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Femara works by keeping estrogen from feeding the cancer so I have to assume that she has a hormonally positive cancer. While I can't make any promises I expect it will work well for her. The only thing to watch out for is the side effects of Femara.
The most common ones are hot flashes/night sweats, bone and joint pain, fatigue and weight gain. I can tell you from personal experience that the bone and joint pain, if she develops it will decrease over time.
Best wishes to you both! - Kate
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I have an appointment with my oncologist on Monday. I am sure that he is going to think I am his most annoying patient, however, I have new research to review with him.
See, I take Femara and while I love the fact that Femara does a very good job of keeping breast cancer away (aromatase inhibition) it does a heck of a job eating away at bone. Knowing that it can reduce bone density by 8 percent per year we’ve had regular bone density studies and wouldn’t you know, I’ve gone from normal bone density to osteopenic in one year.
So now I take Femara and Fosamax, with the addition of the second medication to try to build my bones back up.
A few months ago there was research showing that Zometa use in cases of women with breast cancer before natural menopause showed a significant decrease in recurrence. Well just last week there were three clinical trials reporting the same results. I’m excited by the prospect so I’ll see you Monday doc.