Femara

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nunzia
nunzia Member Posts: 1
edited May 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
I am taking Femara and I am having a very hard time of it. My arthritis is ten times worse than before I took Femara. I can hardly use my hands anymore. I have many other side effects from this drug but the bone pain is the worst. Has anyone else had this problem?

Thank God I don't have osteoporosis at this time, but I can't tolerate the pain. I am having hair loss too. Not to mention the severe headaches. I did gain about 7 lbs but then I lost 5 lbs. I have to use a walker to get around so it's been hard.

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  • dabicknell
    dabicknell Member Posts: 11
    #2
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    pain
    yes, I Have been on it for 4 months and I also have joint pain and other pains. They told me to take flax seed oil to see if that helps. I don't want to get off it, but the pain does wear you down. take care
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #3
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    Can't help you -
    I've been on Femara for 15 mths and have had no problems with it. Talk to your Dr about your issues with it.

    Susan
  • GrandmaJ
    GrandmaJ Member Posts: 209
    #4
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    Femara
    On Femara now for a year. No bone pain or arthritic type pains, but I have suffered weight gain and thinning hair .. \

    Judy
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
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    GrandmaJ said:

    Femara
    On Femara now for a year. No bone pain or arthritic type pains, but I have suffered weight gain and thinning hair .. \

    Judy

    We are all different!
    HMMM - I did gain about 10 lbs over the winter but I was not active at all, not close to what I usually am - since I was able to get back to doing 'stuff' outside (mowing amd working horses) I've lost that. Been on Femara since early Feb. 2010.
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #6
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    I have been
    taking Femara since Sept. of last year. So far I am not having any problems. My dr. did tell me before I started it that if there any problems he would switch me to something else. Have you asked your dr. if there way something else you can take? I know that the different drugs only work in certain situations. I hope you can find some relief soon.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • sausageroll
    sausageroll Member Posts: 415
    #7
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    ladyg said:

    I have been
    taking Femara since Sept. of last year. So far I am not having any problems. My dr. did tell me before I started it that if there any problems he would switch me to something else. Have you asked your dr. if there way something else you can take? I know that the different drugs only work in certain situations. I hope you can find some relief soon.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    Yes, Everybody is different
    I have been on Femara for over a year. Aches and pains in joints. I feel like an old lady trying to garden and can no longer keep up with my husband. Thinning hair too...although they say that is a rare side effect.

    I hope it eases up for you. Take care. Pat
  • margaret s.
    margaret s. Member Posts: 2
    #8
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    femara , bone pain, thinning hair
    Been on Femara since July 2010. Achy shoulders, & terrific back pain. Had 2 bone scans & a MRI.Arthritis & bulging discs, that didn't just happen since July last year so meds. must be aggravating already present condition. Hair has grown in, thin & wavy instead of thick, poker straight-slower growing on top. Eyebrows are very thin, eye lashes come out easily. Also on Herceptin until July this year--Dr. says I will feel a lot better after that's done. I hope so, as all of you know continual pain drags you down. Even sweeping the floor becomes a chore some days. Have gained 11 lbs. since start of chemo, a total of 20 since leaving work in Nov. 2009--- hate every ounce!!! My surgeon told me yesterday, a lot of these symptoms are also from Herceptin. Looking forward to some sort of normal soon as I'm sure you all are. The onc suggested not taking Aleve because it contains naproxin--can increase risk of heart attack. Ben Gay , muscle & back tylenol plus tylenol #1 help some days. I don't know any of you out there but I'm with you every minute. Take care.
  • CAchick
    CAchick Member Posts: 277
    #9
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    Femara-I do not like you!
    Been taking Femara since April 2010. I am counting the months until I can stop (five year sentence altogether). I do not like the side effects-joint pain, bone pain, hand pain, changes in mobility...I guess it beats dying with cancer, but quality of life is affected...Hang in there! Also, share if you come up with some other ideas to combat the side effects...
  • margaret s.
    margaret s. Member Posts: 2
    #10
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    CAchick said:

    Femara-I do not like you!
    Been taking Femara since April 2010. I am counting the months until I can stop (five year sentence altogether). I do not like the side effects-joint pain, bone pain, hand pain, changes in mobility...I guess it beats dying with cancer, but quality of life is affected...Hang in there! Also, share if you come up with some other ideas to combat the side effects...

    symptoms
    Anyone out there taking Herceptin as well as Femara? Been to the herceptin forum & found all symptoms I have could be from herceptin. That explains my surgeons comment that I would feel so much better when I get off it. After reading their comments I feel like a life sentence has been lifted. I was feeling very down about 4 more years of this agony--I'm 70 now & not looking forward to spending my " Golden years" like this. I came very close to stopping Femara on my own. Found out belly fat & overall weight gain is a given on herceptin. I Googled common side effects of herceptin & found the old saying, misery loves company to be true. Have 2 more treatments left, last one July 20 & by Oct. I should be getting relief. Hope this info helps some or all of you. I know the drugs are keeping me healthy & I'm grateful, but feeling better in the now would help.
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #11
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    Femara, the drug we love to hate, but it's good when it works!
    Femara is noted for joint and bone pain. Not much one can do about it. Learn to live with the condition.
    Perhaps a pain patch might help you. I have one and it helps.

    SIROD

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