Femara/letrozole

Sorry to hear about the Femara side effects.  I was on it for 15 months, to control recurrence in the pelvis.  It shrunk the tumour but I also had some joint stiffness and developed a trigger finger.  I came off it when it stopped working and I am now on tamoxifen (after a brief spell on progesterone which didn't work for me).  No joint stiffness, but the hot flashes are awesome! 

Hope you find some answers to your side effects!

Kindest wishes
Helen

Double Whammy said:

My experience

As a breast cancer survivor of ER+ breast cancer, aromatase inhibitors (Femara, Arimidex, Aromasin) or SERMS (Tamoxifen and at least one other) are a way of life for me.  The side effects you're describing are pretty typical in the breast cancer world.  I have been lucky, but many other women have changed AIs from Femara to say Arimidex  (or the opposite) and have been better off side effect wise.  I have no idea how the selection of an AI is made for endometrial cancer, but you might want to check with your doc about trying another one instead of Femara. They each don't always have the same side effects for the same person for some reason yet I think they each accomplish the same goal (blocking the production of aromatase hence eliminating any potential estrogen that might be circulating around).   I have been on both Arimidex and Tamoxifen with no known side effects (or breast cancer).  These drugs are really wonderful in the breast cancer world.  Hope they work well in endometrial cancer. 

Suzanne

I started it after my 3 rd chemo (6/12).  It has slowed the rise if the CA -125 for me.   I did have joint pain when I started it, and the doctor said good, that means it it working.   My main complaint is my very thin hair, almost a male balding appearance.   Hats are my friends.  

I tried Arimidex between my second and third chemo, but the cancer was too aggressive by then, even though it was only 7 month since I finished chemo.    So it did not work for me.

the doctor suggested switching to Femara after two years, but I have so many allergies I hated to change medicines.

tamoxifin is another alternative, but can lead to blood clots, and I have a history of multiple bilateral blood clots, so that is not an option for me.

hope the mediting works for you.   In peace and caring.

mamamoody said:

Femara

Thanks, ladies, for your inputs.  After my endometrial cancer spread to my lungs, I went through another 6 rounds of carboplatin/taxol (biopsies confirmed the same cancer).  That chemo took me from being "lit up like a Christmas tree"  to only several nodules per lung.  At that point, I couldn't take anymore chemo, I was told I'd had my max,  so they put me on the Femara since my cancer is estrogen based.  That's how I ended up on it.  Bring too fat,  almost 59, and already having joint problems, this Femara has really kicked me with the pain BUT I am down to two very small nodules, 1 in each lung, with no new nodules for the past 3 CTScans.  Thank you, Lord.  I've tried the other two inhibitors and they were worse.  One was so bad that I just laid in bed crying from the pain and lack of sleep.  The other made my hands hurt so badly, I wasn't even wanting to sew.  With the Femara, I do wake up with hurting hands and a trigger finger but it eases off once I get up and start using them.  I routinely take Tramadol to help with the pain or Lortabs on the really rough days or nights.

God bless you all.

Mamamoody you are handling your lot gracefully ,keeping your faith intact and hope alive ,I admire, 

                                                                        Nuff blessings--,my wish.  Thanks to the creator and your treatment for the decease

mamamoody said:

Femara

Thanks, ladies, for your inputs.  After my endometrial cancer spread to my lungs, I went through another 6 rounds of carboplatin/taxol (biopsies confirmed the same cancer).  That chemo took me from being "lit up like a Christmas tree"  to only several nodules per lung.  At that point, I couldn't take anymore chemo, I was told I'd had my max,  so they put me on the Femara since my cancer is estrogen based.  That's how I ended up on it.  Bring too fat,  almost 59, and already having joint problems, this Femara has really kicked me with the pain BUT I am down to two very small nodules, 1 in each lung, with no new nodules for the past 3 CTScans.  Thank you, Lord.  I've tried the other two inhibitors and they were worse.  One was so bad that I just laid in bed crying from the pain and lack of sleep.  The other made my hands hurt so badly, I wasn't even wanting to sew.  With the Femara, I do wake up with hurting hands and a trigger finger but it eases off once I get up and start using them.  I routinely take Tramadol to help with the pain or Lortabs on the really rough days or nights.

God bless you all.

sorry to hear about the side effects of Fermara you are experiencing! Though I am pleased to hear it has helped your cancer shrink. That is a wonderful news. Can I ask how long did it take to shrink the cancer while on fermara? Also did you feel any different internally as the cancer subsided? Could you tell if fermara was working for you? My mum has been on Fermara for 4 months. Her cancer has spread to lungs as well and 4 months ago all her lungs were covered with spots. She has not been given a good prognosis. She is due for a scan next week. I am so worried what we will see this time as she said she is not feeling any better in 4 months. I was thinking if cancer was shrinking for her she would be feeling a lot better by now. Unfortunately oncologist said that my mum wouldn't survive chemo as she is very weak. I am so nervous!