I have completed 5 years tamoxifen and in January commenced Femara for another 5 years. When I initially started Tamoxifen I was nauseous for a long time and had to take it at night. I have had the same thing with Femara in addition to increased joint pain, and hot flushes. I have staggered my switchover to Femara but have found that when I have taken for more than a week I have the most horrendous cough, blocked nose, wheezing and headache. I have also had two urinary infections and despite drinking gallons feel dehydrated all of the time! My docs don’t think it is linked however a pharmacist that I spoke to said that these were known if not rarer side effects. Just wondering if anyone else has had the same?? Its making the prospect of five years of taking this pretty miserable!
HiGYWN59
I started Femara in August last year, like you I feel dehydrated most of the time and also drink loads of water. I also suffer from a very dry mouth and occasional joint pain.
I definately think it is the Femara that is making me dehydrated, I have just learned to live with it and get on with my life, so you are not alone.
It makes me think I have another 4 years of this to put up with but I suppose it could be worse.
Hope you start to feel better on the Femara soon.
Love Annexx
Hello
I posted on 06 April re Femara and side effects, I have cut and pasted my side effects. I am now having a break of 4-6 weeks to see if it is the Femara.
I had my annual checkup with my Onc on Wednesday.
My problem is my mouth. About 18 months ago, 6 months into my 5 years, I started getting a really dry mouth. About the same time I went down with a really bad cold, followed by a chest infection, followed a fortnight after that with a stomach bug with resulted in a overnight stay in my local A & E with dehydration.I now drink at least 2 litres of water enery day.
Following on from that I have had ulcers in my mouth, sores at the corners of my mouth and what looked like thrush inside my bottom lip. My mouth burns and the only thing that calms it down is sucking ice cubes.
Numerous visits to the doctors, antibiotics, thrush creams, blood tests show nothing. Sometimes it gets a little bit better but never goes away completely. My last outbreak happened about 2 weeks ago and I have a lovely sore on the side of my mouth which in some respects was good because I could show my Onc what I meant.
I feel that my Onc doesn’t really want to hear about side effects, especially mine because dry mouth and mouth ulcers etc are on the leaflet with Femara but he did suggest a break.
If this is due to Femara I am going to be put on another AI unless I am prepared to put up with the dry mouth etc.
It does make you feel miserable,it might be worth keeping a diary to see if something sets it off.
I was wondering if I am intolerant to lactose because I am on amitriptyline which contains lactose, my hayfever drug contains lactose and Femara contains it. I am looking at everything just incase Femara isn’t to blame. As its gone on for so long Iam getting a bit desparate which probably isn’t helping.
If it isn’t to blame my Onc is going to ask my GP to refer me to hospital for investigation.
Hazel
Hi, Not at your stages yet - just finished chemo, rads and Arimidex soon, so I am concerned about AI SEs.
Have any of you tried a dry mouth spray? Not a cure obviously but it helps to alleviate the dryness.I got one from Boots and it has helped with the dry mouth on Tax.
Stella
Thanks for that. I can cope with the dry mouth as it gets easier through the day. The cough and blocked nose is the thing that is driving me mad. Think I will get my appointment brought forward sooner.
hello everyone
Not been on for some time, my sister is currently half way through her chemo and is coping very well…she thinks she may have a water infection, is this a side effect experienced by other ladies and if so does she need to go to the hospital the reason I ask is because she is currently stopping with my sister down south so is not near her doctors…
thank you as usual for all your help