Faslodex and Anastrozole

[Rubyln15]

I have been taking Faslodex injections for 9 months now. I’m doing okay with these. My Oncologist added Anastrozole. I would love anyones input on this combination . I’m feeling a lot of fatigue and nausea daily. Have a beautiful day 🥰. Jen

[Nocillo]

I was on that exact combination and it worked perfectly for 5 1/2 years. I was fatigued, but not really any other long term side effects. I hope it works as well for you.

[Rubyln15 in reply to Nocillo]

I’m getting use to medication now. I hope this works as well for me as it did you. I have PET scan on May 25 to check my progress. Thank you for your reply! 😊

[Hazelgreen]

Hi Jen,

Did you ask why the addition if Faslodex was working well?

I think many patients have difficulty with the AI's. Sometimes, patients find a specific one of the three types is easier to take than the others. Certainly, fatigue and nausea are common complaints, especially initially.

I've now been on letrozole & ribociclib since November. I don't experience much nausea as long as I eat regularly, but fatigue is a constant battle. Even worse, that combo has certainly accelerated my aging in terms of hair loss, watery eyes, and skin changes. Ah well, it is important to keep my many cancer mets under some sort of control.

Warm wishes,

Cindy

[Rubyln15 in reply to Hazelgreen]

I was taking Ibrance and Letrozole, these worked great for 3 1/2 years . I have a new tumor in the liver we’re fighting now. Pet scan on May 25 after that maybe my Oncologist will have a better plan. These Faslodex injections put some really sharp pains to my little bottom 😁. My hair is very thin , dizzy and fatigue. I felt much better on Ibrance and Letrozole. Thank you for your reply.😊

[Hidden]

Anastrozole made me feel horrible so I switched to letrezole. After initial joint pain I’ve been doing well on it. Same drug class but sometimes for whatever reason one can be tolerated better than the other.

[love2golfwell]

I am not on Faslodex but I used to take anastrozole for 5 years before I was diagnosed with MBC. I had hot flashes and a lot of joint pain while on it, but it kept the cancer at bay for 7 1/2 years. Now I am on letrozole and Ibrance and I find the letrozole easier to handle, except for hair thinning, which could also be caused by the Ibrance. I have some joint pain, but much less than with the anastrozole.

[Rubyln15 in reply to love2golfwell]

I took Ibrance and Letrozole with great success for almost 4 years. I feel those two work well together.

[love2golfwell in reply to Rubyln15]

Yes, so far they have been working well, with stable scans and good bloodwork. I have been on them a year and a half. Am hoping to get at least 5 years on them. Hair thinning and minor joint pain are small prices for me to pay to keep the cancer at bay. If I may ask, what treatments were you given when those stopped working?

[Rubyln15 in reply to love2golfwell]

While in fourth year on Ibrance and Letrozole a 2cm tumor came in liver so I did Y90 radiation. This killed it completely. This was May 2021 , I’m now on Faslodex and Anastrozole which are Estrogen blocks I need to stop one of these and get back on a good Tumor blocker. So far I’m tumor free just a lot of dead areas in liver. (My breast cancer returned five years ago in liver 12cm tumor. )Most of that area of liver has healed. My next scan is June 1.

[love2golfwell in reply to Rubyln15]

I'm glad the Y90 radiation got rid of the liver tumor and that you are tumor free. That is awesome. I hope your next scan is great. Since you have been off of the Ibrance for awhile do you think you might go back on that with Faslodex? I have seen studies showing that Ibrance can work again after time off from it for awhile. Might be worth asking that question to your oncologist. Best wishes to you. Sending hugs.

[Rubyln15 in reply to love2golfwell]

That’s a great idea! Thank you! I will mention to him after my scan first part of June. I appreciate your suggestions. Have a perfect day 🥰

[LadyKatarina]

Both the fulvestrant/Faslodex and the anastrozole are estrogen blockers and are not usually given together, even tho they work in different ways. When I went from one to the other and they overlapped a bit I got nausea and dizziness--it might be just too many drugs for you. Ask why you are being put on two drugs that do the same thing. Why add anastrozole if the fulvestrant has been doing its job for 9 months? Usually the estrogen blocking drugs, either Fulvestrant or anastrozole, are paired with a CDK 4,6 inhibitor, such as Ibrance, Kisquali, or Verzenio. These do cause more fatigue. I'd also suggest a second opinion especially if you are not happy with the answers. You only have one life! Best to you. Kay

[Rubyln15 in reply to LadyKatarina]

Thank you for your reply. I previously was taking Ibrance and Letrozole , this combination worked great for three years. A 2 cm tumor appeared in my liver so I had Y90 Radiation with success. We then went on Faslodex and Verzenio. New small Mets appeared in liver so we have exhausted that family of meds. I went on Piqray with Faslodex and had a serious allergic reaction. So this is why we’re on two estrogen blockers. Any suggestions of what to do now. I have a PET scan June 1. I hope my Oncologist has a new plan.

[Hazelgreen in reply to Rubyln15]

Hello Jen,

The liver is our workhorse organ so I prefer to leave it alone if I can. My liver mets (up to 2.6 cm in length) were biopsied last year to determine type (still ER+, PR-, HER2-) and PIK3CA status (PIK mutation so Piqray could be prescribed). However, all of my liver enzymes were then, and still remain, in the normal range!

I fully agree with my oncologist that my best course right now is to remain on Kisqali & letrozole, and hope for shrinkage. I have not told him yet that I do not intend to start Piqray as long as my liver enzymes remain normal. Once my liver starts to malfunction, I will have to explore my options, but I have no intention of putting it under more stress until I have no choice.

Please check out your liver enzymes before stressing your liver further with more meds. I'm in agreement with Kay about not adding anastrole, especially if your side effects are worse. I also agree with your enthusiasm for love2golfwell's idea to return to the meds that seemed to suit you best. If your oncologist doesn't agree, you could certainly ask for the second opinion Kay suggested.

We really have to be our own best advocates as it is our lives at stake!

Warmest wishes,

Cindy