FEMARA Reviews (LETROZOLE)Average Rating: 2.5 (1087 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare FEMARA with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
|
Results are sorted by Age from youngest to oldest (reviews with no age reported listed first). Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 |
More on FEMARA: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR FEMARA | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 4 | Breast Cancer | Initially very severe hot flashes both during the day and night; would wake up at night just soaked. Have been on Femara for about 1 1/2 years. Hot flashes have decreased, now only an occurrence a couple of times a week. Joint pain, pain in hands and pain in calves is very problematic at times. Very difficult to get up out of chair or to walk down stairs. Especially painful to get up after sitting in car for about 30 minutes. Aleve helps to some extent to modify the pain. Have never taken Tamoxifen; willing to continue with Femara as long as results are good. Recent mammogram and bone density test this week... everything fine | Despite the side effects, I'm glad my oncologist recommended Femara which some say is the best drug on the market to inhibit estrogen production. | F | 61 | 1 years | 6/9/2006 | 4 | breast cancer | Severe joint pain, especially in the knees and elbows. Low back and hip pain. Foot pain. Sometimes it is so bad, mainly first thing in the morning, I feel like I am 105 years old! My doctor recently suggested using ibuprofen for the pain. It has helped. Although I am experiencing discomfort, I rate Femara | Better tolerated than Aromasin which made me very nauseous. | F | 61 | 8 months | 8/7/2005 | 4 | Stage 2 Breast cancer. | At first I had pain in my joints (fingers, wrists). Can't move hands when I wake up but gets better throughout the day. I am also weak in my hands, can't open water bottles. Legs and knees hurt, I have to go down stairs using right leg first. Sometimes left leg gets weak. I have intermittent itching on my arms and neck and upper chest. Not a big deal. However, in the last month I have noticed my legs hurting very much, have hard time walking esp. after sitting. Left knee hurts and goes out once in a while. I lose my balance sometimes. I am having hard time thinking. Sometimes can't complete a sentence- so glad to hear I'm not going crazy! Worse than chemo brain. Also, I'm starting to get hot flashes. I was taking it at night but a few months ago started taking it in the morning. I'm going back to night and pray the symptoms get better. Going to see doc next week and talk to him about it, but plan on continuing taking it. Too afraid not to. | I am so glad I found this site.I rated it a four because it seems to be working. Let's hope that even though we are all suffering the medicine is doing its job. Only time will tell. | F | 61 | 3 years 2.5 1X day | 7/20/2010 Patient History | 4 | Breast Cancer | Hot flashes, slight osteopenia, tendency to gain weight | Diagnosed late 1998, node negative, mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction early 1999, followed by CMF chemo and 5 years of Tamoxifen and now nearly 5 years of Femara. I am one of the lucky ones and have not experienced any major side effects on either of the drugs. Not to minimize anyone else's experience with Femara, but not everyone has trouble tolerating it. | F | 61 | 5 years | 8/10/2009 | 3 | Stage II breast cancer, 2 nodes | The most noticeable symptom at first was depression. That was followed by fatigue, bone loss, sore joints, vaginal dryness and lack of libido. The depression has abated somewhat but bone loss remains a major problem for me. | I hate this stuff. It makes me feel old. But my oncologist assures me that it cuts my risk of recurrence in half, so I soldier on. Have been taking Reclast infusions to help w/ my bones, but if they don't show improvement w/ the next density test, I'm ditching the Femara. | F | 61 | 3 years | 5/30/2009 | 3 | Stage 1 ER+HR- Breast Cancer | I've been on Femara for 8 months. I did not experience too many side effects until the last couple months, and now all hell has broke loose!! Thinning hair, hand/wrist/ankle pain, and most recently a shoulder that I would just as soon cut off, constant aching & sharp pain which Motrin,Tylenol does not touch. Has anyone else experienced "inflammation of scar tissue"? I will continue on Femara because it works, and I'm very blessed for that, but wow, what a journey this is. Good Luck to all of us strong women, with God's help, we will prevail. Pray for cure for all cancers. | F | 61 | 8 months | 9/22/2009 | 3 | post Tamoxifen after mastectomy | The hot flashes are overwhelming and getting worse. Bones/joints hurt all the time. | Eight years since breast cancer surgery and all appears to be under control. I'm thankful for the Tamoxifen and Femara therapy however I don't know if I can stand 2 1/2 more years of intense hot flashes multiple times per day. The pain in my bones and joints seems to be staying about the same. And the cost is extreme to my insurance and to me with a co-pay. | F | 61 | 2 years | 12/1/2009 | 3 | Estrogen Blocker for Breast Cancer | I have joint and bone pain in the mornings when I get up but it subsides as I start walking around and doing things. I have had a lot of itching and itchy bumps on my elbows, rash or hives on my back, But it could be because I was mixing organic coconut oil in with a new lotion I got at Whole Foods. I have since stopped using them both and I will see if the itching goes away. I have intense vaginal itching at night and it wakes me up, probably from the dryness associated with taking the Letrozole. I used all kinds of non-itch creams for that area, but it is still there. I am taking the generic Femara from CVS. I am wondering if there might be a difference in the Letrozole from Walgreens as someone mentioned one time. I do on occasion get very angry with my spouse for the least little things, and thankfully he is very patient with me. Other than that, I guess I am doing great. {Thank you Lord} | Could people start adding which pharmacy they are using? I am wondering if some of the Letrozole is different at each pharmacy??? | F | 61 | 2 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 9/15/2014 | 3 | Breast Cancer | Trigger thumb, weight gain, fatigue, sleeplessness,dizzy at times, low stamina. Arthitis, twisted fingers. | Does anyone know if the weight gain goes away after stopping Femara? I have gained 30 pounds since beginning my treatment. | F | 61 | 3 years 2.5mg 1X day | 4/19/2013 | 3 | ER+ lobular breast cancer | I took all 3 aromatase inhabitors, first Aromasin 1/2 yr, then Femara 1/2 yr and last Arimidex for the rest of the time; 2 yrs after 2 yrs with Tamoxifen. Finished in 2009 as is the standard treatment in my country!! There were no difference between the 3 products; terrible problems as you all mention. Joint pain with arthrosis at both thumbs, dissy, hair loss/thinning, high colesterol, sleepless, headace, feel 90+++ and got skin and shape look like it too, vaginal dryness and loss of libido(and no sex life due to all the problems and pain). 1 yr after seponation my hear is better, dissyness is gone and I can again sleep, but the terrible joint pain is there still!! My libido is back but my vagina needed (as many others) to be operated on and post operative have to use hormone cream to get it to grow! I am VERY anxious now since I had high pos rating - and hope this does not lead to recurrence! I also wonder how the long term effects will be - the side effects are terrible to cop | They say Femara and the 2 others are significan better and give very good survival! I wonder what the future will say about the life quality for the survivors!!! | F | 61 | 3 years 2,5 mg 1X day | 4/26/2011 | 3 | breast cancer surgery | not examined sofar | did not try it | F | 61 | 14 days | 9/14/2004 | 2 | prevent reoccurance of BC stage 1 | joint and bone pain for 2 years now severe irregular heart beat and ekg heart pounding | Has anyone had irregular heart patterns and pounding? Was surprised after 2 years, but doctor has put me on hold/femara for 2 weeks and am seeing a cardiologist. After two days the constant irregular beats stopped...very scary! please e mail | F | 61 | 26 months | 4/15/2007 | 2 | BC estrogen positive | Have had MRI on knee due to severe pain/Bakers Cyst and torn miniscus also higher cholesterol and irregular heart beats. My knee problem has been helped by knee exercises rather than surgery. I noted that someone else also had bakers cyst queston/ my ortopedic Dr felt femara related. | F | 61 | 25 months | 4/22/2007 | 2 | BC estrogen receptor positive | Leg,foot,hip pain. Stiff fingers. Difficult to get up from sitting or getting out of car.no energy, depressed, frustrated because used to be active | F | 61 | 1 years 30mg 1X day | 1/3/2011 | 2 | Stage 1 invasive ductal breast canc | Started with nausea and depression with suicide ideations. Nausea does not occur as much now. Taking Celexa for depression. Now often have little stamina and have difficulty walking. Hospitalized recently for being unable to walk and having tremors. Diagnosis was TIA(s), but not sure if this was correct. Saw neurologist today; he said my symptoms are not related to anything neurological. Sometimes extreme pain in middle of spine; backbone hurts much of the time. Trouble sleeping because of pain/discomfort - taking Ambien. Decided to quit my job (at end of this month) because I feel too bad too much of time to work. Feel like and act like my mother who is 86. Depression because I was a very active workaholic, who could run and play with my grandchildren, and now I can't lift them up. Very depressed. | Trying to stay on Femara because I do not want cancer again. I'm trying to accept a much reduced lifestyle in order to stay on medicine. Look forward to when I can quit taking Femara (in about 4 1/2 years!). | F | 61 | 7 months 2.5 1X day | 11/15/2010 | 2 | Breast Ca/Stage 1, lumpectomy | I woke up during the night to excessive urination. It came out in buckets. I've never experienced anything like it ( except to compare it to my water breaking!) I couldn't function without sleep as I was going to have to drive to see my grandson. I stopped taking it. Doc said to wait a week & try Arimidex. I stiffened up to the point of being unable to walk, my joints swelled & I developed painful trigger finger. My blood pressure went dangerously high, even after 3 doses of Inderal. After 3 wks, took a short break. All symptoms went away. Blood pressure came down to normal. Dr. tried Tamoxifen. To my dismay, the trigger finger came back, with very severe joint pains & stiffness in my hands/ feet, knees. I cannot make a fist without fingers getting stuck. So discouraged. Will try the supplement one lady mentioned for lubrication. I just can't function like this for 5 yrs. I have a home to take care of & no one here to help me. There must be something else that doesn't cause such suffering. No one is guaranteed no recurrence of cancer, but mine was only 1.2cm & I really blame the Estrace. Has anyone tried getting ovaries out? I have a long way to go & just feel horrible. I was Est+/pro+. I am half way through with radiation & that is scary enough. God knows what that will do to my body. Prior to diagnosis was on Estrace, which of course was stopped immediately. Considering getting my last remaining ovary out & m | F | 61 | 3 days | 9/2/2013 | 2 | j Breast cancer | My white count is already down to 2.9 & I've had to go on antibiotics for bad sinus infection. I wake up with my joints hurting several times a night. All of my finger joints are sticking & I have developed trigger finger in the 3rd finger of my right hand. . The doctor didn't mention these ahead of time & they are listed as "rare" I accidentally found these on a breast cancer forum where almost every woman had trigger finger in at least one finger. This is extremely painful & disabling. I'm already on Celebrex for a back problem & it's not helping. Cortisone did help my fingers but I can't take it on regular basis. I'm going to try Glucosamine. Women on hormone blockers should be told to take vitamins to counter side effects before they occur, as well as extra for bone, joint support and immune system. | F | 61 | 3 weeks 30mg | 10/21/2013 | 2 | mastectomy stage 0-1 estrogen +Her2 | Thumb can't hold a pen ankle pain stiffness throughout legs.insomnia nightly 30lb weight gain lower legs ankles completely swollen I try to exercise need serious motivation as energy is drained from work had mastectomy mammos have since been clear in remaining breast. weight gain is very hard to shed. | 61 | 3 years 2.5mg | 1/25/2014 | 2 | Breast Cancer Stage 2 | Hot flushes, joint pain, numbness in fingers,lower back pain, unable to stand first thing because of pains in backs of legs. Forgetfulness, dry eyes, loss of libido, depression. | So glad to have found this site. I have two cousins who have MS and was convinced that my symptoms were due to the onset of this. I was just about to use Word to make a list of symptoms to show to my GP when I found this site. What a relief! - although I am not sure I can stay feeling like this for another 4.5 years. I am 61 and feel 90. Can anyone tell me how long it takes for these awful symptoms to go away if I stopped taking Femara. | F | 61 | 8 months | 11/11/2009 | 2 | Breat Cancer Stage1 | Muscle, joint and bone pain. It seems to get worse each month. There is not a part of my body that doesn't hurt. I feel like I'm 90. Evan my hands and feet hurt. It is very hard to loose weight. Walking is getting harder and harder. but the worst is getting up from a sitting position. | I was stage one invasive ductile breat cancer. But I had a high oncotype so I was treated with ACT and then radiation. I took Arimidex for two months and had bad side effects so we decided to try Femara. It is now worse than the Arimidex: the effects came on slowly. | F | 61 | 1 years | 12/27/2007 |