question re Femara

trailrider · 08-20-2008, 03:07 PM

I have been on Femara for 1 week after Tamoxifen for 1 year. My night sweats are back with an intensity, consequently I am not sleeping and feel like a zombie. Have others had this and how long did it last. I have not been having these while on Tamoxifen. My FSH was high prior to beginning the Femara. Any thoughts?

Vi Schorpp · 08-20-2008, 05:33 PM

I am currently on Femara and am experiencing much more favorable results than with Tamoxifen or Aromasin. I was previously on Aromasin and the bone aches were horrible, though the flashes were about the same. I did not notice the positive changes until I was on Femara a month or so.

I hope someone else has some thoughts on this. Be well.

sarah · 08-21-2008, 12:04 PM

Hello,
I take Femara at night, less side effects. Still get the sweats but ...... keep the room cool to cold. It could be worse.
stay well
sarah

Becky · 08-21-2008, 06:54 PM

A couple of comments. I take Arimidex but its the same. I take it at night like Sarah and I do flash and sweat. Not every night but it is worse if I am warm and it is much worse if I have an alcoholic drink (a couple of glasses of wine will really do it to me - ).

Second, for high FSH - that is a good thing. When your body is deprived of estrogent the pituatary gland makes and releases FSH that "commands" the ovary to make more estrogen. It is the rush and high level of FSH that causes the hot flash. The main thing with Femara (or any AI) is the estradiol reading and if that is in the postmenopausal area of less than 32 m/mol of estradiol. If it is any higher than that, you are not postmenopausal and should shut down your ovaries in some fashion.

Take care and stay cool

ElaineM · 08-21-2008, 09:22 PM

I think the drug insert that came with the Femara I took mentioned tiredness and dizziness. I decided to take it at night for that reason. Of course everyone's body is different, so different people may experience different side effects.

trailrider · 08-23-2008, 11:28 AM

Thanks for the input, the last couple of nights haven't been so bad. I have been able to sleep more and don't feel as zonked.
If I could sleep through them it wouldn't be an issue. Have a great day.