Taking femara after tamoxifen

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AmyBH
AmyBH Member Posts: 9
in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone taken femara after 5 years on tamoxifen? Are side effects worth it? One place it says it's a steroid, another says it's non-steroid. Any thoughts?

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  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
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    I am at the end of my 5-year Tami dance...
    I will meet with my onc soon...we are discussing what's next.

    A year ago, we had decided this would be all I would do, but a year has passed of research and discoveries...

    So, I'll keep you posted....my 'Independence Day' is July 4....

    Hugs, Kathi
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #3
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    i was taken off tamox (just over 2 1/2 yrs)
    So I DID NOT Make it 5 yrs...I thought once done with any med for 5 yrs we were good to go.

    I'll check back-to see if any responses

    Denise
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #4
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    i was taken off tamox (just over 2 1/2 yrs)
    So I DID NOT Make it 5 yrs...I thought once done with any med for 5 yrs we were good to go.

    I'll check back-to see if any responses

    Denise

    Tamoxifin
    Ive been on tamoxifin for 17 months but my doctors talk like something else after this and I bet this is it.If you are right about it being a steroid I won't be able to take it.I am allergic to steroids.

    I will know more in 3 1/2 years.I must keep this in mind but before I take anything I always read about it.

    Thank You for the info.

    Lynn Smith
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #5
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    I wish had had that option
    I was first diagnosed in 1987, Stage 3A, ER+. I took tamoxifen for 7 years (because we didn't know back then how long to leave me on it).

    Because I had been so long in remission, no one considered putting me on femara later. In 2009, 22 years later, I was diagnosed with bone mets (same cancer proven by biopsy). I wish I had taken femara. Of course, I am on arimidex (sister drug to femara) now.

    My younger sister, who had breast cancer ~17 years ago, is staying on femara because she doesn't want to be like me. Her onc is ok with that.
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #6
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    CypressCynthia said:

    I wish had had that option
    I was first diagnosed in 1987, Stage 3A, ER+. I took tamoxifen for 7 years (because we didn't know back then how long to leave me on it).

    Because I had been so long in remission, no one considered putting me on femara later. In 2009, 22 years later, I was diagnosed with bone mets (same cancer proven by biopsy). I wish I had taken femara. Of course, I am on arimidex (sister drug to femara) now.

    My younger sister, who had breast cancer ~17 years ago, is staying on femara because she doesn't want to be like me. Her onc is ok with that.

    Femara
    I took Tamoxifen for the full 5 years. I had no measurable side effects from it. I then went on Femara. I developed many side effects and after 8 mos, I decided to stop it and I tried Aromasin. I lasted on that about 1.5 years but I was uncomfortable and still had many sideeffects ,several that caused me to take other meds for them. My MD decided I was on meds for 7 years and that was enough. Would I go the same route? Yes, I wanted to do anything and everything I could to prevent reoccurance. Well, I'm almost 11 years out and so far so good. I think It's worth trying these meds as not everyone has a bad time with side effects.Do what is best for you. Let us know what you decide. HUGS!!! Cathy
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
    #7
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    cruf said:

    Femara
    I took Tamoxifen for the full 5 years. I had no measurable side effects from it. I then went on Femara. I developed many side effects and after 8 mos, I decided to stop it and I tried Aromasin. I lasted on that about 1.5 years but I was uncomfortable and still had many sideeffects ,several that caused me to take other meds for them. My MD decided I was on meds for 7 years and that was enough. Would I go the same route? Yes, I wanted to do anything and everything I could to prevent reoccurance. Well, I'm almost 11 years out and so far so good. I think It's worth trying these meds as not everyone has a bad time with side effects.Do what is best for you. Let us know what you decide. HUGS!!! Cathy

    Hi. I've never take
    Hi. I've never take tamoxifen, but have been on Femara for almost a year. I've been lucky as I have no severe side effects. A little achiness and some hot flashes, but all and all it has not been bad. I know there are ladies who have severe reactions, but we are all different. Good Luck.

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