Femara

jaykay · 07-16-2016, 05:14 PM

Hi Jean,

I'm in a little bit of a different situation. I was on tamoxifen for 4.5 years and Femara for 5 years. With my oncologist's blessing, I stopped Femara in January 2010. In September 2012, I developed a "new primary" in my other breast (aka the good one :-)) with the exact same pathology as the original cancer. Please note the quotes around "new...". I take the "new" terminology with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Intellectually, I know that Her2 is the reason for the new cancer but I couldn't help but think if the Femara was helping to keep things under control as well. And it was nice going off the drug.

Anyway, back on Femara for the past 3 years and I see no end in sight. I'm not sure if the joint/back/etc pain is age or AI related - probably a combination of both. I know the AI has not helped my osteopenia. I do take Vitamin D3 daily and my numbers are consistently in the high 50's which is where my docs like it. I also exercise regularly.

I have no answers for you other than to enjoy the break and see how you feel in a month or so. I was told (a long time ago) that it takes a month for AIs to get out of your system.

Best
Janis

Jean · 07-16-2016, 06:15 PM

Paul,
Thank you for the advise. I was taking high Dose of Vit.D3 for years and just this year (for no reason) had stopped taking Vit. D3
Hence the heavy joint pain. Will begin my routine of Vit. D3 starting tomorrow.

It appears that the onc. want us to stay on the IA. Janis I am happy to know that the drug stays for a month.
I will take another week break and begin again.
In the meantime I will get back on my Vit. D3 in preparation during my break.

I have to agree that being triple positive is a higher risk.
Warmest thanks to all for your help.
Jean

Becky · 07-16-2016, 08:13 PM

I will be on Arimidex 11 years in Sept. My onc has no problems with this and wants me to stay on. However, several months ago I went on an almost 2 week business trip and forgot them. I thought it might be a good test. As many of you know, I like my research. Arimidex and Femara have a 2 day half life so basically in a week, very little is left. Depending on your individual metabolism, it takes 3-6 weeks to get effective circulating levels back when resuming. I think this is why when women start, they don't get the joint pain (if you're going to get it) for a month or so. The short half life is why you feel better so fast when stopping.

I never got joint pain but have a bad back. I felt no different. I resumed when I got home and had back problems a month later. I don't know if this is coincidence. I had some back issues prior to bc. I take d3 and have over 60 level. I was 70 once.

I just wanted to set the record straight on that AIs don't stick around that long after you stop and it takes a few weeks to really start working when you do start or restart taking them.