FEMARA Reviews (LETROZOLE)

Average Rating: 2.5 (1087 Ratings)

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 HORMONAL BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE MODIFIERS AROMATASE INHIBITORS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

FEMARA  (LETROZOLE):  This medication is used to treat certain types of breast cancer (such as hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer) in women after menopause. Letrozole is also used to help prevent the cancer from returning. Some breast cancers are made to grow faster by a natural hormone called estrogen. Letrozole decreases the amount of estrogen the body makes and helps to slow or reverse the growth of these breast cancers.   FDA Approval Date: 1997-07-25 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR FEMARACOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 1  Stage III Breast Cancer Low libido, had it with Tamoxafin too. I also probably have granuloma annulare severe on bottom of feet. May be due to excessive perspiration due to side affect of hot flashes, which are a little less than on tamoxafin. Wake up three times a night with nerve condition - needing to move around before I heat up. I feel it in nerves when dormant and not busy. Joint and muscle pain too. Weight gain less than Tamoxifin. I too feel old and hate it! F 52 4 months
2/2/2010
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 2  prevent recurring breast cancer I began taking Femara 11 months ago after a hysterectomy. Previously, I had taken Tamoxifen for 14 months without any side effects. Femara is suppose to have a better rating. I have had more problems with Femara. Swollen hands in the beginning...then, locking fingers (some call it trigger fingers). They lock down if I grip something. They lock down when I sleep and I have to pull them up with my other hand. I feel the pain in my elbows and shoulders now. I feel very weak. It is depressing to feel like this at my age. I feel so old. It is hard on a marriage too. No one likes to hear me complain so I try to keep quiet. I don't want the cancer to come back of course, but I don't know if I can keep this up. I see my Dr in Dallas in February. I don't know what he can do though. If anyone else has had the locking fingers or trigger fingers, please email me. I just think there are things about this drug that we don't know. How many of us have this side effect and will it go away when we finish the meds? Thanks F 44 11 months
1/27/2010
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 1  Stage 0 Breast Cancer/DCIS Hot flashes, memory loss, weight gain, joint and bone pain especially in hips and back, headaches, neuropathy in hands and feet. occasional dizziness, difficulty sleeping, tired all the time, dry cough, sore throat, depression (crying) and in the beginning nausea. I began taking Femara in August of 2009. Almost immediately I felt flu-like symtpoms.Sore throat, headache, nausea, etc. After 2 weeks of this, I notified my oncologist whom said that it's possible that I have a virus or it could be the medicine. I asked if I could take a break from it as I was going on vacation. She agreed and within days I felt myself again. Restarted meds in Sept. 2009 and began to take it with breakfast instead of at bedtime. I had joint and bone pain and hot flashes. It was better than first time. Then had blood work done. My sugar is through the roof (now on meds for that!) as is my triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Now I have the pain, hot flashes, severe neuropathy, and all that I previously mentioned. Gets worse as time goes on! I feel like 100 yrs. old. F 52 4 months
1/26/2010
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 4  to stop the reoocurrance of breast aches,joint pain, no lebo F 64 6 years
1/24/2010
 5  Breast cancer Initially I experienced joint pain, maybe three months but pain free now. Hair a bit thinner as are my eyebrows, tire easily so can't do heavy gardening for prolonged periods, tired but not excessively so. Get pain in two finger joints but it comes and goes, Life really goes on as normal. If I think about it I could possibly blame weight gain, and fluid retention on femara but maybe its a result of having 19 nodes removed. Will continue femara as long as necessary its all bearable and I really enjoy life. F 61 4 days
1/23/2010
 3  Post mastectomy Worked for 7 years with minimal side effects--or so I thought Had a massive joint/muscle "attack" Jan., 2009. Was in severe joint pain, with swelling. I felt very ill (actually bedridden) for 5 days. Oncologist told me to stop Femara immediately. Had a work up with a rhematologist who immediately diagnosed me with RA. She now does not believe I have it. It's a year later. I have had no flare ups since I stopped the Femara. I do have osteoarthritis, but specialist is amazed at my complete recovery. Had this reaction with Lipitor also. Oncologist is convinced it was from the Femara....so is arthritis specialist. I have not had a cancer recurrence in 7 years, so it must work---but I could not live like I was last Jan. F 73 7 years
1/22/2010
 4  breast cancer, stage 1, vaginal dryness, but, since I'm 68 years old, it might be more age-related than Femara caused. I basically feel fine. I work part-time, walk, play tennis (doubles), play golf, travel. I had arthritis before Femara and still have arthritis pain, but I don't attribute that to this drug. I had a lumpectomy. I'm in a research study so I had radiation but no chemo which might be one reason that I have so few problems. I've had no recurrence of the cancer yet. F 68 1 months
1/21/2010
 3  Breast Cancer Survivor horrible hot flashes and weight gain F 48 3 years
1/18/2010
 2  Stage 1 Breast Cancer All the aches and pains and weakness. I am 58 and never had a hysterectomy. Took Tamoxifen for 5 years starting when I was 52. Periods stopped within 6 months of starting Tamoxifen. Took Femara for 9 months after Tamoxifen was stopped. Two months later started having periods again at age 58 after 6 years of no periods - thought I was in menopause. I stopped taking Femara because of the negative side effects and was advised by oncologist to stop Femara. Has anyone else experienced the return of periods after Femara? F 58 9 months
1/18/2010
 3  Stage II breast cancer aching muscles, tired, hair loss, vaginal dryness, memory loss. Have no idea whether Femara is working or not to reduce risk of reoccurrence. Some of these symptoms were present during chemotherapy but energy level and mental state was improved at the end of radiation (before femara); I felt like myself again. But after Femara the muscle pain is new and makes moving slow and laborious; memory loss seems more pronounced again. Hair started growing back during radiation, but now seems to have stopped. Still have neuropathy (pain/numbness of fingertips and feet) but don't know if that's from chemo or Femara. F 60 3 months
1/17/2010
 4  stage 1 breast cancer I have had a lot of the same side effects - bone aches - dizziness, memory loss, blurred vision, low libido , dry cough, thinning of hair - dry skin and hair I have just taken my last femara pill yesterday - I never read the side effects for 4 years - I guess I just wanted to see if I noticed anything - of course I did. I made sure I always took my vitamins - fish oil, b complex, calcium with D etc. I knew - I could tell I needed these - and was faithful. I don't think oncologist want to say much for fear most will give up. I am grateful this pill is out there and wish you all the best - hang in there - take your vitamins - walk - do fun things - take naps if you have too. God Bless email me if you would like to talk. F 59 6 years
1/12/2010
 3  to prevent breast cancer recurrence joint and breast pain, insomnia, anxiety, low libido, memory loss. Rating is difficult because I don't know whether I would have had a recurrence without it -- if so, obviously I'm very satisfied! Who knows what role aging plays in these symptoms. Glucosomine/chondroitin/MSM has helped joint pain, I take anti-anxiety meds as needed, replens, lubricants and persistence for sex life -- it works if you keep trying! F 57 1.5 years
1/11/2010
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 4  Breast Cancer with Lung Mets Initially there was some hair thinning but after almost a year my hair is suddenly shedding like mad. At first I had some back pain for a week or so that went away. After almost a year I am having arthritic symptoms. I don't know if this has anything to do with the femara, but on my last trip to the dentist I had several cavities necessitating fillings and a crown that turned into a root canal and my jaws and teeth ached for months. I also feel less emotional although not necessarily in a bad way. The tumor in my breast has decreased significantly and my lungs are stable. F 55 1 years
1/10/2010
 4  Breast Cancer muscle/joint pain........occaisional insomnia I started on Tamoxifen but experienced heavy sweats, severe DRY mouth (switched to Letrozole/Femara......5 years)......first 3 months side effect free......most recently, experiencing muscle/joint pain and occaisional insomnia (getting to sleep is the problem...once I am asleep I sleep soundly)I find that my symptoms are worse upon waking up (I take my pill mid morning 10am)........thinking I may play around with taking the pill at night......I exercise whether I feel like it or not, a walk.....even a stroll seems to help. Aquafit (working out in the pool puts less stress on your joints) really helps to control weight and keep fit while not running marathons (those will have to wait for a few years!) I live in Canada and my drugs (as part of my cancer treatment) are at no cost to me so that isn't a consideration for me. Best to all you courageous women.....YOU ROCK!....please feel free to email me. F 52 5 months
1/9/2010
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 1  Breast Cancer I had a mastectomy in 2006, I did not have chemo or radiotherapy. My doctor put me on Arimidex, I had so many side effects he changed me to Femara in late 2007. I already had arthritis and a little bit of osteoporosis, but since being on Femara my quality of life has gone down hill. My memory is bad, I am tired all the time, my osteoporosis is worse so I am on Aldendronate. I now have to use a walking stick some of the time. I get very depressed and teary my health is going down faster than what it would have been. I want to come off the Femara but am a bit scared of doing so. Am seeing my doctor soon and see what he says. Cant really gone on like this forever. When I went on this drug I had some of the side effects but over the past couple of years the side effects have increased. Since going on it I have now been diagnosed with Factor V Leiden which is a clotting disorder, and read that clots are mentioned in the femara right up. Dont know what I am going to do yet. F 64 2 years
1/9/2010
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 5  Stage 2 breast cancer Extremely low libido, vaginal dryness, fatigue, very easily irritated and short temper, weight gain, bloated, indigestion, blurred vision, memory loss, insomnia. Yes I feel 100 years old I have been on Femara for 4 years and I agree the oncologists have very little to say. I feel like they think I am complaining when I tell them about my side effects that concern me. I have one more year left. Since many of you have decided to continue on I will tell you what helped me. Exercise helps with joint pain although I have to admit that it is difficult because I cant seem to loose any weight. Drinking lots of water and watered down cranberry juice and limiting salt intake help with my bloating. I make lots of lists because I forget everything. I use post-its like crazy. I am grateful to be alive but wow this has been a tough road and my poor family has put up with so much. My son says "Mom you are always tired and crabby" That hurts, but I am here and look forward to next year and hope that I can make it up to them then. If anyone has any advise on low libido or vaginal dryness I welcome your suggestions. This part is very hard on a relationship. Much love to you all. F 43 4 years
1/7/2010
 3  Stage 2 breast cancer generalized strong aches and pains, especially in lower back, knees, ankles and feet, mood swings, insomnia, depression (though I have never had it before), short-term memory loss It was great to find this page. God bless us all! I didn't know that some of the side effects could be depression and insomnia. I am trying to stick with Femara for the 5 years prescribed, I think it does protect us, but the side effects are harsh. I have found that taking TURMERIC (a natural ingredient in curry with anti-inflammatory properties) along with the glucosamine-chondroitin has helped a lot with the joint and bone pain. I'd like to find something natural for the short-term memory loss and "blues"- any suggestions? F 59 2.7 years
1/7/2010
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 1  breast cancer pain in all my joints, pain from under right shoulder blade that goes through to right breast, this pain is so bad I have to take pain pills to get through my work day, memory loss, dizzyness, mood swings, weight gain, thinning hair, constipation, no energy, cant sleep, hot flashes, depression even though I am on lexapro for that, ... My oncologist doesnt seem to think any of this is from femera when it is clearly written on the warning phamplet that came with it. I was so sick during my chemo I had to have the immune system boost shots before 7 out of the eight chemo sessions. My oncologist had his nurse tell me over the phone that my being so ill was just in my mind. If that was the case why did my blood tests show I needed the bosst shots. F 54 1 years
1/5/2010
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 1  Stage 1 cancer - post mastectomy Hot flashes, fatigue, extreme joint pain, cholesterol increased, dry cough, angina, insomnia, anxiety, irritability The side effects leave me with no quality of life. Until Femara I was an extremely active person who did two miles a day on a treadmill. I'm in too much pain and too tired most days to exercise which I need to do because of CAD and borderline high glucose. I have a stent and have not had angine for five years until Femara. I am stopping it today and will work on my immune system with acupuncture, supplements and exercise. In research I've done, it is only "thought" that femara will reduce the chance of the cancer popping up somewhere else when lymph nodes are clear. I don't think my chances are any less by focusing on my immune system and I'll be able to feel good and enjoy life again. My oncologist only told me about hot flashes and joint pain. No mention was made of all these other side effects. I really feel I should never have been given it due to my heart issues. F 69 7 months
1/4/2010
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 4  Ductal Carcinoma b.c stage I in '07 Pain on my feet, swollen feet and hands at the end of day. No libido, vaginal dryness,hot flashes, joints pain, i had 13 nodes removed and 2 were cancerous, I have some pain on my left arm, can't use it to do things as I would like, but all considered I have a normal life, except for the sexual part, no desire and lots of lubrication. From what I have read my side effects are not as bad as other people has experienced, I plan to continue this medicine until the end, hopefully 3.10 more years. I had Lumpectomy and finally mastectomy on the left side with Tram Flap reconstruction. My biggest fear if the cancer comes back is chemotherapy, I had 8 treaatments and it was bad specially when I started the second medicine,Taxol, the pain in my joints was unbearable. Hang in there my sisters in cancer, God will help us to go through this ordeal and we'll be one day cancer free for ever. F 59 20 months
1/3/2010
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