Posted January 24, 2009 By arlene
Hi. In Jan/08, I became a 5 year cancer survivor and was taken off tamoxafen and placed on femara. I have had problems with femara. The pain in my body has diminished but I am very fatiqued and can't walk far or do much any longer. My oncologist changed the script to aromasin but also gave me a script for femara; my choice. The side effects are the same but she hopes the effects will be less with aromasin. I should begin aromasin in 1 day. Willows has also sent me info on aromasin. The oncologist is the only doctor that has suggested I take meds. Some doctors have suggested taking no meds to improve the quality of my life. This isn't what I want. I wonder if anyone has had any experience with aromasin especially after transferring from Femara. I know everyone's experience will be different. I am frightened as I don't want to make my physical symptoms worse. I am uncomfortable taking no meds because of my personal history and my mother died from breast cancer. I am so frightened and I can't talk with my family because they get so anxious and frightened. Thanks. Arlene
Posted January 28, 2009 By mcasey89
Is femara the usual treatment after tamoxifen? I am finished with tamoxifin in Sept. 2009 and wonder what happens next?
Posted February 3, 2009 By arlene
If your tumor was caused by the estrogen and you are post menopaue (I assume it was as you are taking tamoxifen), after 5 years you then take an AI inhibitor instead. There is femara (Letrasole), aromasin and I believe there is a third drug. It helps prevent recurrences of the cancer. I was on femara for about a year and because of the side effects, I am trying aromasin instead. I know both drugs have the same side effects but sometimes it might be reduced based on one chemical in the drug.
Posted June 3, 2009 By joni
I have been on Femera for 16 months with side effects that have not been pleasant - fatigue, headaches, joint pain and vaginal dryness. My onocologist suggested I try aromasin for two months to see if I tolerate it any better. I would be interested in hearing other women's experience with these two meds.
Posted February 5, 2011 By Bermanatalie
Walking 10 km/day helps with fatigue, headaches, joint pain.
Olive oil will help you with vaginal dryness.
Posted July 23, 2009 By joni
hi Arlene
I switched to Aromasin after 16 months of Femera with side effects. I did not see any difference after three weeks and discontinued the Aromasin. I have been off the Aromasin for about a month and I am feeling better and more like myself than I have in the last year and half on medication. It is a difficult decision to stop the meds but for me it is question of quality of life.
Posted August 12, 2009 By Eastcoast2
I recently switched to Aromasin from Tamoxifen and have experienced no noticible side effects.
Posted November 9, 2009 By bailey
I am Estrogen 99%, Progesterone 10% and Her2 2% and wondered if after chemo, surgery, chemo again and radiation I will need to be on Tamoxifen? I've heard many terrible side effects for it and would rather have another drug.
Posted November 13, 2009 By Ronandval
I was also very reluctant to take Tamoxifen after a friend had not been able to sleep well on it. I waited 2 years, then decided I had to do what I could to prevent a recurrence. I had no side effects from the drug. I told my Oncologist it was making me cranky, but we both knew that was joking.
Good luck with it.
Posted December 8, 2009 By Carolyn
I am on Femara. I had terrible side effects at first. I was tired, dizzy, teary, and nauseous (no joint pain though thank goodness). I was seriously thinking about not taking it as I could not handle the idea of feeling like this for 5 years. I decided to get one of those boxes that have a little compartment for each day and leave it beside my bed and then I changed to taking Femara at night. I slept through the major parts of the side effects. When I got up to go to the bathroom at night I felt funny but by the morning I felt my old self again. I also think over time I have adjusted to the drug as if I forget the pill and have to take it in the morning the side effects are much diminished from what they once were. Hope that helps.
Posted March 2, 2010 By daisy
6 months ago I was taken off of tomoxifin and put on aromasin. I have had severe joint pain so bad that I had to stop taking the aromasin. I have been of of it for 12 days but am still have the joint pain in the back of my knees. Has anyone else experienced this and how long did the joint pain last after you stopped taking it. I go and see my oncologist in a few weeks as she will put me back on Tomoxifin.
Posted January 29, 2011 By kvasiliadis
I will be finishing 5 years on Femara in July. I am nervous but also relieved. I am wondering if I will have a better quality of life after it? Side effects...did anyone have any serious ones?
Posted February 4, 2011 By miscmom4
Hi Arlene if you are going on Fermera you may want to add Glucosime and Chondroitin to the daily mix. Unless you are allergic to shell fish. THis really helps with the stiffness and achy joints. I take it 3xs a day. Check with your dr and pharmasis.
Good luck
