I thought I would be.  I hope that Faslodex has done the trick and kept me stable. Wish me luck. 

I'm new to bone mets and Faslodex.  My first treatment included a Zometa infusion and then an injection to each butt cheek.  This Tuesday (12-6-2011) I had my second dose of Faslodex.  I've had a little pain at the injection sites, some tail bone soreness and left side, (low) abdominal pain.  I've taken Advil for the pain (plus a heating pad) and it seems to help.  I don't have any pain from the mets on my spine.  I do get some bad leg pain but, it doesn't involve the cancer. I have a slipped vertebrae (probably due to ballet and gymnastics in my youth) that has entrapped a nerve.  My neurologist says I should get epidural injections to quell the inflammation and pain.  More needles heading my way, I guess.  I REALLY hate needles--but I hate cancer more!

Thoughts, prayers and hugs to all of you.

Aerial