Side effects of Faslodex?

[Beattheodds]

Just got word from onc yesterday that more new small nodules in lungs are cancer so he is recommending change of hormone blocker to Faslodex (stay on Ibrance) How have others tolerated Faslodex?

[Bettybuckets]

I don’t have anything to compare it to as I have only been on Ibrance and faslodex but it is just fine. Hasn’t bothered me at all. All the tiredness appears to come from ibrance

[Beattheodds in reply to Bettybuckets]

Thanks for response and your encouraging words.

[Gingerann1 in reply to Beattheodds]

I agree about the tiredness with Ibrance.

[Beattheodds in reply to Gingerann1]

Yes, I’m so tired of saying the word “tired”!!

[Likes in reply to Bettybuckets]

I take Tylenol before I go to get injections Good luck to you …hugs, Susie

[Nature613]

Hi Beattheodds, I have been getting the 2 faslodex injections since 2017 and they are well tolerated . I don’t like needles, so getting the injections are the worst part for me. I wish you the best!! Take care.

[Beattheodds in reply to Nature613]

TY for your positive response. Good to hear you’ve been on this for 5 years. Keep it up!!

[diamags]

Been on it for many years. No real problems.

[Melpub]

I've ben on both Ibrance and Faslodex since March, 2018 and they work well. I haven't had side effects from Faslodex--apart from the general unpleasantness of getting shots in your bottom, and some nurses knowing how to administer them relatively painlessly, but others not. I do occasionally get small marble-like bumps under the skin where the needle entered--some nurses rub the spot to prevent them and they do go down eventually. I think there's some fatigue from the medication but I am really not sure whether that's the shots or me being older.

The shots are not very painful, but sometimes you really feel the initial jab. I also had to deal--only once--with some jerk of a doctor walking in, blathering away with the door wide open and using the computer while I was lying there with my pants down and that big needle in my rear end. I wasn't in a position to move or speak: I wanted to yell, "Get out, now!"

I complained to my oncologist who spoke to the guy who was very gee-I-don't-get-it.

All to say--in some hospitals, even in a university one, like the one where I'm being treated, the only place they have to give the shots is a little sonography room. People have often knocked, cracked the door, said, "Oops! Sorry!" and disappeared, but there's always the once-in-a-lifetime creep who can't be fired because He Is A Doctor.

[Rona777]

Side effects of Faslodex almost none. Maybe slight local injection pain that last for 2-3 days

[Contrarielle]

Hello! I've tolerated the ibrance faslodex combo v well for 7 months now. I get tired but I think I was tired before.

[Rbeth]

I receive Foslodex with my Piqray. I have the nurse put on numbing cream about 15 minutes before I get the shots. I make sure the Foslodex is warm and have her take her time - 1-3 minutes to inject. I stand on one foot and get the shot on the one side, then change feet for the other side. I have the nurse give me two cold packs and I walk around for 20 minutes with the cold packs to get the injection to go into my body. When I get home I sit on a heating pad. Yes some nurses are better at the injections.

The next day I take as a rest day as I am very tired. If anyone have any suggestions, please let me know. All I know is between the Piqray an Foslodex my cancer numbers are the lowest they’ve been. That’s what I am looking for. Best to all who go through this.

Reenie

[Beattheodds in reply to Rbeth]

Thanks for your suggestions. I ordered some “instant” hand warmers yesterday to take for my jabs next week, (heard that’s best for pain). Hoping new drug will help and planned PET scan in 3 months will show no further progression.

[Rbeth in reply to Beattheodds]

You are welcome. Let me know how you do. I find it exhausting. But just part of the journey. Reenie

[cpidacks]

I have been on Faslodex since March of 2019. Sometimes I have itching for a few days, soreness, and some bruising. Try to relax when the nurses are giving you in the injections. I lean on the counter in the exam room and try not to tense up. The nurses will rub the area after the injections. Using my heated seats in the car helps and walking also helps. Good luck to you and to all of us in our journey.

[PJBinMI]

I did extremely well with Faslodex for over 9 years, my second line treatment after Letrozole. But I developed permanent lung damage from just a few cycles of Ibrance, a condition called Interstitial lung disease. You should probably contact your onc ASAP about the possibility that Ibrance has caused the changes in your lungs. I don't know how widely known that is.

[Beattheodds in reply to PJBinMI]

How did they find the interstitial lung problem? Would that be visible in a PET scan? 9 years of success is great! BTW what were your symptoms of your lung disease and what have they recommended?

[PJBinMI in reply to Beattheodds]

It showed up on a routine scan. I get out of breath very easily, especially when it is humid. I use a C-Pap at night, and have an albuterol puffer and a Breo puffer. The ILD seems to be stable, so that's a positive.

[Beattheodds in reply to PJBinMI]

Glad to hear stable. Since I have chronic cough and fatigue as symptoms it’s good to hear that my regular PET scans would probably pick up this condition. Good luck to you🤞

[mariootsi]

I have tolerated it well. Just fatigue but I am on Ibrance also. Don't know what causes what!

[Tam-56]

I’m glad your onc has reacted to this change in your status with Faslodex. I hope it works for you for many years going forward and it is an easy transition for you. I wonder if this medication will come in pill form someday.

I am on Ibrance and Letrozole as well (since May 2018) and was wondering how oncologists know which medication is failing? Can they measure levels of progesterone in the body? I’m a numbers girl and was wondering how they determine which med needs to be changed.

All the best to you.

Maura❤️

[Beattheodds in reply to Tam-56]

🤞for success with Faslodex! Progression can be revealed through cancer marker numbers which would lead to further investigation. My experience had that happen with referral for PET scan in 2012 which found uterine cancer ( luckily not related to 1995 breast cancer). The routine my onc follows is regular PET scans to check for any changes in lung tumors (originally found in a 2019 standard exray) which happened last week hence the change from arimidex to Faslodex. Evidently, it’s common for our bodies to adapt to the prescribed hormone blockers we are on requiring a change. I hate that cancers are so smart!!!

[life8888]

I tolerated it well. But I was pretty hot all the time, and developed tachycardia (resting heart rate at 100 beats/minute). I also found out I had DVTs 4 months after starting it, but unclear if that was from faslodex, not being as active due to spinal fractures, or the J&J covid vaccine... The hotness and tachycardia went away after stopping faslodex.

[ScoutnFlower]

No worries, just some hot flashes mine come during sleeping at night. That’s all for side effects. When getting the Faslodex shot lift your foot off floor to let leg hang n relax when they do injection and breathe to relax. Don’t look at the the needles. Think “daisies and butterflies 🦋.” Big hug to you.