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 |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 |