Faslodex discomfort

[Lemur2015]

Hi all. Can anyone currently on faslodex tell me how you get through the discomfort of the injections? My last injections were so painful they brought tears to my eyes. I ended up with two welts one on each side. It has been two weeks and I still have discomfort and sensitivity in those two areas with a slight stinging sensation. The last 6 injections were not this bad but now my anxiety about getting the next round is through the roof. I hate to mess with my treatment so early since I have just started the 3rd cycle of Ibrance/Faslodex but this is pretty bad. And to boot my CA27.29 has increased since the original one taken 3 months ago.

[Hidden]

I started faslodex in September. I received good advice here: since faslodex is refrigerated, make sure they warm it up. Stand facing a chair and hold onto the arms of the chair. Bend at the knee and don’t put pressure in side getting injection. It stings a little going in but nothing bad. Last time I had a new nurse and I could tell she didn’t have a good technique Hurt for 2 weeks and huge bruise to one side and “knot” on other. Nurse did not inject in best spot and moved needle as she injected. If I get her again I’m going to nicely show her where to inject and how. Sometimes a warm pack after injection helps. If you get bruised use ice. Hope it helps

[Julie2233 in reply to Hidden]

I completely agree with Nrocks advice. I go in a little early and the nurse's let me warm up the sringes by putting them under my arms for 15 to 20 minutes prior to injection. Looks a bit silly but this brings the fluid to body temperature and makes the injection easier.

I stand leaning against a chair for the injection and make sure my body is as relaxed as it can be. When the nurse injects your left side put all your weight on your right foot and slightly bend your left knee and make sure it's not tense and ensure your shoulder is relaxed too.

Ask the nurse to inject slowly - if it's done too quickly you will get a hard lump for a couple of weeks afterwards. Gently massage the area afterwards for a good couple of minutes. Some ladies use a heat pad - I put my heated car seat on to drive home. But the key is to make sure all your muscles are as relaxed as they can be.

Hope this helps, I'm now on my 8th cycle and by doing this I find the injections completely manageable, but it has been a learning curve for me and the nurses.

[Nelsonyong]

Hi sorry to hear about the injection pain. I've shared several times here on how to reduce pain. My mom is on Faslodex since August. She has no complaints on pain at all. Her nurse is so kind to change the needles to a much smaller one I. E 21G besides warm it up properly before injection. Pls discuss with your nurse if it's possible to get the change the needles. Hope this helps. Take care

[RomieRom]

Hi, sorry to hear about the pain that you have with the falsodex. I took it for three months in the earlier part of this year. I had the nurse spray a numbing agent on both areas before the injection and I took Tylenol before I went in for the injections. I also used lidocaine before I went to get the injection. I rubbed the lidocaine on the area where I received my last shot. Hope this helps, it worked for me. Stay strong! Be blessed.

[Hidden]

Hi Lemur,

I don't take Faslodex, but I do have monthly injections of Zoladex, so can relate to the pain of injections. I would ask for a local anaesthetic to numb the area before injections. My first Zoladex injection was administered at the hospital with no pain relief and it was very painful. But my local doctor's surgery always offers me a local anaesthetic. I think all doctors and nurses should do so. This is causing you emotional and physical pain, so I would speak to the doctors and nurses about it. Hopefully they will accommodate your wishes.

Take care,

Sophie ❤

[kkrouse]

My nurse warms the syringe in her hands, then it’s very, very slow push. If it starts to sting, she backs off a bit. Also, I found that using paper tape helps immensely. I’m not allergic to adhesive, however, I react around the injection site with pain, burning and itching if we use plastic tape. I used to have the reaction for weeks after. I have one nurse I request each time. She has the whole thing figured out. I do have lumps and they can be tender if bumped for a few days. Good luck.

[KarenHale]

On each side have them find the hip bone and count three fingers down this is where the injection should go where there is the least discomfort.

[Kabe]

I get the faslodex shot every 30 days - the nurses always warm it up( sometimes if I’m early I still have to wait because it’s not warmed up yet). Always have 2 nurses that inject it together ( sometimes it stings )

The reaction I get is a couple of days later I’ll get extremely tired/ exhausted - it will last 24-36 hours

Hang in there -

I’ve hit the one year mark this month😃 waiting on mri results ( ordered because pain in two tumor areas has gotten worse )

[PJBinMI]

I was on Faslodex for over 9 years and learned alot about making the injections the most comfortable! At the cancer center where I go, the pharmacist always takes all the Faslodex that will be used that day out of the refrigerator first thing in the morning! And I agree with what others have said about the importance of getting the chill out of it! Holding it in your hands, or arm pits works well. It helps to be well hydrated--I've made a point of drinking extra water the day before, day of and day after the injections. I like what Karen just wrote about where it should go in. Also, do take your weight off the side being injected. Unless you have incredible balance, you'll want to have something to hold onto or lean against. Even the wall has worked for me though I preferred a counter height surface. Relax the side being injected and just brace your leg a little with only your toes on the floor. I never bent the other leg. I agree about possibly asking for paper tape over the injection site--much less likely to have a skin reaction. I saw the written protocol for these injections at the cancer center, years ago, and it said at least 3 minutes for each injection. The Faslodex is a very thick substance and is a challenge to nurses' thumbs! But slow is easier on them and on us. I never needed to use a numbing product before or rubbing afterwards but maybe I was just lucky! The nurse should have a private area for these injections and you can help get them into the right spots by lowering your pants quite a bit, one side at a time and in privacy! If you are expected to get the shot in a public space, raise holy hell! We have to advocate for ourselves at times and since these shots have been so difficult for you, this is a time to speak up for yourself! Room temp and slow injection are worth fighting for, IMHO! If you anticipate resistance, you could call and speak with the nurse who works with your onc and ask how best to approach this! Don't mention the internet but just say that several friends who get Faslodex at other locations have advised you to ask for the fluid to be room temp and the injections to be slow, at least 3 minutes per side. (Some medical professionals pooh-paw anything we learn on line.)

[Rhwright12 in reply to PJBinMI]

Hi! I receive Zoladex shots every 12 weeks. And yes there is a technique to giving these shots...! And some aren’t as gifted. 😱 after 2 1/2 years at the same place, I love them all! I just don’t love them all with needle in hand...I get the shot next week and I’ll probably sign in and say “so is Barb here today?” lol! 😂 (Hint Hint)

[PJBinMI in reply to Rhwright12]

Your note reminds me of one of the "decisions" I made soon after diagnosis--to make friends with needles! lol I quickly realized I would be encountering alot of them and I better get past my fears! I'd had a really bad experience with an IV that infiltrated when I was 19, and that imprinted a somewhat PTSD like reaction in me to all needles. I never didn't get a shot or IV that I needed and regularly gave blood, but it always made me tighten up and look away. I have surprised myself and now can even watch the needle go in without tensing up! It's taken work on my part but sure worth it. I do have a port and love it, though I've not needed it for meds for a long time, just get it flushed every 6-8 weeks now. I've given shots to one of our cats, too, and gotten rather good at that.

[Hidden]

I was on Faslodex for about 17 months and I agree with the tips for the injections. One other thing worked wonders for me: walking! I was told before the first treatment that being active and walking would help alleviate any pain. I took that to heart and made sure that my post-injection regimen included a long walk the same day and for days after. Even with all the precautions, I had one set of injections that were more painful because the nurse was new and didn't get the best injection site but walking helped even with those.

[Kimr2081]

I really never had any lasting side effects from Faslodex. The nurse who would give me my shot would always make sure the medication was warmed up as they keep it refrigerated and then I would put all my weight on one side and they would inject the other side and then I would switch. It sounds like to me maybe they don't know how to inject it properly. It was one of the easiest things I have had.

[BeckyinMaine]

I read that walking for at least 20 minutes, better yet 30 to 45 minutes, helps with the pain. Weather permitting I do at least 30 minutes and It does help. So sorry you’ve had such a rough time. Good luck.

[Klamato]

When I bend over to get the shot, the nurse suggested to turn my feet in toward each other( like pigeon toed) which definitely has help. Also deep breaths while they are giving the shot. I have less anxiety since it doesn't bother me as much, however I still do have muscle pain following the injections for a couple of days. I know this stuff sucks, but consider that it's doing the job we need so badly! Hang in there and be strong! God bless! Kathy