Tamoxifen AND Femara - Cancer: Breast Message Board

celticfan · 02-20-2009, 12:57 PM

i was dx with Stage2 B Breast Cancer in 2002. i had large3 tumors, and the surgery ended up taking almost half my breast. my margins were clear, although it was almost borderline.i had A/C chemo, 33 rads, 4 of 14 nodes were positive. i took tamoxifen for 2 years, then switched health insurance and started with a new oncologist. He said, because of the aggressiveness of my cancer, he'd prefer that i take Femara. i took that for 1.5 yrs until money ran short, and i had to stop femara. Now that i'm financially back on track, i see the oncologist soon. What do you think the odds are that i will be done with the Femara? and of course, in the back of my mind, is my cancer going to come back, because i didnt really complete either the Femara or Tamoxifen?

Stitcher317 · 02-23-2009, 08:10 PM

I haven't a clue about when you'll be finished with the drugs but do have a question for you.

I just finished my radiation and one Oncologist tells me I should take Tamoxifen and another said not a big deal at my age (66) and Stage 0 cancer with no lymph node involvement.

How old were you went to went on it and how did you feel on both drugs? I understand the side effects are quite unpleasant. Also, both my parents died of strokes and I still have a uterus, thus the concerns regarding the Tamoxifen. I do understand the ramifications of getting Br. Cancer back again but concerned about the potential life threatening side effects.

Thanks for your time.

leea1206 · 02-23-2009, 10:17 PM

Msdebegain-

I think the guidelines are 5 yrs of either tamox and aromatase inhibitor or combination. It sounds like you did the tamox and then switched to femara for a total of 3.5yrs of therapy. - that is a big plus that you already have 3.5yrs of anti-hormone meds, "under your belt."

I would guess the onc. might want to put you back on the femara, even though you had a break from it. I have read they are doing studies to see if the AIs should be taken even longer than 5yrs, depending on a pt's situation.

I took tamox for 1.5yrs and have been on femara, also for 1yr, now.
Leea

celticfan · 03-03-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitcher317

How old were you went to went on it and how did you feel on both drugs? I understand the side effects are quite unpleasant. Also, both my parents died of strokes and I still have a uterus, thus the concerns regarding the Tamoxifen. I do understand the ramifications of getting Br. Cancer back again but concerned about the potential life threatening side effects.

Thanks for your time.

i didnt have one problem with either Tamoxifen or Femara.i was 46 when i started Tamoxifen. Of all of the drugs i have ever taken (diabetes, migraines etc) i have never had an adverse reaction to any of them.

remark46 · 01-01-2010, 07:47 AM

I was told that I must take Femara for 5 years! I have complained about the weight gain and flashes and wanted my drug changed but any drug will do the same he said but I must stay on it and never stop it. Try to call the Cancer Society & see if they know of someone that can see to it u get your meds!