side effects of femara

straussu

I am a 2 year breast cancer survivor. I was on tamoxifen until about 6 weeks ago when I started femara instead since it is determined that I am now menopausal. I had some hot flashes with the tamoxifen but lately I have been having terrible hot flashes (especially at night)and very achy feet. At the end of the day, it almost hurts too much to stand or walk around. I am thinking it is the femara. Has anyone else felt this way?

cabbott

You are not alone!
If you check out all the threads on arimidex and aromasin and other assorted names of aromatase inhibitors, you will find that they all have very similar side effects. Hot flashes and achy feet or other achy joints are common, but not much fun. Mind you, one thing I try to remember on hot flashes is that I am no longer cold when I run to the bathroom at night even in the winter. I used to have the achy feet problem on aromasin (aka as exemestane). I tried orthodics and running shoes with good support. That helped, but what a nurse practioner told me helped more I think. She insisted that I have my vitamin D3 level checked. I figured she was off her rocker. I mean, I took a multi, I took calcium with D, and I drank 3-4 glasses of milk each day. Also, I was fairly active and went outside each weekend. But sure enough, my D level was low enough that I qualified for the prescription strength vitamin D. It was a once a week pill (expensive enough though per pill!) The pain in my feet was gone in a week. This was after a year and a half of trying everything else the podiatrist suggested. A stretch my sister used for plantar fasciitis (sp?) helps too: push your feet against the wall or a footboard of your bed once or twice each night like you are standing on it. For some reason it stretches out the foot so that it is not as tight the next morning. But getting the D3 level corrected helped the most. I was off the prescription meds after 6 weeks and I take the soft gels from the health food store now. What worked for me may work for you, but then again, it may be a different problem. Some folks that have had chemo have neuropathy from the drug cocktails they had to rid their bodies of cancer. They would have to tell you what to do about that. But if your foot pain started right after you started the femara, you might ask your oncologist about the blood test. It wasn't expensive and didn't take long to do. I did have to wait two weeks for the results as very few labs do the testing and the blood had to be sent away to be tested.

The flashes have slowly settled down some over the last two years, but they are still around. I dress in layers that come off fast as needed. In the summer I keep the ceiling fan on over my bed and use just the sheet. Even in the winter I tend to use my summer jammies. Sipping on cold water helps at work. When I walk or work out on hot days, I find relief with a wet microfiber towel (the kind guys use on their cars from the auto parts store!) on the back of my neck. I have heard of keeping a wet washcloth in a bucket near the bed for nighttime flashes, but so far I haven't needed that. I did turn the heat off to my bedroom though. My teenage son complains that the room is cold but it seems warm enough to me. . .

By the way, one side effect that you may not notice from the drug you are on is bone loss. It is much more hurtful than the joint pain or hot flashes, but doctors often don't remember to prevent it until something bad happens like a broken bone. You should ask to be monitored with a bone density test every two years. Take calcium with plenty of vitamin D now. If bone loss continues, consider medical intervention (like fosamax or boniva)before osteoporosis occurs. Good luck!

C. Abbott

caredforone

Foot pain
Hello,
I too have terrible pain on the bottom of my feet as if someone has beaten them with a baseball bat. Its so hard to get the exercise in that I know we as survivors should be getting. I have had some relief using the New Balance 845 Pro walkers from LL Bean. I can at least do a one mile walk now. If you ever find a fix for this, please post it.
I will ask my doc about the D3- great suggestion.
I had the same foot pain after about 3 months on Tamoxifen, then was switched to Femara after the bloodtest from Mayo Clinic showed I was not metabolizing the Tamoxifen. Initially I had relief from the foot pain when I switched meds, but now after 2 months of Femara it's back with a vengeance. I do find that the hot flashes are more manageable on the Femara, and that the fatigue is less.
Wishing you the very best.

lydia.li@hp.com

plantar fasciitis with Femara
I have been taking Femara for about 4 or 5 months, all of a sudden my right heel hurts. Called my oncologist and she said Femara has nothig to do with it. Now I find others who has the same problem. At least I am not crazy.
My neck hurts, my shoulder hurts, my skin itches. Wondering what is next.

DrSusanHardwicke

lydia.li@hp.com said:

plantar fasciitis with Femara
I have been taking Femara for about 4 or 5 months, all of a sudden my right heel hurts. Called my oncologist and she said Femara has nothig to do with it. Now I find others who has the same problem. At least I am not crazy.
My neck hurts, my shoulder hurts, my skin itches. Wondering what is next.

Plantar Fasciitis Possibly from Chemo
Hello, Lydia.

I have not taken Femara, and tried Tamoxifen for only a week. I had severe plantar fasciitis, and believe that it was due to chemotherapy, based on research and discussions with other patients who had taken Cytoxan.

I wore these fantastic flip-flops called Sugar Babies to relieve the discomfort and found a supplement reviewed in a running magazine article to alleviate it. I am now running again!

Let me know if you want more information.

susan.hardwicke@vabion.com
www.healthafterchemo.com

djteach

Hi Straussu, My hot flashes
Hi Straussu,
My hot flashes and night sweats got much better when I started taking my Femara- I'm now on
Tamoxifen- at night before bed time. I know it doesn't make sense but neither does cancer!
I hope things start to feel better. If they don't, tell your onc. Maybe there is a better one out there for you. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Love and Gentle Hugs,
Donna

michelle1215

femara and plantar pain
All i can say is absolutely!! It's been over 3 yrs. since breast cancer, started out with tomoxifin, went to aramsin(spelled wrong),that was very painfull stuff, I would of thought I had fribromyaglia, pain and always slept. Went to Femara, joint pain but wasn't as tired. Then foot bothered me. Went and had cortsone treatments, physical therapy, inserts etc. This was within 6 months of femara. Still did not think about the med's causing problems. Doctors knew what I was taking it. After a year and not being able to walk because of the pain, had surgery(heel spur, plantar factitis and ruptured achilliles). 2 months off work in a cast, 2 months in a walking boot,it made me think of the femara because, my mother was put a med for cholesterol and her joints started hurting and she ended up at the doctors for plantar fact., I went back to when I started femarar and it was right there. Had a yearly visit recently with a new ono doctor and asked her about it, she stated absolutely. Now I" off of it and back on the tomoxifin. She said it's better then nothing. Your not crazy! Michelle

janmill99

michelle1215 said:

femara and plantar pain
All i can say is absolutely!! It's been over 3 yrs. since breast cancer, started out with tomoxifin, went to aramsin(spelled wrong),that was very painfull stuff, I would of thought I had fribromyaglia, pain and always slept. Went to Femara, joint pain but wasn't as tired. Then foot bothered me. Went and had cortsone treatments, physical therapy, inserts etc. This was within 6 months of femara. Still did not think about the med's causing problems. Doctors knew what I was taking it. After a year and not being able to walk because of the pain, had surgery(heel spur, plantar factitis and ruptured achilliles). 2 months off work in a cast, 2 months in a walking boot,it made me think of the femara because, my mother was put a med for cholesterol and her joints started hurting and she ended up at the doctors for plantar fact., I went back to when I started femarar and it was right there. Had a yearly visit recently with a new ono doctor and asked her about it, she stated absolutely. Now I" off of it and back on the tomoxifin. She said it's better then nothing. Your not crazy! Michelle

Femara and Plantar Fasciitis
I've been on Femara for 5 years and have Plantar Fasciitis. I honestly don't think the oncologist's or general practitioners have enough history on this drug to know all of the side effects unless we tell them. The one study that was done was not completed so there's just no available information. Keep reporting to your doctors and we will eventually be the history they need for those that come after us.

I have not found anyone who have been on it as long as I have, but one other side effect has been having to have knee replacements because my joints have deteriorated. I have arthritis in many areas, BUT as a Stg. IIIB survivor I'm still here! Hot flashes are much better in time.