FEMARA Reviews (LETROZOLE)Average Rating: 2.5 (1087 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare FEMARA with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date added. 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 | Granulosa cell ovarian cancer | Joint pain especially in hands and wrists, extreme fatigue,generalized muscle pain, depression, brain fog, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome. | My PMD thought my symptoms were due to Femara, my oncologist disagreed because my labs were abnormal with elevated ANA and positive lupus panel, but I was not diagnosed with lupus prior to having cancer. It is all an unknown really. I found this web site today because oncologist stopped femara last week after 5 years without a recurrence, and I had one 2 years after original diagnosis. That is why I rated it 4. I am just very happy to be disease free. After reading all the side effects reported on this site, I realized I had them all. I was just researching if there were any problems after stopping femara. I guess it is the opposite. | F | 66 | 5 years 2.5mg 1X day | 8/31/2010 | 2 | stage 2 breast cancer | Severe aches in all joints and my feet. Hard to get out of bed and unable to do everyday tasks. Palpitations, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Have been taken off it for two weeks but dread going back on it. I will have to have the whole drug therapy reviewed. Definitely cannot live like this. | Should have been told in detail of what can happen whilst on this drug. I have found it debilitating in the extreme. | F | 59 | 9 months 2.5mg 1X day | 8/28/2010 | 4 | breast cancer recurrence | Horrible joint pain in feet, ankles, knees, hips, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands; word-finding problems; weight gain; unable to work, and qualified for social security disability | Started drug after recurrence of cancer almost 5 years from initial diagnosis; previously on Tamoxifen with no difficulty; oncologist told me I would need to stay on Femara for life, or until another drug becomes available, because I already had a recurrence...am stage 3 breast cancer survivor; would still rather deal with the pain and weight gain than risk getting cancer again; am single mother of 2 boys, and they still need me around!! | F | 49 | 18 months 2,5 mg 1X day | 8/25/2010 | 3 | Stage 2 breast cancer | I've been having severe joint pains, mostly in my wrists, hands, ankles and feet - I can hardly walk when I get up in the morning and have to come down the stairs sideways one step at a time. Muscle pain, mostly in the arms. I've put on weight and have constant headaches. And there's something wrong with my left eyelid - am I going to lose my eyelashes too? | The last month or so has been bad and getting worse. I am a yoga and pilates instructor, and currently doing an intensive yoga teacher training, but I am afraid I will have to give up my whole yoga dream because of Femara. I had also been teaching SilverSneakers chair-exercise classes, for Medicare aged individuals, but I feel soon I will have to go and actually take those classes if I'm going to get any work out at all! | F | 44 | 8 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 8/25/2010 | 1 | Stage 1, Node neg | bradycardia. Pulse rate staying 40-44. Not sure due to letrozole - taking 2.5 mg every 3rd day per onc - until I get used to it. Anyone else have this effect? Rad ended 6/15/10. No chemo nec. | Zoloft appears to NOT be a cause. | F | 61 | 1 months 2.5 mg 1X O | 8/24/2010 | 1 | stage 2 breast cancer | Excruciating joint pain in feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, wrists, and fingers. It hurts to stand on my feet when I get out of bed in the morning. I have to walk down the stairs sideways, one step at a time. I feel like I am 90 yrs. old. Previously, very active. Lost my eyelashes. | I originally took Arimidex, but my oncologist said it was not working and he switched me to Femara because he said it was a stronger drug. I will be meeting with my oncologist to make him aware of the severe side effects I am having and have a discussion about my options and pros and cons of another AI. I will also educate my Rheumatologist and Internist that severe joint pain with Femara is not unusual, as they believe. This site is extremely helpful!!!! | F | 56 | 2 months 2.5mg 1X day | 8/21/2010 | 5 | Breast Cancer | Hot flashes, weight gane, bone pain, hair thinning, stiffness...all as described by other patients here. | The side effects are very worth it for me. I was lucky to find my cancer myself, at stage 1, when I was 42 years old. I opted for a double mastectomy, and my oncologist opted for chemo/medication as an aggressive approach. I have not regretted my choices. In my opinion, the discomfort is temporary, and I have mitigated it with exercise, lots of rest, and positive thinking...knowing that I am doing everything I can to live a long and healthy life. I read the posts of those who stop taking Femara temporarily, and this is so dangerous. Instead, I would suggest talking to your oncologist or primary physician, and doing all you can to minimize the side effects, and to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Time does pass more quickly than expected in the end, and eventually you will stop taking Femara, and the side effects will subside. Overall, dealing with these problems is a thousand times better than dealing with the alternative. We all are strong!!! Do whatever you need to to beat your cancer!! :) | M | 46 | 2.5 years 2.5 MG 1X day | 8/19/2010 | 2 | stage 4 BC and bone cancer | Terrible hot flashes, aches, bone pain, stiffness that requires massaging before getting up, headaches, bones don't seem to be healing as quickly as they used to. | Have had great success with grape seed oil to calm hot flashes. Must be cold pressed or expeller pressed. Does not promote estrogen according to one book. One teaspoon per day. Add to a salad or slice of bread and then toast. Avoiding all soy products which promote estrogen. | F | 63 | 5 months 2.5 1X day | 8/18/2010 | 1 | Post BC | I have had all the above side effects. I am sad to know that other people are experiencing the same effects. This medicine is NOT good, but the alternative is not good either. Like one said, its all about choices. I do stop taking this every few weeks or as needed to regain my composure and stability. Kinda like taking a vacation for two weeks. And as I get to feeling better, I start it again. Everytime I start again, I can take it longer. Seems to help alot. I may consider cutting it in half. Maybe I am playing roulete with BC, but quality of life is so important also. | I see my Doctor in a few days going on my 1 year appointment. We will see what he has to say. Keep control of your life. You know your body better than anyone else and you receive the rewards and or the consequences of your choices. Good luck. | F | 63 | 1 years 2.5 mg 1X day | 8/14/2010 | 1 | stage 2 breast cancer | severe bone pain in hands and shoulders, no strength. difficult to walk when first awake in morning. aching has brought tears the past few days. am extremely active, but hurt so much now that movement is impossible. considering throwing the stuff away!!!!! have call into onocologist. is this worth it??? had 2 surgeries and radiation last winter. ONCO DX test provided info that no chemo necessary.on pain scale, I am at a 10 today!!!! I am reading these posts and realize that I am not alone in this. I thought I was getting old!!!!! want to be able to open my bottle of water with my hands again. I am thinking if the cancer doesn't get ya, the meds will (one way or the other!!!!) | F | 64 | 120 days 1X day | 8/11/2010 | 1 | post breast cancer | Someone please help me decide! I am 42 years old. I had a lumpectomy 1 year ago followed by chemo and radiation. My doctor has me on Arimidex, which I stopped taking a week ago due to severe joint/tendon pain. I cannot put any weight on my right ankle. The oncologist wants to put me on Femara, but after reading the posts on this website, it sounds even worse. Have any of you had a chance to compare Femara to Arimidex? Please help! | F | 42 | 1X day | 8/9/2010 | 1 | Breast Cancer | Knee, ankle, foot, elbow, joint pain. Fingers swelling, Fatigue, vaginal dryness, broken hand, increased cholesteral, UTI. all related to Femara side effects | The side effects are overwhelming for me. I stopped the drug. | F | 56 | 6 months 2.5mg 1X day | 8/6/2010 | 3 | Stage 1/0 nodes, prevent recurrence | Had lumpectomy then radiation, began Femara, noticed minor small joint pain (hands/feet) at first, increased hot flashes and night sweats, and vaginal dryness, but no other side effects. For past 2-3 months, major joint pain after sitting or lying for a while. Pain is less when I'm active, but motivating myself is hard. Previously very athletic, tennis/golf/running/hiking, but now scared of injury. Still play a lot of golf without any pain and planning to see personal trainer for a fitness program. Have not noticed any hair loss, skin dryness or insommnia yet, but these posts do scare me. | I had OncoType DX testing on my actual tumor and my recurrence risk within 10 years was assessed at 7% but that assessment was based on 5 years of Tamoxifen or Femara. I have to say that I am very worried about becoming inactive and dealing with this joint/muscle pain for the next 5 years. Prior to my diagnosis 8 months ago, I was an extremely young and active 50-year-old, really in the prime of my life. Playing competitive tennis, golf, biking and hiking with my husband, traveling and basically not letting anything stand in my way. My diet and weight was stable, I worked out regularly and people were shocked at my true age. I don't want to give up everything for 5 years when I consider these the best years of my life. I'm scared to take nothing, but am very worried I'll begin to feel as badly as most of the people posting. I see my Med Onc in 2 days for just the 2nd appt, and I hope to get some information to help me decide what to do. To think that I was so excited that all I needed was to "take a pill" instead of having chemo. I take Calcium and Vitamin D, both OTC and prescription, my bone density was normal prior to starting. I eat a diet high in anti-oxidants and also take Vit B complex with Folic Acid. Am doing everything I can think of to take good care of myself, hope my efforts are not sabotaged by Femara. | F | 51 | 6 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 8/2/2010 | 2 | new breast cancer after 22 yrs | severe joint pain in hands,wrists & fingers. Broken bone in foot (1st broken bone ever), surgery on right hand for carpal tunnel (dr said from Femara), trigger finger on left hand. Hurt all over; Can hardly walk when get out of bed or stand after sitting for a while. Nausea, headaches, thinning of head hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. Hot flashes and night sweats; memory loss & confusion; depressed, decreasing self confidence. Recent bone density test showed osteopenia. Extreme tiredness & no energy. Didn't have any of this prior to beginning Femara. | Life is miserable, no joy. Have considered stopping Femara; don't know if I can endure 3 more yrs. Side effects are getting worse with time. Was glad to find this websight and learn that I'm not alone in this misery. | F | 66 | 2 years 2.5 1X day | 8/2/2010 | 2 | stage 2 BC | Started taking after having bilateral mastectomy and chemo. Within weeks started having foot and hand pain. My oncologist related it to previous arthritis. After 8 months, could hardly get out of bed in the am, hand pain, hip and back pain. Memory issues and hair falling out. Vaginal dryness was also a big problem. Like many of you - I was too afraid to stop as the consequences were more frightening than the side effects. Then I started having pounding in my chest and shortness of breath, terrible memory problems. My quality of life sucked and I felt old and tired. | I quit taking the medication after 18 months. My chances of recurrence are low due to the double mastectomy (they were preventative) I have been off the medication now 10 months. Emotional, mental and physical health are back to normal. Still some loss with word memory and I'm sorry to say, my hair loss - while at a slower rate has continued. I feel happier and healthier now than in a long time. Hopefully, no further problems but will deal with them if I need to. I'd rather have a good life even if it is shorter than a longer one and be miserable | F | 56 | 18 months 2.5 1X day | 7/31/2010 | 2 | breast cancer stage 2 | Foot, ankle, wrist pain. Painful to walk after sitting still for even a brief time. Ankle and wrist pain makes it harder to sleep. Vaginal dryness. Sometimes pain with intercourse despite using lubricant. | The point of taking an aromatase inhibitor is to reduce circulating estrogens in case there are any estrogen receptor positive cancer cells remaining. After surgery and radiation, I wonder if there are any remaining. If not, then I'm taking Femara unecessarily. It bothers me to take heavy duty medication when it might not even be necessary---if there are no estrogen receptor positive cancer cells left after treatment, then it does not matter if I have the normal amount of estrogen I would have at this age---I guess it is impossible to know for sure if surgery and radiation eradicated every cancer cell. | F | 54 | 4 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 7/29/2010 | 2 | breast cancer 2008 | painful joints/muscles, weight gain, hot flushes, insomnia, poor memory, mood swings, thinning of hait | i know that this drug is meant to prevent the cancer coming back, but the side effects are awful! feel like i have the body of an arthritic 80 year old.nights are the worst - joints really hurt so can't sleep, then feel down during the day. a vicious circle. | F | 52 | 15 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 7/29/2010 | 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 | 2 | Stage 2 Breast cancer, 3 nodes | Chemo and Radiation this past year - pretty easy. Previously athletic and flexible - now after FEMARA experiencing extreme joint pain in shoulders and hips. Joint on big toe is swollen. I keep exercising & walking for the pain. After 3 months, I am loosing my eyelashes & eyebrow are thinning. Yes, I am now concerned about hair loss on my head too. Has anyone taken it for 5 years and returned to normal? Femara has only been around for about 10 years total. | My Doctor took an agressive approach to stage 2 with chemo and radiation...said there is 90% chance cancer will not re-occur. Not sure if taking Femara is worth it! I am concerned about permanent damage to my body that is worse than the BC! | F | 49 | 4 months 30MG 1X day | 7/20/2010 | 1 | stage 1 bc no nodes | At my wits end!! I am still working 5 days a week at a very physically demanding job-on my feet for 8hrs with only a 30 min. break. Had NO physical problems before the bc diagnosis. Even felt great after rads. Femara is really messing with my quality of life- see onc next week to try arimidex. Who knows? If I could sleep and get rid of the aches and pains. Doing the one day at a time thing but sometimes it seems unbearable. Thinning hair, weight gain, etc. All would be tolerable if I just felt like I wasn't among the walking dead. It is actually beginning to affect my sense of humor. | F | 66 | 3 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 7/19/2010 |