Metastatic Breast Cancer to the bone

I'm so sick of having cancer! Started in 2015. Along with MANY other situations, my Faslodex injections are giving me these huge, painful lumps on my buttocks that I'm sick of dealing with! (See how angry I am right now??) Any medical suggestion on how to make this situation stop happening? Going on 3 years of this "pain in the butt". 🤣😂🤣😂 OK, trying to keep my sense of humor!! Thank you!❤

[Jewelyn]

Hi first of all find ways to calm your mind. You can do this. I’m living proof. Maybe you already do, but put ice on your butt. I’ve been getting these injections since 2018. I agree they hurt but the alternative? It’s the better of the 2evils. 2011 mbc in t6 in my back, Radiation, Zometa then 2018 changed to Ibrance, faslodex and Zometa, it sucks but I’m doing really well. I try to deal with side effects and not think about treatments til next time I have to. Feel better read jokes,watch comedy hang in there

[Jewelyn in reply to Jewelyn]

Oh I forgot I took femara from 2011 to 2018 along with Zometa

[Hidden in reply to Jewelyn]

Thank you!! Apply ice before, after? When? I laugh better than the best!🤣😂

[Jewelyn in reply to Hidden]

Ice after 😂when I get faslodex they warm it up because it’s so thick and takes a good 29 seconds to inject it is soo much better. It makes a big difference

[Hidden in reply to Jewelyn]

According to the manufacturer’s instructions: The recommended dose of FASLODEX is 500 mg to be administered intramuscularly into the buttocks (gluteal area) SLOWLY (1 - 2 MINUTES per injection) as two 5 mL injections, one in each buttock, on Days 1, 15, 29, and once monthly thereafter [see Clinical Studies (14)].May 20, 2019

[Zebra2018]

Hi beautiful lady, who isn’t? I am on faslodex since December of 2018(MBC to the bone) + IBRANCE and xgeva! The trick for faslodex is you have to ask them to inject it very very slowly. My nurse told me the instructions says 3 minutes ! I never had serious problem except in the beginning that I wasn’t aware of slow injections. Try it and you will thank me later 😂🤣♥️🌹

[Hidden in reply to Zebra2018]

Thank you Zebra!!! My timing is exactly the same as yours. And my medications as well. OK, they are NOT doing it slowly so I'm going to ask for that this week. My "lumps" hurt so bad now, I'll try anything! Do you use ice afterwards like everybody is suggesting? Or not needed? Thank you so much!❤🙏🥰

[Zebra2018 in reply to Hidden]

I used ice in the beginning but after I met this wonderful nurse and she did it very very slowly! Now the only Paine I feel is : when they insert the needle to my bottom! Good luck

Sima

[Topood in reply to Hidden]

I only was on it for a couple of months, but my nurses did it really slowly and I really had no bad side effects, at the site or otherwise….tell them to SLOW DOWN!

[Karen2235 in reply to Zebra2018]

Thanks for the advice. It is one of the reasons I am so grateful for this website. I have my Faslodex injections due next week and, although my doctor is excellent, the more information about how she can administer the jab the better. I will apply ice after too. It is only my 4th cycle.

[13plus in reply to Karen2235]

Try my tips below!

[483724667]

l get bruises and lumps after my infection thank goodness its now once a month...l massage Aloe Vera gel in..l.keep it in the fridge so lovely and cold...l.find it very soothing..sending hugs x

[13plus]

The speed of the injection definitely makes a difference! Also, make sure they, or you, have held the syringes long enough to heat to room temperature! If not the gel remains extra thick and does not spread inside your tissue as easily (also makes it more painful for the injection). Next, not ice, HEAT pad, to continue to help soften the gel. But really what helps me the most when I have needed it, is taking a Claritin (antihistamine). A nurse told me that and I thought it was crazy but it really helps with the pain and any itchiness, which the latter sometimes drove me crazy! Not a good look walking around scratching your butt constantly 😂 Lastly, get a foam roller, or you could stand and use the rounded edge of a table or something (and lean in) and massage it out. It literally helps disperse the gel and flatten those lumps.

Cancer truly sucks but we have it, so we may as well accept it and celebrate each year we are still here on earth. I don't like the injections either but I remind myself to be grateful for what they achieve. I hope these tips give you some relief!!

[Hidden in reply to 13plus]

Thank you so much!! We can kick butt (sorry🤣) with this!! Yes, grateful to still be here!!🙏🙏

[Hidden]

What has helped me with my Faslodex injections is this:1) Make sure the medication is at room temperature before injection.

2) Medication must be injected VERY SLOWLY.

3) Massage the area immediately after injection.

4) The nurses give me WARM packs to apply over the injected areas for comfort while driving home because WARM packs increase circulation.

I personally believe that applying ice will not help and may actually prevent the medication from being absorbed quickly. I have been on Faslodex and Ibrance for two years and have no lumps from the injections. I hope this helps you. 🙏

[Goldenhair in reply to Hidden]

You are so right. Exactly what I do and it works! Great share. -GH

[Ycats277]

I have them too . I use a heating pad for sympathy lol it does nothing . I’m greatful only to bones . I have 6 month pet on Wednesday, scared

[Hidden in reply to Ycats277]

HOW WAS YOUR SCAN REPORT??

[Ycats277 in reply to Hidden]

It was great 👍🏼

[cancerjustgotreal]

I'm w/ you on the butt injection pain. I had one fabulous nurse immediately follow up each injection w/ what he called "making biscuits." If you have a cat which we both do, its that slow, kneading motion kittens do to get milk from their mommas. Many cats continue to do it once fully grown & it's a firm circular motion around the injection site & then back & forth over it. He said he continues until he feels the thick injection disperse & smooth out under the skin. Made a huge difference; no pain immediately after & still no pain 9 days later. Good luck!

[love2golfwell]

I am so sorry you are having this pain. There have been some suggestions posted on this site by other ladies familiar with Faslodex on how to deal with this. I remember them saying the needles should be warmed up first and there were other suggestions, too. Look at posts by BestBird about Faslodex or Fulvestrant. I believe she is the one who has posted some good suggestions. Best of luck to you.

[misshope1]

Hi,Ask your nurse to massage the muscle before and after the faslodex shots

This technique helps disperse the med.

[Hidden]

Thank you all SO much for listening to me and sending back helpful information!! Appreciate it! Also, just telling you all my frustration made me feel much better!! My sense of humor is back 100% and if anybody wants to express their feelings to me, I promise I'll make you 😅 laugh!! Thank you❤❤

[BangorBelle]

Is the injection too cold ? I think it makes a huge diff if nurse warms it in her hand first. Also is she doing it slowly enough?That makes a huge difference. I had it for 14 weeks and it was fine, but everyone is different. Good luck x