Faslodex injections

[SMPG]

How much Faslodex injection do you get at one time? Because I thought I saw somewhere here that they inject one butt cheek and the following time, the other and so alternating. Today I got my first one and they injected a full large syringe in each butt cheek for a total of 500 mg. It seems to me that it is a huge quantity but the nurse confirmed this is the treatment.

[luckysmom13]

I get 1 shot on each side. They said the total dose is too large to put in one muscle.

[SMPG in reply to luckysmom13]

I see. That is what I was told too. Do you get any nasty side effects? I hope not.

[luckysmom13 in reply to SMPG]

Everyone is different. I get hard painful knots that can last a few weeks. Others have said they have minimal or no pain. It also makes my urine smell for a few days. 😂

[Teagla in reply to luckysmom13]

Hi luckysmom13, I saw that you have gotten painful knots from your Faslodex injections. I have been getting the shots for 5 years now, and the knots come when the injection in too low into your butt rather that higher up on the hip - called the ventro-gluteal area. I usually say, even when the same person has given them to me, “please go high up on my hip”. It has made all the difference for me not getting the knots. Good luck!

[debbiedo2063]

Hi I get one in each cheek butt every month same as you.

Had no issues so far been getting them a year almost now.

Debra xxx

🥰

[SMPG in reply to debbiedo2063]

That is encouraging. I want to be optimistic and think I won't have side effects, just like you.

[Melpub]

One in each butt cheek is exactly right. When I was first informed about Faslodex, my oncologist said I'd be getting an injection "in each hip." This was a translation issue--I'm in Germany and my oncologist kindly speaks to me in English--but as I quickly discovered, the injection is in the butt. What I've learned, over months, years, is that some nurses can do the injection almost painlessly--so painlessly that I nervously inquire whether they're aware this injection has to be intramuscular--and yes, they know. Others seem to hit a nerve every time, but I'm always asked whether there's pain in my leg and no, there isn't--just right there in the butt where that viscous stuff, heavy as salad oil, is being pumped in. You or the nurse should immediately massage the injection site and walk around--doing so minimizes the possibility that a hard little bump will appear where the shot went in. I do get those bumps occasionally but they do go away eventually. I find one nurse can only manage the injection if I'm lying on my side. Go figure. Those are the painful injections.

But they're not that bad--unpleasant, but well worth the unpleasantness. I'm alive! I've been on this stuff since March, 2018. No side effects apart from the occasional little bump, as described. Exercise really helps--cross trainer, stretches, machines.

[SMPG in reply to Melpub]

From reading here, it appears that most if not all people get their injection while lying down on the side. Well, where I go, at Dana Farber, we are supposed to stand or lean against a chair. With the leg that needs to be relaxed up. Not very relaxing! But, so far I did not get any pain or anything. Fingers crossed!

[Melpub in reply to SMPG]

One of the nurses suggested I stand--I did and nearly fainted. No idea why. I prefer lying on my stomach.

All this is taking place at a largish university hospital in a medium-sized German city.

[8576 in reply to SMPG]

I got it standing up with the relaxed leg. No problem.

Cheers, June S.

[kearnan in reply to SMPG]

At the Brooklyn, NY cancer center I go, its just leaning against the door and whoever is doing it will say okay, I am going to do this one first. I said it doesn't matter, I do not need to know. I do not lean harder on one side than the other. I am happy though when they are already warmed up thus saving me that five minutes of having to warm them up myself.

[GG33]

I started with a half a dose I only had three shots in the first month and happy I insisted incase I had a bad reaction( example I do with with everything I started ibrance at 75 mg incase I had a reaction) back to injection three and last injection I got very sick .. I stopped them oncologist said ria you are sensitive to it.. seriously took 6 weeks to be out of body pain and nausea..I have had first reaction to something in 14 years.. I only took the injection to shut oncology up .. they wanted me to try piqray I did not want it they talked about injection thought it would be easier.. learn lesson ( I study drugs and all these years only do what I’m comfortable with( lady u do want makes u comfortable) tomorrow go to oncologist ..something crazy happens to me 4 days ago with walker I’m walking more in these last days then I did in the past year, nausea gone ( since I lost weight being nauseous ( was overweight) I’m eat organic fruit , veggies, eggs wild caught fish but small meals so I get to normal weight . Ride stationary bike twice a day only 1/2 hour crazy sleep like a baby..now only taking 100 mg ibrance. If you don’t want to believe me ask a pharmacist damn injection is in your body 120 days ., I’m feeling really good., I hav bern praying for stable., honestly don’t know what happened seriously feel good., never again take anything from oncology that I do not agree with., I apologize it’s my way I well studied science background and pharmacy too.. I choose more natural ways.. since I feel good I am in prayer to God in gratitude..

[Corrina97]

Yes that's right .that's what I get too🥰ouch x

[8576]

I got an injection in each side once a month. I found applying heat helps but had the shots for a year without problems. I agree some nurses are better at it than others.

Cheers, June S.

[SMPG in reply to 8576]

Yes, I know, somebody, maybe you, or several people said that heat helps. I told that to the nurse. She was astonished because she said she always recommends cold. She gave me two cold packs to insert in my undies and keep them for the duration of my drive home (over an hour). She did not massage the places of the injections. I did it myself.

[TammyCross in reply to SMPG]

Heating up the Faslodex helps! It makes it more liquid so it goes in more easily. Amazing what nurses do not know. I learned from women here to warm it a bit by putting the needles under my thighs or in my arm pits for a bit before the injection. Made a world of difference. The nurses appreciated it, too, because it was easier to push in. Whether you put hot or cold on the injection site after -- I don't know. Others think warm is better.

[8576 in reply to SMPG]

That is weird. The injection is made of oil. Warm helps it to flow. It is ice cold when it comes from the pharmacy. My nurse always had me hold it in my hands to warm it up while she took my vitals, or under my arm pits. Took the chill off and she administered it in just under one minute each side. Supposed to be much slower but I never had a problem. I used the heated seats in the car going home. Maybe check with the manufacturer.

Cheers, June S.

[troutgal]

I get 250 on each for a total of 500.

[MarshMom]

Original BC2008, diagnosed MBC 2019. I am currently on Ibrance 100mg, Falsodex 500mg, and XGeva treatment. Just changed to Falsodex from Letrozole after two years when it stopped working.

I get one shot each side monthly. As others have said it is different for everyone. I have found that having good communication with your health care team and letting them know what is best for you is the key. I have been taking the injections for 5 months now. Between my own reactions and great feedback from this site, I am finally in my groove. Once I arrive for my appointment, I let the receptionist know to have the nurse pull the shots when I first get to the office so it will be warming up to room temp. I have to lay down on exam bed because I get anxious and light headed. The nurse uses numbing cold spray, usually takes 2-3 minutes to inject and then they massage the area after the injection. Once I’m done I ride with my heated car seats, walking and a lot of movement the rest of the day, and a hot Dr. Teal salt bath at night🥰

Again, learning what works best for you, taking the time to communicate with your health care team and having patience in the process has been a good course of action for me!

Be blessed! 💕🙏🏻💕

[SMPG in reply to MarshMom]

Thank you. My oncologist said that in March or April there will be a new, great oral treatment that can be used instead of Faslodex. I cannot wait because pills are easier and I don't have to drive back and forth to Dana Farber and do our all those checkpoints before I can get to where I need to go.

[jersey-jazz in reply to SMPG]

Looking back on the streams on our site, I see you mentioned an oral dose of Faslodex. It is well past the spring. Do you have any recent news about thermal form?

[SMPG in reply to jersey-jazz]

I never heard of oral Faslodex. I think my oncologist would have told me because I keep asking about oral treatments.

[Nocillo]

250 on each side every time for a total of 500 per treatment. It should be warmed up before injection. Good luck to you! I took this treatment along with arimidex for 5 1/2 years before it stopped working.

[Hidden]

That's correct. 250mg in each cheek. Hopefully at the same time. Total of 500mg. 👍🤞🙏

[cpidacks]

One shot in each butt for a total 500. I have been on Faslodex since March of 2019. Side effects that I have had (but not all the time) are bruising, itching and a hard area which does go away. Urine does smell for a few days. I drink plenty of water to help get rid of the smell. Try to relax when the nurses are giving you the shots. The nurses massage the area and my heated seats in the car help. Good luck to you and all of us in our journey.

[Sister3nkc]

Hello friend. Unfortunately, the volume of Faslodex needed is too large for 1 syringe or 1 site, so yes, you will get 2 shots. It is also very thick so 2 syringes with larger needles are necessary...😪Thankfully it is only 1 x per month!

[LadyKatarina]

They tell me the best spot for injection is in the "ventro-gluteal." NOT the "cheek." So it is really in the "hip." Google ventro-gluteal and you will find all kinds of instructions. If they give it in the dorso-gluteal (the other recommended site), it can be too close to the sciatic nerve. Yes, two 250 ml syringes to get the total of 500 ml. Some generic brands of fulvestrant are better than others. At my cancer center the purchasing dep't. got the "cheapest" one--and a number of us had problems with it. If you have sudden changes, ask them the brand. I just check the box the syringes come in--or take the insert--and keep a log. Some nurses have said not good to rub or apply heat--it is best to let it absorb on its own. Best to you!

[Misspositiveattitude]

I have 2 nurses do it and 1 shot in each side at the same time. Never had an issue with any effects after, and dont even feel the shots ! Just make sure they warm the solution and lean over with your toes pointed at each other. Good luck😉

[SMPG in reply to Misspositiveattitude]

You are being pampered Two nurses! And lying down! Not so for me. But it was easy enough.

[Misspositiveattitude in reply to SMPG]

Oh I'm not lying down😉 I just lean over and hold on to a tray table🤣🤣

[luckysmom13 in reply to SMPG]

Haha I do lie down and get both shots at the same time, 2 nurses.

[Rbeth]

I just got home from my shots. I have Lidocaine numbing gel applied to the two spots and wait 15 minutes. I stand and don’t put weight on the one side and get the shot, then switch legs. I put ice packs in my clothes and walk around for 15 minutes. I am now home on a heating pad. FYI: I started Piqray two months ago. My cancer numbers are going down. The medication has raised my blood sugar. I will speak to a endocrinologist specialist next week. No rash or mouth sores. My oncologist said he put three patients on and I was the only successful one. Yes we are all so different.

Be well my fighting friends. MBC care is a full time job. Reenie

[PJBinMI]

I'm a long timer and when I first started Faslodex, in 2009, the standard dose was 250 mg, so one shot. It was second line treatment for me and worked for over 9 years. I forget exactly when the stanard dose doubled to 500 mg, two shots. I have never heard of getting it lying down and was advised to take my weight off the side being injected, so I would lean on something. I found it easy to be on. When the dose doubled, my CA27-29 dropped into the normal range and stayed there for a few months. I have known quite a few women with E+ her2neu - mbc who got more time from Faslodex than from initial Letrozole ( or another AI).

[kearnan]

Since I started, it has always been one in each butt cheek. The easiest part of it all. Tiny little prick on each side and I am off and running out of there. No massage, no warmer, I feel nothing, just a bit itchy but am able to sit on my butt as soon as she is done.

[Hotlantaphatz]

Hey SMPG! That is my treatment as well. Told to split dosage; one in each buttock. Experience site pain, and knots where injected.

[SMPG in reply to Hotlantaphatz]

It is customary to split the dosage and get half in each buttock. I have lots of knots and I think some nerve must have been touched because I have some pain in my back thighs. For that, and some residual pain from my original double mastectomy, I now get physical therapy. It helps a bit.