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 |
| 3 | dcis, stage 3 leading into 4 | I am having so many side effects. I had chemo before my mastectomy, I had chemo afterwards as well, then 35 radiation treatments. I thought the pain in my wrist and hand were overuse, I am right handed and mastectomy also on right, on computer at work most of the day.. I have had hip, leg (mostly in my thighs and calves) pain, I had none of these before my cancer diagnosis in Jan of 2010, now I have all of them. I thought that I was old, dried up, lazy, weak, I have read comments all the way back to March, I can't believe it, this stuff better work, will continue for now. Pain is manageable,not unbearable, but the stiffness is rough. The rib pain and the muscle pain under the arm on mastectomy side at night is very bad. I am sorry all of these people are having this as well, but I am glad that I am NOT crazy. :-)Still taking Femara. | F | 53 | 180 days 1X day | 6/15/2010 | 1 | Breast Cancer stage 2B | Extreme joint pain. | I was on Tamoxifen for 3 years & I did great. I thought my life was finally becoming normal again after my dance with breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy followed by chemo, radiation and herceptin. I waited 2 years to have my reconstruction & had a double tram flap in Aug '09 then a hysterectomy in November. My oncologist put me on Femara in December. I was finally feeling like myself. I was back in Hot Yoga & feeling great! Then my feet began to hurt. I thought it was because of the extra exercising I was doing. My shoulders began to feel like they were coming out of their socket. I thought I hurt myself doing the Hot Yoga, so I stopped. But the pain just kept getting worse. It's insane...everything..and I mean every single joint and deep into my bones hurt. It takes me 20 minutes just to get out of bed. Femara has completely ruined my quality of life! Sometimes my hips lock up on me and I can't walk! It's ruining my marriage...my husband thinks its all in my head..which infuriates me beyond words. I hate this stuff. I've stopped it but the pain still remains. My oncologist is sending me for all of the bone scans..RA docs, etc but I know its from this horrible med. I'm too young to feel like I'm 90. I would rather have a few great years with my kids and husband instead of them watching me hobble around in miserable pain. Before cancer I surfed, snowboarded, went hiking; I enjoyed life. Now, it hurts to get up out of a chair. I HATE THIS! | F | 40 | 7 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 6/15/2010 | 2 | post chemo for breast cancer | I have been talkin Femara for nearly 4 years after a second round of chemo (carboplatin) for a breast cancer reoccurance after 8 years. I went on Femara one month after chemo an really didn't mind the mild menopause like symptoms since it reduced estrogen. About 2 years ago my big toe began being very painful. I went to a foot doctor,he said gt new shoes. I went to an accupuncturist, he did accupressure. I went to a chiropractor, he adjusted my back. I went to my doctor, he did some blood test and treated me for sarcoidosis and hyper calcemia. The pain continued, I had some shortness of breath & went to a cardiologist he wanted to put a stint in my heaqrt even though there was no test that indicated I had any blockage, only mild high BP. The pain and stiffness was now in my whole foot, and my hand. I did a detox but kept getting worse. I had another blood test and now I have low grade anemia and perhaps gout with high uremic acid. I went on this web sit today and "ureka& | F | 68 | 4 years 1X day | 6/9/2010 | 3 | Breast Cancer | Daily knee joint pain.. very difficult to get up from a knee bending position or even out of a chair, if sitting for a period of time. A lot of pain during the nite if I try to move. Difficult to get out of bed. very stiff | F | 56 | 2.5mg 1X day | 6/7/2010 Patient History | 1 | Breast cancer 2003 | Weight gain, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, severe joint pain, loss of concentration, depressive mood, lethargy, no motivation, hot flushes, sleeplessness | Was on Tamoxifen for 5 years, following breast cancer in 2003. Had lumpectomy, removal of lymph nodes, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Was switched to Femara following examination in 2009, where I had to have blood tests to check I was through the menopause. Been on Femara for 11 months now, and progressively feeling worse. Off sick from work now with severe joint pain. Started in the right knee, then to right elbow, then to shoulder, and now hip. Flexibility has decreased dramatically. I now have no motivation to go to the gym (previously 4-5 times a week), and I have put on a stone in 11 months. Feel tired all the time, and lethargic. Just want to sit down all the time. Can't sleep comfortably due to the pain, and can't turn over in bed without a mammoth effort. I am only 48 but feel 80+, have to walk downstairs sideways in the mornings. Have stopped taking Femara this week, my own choice. Am trying to get an appointment at the hospital, but have had to go to my doctor for a referral. I feel as if my quality of life is severely impaired. | F | 48 | 11 months 2.5mg 1X day | 6/4/2010 | 3 | Invasive ductal breat cancer | Pain and inflexibility. Difficult to stand and walk after sitting or sleeping - painful feet and hips and stiffness - wears off after a minute or so. Severe pain in bones in lower legs, arms and hands. Thinning hair and eyebrows (and widening! hmmm). Reduced thinking ability and time flys by - days are flashing past. Need to sleep 10-12 hours every night to maintain adequate function to work. Was taking Tamoxifen for 2 years prior, but found the fatigue and clumsiness completely disabling and was miserable - got very emotionally worn down by the endless struggle against fatigue. | Have also been taking 75mg of Effexor (with the tomoxifen and with the femara) which helps greatly with the hot sweats/flushes and poor sleep. It also helps with the way you feel - I would reccommned it if the drugs are making you feel crap and miserable. However, it is difficult to come off the Effexor - it isn't addictive - but you get bad headspins that last a split second and are repeated very close together over and over. The published side effects list dosen't recognise this, but if you look at the online comments by people taking it you can see that it is very common. I also take a herbal sleeping tablet, which works really well - 'Sleep Enhance' by 'Ethical Nutrients' (in Australia). These are the things in it - you should be able to find something simmilar Sleep Enhance - 60 Tablets For the relief of sleeplessness and insomnia. Each tablet contains: Extracts equivalent to: Valeriana officinalis root, dry (Valerian) 550 mg Passiflora incarnata herb, dry (Passion Flower) 490.9 mg Melissa officinalis leaf, dry (Lemon Balm) 375 mg Contains Lactose. Good luck everyone! Remember, you aren't alone in this. | F | 43 | 15 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 5/31/2010 | 4 | Stage 2 Breast cancer | Stiff neck, pain in feet, hands, hips, knees, lower & middle back, shoulder (rotator cuff), GERD, stiff muscles everywhere, leg fatigue, weight gain, vaginal dryness, thinning hair | I actually went to a physical therapist about my stiff neck and shoulder. Thought it was from the position I was in for radiation but I had just started Femara. Now reading over all these comments, I realize where all the pain was really coming from. The physical therapist says that my muscles and tendons were like leather - very stiff. My oncologist warned me about the joint & muscle pain, but since I was used to arthritis he said I probably wouldn't notice the side effects too much - wrong! My feet hurt when I first get up of bed & when I get up from a chair - my achille's heel just started hurting too. My hips, knees & lower back also but pain tends to go away when I start moving around. I take an occasional Aleve but that really doesn't help much. Think I'll try MSM, Glucosomine & condroitin for relief. I'm so glad I stumbled on this webpage. I'm concerned that I won't be able to distinguish the side effects of Femara from a recurrence to the bones. I also have weight gain especially around my middle but that could also be from the Herceptin. | F | 58 | 11 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 5/28/2010 | 2 | Excruciating pain in wrists, feet, hips and knees. Stopped taking Femara 4/1/2010 but have not seen a difference in the pain. Is this going to be permanent? Had breast cancer,stage 2, lumpdectomy, chemo & radiation. Looking for an alternative to prevent the cancer from reoccuring and to stop the pain. | F | 77 | 15 months 1X day | 5/27/2010 | 1 | stage 1 breast cancer | headache, joint pain(severe leg pain) tiredness. | F | 50 | 4 months 2.5 1X day | 5/26/2010 Patient History | 4 | Stage I breast cancer | Not much, maybe my knees hurt. Beats chemotherapy and radiation. | I have had lupus and Sjogren's syndrome for the past 12 years and already have fatigue, joint pain, hair loss, dry skin. I wouldn't know if the drug was causing side effects because I already feel most of the side effects described and have learned to cope. Actually, the femara has made me feel a little better due to lack of estrogen. | F | 57 | 8 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 5/24/2010 | 4 | post full breast surgery | mainly indigestion and falling asleep | Femara reduced a 6cm cancer to 3cm this enable the surgeon to go ahead after five weeks. the important fact I was put straight away on a bone dense calcium I use Swisse after food and with milk. All drugs have a side affect and I use this one alone after dinner at night not so sleepy through the day. Each day I endeavour to exercise my arms and legs massage vit. e into the mass erea now vacant of breast and muscle. positive belief that I will heal and thank god for a new day. We all have simalar effects and my heart goes out to you, I believe stress that surrounds us has a emmense affect on our healing God Bless. | F | 73 | 12 months 2.5mg 1X day | 5/22/2010 | 2 | stage 2 breast cancer | after the first couple of months i noticed: hot flushes,night sweats some muscle ache but not too bad, hair loss. The hair loss concerned me more than anything else as it seemed quite dramatic it was coming away in hand fulls every time i put my hand through my hair. For those of us who have been through chemo and radiotherapy the thought of no hair yet again is a very depressing one. | i was on tamoxifen for 3 years before i had a scare with my ovaries. they took them out and the oncologist put me on femara, i have started to feel joint pain in my thumb and hips. its good to read everyones comments. Think i'll knock coffee off the diet list and see if that helps with the flushes. | F | 40 | 9 months 2.5mg 1X day | 5/19/2010 | 2 | for breast cancer | severe bone pain in the wrists and hand. | After reporting to my oncologist about the debilitating bone pain that randomly occurs, she has me stay off Femara for a month or two until the pain is completely gone. Generally, after I start taking it again it's 4-5 months until the pain comes back again (usually in a different place in my hand). I also have pain in the neck, arm and shoulder area where my 27 lymph nodes were removed, but I can't attribute that to the Femara, as I still have it when I'm not taking the Femara. I survive with Aleve and twice a month massage therapy. Before Femara I took Tamoxifen for 5 years. I'm afraid to stop taking Femara completely as I've been cancer free after 13 years and believe that Femara has played a part in that. I had chemo, radiation and a stem cell transplant and fear going through that again. I'm grateful to have such a powerful drug, but do have anxiety about the side effects. | F | 55 | 5 years 2.5 mg 1X day | 5/15/2010 | 1 | Stage 2, type 2 breast cancer, six | Increasing to debilitating bone pain, started in major bones, extended to toes, fingers, etc. Constant fatique, memory and cognative confusion. Had to stop. Three weeks off, bone pain better, still tired, no energy and brain fog. To start on Aromasin. | F | 55 | 5 months 1X day | 5/14/2010 | 4 | breast cancer stage 1 | Shortly after taking Femara,I experienced hot flashes but they disappeared after 3 months. I was extremely tired all the time. Then pain in my shoulders appeared, but disappeared in a couple of months. Then severe pain in my feet appeared. Tremendous pain when getting up in the morning, getting up from sitting position, standing, and walking. Seriously considered quitting my job. Advil 3 times a day helped make my work bearable. Then all pains disappeared in 3 months. I am writing this so that patients won't quit their femara. I am hoping it is doing its job on the cancer. If so, the side effects are definitely worth putting up with. All side effects but one disappeared several months after appearing. I very frequently stumble on simple words. I freeze in the middle of a sentence because I can't think of the word I was trying to say. My family has been great. They very quickly try to come up with the word I was thinking of. Sort of turned into a game. So try to look on the posi | 2 1/2 years on femara | F | 58 | 2 years 25 mg 1X day | 5/9/2010 | 2 | Breast Cancer | For eight months I managed to get along fine taking Femara. I experienced some side effects (joint pain, cramping feet -- especially when swimming, and maybe a little bit of hair loss), but nothing I couldn't live with. Suddenly last week what had been manageable back pain became excruciating. Around that same time I developed severe hoarseness. My vocal cords simply won't work above a very low pitch. It had not entered my mind to associate the voice problem with Femara, but when I was looking around online for possible advice on dealing with the horrendous back pain, I saw "unexplained hoarseness" on a list of "severe" side effects of Femara, saying "seek medical attention." That was Friday morning, and the office of the doctor who prescribed Femara isn't open on Fridays. So I decided that the only thing to do was to stop taking it and call his office tomorrow (Monday) to make an appointment to see what to do next. My last Femara was Thursday night, but t | F | 67 | 8 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 5/9/2010 | 4 | Stage 3a lobular breast cancer | After reading these postings, I was terrified of taking Femara. After 6 mos, I have minimal side effects. My most immediate side effect was weight gain, about 10 lbs. I started walking 40 minutes per day about 6 weeks ago, and I have taken off 6 lbs. I have strong hot flashes at first (but no stronger than menopause), but those are now subsiding. Take heart new users: not everyone is going to have a bad experience. It may get worse for me, but I know Femara is my best shot at seeing my son graduate from college, so I will stick with it! | F | 53 | 6 months 2.5 mg 1X day | 5/8/2010 | 3 | stage 2 breast cancer | . cognitive impairment, fatigue, joint pain although I manage to run 4 miles a day-new symptom is terrible gerd similar to what I experienced with chemo. esopagus to stomach burning sensation which worsens after eating. getting off femara for a month but from what I read might not be long enough to get symptom relief. I'm afraid of long term effects but also afraid to decide to stop femara as I am fearful of recurrence. | anyone else with gerd or stomach problems? | F | 59 | 4 years 2.5 1X day | 5/6/2010 | 3 | Breast Cancer | I had DCIS Breast Cancer, very large lumpectomy and alot of radiation. 2 years ago. I was on Tamoxafen for two years. Tolerated ok. Now they have changed me to Femera, after 4 months it is close to unbearable, the aches and pains are terrible. | F | 45 | 5 months 2.5 1X day | 5/2/2010 | 2 | Breast cancer | Extreme body pain - head to toe, very stiff, arthritic feeling, headache, insomnia, hair thinning/loss, no appetite, depression, lethargic, fatigue, constipation, hot/cold flashes, high cholesterol. | With all the horrific side effects of Femara, it is difficult, if not impossible, to appreciate any benefits of this drug. It has horribly impacted my quality of life. | F | 49 | 32 days 2.5 mg 1X day | 5/1/2010 |