Contemplating switching from Femara to Anastrazole

[Bailey3266]

Hi! Afraid of change, per usual.

Anyone make this change previously?

The reason my oncologist suggested it was the side effects of letrozole (maybe Ibrance too) @ times put me down-as I feel like day after car accident feels or I’m 80-90 years old.

My reluctance to change is for following reasons:

1. Devil 😈 you know = better than 👿 Devil you don’t know.

2. The ONC said sometimes when you switch to another type of Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) the MS side effects will improve greatly—but the could actually become worse than they already are.

3. I did not like the numerous life threatening (sudden death) & worse potential side effects of listed Anastrazole vs only feeling like total Crap a few times a month & typically on my “off-IBRANCE” week!

4. The effectiveness of my current Med Regime = Ibrance/letrozole which has me @ no progression very early on intreatment; then 14 month-23rd month with no radiographic evidence all with minimum side effects. I’m absolutely afraid to change my current regime that’s working!

So, I’m reaching out to see:

1. if others have been on either of the 3 AI’s that are available in pill form & what side effects they’ve encountered.

2. Did you initially try Femara Ibrance then other oral AIs or just go right to Fulvestrant (I think that’s the name) shots?

3. How do the shots work and is it like an AI. Does anyone know about the progression free state is it shown to be longer with the traditional Ibrance/Femara combo or same with either one of the pill alternatives or Fulvestrant shots!

Thank you!

[4thTimesTheCharm]

Difficult to know how your body will react unless you try it. I could not take either Letrozole or Anastrozole, but doing very well on Ibrance. Good luck.

[Francesca10]

I was on faslodex shots for one year then ibrance got added with xygeva. I lasted 9 months but had to stop because of allergic reactions.

If your treatment is working why mess with it? The faslodex is tolerable. I had ups n downs each month with ibrance. Each person is different.

[Red71]

When I had my first diagnosis of breast cancer I was put on Anastrozole. It gave me a extreme pain reaction to any muscle strain. I was switched to Letrozole and my only side effects were hot flashes and dryness which was expected. I was on it for 5 years with no other problems. Now that I am on Ibrance I have periods of extreme exhaustion so I have to blame the Ibrance. So I wonder which causes your problems and think that you won’t know unless you try the Anastrozole. You can always switch back if it is worse, so I wouldn’t worry too much.

[Lilykristymichael]

I am on Anastrozole combined with Ibrance and have had few side effects. Minor thinning of hair and lack of energy. I was terrified to take both these meds but more afraid of Ibrance. Since beginning these my constant cough has disappeared and my tumor markers are way down. They definitely have slowed my disease progression. Now I just down them like a piece of candy😝. It is scary but at some point we have to trust our oncologist!! Please know you are not alone.

[mariootsi]

We just never know how we will react to different meds.

Changes are scary, but sometimes we benefit from the change but it sounds like you are getting good results from your present meds.

[kearnan]

The best answers are the ones some of these women provided. Everybody has completely different reactions to different meds and of course they, by law, have to provide side effects that MAY or MAY NOT occur. Because one woman does badly on one med means nothing for you and your medical case or health.