There are 708 ratings for the drug: FEMARA in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for femara: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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2	Breast cancer	Pain in joints, insomnia, blurred vision, feeling exhausted, numbness in hands, with extreme hand pain. Not able to sleep due to pain in hands, and not able to fully use my hands.	Stopped taking Femara and started Tamoxifen several days ago. I am already feeling better. My hand pain and numbness have decreased a little each day, and my vision is less blurred. I tried but was not able to tolerate Femara.	F	48	2 months		12/6/2008
1	breast cancer	extreme joint pain, finger joints snap, can't stay asleep.	I can't hold anything - everything slips from my hands, can't grab tightly, knee joints and finger joints snap back and forth, can't stay asleep. I am seeing my onco today for some recommendations. If none, I am going off the medication. Each day that goes by, something else hurts and stiffens up. I can't imagine what will happen in five years. This is no quality of life - even being alive. I can't even get myself dressed.	F	56	4 months		12/4/2008
3	Breast Cancer	Extreme Joint pain, Back ache and sore feet. Difficulty to walk after sitting down.	I'll keep taking it as prescribed. If it is keeping me from cancer, I'll do my best to combat pain. Aleve seems to work really good for me.	F	57	1 years		12/3/2008 Email
3	breast cancer	Stiffness and pain in legs, hips, back, hands; trouble moving after sitting or laying down for any length of time. Solution: Running my hands under warm/hot water, taking hot showers, yoga, stretches; as soon as I get moving, a lot of the stiffness and pain goes away. Weight gain. Solution: Try to control it as much as possible. Severe vaginal dryness to the point where there is no way I can have intercourse. Solution: After trying everything out there, there is none. Brain fogginess. Solution: I have starting doing crosswords, sudoku, even DS Brain Age, and it seems to make a difference. Various other side effects that others have mentioned such as hot flashes, insomnia, etc., but nothing I can't handle.	As another woman said, I'm not complaining. I'm alive. I'm supposed to take this for 10 years, and if it gives me 10 years of life and the possibility of a cure being found or a new drug to extend my life even further in that 10 years, I'll put up with the side effects. I am a seven-year survivor, and I managed to see my two sons off to college. My goal now is to be around to see them get married someday, and when I reach that goal, my next goal will be to see my future grandchildren. One step at a time; one day at a time. I miss the physical intimacy with my husband, but we are getting by.	F	51	18 months		12/2/2008
2	breast cancer	Had lots of side effects, including joint/muscle pain, depression, anxiety, and lots of hot flashes	Trying to get on another drug, probably another AI, and am not so confident I will ahve a different result.	F	64	90 days		11/30/2008
3	Infertility	Was fine for the first three days of taking Femara. On the fourth night, I woke up with terrible joint and muscle pain. Did not know what in the world was going on. My oldest son had a fever and I thought for sure I was coming down with the flu. Come to find out, it is a side effect. I wouldn't be able to deal with this for months on end. My heart goes out to Cancer patients that are on this medication for years.		F	34	5 days		11/25/2008
4	Recurrent breast cancer	Fatique, weight gain (17 pounds), extreme vaginal dryness, some hip pain, increased blood pressure/cholesterol; morning headaches.	While I had no side affects when taking Tamoxifen for five years fourteen years ago, and while these side affects are annoying, I am willing to cheerfully deal with them. I will do whatever it takes to prevent or even just delay any more cancer cell growth. Can't and won't complain - I'm alive.	F	56	11 months		11/23/2008
4	Stage 2A Breast Cancer	Initially a lot of pain and numbness in feet when getting up in morning but this has gone away, stiffness in joints after sitting for a period of time, insomnia, weight gain, vaginal dryness. Had hysterectomy just prior to starting femara so not sure which if some of the symtoms are caused by femara and which are caused by being in menopause.	Have been building a lot of plaque under my gum line. My dental hygenist wonders if femara may be the cause. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this.	F	50	2 years		11/22/2008
2	Breast cancer/chemo/radiation/Femar	The side effects are muscle/joint pain, tiredness, depression,female organ problems (overies, vaginal discharge, sore breasts).	I am concerned about having to be on this drug for five years....just have completed 3 months and the side effects are taking their toll.	F	64	90 days		11/22/2008 Email
2	stage 1 breast cancer	I am experiencing joint pain,but the thing that's driving me crazy is my hair is falling out. Nobody told me about this and it's very discouraging to have gone through surgery,and radiation with no ill effects,only to be confronted with the thought of 5 years of baldness. I don't think that is a reasonable request! The object is to stay positive about yourself so you can recover. Looking in the mirror and seeing "you" would be a big help. I feel like a guinea pig.		F	54	4 months		11/21/2008
3	Stage II a breast cancer	insomnia, weight gain, joint pain/stiffness	Taking this drug is a mixed bag - happy to have it but worry about the side effects. No fun gaining weight even though I exercise 1 hour a day, 6 days a week. The insomnia is the worst - can't fall asleep and can't stay asleep. I go off it occasionally just to see what it's like. Haven't decided yet if the insomnia improves. I have fluid retention near my ankles on both feet - has anyone experienced that? No one can figure out what it is. I was wondering if it could be some weird side effect of Femara.	F	52	4.5 years		11/19/2008
1	fertility	monster headaches	no effect on egg development	F	32	90 days		11/17/2008
3	Breast Cancer, Stage 1	Some joint pain, but not severe. Insomnia is however, making life difficult for me. Seems also to have slowed my thought processes, but I'm not sure if that's the drug or if it is a result of the insomnia. I do take an OTC sleeping pill, but I do not sleep through the night. Do have some feeling of depression, but I'm been trying to counteract that with taking Kava when needed. Also, just before I was diagnosed I starting taking Graviola, Selenium and Vitamin E. That was the end of November last year (2007). At that time, my tumor was measured as 7mm in diameter. When I was operated on early February this year and had a lumpectomy, the Graviola had shrunk the tumor to just 3mm in diameter. Once the tumor was examined, half of it was dead cancer cells and only the other half contained active cancer cells. My surgeon was surprised with the results of the Graviola.	I'll continue to take the Femara as a precautionary measure only, but the Graviola seemed to kill the cancer cells and did not harm healthy cells and I had NO side effects from the Graviola. I can't say that about the Femara.	F	59	5 months		11/16/2008 Email
2	Breast Cancer	A horror list a mile long - all the side effects you girls are experiencing. It was a nightmare and worse than the Chemo as it did not stop to give me a break...	Everyone has to decide for herself whether she can accept to feel sick and constantly be reminded of the possibility to get cancer again. I would not have this - so I stopped after 2 months and all that is left now is Polyneuropathie a common problem after Chemo: numb feet and finger tips and pain when walking. Doctors say it gets better after 2 years... I am surprised to read for how long some of you are taking this medicine inspite of the agony! I bet the Pharma Industry loves you. Incidentally, I was here some months ago. I told you that I am getting ISCADOR injections (that is a Mistletoe-Serum) unfortunately is has not yet been made available in the US.	F	73	2 months		11/16/2008 Email
1	Breast Cancer stage I	Severe joint pain in knees, ankles, hips and back, long bone pain, unbelievable fatigue, insomnia, headaches, weight gain, no appetite. Not able to do routine daily activites.	Doctor recommended Femara after lumpectomy, mastectomy, and chemotherapy. Tried to endure the side effects. Tried acupuncture, pain medicine, sleeping pills, therapist, exercise with a trainer, walking, and prayer. Prayer has kept me going. Stopped Femara after 14 months. Took Arimidex for 5 months, stopped due to side effects. Took Aromasin for only 3 weeks. Now on Tamoxifen. I continue to have joint pain, fatigue,and insomnia. Has anyone returned to "normal" after 14 months of Femara? I really debated whether to even take the Tamoxifen or just take my chances with future cancer.	F	61	14 months		11/15/2008 Email
1	reoccurance b/c mets to lung	mentally foggy, achy joints, headache, no libido, elevated blood pressure, fluid retention, no energy, weight gain, hot flahes every half hour, sweating, can't sleep, scalp erruptions & dry scalp, some hair loss	My oncologist did not tell me any negatives about this drug and what I read prior to the website was not informative - I have stopped taking this drug 5 days ago after being on it for 2 months and I am (almost) back to my old self! My husband and I cannot believe what a change it made in my personality - I had DCIS w/no spread to my lymph nodes 8 years ago, lumpectomy & node removal, 6 wks radiation only. I have been diagnosed with reoccurance of b/c with mets to right lung and given 3-5 years IF I take the medication, I will figure something else out	F	45	2 months		11/10/2008
5	Stage One Breast Non Invasive	Numbness in toes	Please e-mail me. could not e-mail person with symptoms of numbness	F	57	4 months		11/9/2008 Email
2	stage 1 breast cancer	No side effects until several months after starting. At first the symptoms were subtle but at about 7 months I started noticing that my legs were so stiff after sitting that I could hardly walk when I stood up. This got progressively worse. Also my endurance decreased during exercise at the gym. Finally I started experiencing the strangest sensations of a skin sensitivity on the right side of my body. The way your skin hurts to the touch when you have a fever with the flu, my upper thigh and groin area and lower right side of my abdomen felt so weird, it got worse everyday.I went to the oncologist and he told me to go off for 1 month.	I started feeling better within days of going off the Femara. Within one week I was almost back to myself. In 10 days I was absolutely fine, no more symptoms and I feel great!!I tolerated tomoxifin perfectly for 5 years and I was so pleased that this was going well too, until the symptoms started. I'm at low risk for reoccurance , but I must admit that I'm nervous about stopping what can be a benefical treatment.I looked at the Femara as insurance that would keep me a little safer. Still not certain if I will give it one more try.	F	52	9 months		11/7/2008 Email
1	Stage 1 invasive breast cancer	Numbness in toes! HOT flashes, NIGHT sweats, fatigue, swollen fingers, irritibility, feeling down, no energy.	I have stopped taking femara because of numbness-scary. Doctor doesn't think it has anything to do with femara,but numbness started second month on drug. Please email me if you have numbness in toes. Going to oncologist 11/10. I have to take something.	F	52	90 days		11/6/2008 Email
2	Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma	Insomnia, joint stiffness and lower extremity aching, depression, loss of interest	This is my 2nd entry. For the first, I had only been taking Femara for 41 days and compared to most comments, my side effects did not seem as bad. However, in the last month i've become a terrible insomniac and feel like I'm down in the dumps all the time. Not sure if it's because i only get a few hours of sleep each night or due to the Femara or a combination of both. I can only fall asleep with the aid of prescription sleeping pills but cannot stay asleep. I'm just miserable with lack of sleep. I stopped taking the Femara 2 days ago to see if my insomnia and depression improves. Does anyone have any suggestions?? I hate being dependent on the sleeping pills but if i've got to take them, i at least need one that will work for me.	F	53	2 months		11/4/2008 Email
3	Stage one Breast cancer,	Numbness in toes and fingers. Extreme tiredness. Very forgetful.	My MD stated that she has not heard of numbness being a side effect. Must take a sleeping tablet every night	F	57	180 days		11/2/2008
1	Breast cancer stage 1	Severe joint pains: was back and legs earlier this year, had knee injected with Cortisone and Novocaine with good results. Now bilateral shoulder and hand pain (carpal tunnel) have to wear splints for sleep. Hot flashes tolerable, at least not painful.	Lumpectomy (small tumor 0.8 cm) followed by radiation. No lymph involvement. Joint pain so severe, yesterday oncologist agreed to stop Femara for 1 month and see if pain due to meds or flare-up of existing arthritis all over my body. I have to take a sleeping pill, an anti-depressant (hard to be happy with so much pain!) and 2 anti-inflammatories daily (Arthrotec) just to make it through the day. Doc states about 5% of patients on Femara quit the pills usually because of severe pain. As I am low-risk for recurrence, I will refuse to go on any other drug that causes joint pain. I'm an old retired R.N. and willing to take my chances. I also go to a gym 3 times a week. FYI, you can ask your doc for a drug holiday if your pain is severe. Keep that in mind and good luck to all...	F	71	11 months		10/29/2008
2	Breast Cancer	I had been taking Tamoxifen for 3 years with NO problems, then they switched me to Arimidex- what I like to call the DARK years. I thought that chemo was bad but I felt MUCH worse on the Arimidex. It plunged me into severe depression and horrible joint pains but then my tendons started becoming inflamed and I could hardly walk. I finally had to have surgery as I got a tear in my Achilles tendon, and then broke the leg in two places after having my cast from the surgery off for a month. Not a good time, especially with the sweats and the depression and the feeling that I had cotton for brains. I found it very difficult to concentrate and used to joke that the only good thing about taking Arimidex was that I was alive to complain about it. My doctor finally switched me to Femara after two years as I refused to take the Arimidex anymore. I have been more pleased with the Femara as I haven't been depressed or had as much pain but I am going to go off of it now as I am having all kinds	We are alive to be miserable a lot of the time. I can't take it anymore. I will take my chances from now on and pray that the cancer doesn't return.	F	51	2 years		10/27/2008
3	prevent recurrence/ breast cancer	Lots of muscle and joint pain; my weight is okay, but I have a really fat belly. I continue to walk every day and I also take Glucosamine and Chondroitin tablets. It is hard to know if they help or not.	I am trying to complete the five year protocol for Femara, but my quality of life is not as good as before I took this drug. The problems are a result of not having any Estrogen because this drug keeps your body from producing any Estrogen. The thinning of bones and the high cholesterol counts are a result of no Estrogen. I am worried that after we have taken this drug for 5 years, later, it will be discovered that this drug was bad for us just like taking Estrogen turned out to be a bad thing.	F	68	4 years		10/26/2008 Email
2	to prevent breast cancer recurrence	Started off with generalized soreness at 2 months. By 2.5 months knee pain with associated muscle soreness in thighs. Eventually spread to hip, elbow, shoulder, neck/upper back pain. All were bilateral and identical in intensity and on both sides. All involved the general joint and muscle area. The knees and hips were far worse than anywhere else. Feet swelled a lot by the end of the day--shoes began not to fit even by the next morning. Fatigue/malaise and some days just exhaustion--even driving to work in the morning! I knew something was wrong when I actually thought about resting my head on the steering wheel. Some days I was smarter and just went back to bed. I have no idea if it's related but I got a very nasty respiratory flu each time I took Femara. I haven't had the flu in many years and I get flu shots.	I wanted to take this medication because of my Dr.'s recommendation and the good results in the trials. I took Tamoxifen 5 years with no problems. What a dilemma. I tried it twice, about 2.5 months each time, with 5 weeks in between to get back to normal. I have no allergies and never before had such strong medication side effects. It became too difficult to work and do normal activities because of the erosion of my stamina and the chronic pain/soreness. I took 2 Aleve at a time, mostly twice a day. Getting out of a chair and getting in and out of a car were the most painful movements. A short walk helped, but often getting back was painful! I tried support hose and a low salt diet. I had to take intermittent leave to reduce my work day and to cover me on the exhaustion days. I'm still trying to catch up at work. The best I felt on Femara was when I was in the pool. I spent a lot of time at the pool this summer! Good luck to all of you. It just got too hard to manage Femara in my	F	54	5 months		10/22/2008 Email
1	Arimidex did not seem to work.	I have severe joint pain, some days are better than others. My Oncologist tells me to walk but it is difficult when I am in pain. I now have a Tredmill and use it everyday, several times a day at about 7 minutes each time. The weight gain is terrible and I cannot seem to lose the weight. Some days I do not want to do any work and just sit around. I am pushing to exercise because I used to really enjoy it.	The joint pains I have are shoulder, elbow, wrists,fingers sometimes and no interest in some of the things that I used to like to do. I have an appt with the oncologist on Nov 4 and will talk to him about the wear and tear on my body. Some days I feel like I am 100 years old.	F	58	1 years		10/22/2008 Email
4	Stage I Breast Cancer	Mostly joint and muscle pain, stiff neck. But not all the time, comes and goes, but neck pain seems to be every day. Do get hot flashes.	I was diagnosed Nov 2007, had a lumpectomy and radiation and in March had a total hysterectomy. I have always had arthritis in my knees and carpal tunnel syndrome, so I am somewhat used to pain in these areas. The pain fortunately is not constant. Usually worse in the am, but I exercise in the morning, as well as in the evening. That definitely helps. I figure, if this is what I have to deal with to keep the cancer away, I will take it. I am only 48 and have a daughter (18) and a son (16), as well as a husband and other family members I want to be around for. I prayer every day for strength and courage for myself and others going through this. WE WILL SURVIVE!!	F	48	6 months		10/20/2008 Email
2	Sec BC - Bone Mets	FEEL AWFUL SEVERE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS - AM EITHER SHIVERING OR SWEATING UNCONTROLABLY (HAVING TO CHANGE MY CLOTHING UP TO DOZ TIMES A DAY!!) VOMITING & NAUSEA - LATLEY IM UNABLE TO GET MORE THAN A FEW HOURS SLEEP DESPITE STRONG SLEEPING PILL (YEAH MORE PILLS - AAARRRGGGHHH!!)AM CRYING A LOT & FEEL PANICKY & ANXIOUS. STRANGE TINGLING IN FINGERS, MEMORY NOT GOOD AND ACHE ALL OVER!	HAD RADICAL MAST & RECON FOR ESTROGEN RECP BC MAY 2003 (AGE 29). FEC CHEMO X6 (HAD EASY RIDE) 5WKS RADIO AND PUT ON TAMOXIFIN (HARDLY ANY PROBLEMS - BUT SADLY DID NOT KEEP CANCER FROM RETURNING). ALL WAS FINE & DANDY UNTIL JAN 08 WHEN FOUND LUMP IN NECK - HAVE LYMPH & BONE METS NOW. HAD 5 X TAXOTERE CHEMO (AWFUL)& HAVE BEEN PUT ON THIS ALONGSIDE ZOLODEX INJECTIONS EVERY 28 DAYS. HAVE DECIDED NOT GONNA TAKE THIS SHIT ANYMORE - FOR ME ITS ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE - NOT QUANTITY - HOWEVER LONG THAT MAY BE - I DONT WANT TO SUFFER ANYMORE - THAT MAKE ME SELFISH ?? I DONT CARE RIGHT NOW - HOPEFULLY THESE SIDE EFFECTS WILL STOP SOON AND I CAN BE ME AGAIN. AM NOW LOOKING INTO ALTERNATIVE NATURAL MEDS - DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO ON THIS ?? BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU.	F	36	4 months		10/20/2008 Email
2	breast cancer	bone/joint pain. feel like an old woman (am 52). difficult walking in the morning and getting up after sitting. extreme vaginal dryness. weight gain (was thin before diagnosis). the worse thing about the pain is that it interferes with activities i used to love - volleyball, tennis, other sports, walks & hikes when travelling... even an hour at the mall results in sore stiff legs that won't work for a day or two after the event. i think they need to figure out why an AI affects bones/joints and find something that alleviates these symptoms other than a pain killer.	I don't like it and am thinking of at least taking a vacation to see whether i get my old self back again or whether its gone forever.	F	52	3 years		10/18/2008
5	breast cancer with metastasis	joint and muscle pain, slight nausea, foot pain, walking compromised, terrible hot flashes(second time in my life),split,ridged nails, loss of memory, feeling like I have or am getting Alzheimers, cramping of fingers wrists, feet and legs, inability to start walking in morning without sitting up and resting. My feet feel like flippers at times. Weight gain, started to exercise and fell down on the street. Et cetera, et cetera.	At my age (79) I was very reluctant to complain because so many of you, most, are so young. My doctor says the femara must be keeping the cancer at bay, so I guess I will keep taking it. It is 4 years now. I remember a time when I would have been long gone but with the onset of these drugs I am still around. The quality of life is not the greatest but it is still life.	F	79	4 years		10/14/2008 Email
4	Stage 1 Breast CA	Lower extremity aches and joint stiffness, dry eyes (only notice upon waking), some hot flashes and insomnia.	I think the worst part so far has been the difficulty I have with falling asleep and staying asleep. The joint stiffness and muscle aches are somewhat of an issue but after reading many of the comments, my symptoms seem to be milder than most. This may be due to the fact that I started drinking mangosteen juice (antioxidant/antinflammatory) 3 weeks prior to starting Femara. (FYI - had routine ultrasound for thyroid nodule 5 weeks after starting the mangosteen juice and it has shrunk from previous years U/S - after slightly increasing in size for 5 years). I plan to continue the Femara and the mangosteen juice.	F	53	40 days		10/12/2008
1	Stage II b Breast Cancer	Weight gain noticable in waste / tummy, trouble losing weight despite excercise, no sex drive, severe vaginal dryness, foot pain in the morning, back pain after sitting for awhile, hot flashes, forgetfullness	Reading some comments I feel like I wrote them. I'm only 37 and am very active, it shouldn't be this hard. Thinking about going off the drug.	F	37	4 years		10/10/2008
1	stage 1 breast cancer	depressed, flu like, muscle aches and pain, breathing problems sleeping problems legs killing me	do we know it works not really, in ten years they will take it off the market saying it causes withever but by then they made all their money	F	57	6 months		10/4/2008 Email
1	Breast Cancer Stage II-B	severe foot pain, weight gain, raised cholesterol, foggy brain, vision demise, muscle and joint pain, hard to get up and walk after sitting, hobble like an old lady after standing, no libido, severe vaginal dryness, thinning hair, depression, night sweats, hot flashes, generally feeling like crap.	Reading other's symptons made me feel better in that I realized it wasn't just me. I am mad that all these side effects were not made known to me before I started taking it. I have stopped taking it as my quality of life is so bad.	F	45	1 years		9/27/2008 Email
3	stage one breast cancer	weight gain, aching joints -- especially in the knees, insomnia	I took tamoxifen first and had less side effects than those with the femara. I wish they could do something about the joint pain - it's sometimes very hard to live with it. But it seems to be keeping my estrogen receptive breast cancer in check.	F	49	8 months		9/19/2008
2	Breast Cancer	I have insomnia to such a degree, I can not sleep all night without medication. I have increasing back pain, neck pain, hip pain, knee pain. I try not to take medications for pain, but find it wakes me up if I don't. I have been taking OPC3 which is a natural mixture of grape seed extract, wine extract, pine bark extract, a very high antioxident and anti-inflammatory and I have had some improvement. Thankfully after seeing this website, I plan to discontinue Femara to see if these side effects begin to improve, then I will know for sure that these effects are from that particular medication. I also have been diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder that is causing my lips to swell. I have not yet followed up with a Rheumatologist as I fear they will just add to my drug regimen.		F	59	3 years		9/18/2008 Email
3	Breast Cancer / Mastectomy	Started with Arimidex. Have pain mostly in hands and feet. Struggling with weight gain. Carpal Tunnel symptoms in hands. Most of the time I am cold and then the Hot Flashes with profuse sweating. I used to be very active and enjoyed excersise. It's a chore now. Don't feel depressed which I'm thankful for. Noticed a definite lifting of spirit after changing from Arimidex.	I never had Chemo or radiation to go through. Hate feeling in hands and feet. Supposed to be on this 5 years. UGH!!!!	F	60	7 months		9/16/2008
3	BC	Muscle soreness, joint pain. Can hardly walk early in the am or after sitting for short period of time. Dry eyes.. eyelashes have broken off	This is supposed to be helpful to prevent recurrance and we should all be hopeful that is the case. I don't think the doctors are upfront with all of the possible side effects. If you have had chemo you certainly don't want any more side effects. This is a great site for everyone taking this drug.	F	57	4 months		9/15/2008
5	Stage IV breast cancer	Joint pain upon waking in the morning, right thumb locking up (no longer happens), right hip pain, mid and lower back pain, memory loss, high cholesterol, fatigue, extreme hair thinning, frequent nausea spells, frequent dizzy spells (only last for about a minute), ridges in fingernails, acne on upper back and stomach, moderate memory loss/fogginess, dry skin, eyes, and mouth.	I was put on Femara immediately following my hysterectomy last August; after my recurrent diagnosis of bone mets (was initially dx in 2002 - age 31.) I had horrible side effects from Tamoxifen (chronic yeast infections, brain fog, dry eyes) so I went off it after 18 months. Femara kept my cancer stable for over a year, so I will deal with the side effects until it stops working or cancer spreads to an organ, at which time I will switch over to oral chemo or try another AI.	F	37	13 months		9/14/2008 Email
3	Stage 1 breast cancer	Bone aches (feet, knees). "Chemo brain" and difficulty finding the right word. Last few weeks muscle aches here-and-there in abdomen and shoulder (feels like a boil!). Hot flashes, vaginal dryness and no interest in sex.	After reading what other people endure, I feel fortunate. WAY better than a recurrence of cancer. 3 4 or 5? I can't say if the femara is working, or I'm just lucky. I'm doing yoga and crossword puzzles to compensate for aches and mind-fog.	F	60	9 months		9/14/2008
2	Breast Cancer	HOT FLASHES!!!!! TERREFFIC FOOT PAIN, NIGHT SWEATS TO THE POINT OF SWIMMING!!!! BACK,LEG ARMS,NECK,SHOULDERS AND EVERY OTHER JOINT AND MUSCLE I HAVE. I CAN'T WALK AND I FEEL LIKE I'M 90 YEARS OLD. DEPRESSION HAS NOW HIT ALONG WITH LOSS OF MY HAIR AND JUST FEELING LIKE CRAP!!!! WHAT DO YOU DO????		F	58	2.5 years		9/14/2008
1	Stage 2 breast cancer in 2001	Aching all over, back pain, severe headaches, hot flashes(severe), vaginal dryness, inability to think, hair thinning, extreme depression and feeling like I want to die.	Was on Tamoxifen for 2 years then oncologist switched me to Aromasin or Taxol. Can't remember which one was first, but I was pretty much crippled with bone pain after 6 months and almost had to quit my job. On Femara for the last 4 years and it has been increasing hell. I really feel like I am losing my mind and the pain is increasing daily. Oncologist says she is "comfortable" with me discontinuing. Would like to make it to five years on, but this is not a life.	F	56	4 years		9/14/2008
3	Breast Cancer	Low libido, foot pain, hot flashes, lost my eyebrows and my hair has thinned. Now I may be having uterine problems. I was not aware that this drug had so many side effects.	Started on Tamoxifen, then I was switched to Femara. The hot flashes were really bad for a while but have subsided. I had no idea that foot pain was a side effect. The thinning hair is not nice. I have completely lost my eyebrows. I look really old without make-up. So far the cancer has not returned. I'm 6 years post diagnosis.	F	48	3 years		9/12/2008
2	BC stage 3, 8 nodes +, hormone +	pain in every joint, cramps in muscles, knees hardly work now, foggy brain, dry skin, dry eyes, vaginal dryness, thin hair, some anxiety, some depression, exercise is difficult when it is so hard to move	very worried about side-effects easing once drug is stopped, hope I can stand this for one more year?	F	60	4 years		9/11/2008
2	ductal carcinoma (mucinous, slow-gr	Body aches others have mentioned, but not as bad as with the Arimidex. But stomach burning, bloat after several months and not immediately. Vaginal thinning of tissues, causing discharge and itch (gynocologist diag), itchy scalp recently, urinary frequency. Wonder if any other people developed the stomach burning, bloat and gain later on ? Also, skin on forehead and chin has become rough.		F	66	1 years		9/9/2008
1	stage 2 breast cancer	i have read about brain fog on this site - mine was more like sudden alzheimers. woke up the 6th day of taking femera and was lost in my life. stopped pills and was back to normal in four days. can't live a life i don't remember.		F	52	6 days		9/3/2008
4	Breast cancer	Bone thinning, hot flashes, joint pain, blurred vision, moodiness, stiffness		F	48	2.5 years		9/2/2008
2	metastatic breast cancer	extreme joint and bone pain horrible but necessary drug		F	56	2 years		8/29/2008
2	Breast Cancer stage 1	Fine for the first few months; Insomnia - can't seem to fall asleep like I used to, up to 10 acute hot flushes during the day (very trying and emotionally draining),aching joints - hands, wrists, elbows,knees, ankles, sore feet, any old injuries even the breast scar ache intermittently. Given exefor for the hot flushes but gave me the "shivers". when I came off it I had the dt's; Its the hot flushes I find difficult to deal with so I am having acupuncture and chinese herbs at the moment and it seems to have reduced the fierceness and number of them.	The foil packs they come in are very hard to press when ones wrists and fingers are stiff in the morning!	F	62	248 days		8/29/2008 Email
1	estrogen receptive breast cancer	muscle aches in calf and hips,stiffness,numbness in fingers, weight gain, crying frequently	Thought I was going nuts!Felt like I was 90 years old. Difficult to get from a sitting position to a standing, going up stairs very difficult and slow, forget picking anything off floor. My calfs became so hard and sore I thought I had a clot.I did not! Vicodin was just somewhat effective for pain. After inability to work and not sleeping because of the pain I saw my oncologist who took me off it. It has been 3 weeks and I feel human,minimal pain. Now I will be trying Aromasin-will see what happens with this one.	F	54	22 days		8/26/2008
1	Stage IV Endo & Cysts	Crippling bone and joint pain, vertigo, and fatigue.	I took this w/ an add back therapy. Pain was so severa I stopped immediately before permanent damage could be done. I now have arthritis in my right hip joint. Please research before taking Femara.	F	23	2 weeks		8/21/2008
4	BC stage 2	Muscle pains; joint pains; mild ostopenia; fatigue; very dry skin; Hot flashes are the worst!	I started Femara after my doctors suggested that it had proven better than Tamoxifin. I even had a hysterectomy to be able to get on Femara. I had a lot of symptoms on Tamoxifin as well. However, after reading some of the comments I decided to write this for all the young women who may be considering the pros and cons of taking this medication. I was diagnosed at 37 and did a lot of research on side effects, treatment etc. and what I found is that there isn't much information out there on how medications effect pre menopausal women as most of the reserach and testing was done on post menopausal patients. So, be careful about the side effects and even if they aren't listed make a big deal out of it and get your doctors to pay attention. There are also many herbal and dietary options that can also help with the side effects - although not approved by the FDA they are approved by many survivors! and that's who I really trust becuase the experiences of other's is what helped me on many occ	F	44	8 months		8/20/2008 Email
4	Breast Cancer	Hi, Im so sorry for all the people who suffered side effects. Ive been lucky to date and have minimal effects . Hot flushes and sore feet but otherwise okay and 7 yeras free of cancer (fingers crossed) . Persevere if you can ...or seek another drug to prevent and keep you clear of Breast Cancer. Good Luck to all on this site		F	45			8/19/2008
3	Inflammatory Breast Cancer	Bone and muscle pain especially in the right knee. When first getting up from a sitting position, I limp for several minutes. After I get going it is a lot better. My legs do tire easily when walking any distance.	My nurse practitioner told me to stop taking it for 2 weeks and then start again. Sometimes this helps to reset your system. I have not tried this yet as I don't think it would help.	F	59	13 months		8/19/2008
2	Breast Cancer	Significant joint pain in feet and other joints including elbows and hands. The worst of all is the joint pain in my jaw, making it hard to chew food. Insane scalp rashes/itching, rashes on arms as well. I hate Femara but my Oncologist insists that if I can tolerate it at all that the benefits outweigh the pain.			59	3 years		8/19/2008
3	Survived breast cancer stage 2	bone pain: neuropathy - my bones especially my wrists hurt so much. i also have nueropathy and walking is painful. lately i have migraines, and hot burning eyes. i feel uncomfotable all the time. plus some nausea. i have been taking this for almost two years. also some cloudy thinking, i think it is affecting my memory or i am getting old - I am not sure which.		M	58	2 days		8/16/2008 Email
2	agressive ductal carcinoma, stage 1	EXTREME joint pain from my neck to my ankles. Worse when resuming a standing position from sitting or lying down, ie getting up in the morning or standing up after sitting at the computer. Sometimes can't sleep the pain is so bad. I've gained weight in my stomach, feel generally tired and slightly depressed/emotional. Little things like drier skin, increased age spots and a rash on the tops of my hands. Big things like my head hair is thinning, facial hair is increased and sex, well, a distant memory. One positive thing I have heard repeatedly from women friends is that strenuous exercise along w/increased calcium/vitamin D can help to reduce joint pain...	I have talked to many women taking this drug and others (arimidex, tomoxifin). Some women have no side effects, others quit it b/c symptoms were so bad they ruined the quality of life, so what's the point. Personally, I plan to go as long as I can w/it. However I must say this in regard to breast cancer medicine: STOP approaching this problem with the "sledge hammer" mentality. Blocking ALL the estrogen in a woman's body is liken to a full masectomy for removal of a tumor! Can you think outside the box? And further, how about defining what is causing 1 out of 7 women to get breast cancer in the first place! I am really angry b/c I think scientific comm KNOWS what causes breast cancer but not coming out w/it for some economic reason. If it were, say, plastic, imagine the impact on the economy.	F	58	8 months		8/16/2008
1	Ovarian Cysts	Cysts shrank, but I now have permanent crippling arthritis in both hips and my spine! Not worth it AT ALL!	I feel like a lab rat. If I'd had breast cancer and this drug might potentially save my life, it would be different. But over an operable simple cyst (they thought was endo, but wasn't)?? I can barely walk--and I used to hike 10 miles. Makes me want to cry!	F	45	6 months		8/14/2008
5	Breast Cancer Stage 2 - + lymph nod	At this point, I can't really rate the drug according to satisfaction - I am hoping the medicine is helping me but the side effects that hit straight on was not fun. I have been having great test results from my catscans, bonescan, etc. to this point so I don't have any comparisons to rate against. But do know that all of a sudden - literally overnight- at the 3 week point I felt like I had been run over by a train and/or flattened by a piece of heavy construction roller equipment. Began in the night with chills then the next day every bone and muscle ached, extreme headache and extreme fatigue. I could barely lift my self out of bed which was very scary. Everything hurt - even my knuckles to bend my fingers - I felt that something was very wrong. Until that point I could not tell any difference from taking Tamoxifen for the 2 years that I did. I have a Breast Cancer Drugs book written for Oncology nurses that I had not yet read up on Femara yet... when I did I was actually comf	Has anyone tried the Isagenix program with taking Femara or during any of your treatments? I have friends without breast cancer that is very pleased with the results of the program.	F	47	21 days		8/9/2008 Email
1	breast cancer	I have already described them:see F age 57 14th April 2008	It is now almost 4 months since I stopped taking Femara. All the symptoms described have disappeared (although I have not checked the cholesterol levels yet). I feel and LOOK like a new person. I just saw a photo taken of me last December and was horrified-I looked 10 years older	F	57	13 months		8/4/2008 Email
1	breast cancer	joint pain rigth knee,osteopenia on right hip,memory loss,tiredness,high cholesterol,weigth gain,flushes.etc.but the worst is my joint pain in only my rigth knee and muscle pain on my right arm.	I took tamoxifen first for 2.5 yrs and then femara for 2.5 yrs.I`m now cancer free,but with side effects of the drugs and chemo, who elevates my AST and ALT very high levels. 120-190	F	53	2.5 years		8/2/2008 Email
1	Breast Cancer-lymph node reoccuranc	I started taking Femara the end of Dec 2007, after having a 3rd re-occurance in the neck lymph nodes (had surgery and radiation) I never took any of the other estrogen blockers before, because of the proposed side-effects..but decided to try this one now..first 3 or so were fine, then started getting tremondous muscle/joint soreness/pain in my neck, shoulders, low back..and swelling/nerve pain in my right arm/hand. the side of all 3 cancer surgeries..thought I just needed to stretch more as I'm very active, tennis, workout, etc. tried massage, chiropratic, stretching, nothing really helped..so went off the drug..symptoms went away after a few weeks..the doctor said I really needed to be on the drug and stick with it for a year, as the pain usually goes way..so went back on it..and the symptoms all come back..and worse..can't sleep..stiffness and pain in my neck and shoulders are worse at night and when getting up in morning..but so exhausted from the night..just awful..i'm going off t		F	51	4 months		8/1/2008 Email
3	Breast Cancer	Joint and muscle pain have increased tremendously.	I was not aware until I read these comments that my joint and muscle pain were related to the femara. I had a big recurrence of trigger finger with 2 fingers and had to have surgery. Never related it to the femara and now my right should and bicep ache and has sharp shooting pains to my hand.	F	63	4 months		7/25/2008 Email
1	BREAST CANCER STAGE 1	NECK SWELLING, ITCHY PAINFUL RASHES ON LEGS AND ARMS, NECK, SLEEPLESSNESS EVEN WITH STRONG SLEEPING TABLET, ITCHY SCALP, HORRENDOUS!	THE PHARMACIST HAD TWICE AS MANY SIDE EFFECTS THAT MAY OCCUR AS WERE ON THE PAPER WITH THE BOX OF TABLETS. THIS DRUG SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET. I THREW MINE AWAY AND WILL NEVER TAKE THEM AGAIN.	F	67	15 days		7/25/2008
5	Breat Cancer	Bottoms of my feet hurt, depression, dehydration, watery eyes, weight gain, bone pain, muscle pain, loss of libido,bloated feeling in face	I have been on femara for a year and a half and the side effects seem to be getting worse. right now the bottoms of my feet are thing bothering me the most. I am not showing that as a side effect but noticed some of these comments showing foot pain. Although I have these side effects Femara is easier for me to take than tamoxifen. I do feel like I am eighty years old somtimes and I am really tired.	F	42	1.5 days		7/24/2008
3	Stage 2 Breast Cancer 6 of 11 lymph	It would seems that most of the side effects are related to loss of libido and overall dryness of the skin. Occasional headaches, sleeplessness, irritability and over all feeling that my quality of life has certainly decreased but on the other hand I am still alive and able to enjoy my family and friends and discovered the joy of owning small dogs - in the past year aquired 4 - so I guess that there are pros and cons and I think that with a positive outlook and the fact that the cancer is not recurring - that is the most important. Once the 5 years is up - I'm in year 4 - then hopefully some of the joys of life that I have been missing for the past while will return.	I feel that if there is a drug that can help reducing the risk of recurrence of a potentially fatal disease then we should at least try. I understand that I am able to tolerate it more than some.	F	55	4 years		7/20/2008 Email
1	breast cancer	I had been on Tamoxofin for 5 years. I then took Evista for about 1 1/2 years when my doctor put me on Femara because it is more effective. I was fine in the beginning. After two years or so, I started having pain in my right hip and down my leg where it was uncomfortable to walk. I also developed neuropothy in both feet. I did not understand what the problem was. I went to multiple doctors, and no one could figure out what was going on. A year later I was in so much pain that I had trouble sleeping and could barely walk at all. Long story short, it was the Femara. I have been off of it for a year. After several months, I was not feeling that much better, so ended up going to an accupuncturist only becaus I was desperate! The next day my pain was gone which absolutely amazes me. I still have the neuropathy, but I can deal with that. I started last january having a monthly injection of Faslodex which so far has caused me no problems. I almost forgot to respond to this web	3 1/2 years	F	64	3 years		7/17/2008 Email
4	BC, stage 2, 1 lymph node positive	extreme joint pain, primarily in knees, swollen joints in 2 fingers, major problem with thinning hair, weight gain especially in waist & abdomen, increased cholesterol, rashes on head, extreme vaginal dryness, constipation	Have taken Femara for 4 yrs, 7 months. I hope I can stop before all of my hair is gone. And I pray that the arthritis will go away but how can we know for sure? I believe that the drug is doing what it was designed to do: keep the estrogen positive breast cancer from recurring. But I hate the thought of being bald and crippled for life. The side-effects provided on Femara.com are a joke. We need help with side-effects.	F	66	4 years		7/16/2008
2	BC Stage 1	Back pain, neck pain, tired during the day, trouble falling asleep at night, beginning to have pain in feet and knees, hips hurt if I lay on them too long,	Took Tamoxifen for 5 years with very minor effects...began taking Femara this spring...shortly after, I began having serious back & neck pain, have spent the last couple months wearing back brace, buying back support cushion for my chair at work, visiting chiropractors trying to figure out why I couldn't get relief...X-ray also shows early stages of arthritis in my hips!! Knees and feet also beginning to ache! I'm 36 and feel MUCH older. Dr. wants me to try Arimadex but not sure I want to go there...sounds like it causes similar side effects PLUS possible hair loss!?? I enjoy being active & have a 9 yr old to keep up with...I'm beginning to think I would rather take my chance with a recurrance than spend the next 5+ years battling the pain. Arthritis at 36??!!!	F	36	120 days		7/15/2008 Email
4	breast cancer	extreme joint pain and stiffness, weight gain in the middle of my body, elevated body temperature (on-going hot flashes), vaginal dryness, lack of libido	The joint pain and stiffness is awful. To reduce the stiffness of my muscles after sleeping I stretch my legs, arms, etc. before getting out of bed. This really helps (that is, I can walk to the bathroom without holding on to the walls!) Yoga is very beneficial but I'm often too busy to do yoga (or any exercise) regularly. I've tried taking Advil, Motrin and so on but none of these seem to have any effect. I have a very active job (middle school music teacher)so staying active keeps the pain and stiffness at bay during the day. If I have to sit for a while I have difficulty getting up and moving around, but I just do it and the stiffness eventually subsides. I take calcium and fish oil tablets daily. I hope that is helping but I have no way of knowing. I am on a mild dose of an antidepressent so emotionally I feel great! No depression, mood swings, irritability or any of those symptoms. I definitely recommend Effexor. My cholesterol level has increased significantly. Don't	F	53	2 years		7/14/2008 Email
3	breast cancer	Has anyone suffered dry eyes as a result of this drug? I can no longer wear contact lenses due to dry eyes. The only thing that has changed is that I began taking Femara.		F	55	8 months		7/11/2008
3	Breast Cancer	Stiffness, joint pain, weight gain, difficulty standing after sitting in one position for a time (like at a movie theatre)	Curious if the benefits outweigh the discomfort and constant reminder of breast cancer	F	48	3 months		7/10/2008
2	Breast cancer ES& PR + & HER-2 3+	Joint & muscle pain all over but hands are the worst with swelling & numbness too. I do not sleep well due to pain being worse at night and having to urinate frequently. Have hot flashes & vaginal dryness. I've been prescribed all types of pain killers and anti-inflammatories and the only thing that has helped a bit is Percocet! I've been on Femara for 4 months and was told I have to take it for the next 7 years [due to the agressiveness of my type of cancer..I think]which I do like the idea of at all. I have had surgery, chemo, radiation and still have 4 more Herceptin treatments. I won't know if I'm in remission until I have a PET scan done in Oct/November so I cannot say if Femara has worked or not. I'll be one angry woman if all this suffering pain is in vain! It's hard to always be positive when you feel like you've been beaten with a big stick!		F	53	4 months		7/10/2008 Email
3	B/C Recurrence	The first 3 months it was okay but then my legs started becoming stiff and fingers and wrists hurt and real weak. I have been on zoloft but was becoming very depressed,anxious and very tired so the doctor put me on cymbalta which helps depression and pain. DO NOT take it if you have migraines, though. I have felt so much better since I have been on cymbalta because it has really helped my fatigue and aches and pains and feeling so bad.	I have started back exercising and walking since starting cymbalta which may take a month or not that long for some people but I know it has helped me tremendously. The only thing that concerns me is you hope that the Femera is doing what it needs to do to prevent a b/c recurrence. Also, be your own advocate and don't hesitate to ask your oncologist questions.	F	59	16 months		7/6/2008
1	bc	horrible		F	24	3 years		7/2/2008
3	FOR MY ENDO CYST	SO FAR VERY EMOTIONAL, GET HOT EASILY, STIFFNESS IN JOINTS...	SO FAR THERE HASN'T BEEN MAJOR SIDE EFFECTS I'M TAKING IT FOR 2 MTHS TO DECREASE THE SIZE OF MY CYST IF IT WORKS, I GOT PUT ON BIRTH CONTROL TO HELP AND THAT DIDN'T WORK SO WE WENT WITH SOMETHING STRONGER I'M HOPING THIS WORKS SO I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY..	F	28	1 months		6/30/2008
3	Breast Cancer	Weight Loss, Depression, Hot flushes, Sweating, Joint Pain		F	54	9 months		6/30/2008 Email
3	Breast Cancer Bilat Mastectomy	I had bi-lat mastectomy May 07 and hysterectomy and oopherectomy July 07. Tried Arimidex and switched to Femara. I was almost crippled on Arimidex. Femara is better though not great. I have insomnia sometimes and hot flashes. Thumbs would not bend, had to have surgery to remove the calcification it caused in one thumb. Some stiffness, sore feet and legs especially after sitting awhile. Lexapro (antidepressant helps with sleep and hot flashes believe it or not! Low energy and can get almost premenopausal-like symptoms when tired.		F	54	5 months		6/27/2008 Email
4	Endometriosis	I was tired alot.I would bleed constantly while i was on it. I took them every other day since I couldnt afford it w/ my insurance. Two weeks after I stopped taking it I started haveing severe headaches.	Stopped taking it because the bleeding was annoying.	F	28	7 months		6/19/2008
5	Secondary Infertility	On fourth day of taking this medication, started feeling dizziness which increased to the point I couldn't stand up without feeling I was going to fall backwards--felt like I was drunk at one point with the room spinning. Felt increased stiffness and heaviness of joints/limbs and was very weak. Nauseated to the point I had to lay down and was completely incapacitated for the entire evening (and that was after taking it in the early morning!). I couldn't even speak right (kind of slurring words like when drunk) and also head felt muddled! Some increased feelings of weepiness. Mornings have been fine except severe headaches from second day, but heading towards the afternoons/early evenings, other symptoms increase!	I felt insane when I took Clomid to have my second child and Clomid thinned out my uterus lining which is the reason the doctor put me on Femara this time (to have the third child). It's creating a very nice lining! So it IS working. However, while I am not moody or emotional on Femara, the other side effects are not pleasant and I can't wait to get off it!	F	33	5 days		6/14/2008 Email
1	Breast Cancer, 5 nodes positive	Six months after stopping Femara, my anxiety is one of the major side effects still haunting me. The numbness in hands and feet are gone, still feel full in my face and have slight back aches	I stopped taking Femara due to my quality of life being taken away with a $200 a month pill that blocks estrogen. Took for three years and will not ever take it again. I have done extensive research on Femara and all of the tests that they have done have been for a two year period, not five. I am post menopausal, at least this month. Take vitamins, takes omega 3,6 and nine, exercise, enjoy life. Femara should have a pamphlet handed out with it, with all of the side effects!!!!!!!!!!!!!	F	43	3 years		6/14/2008
5	Stage 4 Breast Cancer	Almost everything described by others. Wanted to commit suicide.	Most side effects have gone away entirely since I started to eat Oatmeal and Buckwheat 30 min. prior to taking Femara. I am also taking B12 vitamins.	F	70	6 months		6/12/2008
2	breast ca-stgI,ER-/PR+/HER2-/BRCA1+	Joint pain especially in thumbs and wrists (hard to carry things), achy all over, stiff when I get up, general fatigue	I am considering going off due to quality of life. I've had a bi-lateral mastectomy, oophorectomy, no chemo, and scared to not take something for prevention. Interested in any others experiences.	F	50	6 months		6/7/2008 Email
4	Infertility	Irrational Anger, but only while taking it and not after like other medications	I am taking 5mg cd3-7 to encourage ovulation and follicle stimulation. I couldn't take Clomid due to emotional rollercoaster for a whole month after taking it. At least with this it is only for the 5 days I am taking it since it is out of your system in 5 days. We have yet to see how my ovaries react in full. Last month was a sit out month and I had an ultra sound at cd6, but too early to tell how many or the follies we saw would mature. We are very hopeful!	F	32	5 days		5/6/2008 Email
3	Infertility	Major debilitating headaches that would bring me to tears! I cried uncontrollably. This happened as the meds were wearing off.	Had a sonogram today to see how my ovaries were responding. So far so good. We'll see how it goes I guess. I've heard from someone else who used Femara and they got PG the first month of treatment.	F	37	5 days		5/5/2008 Email
4	Breast Cancer in 1999	PROGRESSION HISTORY -- sprinkle with chronic type fatigue for the whole misery picture: Bottom of feet extreme pain to walk; Nasty scalp eruption; Weird urinary infection; Mean ankle muscle problem; Overall body crippling stiffness w/’flu-like’ pain; reaction to NSAIDs--swelling ankles; The “Brickwall impact” that’s taken all balance out of my life; Daughter told me to check Internet and I found this site.	Has anyone else’s muscles/joints/nerves ‘pure pain’ NOT stopped after coming off FEMARA? Mine didn’t. Since I’m stuck with pain that’s not going away and can’t get any worse, I requested the Oncologist last week to ok resuming an anti-cancer drug for that protection against cancer. Request refused. Last night I ordered an herb blend to replace that drug – I’m desperate -- told Rheumatologist first and he said it wouldn’t affect current meds.	F	75	21 months		5/2/2008 Email
3	b/c	Weight gain, join paint, terrible weakness in my back to the point if I go to a store, have to use a cart even if I don't need one just to hold onto to help me walk. Has gotten worse as time has gone on. I work full time and have managed, but it's getting harder. Better in a.m. By 4 p.m. barely can make it to the mailbox 50 ft away.	Has impacted in a very negative way on my quality of life. Have a call into my onc. Supposed to go off Femara in Oct after 3 yrs but may ask if I can quit sooner. When you can't walk with your grandchildren or husband, what kind of life is that?	F	65	3 years		5/1/2008 Email
5	Infertility/Ovulation Induction	pregnancy	After one successful pg w/Clomid & Metformin, the combo was not working this time and was causing side effects after 4 months, so I was switched to Femara. It worked the first month. No side effects. Healthy full-term pregnancy.	F	34	5 days		4/29/2008 Email
2	Stage III Metastic IBC	severe stiffness and joint pain in ankles/feet. Weight gain. Hot flashes.	50,000 icu Vitamin D, hot spa tub for fee/ankles, requip for RLS, Effexor for hot flashes, STAY ACTIVE!		48	6 months		4/28/2008 Email
3	AVOID BC RECURRENCE	Nothing for almost three months then stiff joints(especially fingers and neck), muscle pain and weakness (especially arms), bottoms of feet ache, extreme vaginal dryness. Very stiff all over in the morning and great difficulty getting up from a chair. Aches when I toss and turn at night. But no depression and move well so long as I am up and walking (unless pain in the soles of my feet kicks in) so I keep thinking I can tolerate it and another drug might be worse. My greatest fear is that the side effects are permanent and won't go away when I stop the drug.	I take a multivitamin, vitamin D, red yeast rice (managing cholesterol level), glucosamine (easing joint stiffness), three ibuprofen three times a day for aches and pains, a stool softener and, most nights, Ambien. When I travel I need a separate bag for the medications and supplements. Considering getting a softer mattress.	F	63	8 months		4/27/2008
3	breast cancer	calf, ankle, foot, and toes cramped - both sides - very severe - couldnt raise my feet from the floor to walk. this just happened and i'm not sure what to do. i go to the onc. in about a month so i will ask then. this scared me.	How do we know if it is working to keep the cancer away?	F	54	1 years		4/24/2008 Email
4	Stage 2 Breast Cancer	Hair thinning, bone and muscle pain, weight gain	Gained 15 pounds - can't lose it. Never been an exerciser but started aqua-therapy which has all but eliminated muscle and joint pain. The key is range of motion and water therapy does the trick. The temptation is to slow down because of pain but exercise has made a difference for me. I take 2 advil at bedtime. I'm staying on femara until my oncologist says to stop.	F	62	2 days		4/23/2008 Email
1	breast cancer	Severe joint pain, to the point of being an invalid. Took it for 21 days. My oncologist thought it was in my head so I changed oncologists and the new doctor, my hero, put me on Evista instead. It's the latest drug for bc prevention. The only side effect I've had is occasional hot flashes. Thank you, Dr. Robertson, for listening and helping me!!		F	63	21 days		4/22/2008 Email
2	prevent reccurence of breast cancer	leg pain, joint pain, muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, moodiness, increasing dizziness, muddled head	I have a med check Friday....I do not want to feel like this every day of my life....the difference in getting cancer again or not for me is femara decreases my chances by 8%...is that enough to go off it? I HATE how it makes me feel...I am only 50, but feel like 80....can hardly stand up at night or walk. I did tamoxifen for 5 years with little to no side effects.	F	50	3 months		4/20/2008 Email
1	Breast Cancer	Most side effects have subsided or gone away entirely since I stopped taking femara six weeks ago.	My oncologist suggested taking anti depressants to combat the side effects I was experiencing with Femara. I asked why would I want to get addicted to a drug....I am not depressed. My body has rid itself of most of the side effects except for foggy brain, and arthritic fingers. AM debating...to go back on Femara for two more years or not.....feel so much more human when not taking it.	F	45	2 years		4/18/2008
2	breast cancer	Joint pain-ankles, knees, elbows, hands.Shortness of breath coming up stairs or running. Raised cholesterol. Hair falling out. Rapidly ageing skin. Loss of libido.All this in one year and I have an extremely healthy diet-lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, little meat etc, the perfect weight for my height and have always exercised daily.I feel as if I have aged ten years. Yesterday I decided to stop taking Femara as I feel that I have a greater risk of having heart disease or a stroke and of being disabled by arthritis if I continue, than of getting cancer.(No lymph nodes were affected and I had a mastectomy)	I wish I had found this site sooner, it would have persuaded me stop taking it sooner.	F	57	13 months		4/15/2008 Email
3	recurrant breast cancer	Joint aches, hip pain, neuropathy, weight gain,heart palpitations, and did I say joint pain, I mean extreme joint pain.	I was on Tamoxifen for 5 yrs, went off and 2 mo. later had a chest wall recurrance, this time had chemo and radiation, and am now on Femara. Was told I would have to be on it for life. Which I hope is a long time. But could just cry sometimes with the pain and discomfort. Would appreciate any suggestions for the pain and wt gain.		57	1 days		4/11/2008 Email
3	breast cancer/double mastectomy	arthritic pain in shoulders, neck, back hands, wrists and feet. extreme vaginal dryness, loss of libido. fatigue. insomnia.	so many have mentioned foot pain. the only shoes i can wear are called 'crocs'. if i try to go barefoot, i cannot walk more that four steps without flinching. these shoes are a godsend. however, they don't look good with dresses!!! but, at this point, who cares? i take one vicodin in the morning as well as meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory med.; folic acid with b vitamins rid the migraines. i take one tylenol-3 at night for foot pain, as well as one extra strength tylenol, plus 100mg trazadone and 1/2 benedryl to help me sleep. on 12/28/10 i plan to take my last femara. i fervently hope that these side effects will go away on that day. if not, will the doctors tell me that it's all a result of post menopause? will this continue till i die? i don't know if this medicine is working or not. perhaps the fact that i haven't had a recurrance means it is working.	F	60	2 years		4/10/2008
1	breast cancer	pain in about all joints, hot flashes, constipation, cannot sleep. weight gain. Hungry all the time. Dizziness and moody.	I was a stage one grade three with an onco test score of 18. I opted out of chemo and did the 33 radiations. Went on arimidex first of Dec. was switched to femara 2 weeks ago. Does anyone know how much protection a person gets from these drugs. I have gained 25 pounds feel like I am 90 and cannot even walk a block without severe pain. Have thought about quitting. I can handle all of this but the pain and when you cannot function because of the pain it is scary.	F	59	14 days		4/7/2008 Email
2	IIA, N-neg ER/PR+/HER-2+ breast ca	Joint pain - shoulders, arms, wrists,fingers,knees and hips. Muscle weakness. Occasional hot flashes. Low libido.	Arimidex was prescribed after chemotherapy and Herceptin treatment. The side effects of Arimidex became intolerable (muscle weakness and pain, joint pain, hot flashes, low libido, low energy). I told the doctor I would not take Arimidex because my quality of life was so threatened. She discontinued Arimidex for 10 days. Within 3 days, all pain went away and I started feeling human again. Then started Femara. I have been on Femara since October 2007. At first everything was fine, but then I started experiencing similar side effects. On Arimidex, muscle weakness and pain was in my legs and pelvis. On Femara, most of weakness and pain is in my upper body - shoulders excruciating, carpel-tunnel like pain in arms, thumbs, fingers. This pain is especially severe at night. I am beginning to have leg and knee pain, as well. I will be seeing oncologist in April and will discuss discontinuing Femara. I am almost 2 years since diagnosis, s/p bilateral mastectomy, Adriamycin, Cytoxin an	F	56	6 months		3/30/2008 Email

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Average rating for drug: 2.6. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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