Can you ladies fill me in on Femara?

kayandok
kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
HI ladies, I have been on 3rd line chemo since September and although the cancer is not gone (4 small tumors in abdomen including 2 lymph nodes) I desperately need a break. I was trying to figure out a way to get some avastin, but that door seems to be closing. Soooo, finally made the decision yesterday with my Japanese doc to take Femara for a few months to have a chemo break, but at the same time be doing something about the cancer, treatment-wise. My tumors test 82% positive for estrogen, so it seems like a good choice. Meanwhile, he will check the CA125 regularly and even after 2 months if things get worse, he can start another chemo (we can think about that in the meantime, although I am leaning toward the dense dose taxol. I haven't had that in 3 years and it worked, not to mention the success from several ladies on this board and others seems encouraging.)

I remember a few of you, including Saundra and Susan were on Femara and it kept things at bay for awhile. My question is, did you have visible disease at that point, or an elevated CA125? Somehow it is hard to imagine that a hormone could actually kill a tumor....

The good news is that I found a lady who is doing the "hari" (needle) on me and she claims she can help me with my neuropathy. I have had two treatments so far, and actually feel better. She seems to know what she is doing, the waiting room is jammed, and I have lost a few liters of liquid just in a few days. My feet are not a swollen and the neuropathy not as bad. I am encouraged.

So, this sumer I am working on building my immune system, to be able to go back on chemo and fight this thing down again. I am spending time with family, relaxing and just enjoying life. Any suggestions welcome.

kathleen

Comments

  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #2
    no info
    Kathleen,
    I have no experience with femara but it sounds like a reasonable plan to me. At the end of my initial treatment I was wiped. I restarted chemo 9 months later and I was ready to fight again.

    I may be interested in doing a tumor assay. How does that work and how did you find out about it?
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #3
    Femara
    Hi Kathleen,

    I've had experience with the Femara.

    Once I began the femara, for me indicators seemed to reflect that the "femara" caused my ca-125 numbers to rise.

    She felt like hormone therapy was not for me and she removed me from them immediately.

    Something about cancer was very resistant to the femara.

    But that's what we have to do Kathleen, is to continue to try ALL the possibilities until we find the right "poison" for our bodies. :-)

    Take care,

    Sharon
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #4
    nancy591 said:

    no info
    Kathleen,
    I have no experience with femara but it sounds like a reasonable plan to me. At the end of my initial treatment I was wiped. I restarted chemo 9 months later and I was ready to fight again.

    I may be interested in doing a tumor assay. How does that work and how did you find out about it?

    assay
    Hi Nancy, I had a tumor assay done after my first surgery in 07. My surgeon in the US does them routinely. Oncotech in CA did it. It is becoming more popular, although not routine yet. Maybe your doctor would order it for you? Your insurance may even cover it. I paid cash, and was able to make payments without interest.

    Last summer I did a blueprint on my tumor. (One of the things that was checked was avastin.) It was done by the Clearity Foundation. The founder is also a OvCa survivor. What your insurance doesn't cover, I believe she will cover. The blueprint also checked estrogen receptor, which I had also done on the assay.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #5
    femara
    Hi Kathleen, I know saundra was on this for a long time and it gave her a chemo break. I have thought about this myself as my chemo time has ended. I know the side affects were pain and hot flashes, I believe the bone pain or joint pain was the worst one.

    I know others like Groundaffect have taken it also but not as a chemo break...so am sure you will hear from many others.

    Saying a prayer this works for you and gives you a summer off chemo. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

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