Faslodex and hip pain

[troutgal]

Does anyone experience severe hip pain after faslodex shots? Not at the injection site, just muscle/nerve pain in hip area.

[13plus]

Hi, sometimes when I get the shot in my right buttock it feels almost like they're too close to my sciatic nerve so it's very uncomfortable, but mostly only while the injection is in process. I take a Claritin to help avoid the horrible itching I can otherwise get as a side-effect. Other than that, make sure they warm up the solution well before injecting so it's not so thick and disperses better. Ask them to inject it slower - key to less discomfort! I've recently restarted these shots at a different hospital to my previous treatment with Faslodex and they take much more time (as they are supposed to!) to inject the stuff. It makes it SO much more bearable done really slowly! After your injection try applying a heat pad to the area (again to help soften the gel and help it disperse better). You can also try massaging the area. These are all things that have helped me

[DDIL1 in reply to 13plus]

I get itching after the injection as well! I just had two injections so far I’m in the loading dose phase. So that’s a normal side effect?

[13plus in reply to DDIL1]

It can be, I think it varies person to person. Take one regular Claritin pill soon afterwards - totally fixes the issue for me! And I used to itch there for weeks after the shots, every single month, before a nurse told me that trick

[DDIL1 in reply to 13plus]

thank you for the tip!

[Dragonfly2 in reply to 13plus]

Me too…itching on either side of hips! And I d take Claritin regularly for bone pain….

[13plus in reply to Dragonfly2]

I used to find myself occasionally at work slipping my hands into my pants to scratch each buttock 🤣🤣🤣 Not a good look!

[Gibby21]

yes I do and I’v been on shots for over a year the pain doesn’t go away anymore. 😒

[troutgal in reply to Gibby21]

Thank you Gibby21. I have been on faslodex for 5 years. This pain has only manifested itself in the past year to year and half. May not be related to shots at all. Just trying to explore possible links. No injection site issues at all.

[Dragonfly2 in reply to Gibby21]

😢

[HoneyBadgerLady]

I've been on faslodex for a couple of years. I have found that taking a walk for least 20 minutes right after the injection helps to avoid localized pain near the injection sites, both in the hip area and in the gluteal area (Yes, I call it my pain in the a$$ shot).When I recently had some hip pain I talked with my oncologist and she said it could be arthritis or possibly mild sciatica unrelated to the faslodex.

[troutgal in reply to HoneyBadgerLady]

Thanks HBL - I love it...maybe arthritis, maybe sciatica...not blaming docs. It's gotta be frustrating to them too. The great thing is I'm doing really well except this pain. I will try walking around after. Thanks!

[13plus in reply to troutgal]

Perhaps see a good physiotherapist then, if it happens to be sciatica then specific stretches and exercises will help it. If that's what it is you definitely don't want it to get worse. Basically sciatica stems from nerve impingement either through too much instability in either the spine or sacrum area, or from other spinal issues. Strengthening the area for more stability is particularly important for those of us with bones mets (if that's you too?)

[cpidacks]

I have been on Faslodex for four years and have never had hip pain. I sometimes have itching for a few days after the shots. It does help to massage the injection area and I use the heated seats in my car which makes the area feel better. Good luck to all of us in our journey.

[troutgal in reply to cpidacks]

Thanks cpidacks. I love heated seats. 5 years on faslodex ! Doing well except for this periodic pain!

[fancydog]

I remember those loading doses and for a few months afterward, they were painful. Make sure the nurses are injecting them each for 2 minutes each, I offer to be their timer and advise them every30 seconds. Although the Fasoldex can be giving w/o warming up now as it contains a stablilizer, I ask for their little hot packs to put in my pants for the drive home. They should have some that are chemically activiated when you twist the packages, then once home sitting on a heating pad and massaging the area may help, and the walking. It should get progressively more tolerable over time.

[troutgal]

Thanks fancydog. Been on for 5 years. This pain has only appeared in last year. I love to walk...once spring gets here I will be out walking. 5 years ago they took about 2 minutes to inject, but not so much anymore.

[mariootsi]

Good advice from 13plus. I now get my shots on the sides of my hips. Less of a chance of hitting the nerve.

[Debdeb1]

My nurse recently asked if I wanted to lay down for the shots. Since I started doing this I have no pain from the shots. Laying down helps relax my tense muscles and the Faslodex seems to go in easier.

[troutgal]

Debdeb1 - interesting idea about lying down. Might request it.

[traveler480]

They always used to give the faslodex shot in the rear, but then protocols changed and they moved it to hip. After the first time receiving the shots in the hip, I almost couldn't walk for two days. The oncologist said others had benefitted from walking around for about 20 minutes after receiving the shot in the hip. Hmmm. Since I had never had any problem with the original location, I simply asked the nurse to go back to the old location of giving the shot and so I again have no pain. Be sure the nurse warms up the shot before giving it.

[troutgal in reply to traveler480]

Thank you. I am convinced there is a relationship/cause-affect. Just not sure exactly what it is. With spring just around the corner I will get more walking in.. will try walking after shots.

[Fight2016 in reply to troutgal]

just saw your post when I was searching for hip pain after faslodex. I have been on this for a handful of years and the hip pain just started within the last 4 months. Initially it was just one hip-concerning enough that they did a MRI. Now it’s both hips. I finally noticed the correlation that it ramps up after a shot. It actually hurts so bad it feels like I have damaged the joint or the muscle is not strong enough for me to walk at times. The sharpness of the pain will stop you in your tracks and o have almost fallen several times because of this. Did you find out any more on this?

[troutgal in reply to Fight2016]

Thank you for your reply. I haven't found any more on this. At first it was in left hip. Eventually moving to include right hip. Now only right hip. I am planning on reviewing the scans from a few years ago and talking to my doc about another set of scans. Sometimes I have pain down outside of right leg..perhaps sciatica. At least I no longer need walker, so things have improved.

[Fight2016 in reply to troutgal]

Oh no! Did your hip pain cause you to need the walker?

[troutgal in reply to Fight2016]

Yes, but haven't need it for several years. walking and exercising seemed to help