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 | prevent recurrance | pain in my shoulder and hips, fatique, low libido, brain fog, depression,severe hot flashes, difficulty sleeping | i took tamoxifen for 5 years with some weight gain but no other side effects. i have taken femara for 5 months and i feel terrible most of the time. some days are better than others. i just do what i always did but i hurt while doing it. i try and have a good attitude and i am so thankful to be alive!!!! i feel it is worth it, so far, to prevent future b/c. i had a double mastectomy/reconstruction in 2001 and chemo and radiation. i had stage 2 b/c with microscopic involvement in 1 node. i want to look back and know i did everything i could to prevent ever going through b/c again. i watched my mom die from this disease. i don't want to. i excercise and i pray and i hope it gets better!!! | F | 46 | 5 months | 11/1/2007 | 3 | DX ESS | Same as with Arimidex. Joint pain swelling fatigue weight gain. I have alittle more get up and go with my legs just stiffness | I've only been on this a month but the side effects came on quickly. I had taken a three week break from Arimidex and started with Femara by second week some side effects have returned | F | 35 | 1 months | 11/1/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer | I had aching joints, particularly fingers, knees, hips after being on Femara for about three months. Could hardly stand up straight when I got out of bed in the mornings. Found there were days that were worse than others. Eventually found that if I ate any of the nightshade family of vegetables (ie: potatoes, tomatoes, capsciums, eggplant, cayenne pepper and paprika) that the aches were worse and took from three days to a week to subside. Had a lower level of pain when I did not eat any of the nightshade family of vegetables. Also found that taking Femara in the morning after I got out of bed meant less stiffness. Then I sprained my wrist and had to take anti-flamatory tablets for a couple of weeks and all the aches went away. I then got a low level anti-flamatory (Nurofen)and took two tablets a day (morning with Femara tablet and one before going to bed) for six weeks. Since I have stopped taking the anti-flamatories I have been pain free. Recently had a bone scan that showed | F | 59 | 1 days | 10/30/2007 | 4 | prevention of bc recurrence | took it 3 days then flushed it. Throat so dry I couldn't swallow, headache. see below. | I must be a renegade here because I refused chemo and am now refusing Femara. After surgery (partial mast) and radiation I have gone on doctor-recommended fruit-vegetable diet, exercising 30 mins day at least 5 days a week. Vit D-3 (also doctor-rec) and doing Eastern methods to boost immune system (acupuncture, Qigong, Reiki). I've lost 15 pounds (wasn't heavy anyway) just about given up alcohol and look and feel better than past 10 years. I read Ralph Moss "Questioning Chemotherapy" prior to my decsion to decline that and am now reading what everyone here is saying about A/I. As a biologist I also appreciate the seriousness of totally upsetting the balance of the endocrine system It seems counter-intuitive to go on a drug that will age me and make me fat and crippled when the NCI itself says exercise and weight magement are key to prevention. I understand that there is a risk of getting bc back. But that risk is always there. Right now I want to choose wellness. My husb | F | 59 | 3 days | 10/29/2007 | 4 | breast cancer | fatigue, muscle aches, hot flahes | F | 50 | 6 years | 10/26/2007 | 4 | stage LV metastatic bone disease | hair loss, insomnia, anxiety | It appears to be working and I will continue to take it as long as side effects are low. | F | 53 | 6 months | 10/25/2007 | 3 | BC Stg. 2B; ER+; BRCA-2+ | Stiffness in joints of hands, especially right hand, where fingers are swollen; Some pain in lower back. Weight gain. Vaginal dryness, but no worse than Tamoxifen. Developed GERD and scalp ezcema about one year ago. Seven year survivor. | I took tamoxifen for 4 years -- hot flashes, gained weight, cognitive function decline -- not sure all can be attributed to that drug, or combination of TMX and chemo/radiation. Switched to Femara 3 years ago. Stiffness/swelling in right hand began about one year ago. Had my ovaries removed in Nov. '06 after testing positive for BRCA-2 and have experienced unremitting mid-section weight gain ever since -- no amount of exercise/dieting helps. Almost as annoying is scalp ezcema and GERD, for which I now use topical steroids and Prilosec. Has anyone else experienced these two weird side effects from Femara? Could they be from the oopherectomy? Or is the whole damn thing cumulative? I highly recommend 15 mg. Adderall XR for "chemo brain"/memory loss. It's a drug for ADHD but girlfriends, if you need to stay sharp for work, it can be a lifesaver. | F | 52 | 3 years | 10/19/2007 | 1 | breast cancer stage 2 , 1 node | I like many of you have been having a horrible time with this drug Femara. I have been on it since February. The pain and cramping in my legs when walking is horrific. I have pain in my hands and fingers. In general my whole body aches. The oncologist stopped it for 3 weeks in July, and I got some relief. I went back on it in August, and the side effects are back at the same level and perhaps worse. I see the oncologist again in November. I really don't know if this drug is worth living this way. I am 65 and work as a typist for an answering service. If this keeps up I will be forced to quit, and then who pays for this drug???? Medicare is a joke with part D, when you have this and Diabetes. I have always been active and a workaholic. Don't want to sit on my fanny and rot. I would like to try taking this drug every other day to see if the side effects lessen. Has anyone else done this? I would like to hear from you. Has anyone just said NO to taking this drug??? I would | I just don't feel very positive about the drug. It is destroying my positive attitude. | F | 65 | 8 months | 10/14/2007 | 5 | Stage 3B Breast Cancer | I really can't attribute my negative feelings/experiences to anything other than life. I suppose some are from the chemo, radiation & Femara, but am glad to be alive, moving and working. Sometimes my right hip hurts. I was depressed, now taking 300mg Effexor-this has worked wonders. NO weight gain, no more crying or wishing I was dead. I have joined humanity again! Praise God. Bi-lateral mastectomy in 3/06 after 12 yrs of HRT due to total hysterectomy in 11/93. Life goes on, I am thankful things seem to be working out. Femara must being doing something! Just wanted to be an encouragement to those starting out on the drug - not everyone has the awful side-effects mentioned. I did have minor hot-flashes - perhaps the Effexor helped? | I lost a lot of aspects of my life due to the cancer. Recently I have forced an exercise regimen by riding my bicycle 14 or 20 miles round trip to work, depending upon the location. This has helped tremendously with my achy neck and right hip. I find that movement is much easier upon wakening. God's Blessings | 49 | 1.5 years | 10/9/2007 | 3 | Breast Cancer diagnosed March 05 | I was first on Femara in early 2006, but had to switch to Evista because of osteoporosis. While on Evista, I developed eschemic colitis (what a nightmare) and dr suspected the medication, so switched back to Femara late 2006. Did well until recently. After reading others' experiences, I know now my symptoms are probably drug related --- 57 and feeling 87, pain in calves, ankles & feet, feel feverish, hands can't grip. I also like to be active and sometimes exercise just makes it much worse. But at least I'm still alive and now have a good idea of what's causing the problems and can revisit this with my dr. | F | 57 | | 10/7/2007 | 1 | estrogen block after chemo Stage II | Severe heel pain when first standing up. Can't wear normal shoes. Have ache in hands enough that it is difficult to use a pen to write. | F | 65 | 3 months | 10/7/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer, Stage 2 | Vaginal dryness,(but then I am almost 65 years old), some joint stiffness upon rising, hair was a little thinner after it grew back from chemo hair loss, but not noticeably. | My oncologist, who is Chinese, put me on Omega 3 fish oil, acidophilus,(both 3 times per day) and melatonin almost immediately when I began my treatments and I was already taking milk thistle 2 or 3 times per day. I stayed on these all during chemo and kept them up after I finished it and radiation. I feel that these supplements have helped me. I do have some joint stiffness and a little pain but it's not terrible and I plan to ask my oncologist about taking glucosomine for the joint pain. I did not continue with melatonin. I wouldn't advise anyone to take the supplements without checking with their doctor but I feel they've helped me. | F | 64 | 1 days | 9/23/2007 | 1 | DCIS, status post lumpectomy | I began taking Femara after completing five years of Tamoxifen. Eight to ten weeks after starting Femara, I experienced severe bone and muscle pain, severe morning stiffness with joint swelling and pain, even developing a Baker’s cyst behind my right knee. I experienced severe headaches, worst I have ever had, with numbness down my arms and severe back pain where MRIs revealed cervical radiculopathy and disc degeneration at C5-C7 along with a large cyst at L4-L5 that was growing into the vertebrae and pressing against the sciatic nerve causing extreme sciatica and loss of control of my right leg ending in back surgery and fusion at L4-L5. There has been terrible weight gain, abdominal pain, horrific sweating and decreased libido. I was told that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis even though all the blood tests were normal. None of the extremely expensive arthritis medications worked. I am 54 and feel 94! I am a professional woman and have been able to work only part-time. I canno | This medication was rushed through normal FDA trials without thought to patient outcomes. I am very discomforted to be treated as a Guinea Pig and in this case would not wish this on them either. | F | 54 | 3.5 years | 9/23/2007 | 5 | Breast Cancer Stage 1 | Weight gain only. No joint aches or stiffness or other side effects. | I am very grateful for this drug. I am cancer free after 5 years | F | 58 | 2 years | 9/22/2007 | 1 | breast cancer stage 2 | Extreme joint pain feet and hands, stiff, extremely tired, mild depression. Numbness in feet and body aches. Weight gain accompanied by elevated liver enzymes. Sonogram of liver revealed fatty deposits in the liver. Losing weight was next to impossible.Development of ostopenia. | Took tamoxifen for 5 years with uncomfortable but tolerable side effects. Within 1 month of starting femara extreme side effects began to occur. Could not sleep because of aching bones and muscles. Wrists would not function and knee pain was extreme. Neuropathy in feet was very uncomfortable. Gained 25 pounds and liver enzymes were elevated. Increased cholestrol and blood pressure was borderline. Stopped femara after 1 1/2 terrible years. Within 2 weeks symptoms were better. Able to lose weight (30 lbs) and liver enzymes have returned to normal. Blood pressure has returned to normal. Day to day living is much better but I still have that lingering thought,did I make the right decision by stopping? | F | 56 | 1.5 years | 9/22/2007 | 4 | recurrence to chest wall | Pain in feet, all joints, vision blurriness, sore in morning, headaches, weight gain (possibly related to chemo and steriods).This also could mean that your body is metabolizing the drug more completely and that it may be working. | To all reading this, yes, this is not a fun drug to be on. It has side effects which can cause pain, but remember, your on this to stop cancer from recurring. Studies show it helps. I am now stage four, and mabye if I was on this at stage 1 four years ago I wouldn't be where i am now. So suck it up girls - it just might be the ticket to save your life. So, yes, I'll take all the pain, especially if I have a chance to see my chidren grow up. By the way, I had my first cancer at age 29(Stage 1) then again at 38 (also Stage 1), and now 42 with Stage 4. Good luck to all and please pray for a cure. | F | 42 | 8 months | 9/21/2007 | 2 | Stage 2 Est. pos. 1 node | Severe Pain in hands and feet, mild pain and swelling in all joints, Chills followed by hot flashes, swelling in face, thinning hair and weight gain around the middle. Not sure if the last 3 symptoms are Femara related. | I try and stay away from such websites because as someone reported on this site that we should keep an open mind however I have been to a rheumatologist and endocronologist in the last 2 months and both pointed the finger at Femara. After reading similar symptoms I have made the decision to go off and see if they go away. | F | 53 | 6 months | 9/20/2007 | 4 | BC est+ Her2+ stage 2 no nodes | My side effects include swollen and aching hands with very painful trigger finger on right (dominant) hand; some fingers are showing signs of becoming trigger fingers on both hands. No grasping strength with right hand. Extreme vaginal dryness. Zero libido. Moderate weight gain in waist/abdomen. Occasional pain in right side. Numbness in both hands linked to neck degeneration from old injuries. Palpitations. Have recently developed asthma, which may be unrelated, and includes chest pain with exercise. Pain in feet, ankles, knees in morning and after sitting goes away after taking several steps. | I take fish oil (4000 mg/day), glucosamine chondroitin (Metagenics 'ChondroCare' w/ 1500 mg/day of D-Glucosamine sulfate & 1200 mg/day of Chondroitin sulfate), zinc (100 mg/day), calcium citrate w/ magnesium (1500 mg/day), vitamin D3 (1000 mg/day), Ester C w/ bioflavonoids (4000 mg/day). Whenever I run out of any one of these, my symptoms worsen. It takes a while for them to improve after I replenish my supply. I can live with all side effects (with a few grumbles) but the pain in my right hand. I'm an artist. I can't afford to lose dexterity. Will consult with oncologist shortly. | F | 53 | 4 years | 9/19/2007 | 3 | Breast Cancer | Muscle and bone aches, 10 lb. weight gain, depression, decreased energy and enthusiasm | Am coming up on 1 year on Femara after 4 years of Tamoxifen. On the plus side, my hot flashes decreased markedly in both intensity and duration. Sometimes the bone and/or muscle aches are almost unbearable and I have to resort to taking opiates. If I had known about the slow down in metabolism and the gradual weight gain, I'm not sure I would have let my oncologist talk me into taking Femara. I'm supposed to take it for a total of 5 years. Not sure what I will decide to do. | F | 56 | 1 years | 9/18/2007 | 2 | stage 2 breast cancer | can anyone help me? just come off ARIMIDEX due to all the same side effects as you all suffer from Femara.....is it worth the change? | anybody who has taken arimidex and suffered joint pains - and switched to Femara -I need to hear your experiences ASAP!!! | F | 45 | | 9/17/2007 |