Femara

I was diagnosed with IDC breast cancer, Stage IIA, positive for ER and PR hormones, no lympatic node invasion, tumor size 4 1/2 cm, HER 2 negative, and negative margins after 2nd lumpectomy surgery beginning in March of 2004 and have since had chemotherapy followed with 33 treatments of radiation. I was started with Arimidex, with severe symptoms of bone pain and muscle pain. I was switched to femara and have been taking this for 4 months with the same side effects. At times it is even hard to get out of bed. I am considering going off all meds and taking bioidentical hormone replacement but am truly scared of going off the regimen set by the oncologists. I have had a bone density test recently and have bone loss in the hip area with osteopina diagnosed. I also have calcium build up on the right shoulder with severe pain and taking hydrocodone for this pain. I have read some books and been on line and would like to talk with other women going through this and found this site and excited to here from them.

Sharon F.,
Your story sounded like I was reading my own history. My cancer was lobular and slightly smaller but am having the exact same problems with arimidex. I can barely get up steps and if I bend down it's almost impossible to get up without help. I read the messages about arimidex and feel it may be a necessary evil. With receptive positive cancer, the disease can return on either side so it is important to keep those levels low. I plan on discussing this next week with my oncologist and see what he suggests. Will let you know if I find some relief.
Linda

Thanks for responding. I had a bone scan done today to make sure my aches are nothing but just that. I will have result next week. I will keep posting results. I am truly considering taking a med break tho just to find some relief from the constant pain. Will also discuss this with my oncologist, but pretty much know what here answer will be. Take care of yourself. Smiles and sunshine in your life.

I read your responses regarding your bone and muscle aches caused from Femara. I too felt like I was reading my own story. I have been taking Femara for about one year. My joints and bones ache continually and if I exercise it is even worse. I went off of Femara at my nurse practicioner's recommendation for about 3 weeks, and I began to feel like myself again. I couldn't allow myself to stay off of Femara, however, because of the tremendous benefits it has. I put myself back on it. I work during the day and can't take pain medication, but I do look forward to the relief I get from 1/2 of a hydrocodone tablet at the end of the day. (Pain medicine causes my brain to work even less effectively than it normally does). It was just great to hear that others are struggling with the same issues I am. Good luck to both of you.

I am also reading this and seeing some similarities. I was taking tamoxifen and stopped after about 2 years. Pain getting out of bed etc. I now have a couple bone spurs on my toes that cause great pain and also have osteopina in my back. I didnt have these problems before the med . I have now had my latest mammmogram. 4 year mark. Its fine. So Iam eating better and taking vitamins and when I feel better will get back to yoga which is really beneficial and makes me feel good after a class. Any recommendations for diet? I also fell in my garage and caused a slight vertebrae crack. It will take at least 3 months to heal. Im 50.

I have been on femara for 10 months approximately and I feel 100
years old. I too can barely get out of bed in the morning. I thought
maybe I have arthritis but I believe it is the medicine. Mary

I too have terrible pain on femara. Did you take a break from it
yet? Thanks Mary. My fingers are hurting just typing this from the
medicine.

Dragonfly -- is this really YOU? It's me, Pattiooo!

I took Tamoxifin for 4.75 years and just switched to Femara 2 weeks ago.

The bone pain was a surprise to me because it was almost immediate and extremely intense! I found this site because I was hopping to find some information online and to tell me that the pain is temporary and will subside, but after reading these posts, and other information, I think not.

Are you all able to manage the bone pain with over the counter meds?

I guess I'll give this a couple more weeks and if it doesn't subside, then I'll get back in touch with my oncologist to see if I might switch to a different aramotase inhibitor.

I'm a bit dissappointed in that I was really looking forward to this new chapter in my life. But gosh - this chapter HURTS !!!

XXOOXX, Pattio aka Briar

Dragnfly - I just realized you spell Dragnfly differently than my other friend with the same nickname - and her name is Barb not Mary - forgive my mistake - but none-the-less owie owie, FEMARA HURTS ...
XXOOXX, Pattio aka Briar

Hello everyone. I am 4 yrs. post tx for breast ca with 12/12 positive lymph nodes, and so far so good. Had bi-lateral mastectomies and recon after chemo and radiation. Had been on Tamoxifen for 3.5 yrs, the doc switched me to Femara. (took aromasin first, but had a lot of pain). The switch to Femara has not been any better. It is 1 a.m. and I cannot sleep from the pain in my feet. Recently, the pain has been affecting my hands, so typing is a bit difficult. I also get a Lupron shot once a month because I am not yet post-menopausal, so that has it's own fun as well. I often wonder if all of these tx are as good as they say, but if there is going to be this much pain all the time, I don't know if I can continue. Anyone have any helpful hints? Thanks, and forgive my grumpiness, I am also possessed of atomic hot flashes from this tx in addition to severe pain. I guess I just want even the slightest relief. I have 2 kids 14 and 20, and I don't want them to see me in so much pain all the time.