Femara

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lucy
lucy Member Posts: 157
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone....I have some questions about the new drug after tamoxifen which is Femara. I went for my 6 month checkup today with my oncologist and we discussed that when I have my next 6 month checkup, the tamoxifen will be stopped as I have been on it for five years. He told me about the new drug on the market called Femara. He told me all the side effects of it and that was enough to discourage me from taking it. My tumor was 2 centimeters and was not in any of the lymph nodes and it was estrogen positive. He reminded me of this, and seemed to think the drug was not as important for someone like me. Anyhow, he wants me to let him know in October whether I am interested in taking it. Is anyone currently on this drug, and if so, could you tell me the good and bad things about it.
Thank you, Lucy

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  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne Member Posts: 245
    #2
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    Hi Lucy,

    I am on Arimidex, which is very much like Femara. With all the hype lately you've probably heard the news that the Aromatase Inhibitor class of drugs, which Femara falls into, work better than Tamoxifen. Your doctor informed you of the side effects that COULD happen, not that will happen. I actually have less side effects from Arimidex than I did from Tamoxifen. Anyway, my opinion would be to try it for 6 months and see how you tolerate it. It might just be able to give you that extra security blanket for 5 more years.

    Susan
  • SweetSue
    SweetSue Member Posts: 217
    #3
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    Lucy, I am on Arimidex and have no side effects.
    My cancer was 4.0cm and negative lymph nodes and was diagnosed Feb., 2003.
    I want to do everything I can to prevent recurrance, but taking the meds is a personal decision.
    Sue
  • Kathy1108
    Kathy1108 Member Posts: 62
    #4
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    SweetSue said:

    Lucy, I am on Arimidex and have no side effects.
    My cancer was 4.0cm and negative lymph nodes and was diagnosed Feb., 2003.
    I want to do everything I can to prevent recurrance, but taking the meds is a personal decision.
    Sue

    Lucy,
    I was on Arimidex for 1 year and my doctor changed me to Fermara because of the joint pain. I have been on Femara for about 4 months now and it is better than Arimidex for me. The only side effect I am getting is hot flashes. But I had that side effect on Arimidex too. Like Sue said it is a personal decision. I wanted to do all I can do to help to prevent the cancer from coming back.
    Kathy
  • tammyk
    tammyk Member Posts: 4
    #5
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    Hi...I am asking the same questions about Femara. Did you hear anything back regarding this medication? I am currently on Femara. I will be seeing my Dr the end of this month for my results. I have had two side effects from this medication- sore joints and hot flashes. I have them both extremely bad. I can tolerate the flashes but the joint problem is really bad. Please let me know if you have heard anything on this Please ....

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