Maroke (Peggy) has just been in touch with me, and has asked me if I could try and get some possible answers.
During the past week, she has started to get real tired as the day progressed, and being dizzy. This is apparently side effects of the Femara which she is taking. This was confirmed by the clinic when she contacted them yesterday, and they asked her to continue taking it. This morning she was sick, which is another side effect.
However, today she started to develop swollen veins on her arms, hands and neck. It suddenly starts to swell, and then return back to normal. As she said to me:
“haven’t been warm since this morning, veins one sec 4 mm out next sec back to normal, kidneys and back hurting, but have no fever and did manage to find out it doesn’t mean my liver is failing”
Her liver feels ok, and her colour is good too. So now we are wondering if anyone else has had swollen veins, etc. It doesn’t appear to be a side effect of the Femara. Well, there is nothing in the notes which come with it. Perhaps this is caused by the stoppage of the chemotherapy, toxins leaving the body? She did say that she’ll phone the clinic tomorrow if it persists, but some possible answers in the meantime would be most welcome.
Any input would be greatly appreciated, and I will relay it to Peggy. She is just not up to posting herself at this moment, but no doubt she will do
Hi
Just reading my leaflet from Femara pack and ‘inflamed blood vessels’ are a less common side effect, as are ‘liver problems’. I would seek help from a doctor as Jane and Debs have said as I also had one of the ‘less common side effects’ which got better after stopping Femara and going onto another AI. Wishing Peggy good luck that it gets sorted quickly.
Nicky x
Peggy sent me a text earlier, saying that she is feeling better than yesterday, but still yucky. She did not say anything about the clinic, I assume she has contacted them. She is having a day of total rest.
I have sent her all your messages in my reply, and she says thank you!
thank you for the support. According to the bc nurse the swollen veins are due to the femara reacting to the chemo still in my body. But I have to contact the oncology team tomorrow just to make sure. For one thing it was really scary. Like something out of a horror movie with veins swelling and going back to normal in a matter of seconds. Am getting more side effects from Femara than i did from any of the chemos I was on, still, they didn’t work so maybe this is a good sign. Going to take it easy for a few more days and hopefully by then everything will be back to normal.
Hi Peggy,
really good to see you back on line, you gave us a bit of panic! Have a good rest but if there are any changes that worry you ring the clinic.
Hi Peggy…I had more side effects from Arimidex than I have had with Xeloda…and Arimidex was the most effective treatment I’ve had so far…I understand Femara and Arimidex are very similar so I hope you’ll have a really good response from those tablets.
Love Belinda…x
Hi Peggy,
So glad to see you back on here. We were all very worried about you. So glad things seem to have calmed down - sounds scary though! Do you get joint pains with Femara? Am on Arimidex and the joint stiffness is really bad now - been on it since Oct but only really noticed effects since December.
Anyway take care and hope Femara works for you.
glad to see you posting Peggy. just make sure you do rest and contact your onc team if no improvement. Probably good job you’re not in the UK or you’d have one of us dragging you there to see someone.
Am away this week so hope when I get back to hear you feel better.
Lots of love
Katexx
Debs, I have to admit I panicked myself! I truly have never felt as bad when I was having chemo. I wanted to stop taking the Femara but the clinic convinced me to keep taking them. I have to call the onc team tomorrow to get more information. What I am going to do is go there and ask my onc what else I can expect. But today the crazy veins have been behaving
Belinda if my onc tells me tomorrow that the results from blood test showed even the slightest improvement last time I will keep on taking these tablets even if I keep getting all these side effects! And I’m really glad to know I’m not the only one who has more side effects from hormones than from chemo. My Dad just said…just like you to be different from everybody else (he was joking…I think)
Anne, I have had a few bad days with joints when I first started taking Femara, maybe that’ll get worse when I take it longer. The worst side effect is being dizzy most of the time and being tired. The scariest was the veins swelling and going back to normal in seconds. But I’ve been searching on here and it seems that quite a few women got HBP when on this so maybe that is related.
once again, thank you all for your support and concern. Not being able to use the forum made me feel lost. It might sound silly or over emotional, but even though I have never met any of you and probably never will meet you I see you all as friends. People I know will help me when I need it and hopefully I’ll sometimes be able to help a little too.
Hi Peggy, love the picture you have a beautiful family, makes it far more personal. Off to find a good picture of me mind you it will most likely take an age to work out how to put it on.
Love Debsxxx
Ahh, Peggy what two gorgeous children. I’m not sure how to get a photo of me on to my computer yet, so the cats will do for now. It is nice to put a face to names. Hope the blood tests show improvement and the crazy veins start behaving.
I was in doubt if I should put a picture in or not, but then I thought how much I would enjoy “seeing” all of you so…I’m still finding my way around this new forum. Find it hard compared to the other one.
Am glad to say my crazy veins are back to normal and apart from dizzy spells and sleepless nights everything seems to be as it was. Kate I do hope you enjoy your days in Paris. I’m sure your kids will. It’s supposed to be amazing.
Debs, I can’t wait to see your picture
Lovely kittens Lynni and I really like your pic Jenny
