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Post by Delinda on May 23, 2006 20:46:25 GMT -5
I have been trying Femara for two weeks with no pain relief yet I was told to try for 30 days and it should work or it will be scaring from past surgeries or even IC a disease of the Bladder. Has anyone tried this drug with success?? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE?? Any suggestions?? I am in a lot of pain daily and I am not getting any help as of yet.
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Post by ouchy on May 23, 2006 21:07:24 GMT -5
Don't they usually give Femara as a treatment for early and advanced stage breast cancer in post-menopausal women??? What exactly are you taking it for related to endo? I'm confused.
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Post by ouchy on May 23, 2006 21:08:15 GMT -5
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Post by ouchy on May 23, 2006 21:10:18 GMT -5
I think I do remember one of my friends taking it as a fertility treatment, though...something about stimulating ovulation, kind of like clomid???
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Post by ouchy on May 23, 2006 21:13:10 GMT -5
Ah. I found a good website, so it would also make sense for endometriosis (although probably would not have anything to do w/ scarring or IC of bladder). --same concept as estrogen in b.c. pills and also phytoestrogens. Taken from the link: www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9032/24519/417705.htmlFemara is used both to treat breast cancer and to stimulate ovulation. Femara (also known as letrozole) binds to an enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens. In doing so, Femara reduces the amount of estrogen. Femara is used in a number of conditions where reducing the amount of estrogen is important. The most common use of Femara is in breast cancer. The main indication for Femara is to reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have cancer cells that tested positive for estrogen receptors. Femara is also used to induce ovulation. Femara is usually taken by mouth for five days (days five to nine of the menstrual cycle). When the estrogen level falls, the brain is stimulated to release another hormone called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). FSH stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs. An older drug called clomiphene has been used for the same purpose. Femara may be better; it does not cause thinning of the lining of the uterus as clomiphene sometimes can. Femara does have some side effects. Headache, hot flashes, bone pain, back pain, nausea and shortness of breath are seen in some women. These side effects are usually not bad enough for most women to stop taking Femara. The side effects go away when the drug is stopped.
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Post by ouchy on May 23, 2006 21:18:03 GMT -5
Another article about Femara directly related to endo. taken from : www.webmd.com/content/article/82/97197.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}Femara May Offer Alternative in Endometriosis Treatment By Jennifer Warner WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD on Friday, February 13, 2004 Feb. 13, 2004 -- A drug used to help prevent breast cancer from coming back may also ease the pain and suffering of endometriosis in women who can't get relief from other treatments. A new study shows the drug Femara, in combination with progestin, significantly slowed the progression of endometriosis as well as reduced the pain associated with the disease. Endometriosis affects about 10%-15% of women of reproductive age. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other places in the body. Depending on its severity, the disease may cause little or no symptoms or lead to severe pelvic pain and infertility. There is no cure for endometriosis. Treatment options include surgery to remove the excess tissue or hysterectomy and/or drugs that can drastically decrease the production of estrogen to postmenopausal levels. Occasionally, oral contraceptives or progestins are given to help alleviate the pain of endometriosis. Researchers say the problem with surgical treatments is that endometriosis often comes back after surgery. Drugs used to treat endometriosis also have unpleasant side effects such as bone loss and may only be used for limited periods of time. New Option for Endometriosis Treatment? In this study, published in the February issue of Fertility and Sterility, researchers looked at the possibility of using Femara as an alternative treatment in premenopausal women with endometriosis. Femara is a type of drug known as an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors work to prevent breast cancer recurrence by reducing the production of estrogen in the body. Researchers say aromatase, which helps produce estrogen, is also found in the endometrial tissue of women with endometriosis. "Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease, so estrogen for endometriosis is like fuel for fire. We need to attack the root problem -- the aromatase -- in order to eliminate this cycle, halt the local production of estrogen, and treat women with this disease," says researcher Serdar Bulun, MD, chief of the division of reproductive biology research at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, in a news release. To test that theory, researchers looked at the effects of six months of treatment with Femara, along with progestin to reduce potential hormone-related side effects, in 10 women who had previously been treated for endometriosis with surgery or drugs with unsatisfactory results. The women also took calcium citrate and vitamin D to help prevent bone loss. Researchers evaluated the women's pelvic pain and performed laparoscopy, a minimally-invasive surgical procedure to visualize the pelvic area, before and after the treatment. The study showed that none of the women had evidence of endometriosis by the end of the study, as indicated by the second laparoscopy. Pelvic pain was also significantly reduced in nine out of 10 women who had not responded previously to other treatments. The most commonly reported side effects were irregular bleeding and mild hot flashes. No significant change in bone density (strength) was detected. "This study demonstrates the potential of aromatase inhibitors to significantly and rapidly reduce disease severity and pain, offering women a new and more effective way of suppressing endometriosis with fewer side effects," says Bulun. "These results appear extremely promising and constitute the rationale for further investigation of this regimen as a first-line treatment for endometriosis." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOURCES: Ailawadi, R. Fertility and Sterility, February 2004; vol 81: pp 290-296. News release, Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
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Post by Delinda on May 25, 2006 22:41:08 GMT -5
AS the last post showed I am using this to stop the estrogen MY doc feel the even small traces of estrogen may be causing my pain, which is very systematic of Endo. so I am trying it he did say it was used for cancer but the type caused by estrogen. AS of 11 days I have not felt any change which makes me worry it is scar tissue causing pain even though I don't want Endo again Femera will stop the growth of it and stop my pain. Scar tissue pain continues and leads to just pain management not a "cure" So I am at a lose not sure what is going to happen next but living a a lot of pain on a daily basis and feeling like I am about to lose control.
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Post by ouchy on May 25, 2006 23:23:39 GMT -5
Sorry for all of your pain, Dalinda. I didn't take as much estrogen this cycle (to reduce my own estrogen), and I paid for it today. Within 15 minutes of starting my period, I was on the floor in cramps. This is a terrible disease we are suffering from, and please keep me posted on the Femara! If you notice any progress, please post it!!! Glad you have a doc who is abreast of new treatment options!!!!! You seem to have the most up-to-date gyne of anyone on the forum! Lucky girl!!! Even if the Femara winds up not working, at least your gyne. was eager to give it a try!!!! Best wishes and hugs to you! ~ouchy
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Post by chicagogal2 on Apr 6, 2011 9:14:41 GMT -5
I just found this article on the drug - WOW, sounds really good. I think I want to try it after I do the BCP's for awhile.
Study Suggests Promising New Treatment For Endometriosis
Letrozole (Femara), an aromatase inhibitor currently used to prevent breast cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women, shows promise in the treatment of endometriosis, according to the results of a pioneering pilot study conducted by Serdar Bulun, chief of Reproductive Biology Research at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. His findings were published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.
"This study demonstrates the potential of aromatase inhibitors to significantly and rapidly reduce disease severity and pain, offering women a new and more effective way of suppressing endometriosis with fewer side effects," explains Dr. Bulun. "Endometriosis is caused when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body and affects about 10 to 15 percent of women of reproductive age. It causes chronic pelvic pain and contributes to infertility."
Within the past 10 years, the research team led by Dr. Bulun pioneered the molecular model that the aromatase enzyme, which produces estrogen, is present in the endometrial tissue of women with endometriosis. His team discovered that this enzyme is able to reproduce itself, creating a vicious cycle of estrogen production.
"This explains why despite surgery, hormone treatments and hysterectomies, many women continue to suffer with symptoms of endometriosis," explains Dr. Bulun. "Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease, so estrogen for endometriosis is like fuel for fire. We need to attack the root problem - the aromatase - in order to eliminate this cycle, halt the local production of estrogen and treat women with this disease."
Dr. Bulun evaluated 10 patients with moderate to severe endometriosis, all previously treated both medically and surgically with unsatisfactory results. Each of these patients took letrozole, along with progestin, for six months. Dr. Bulun evaluated the endometriosis objectively by performing laparoscopy - a surgical endoscopic procedure to visualize the pelvic structures - at the beginning and end of the study. In all patients, a second-look laparoscopy showed the endometriosis had either disappeared or was strikingly reduced.
The study also showed a very significant reduction in pain associated with endometriosis. Nine out of 10 patients reported significant pelvic pain relief, as measured by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) scores for endometriosis and pelvic pain assessed by visual analog scale. The mean score for pretreatment pain was 6.22 out of a maximum of 10. After treatment, the mean score was reduced to 2.52.
Currently, one of the most commonly used treatments for endometriosis are Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, a group of drugs that decrease the production of estrogen to the levels a woman has after menopause; however, these drugs have unpleasant side effects, such as bone loss, and can only be used for a short period of time. Surgical options also exist, but symptoms of endometriosis return rapidly in more than 50% of women who undergo surgery.
Study participants also took calcium citrate and vitamin D to reduce the risk of bone loss. Overall, no significant change in bone density was detected.
The most common side effects were occasional irregular bleeding and mild hot flashes, which were tolerated well.
"These results appear extremely promising and constitute the rationale for further investigation of this regimen as a first-line treatment for endometriosis," said Dr. Bulun.
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Post by chicagogal2 on Apr 6, 2011 14:48:23 GMT -5
I would like to revive this thread. Who is taking Femara and how do you like it? What are the side effects? I am just learning about it - I know it's a pill that you take but is it like the BCP where you have to take it at the same time everyday? Is there any bleeding or spotting from it?
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Post by Karen on Apr 6, 2011 17:23:57 GMT -5
Yup, I moved it to drug treatments. I'm interested to hear what others have to say!
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Post by chicagogal2 on Apr 6, 2011 17:35:16 GMT -5
I spent most of the day today at work and researching this drug treatment. I read some reviews on www.askapatient.com and so many people report lots of hair thinning, and crazy joint pain. Seems like almost every freaking review said major joint pain. I sure don't want to trade 1 pain for another. ugh. Really looking forward to hearing from others who have been on this for awhile and what your thoughts are.
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Post by Karen on Apr 6, 2011 17:36:44 GMT -5
I can see why that might scare you, but keep in mind that there *may* be different dosages for different uses (breast cancer, endo, etc.) so be sure to take that into consideration when weighing options! But, yes, good to know what others are feeling on it.
There's also a sticky at the top of this board for a website to research other people's experiences on various drugs. Might be worth a look if you haven't already! (I don't remember the name of that site - might be the one you already looked at!)
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Post by chicagogal2 on Apr 6, 2011 17:47:18 GMT -5
ok, maybe it's lower for endo then. I'm really nervous to start the pill tonight. Stupid. I think all of the advil liquid gels I took last weekend gave me GERD, I haev this awful burning in my throat, I guess I need to buy some prevacid or something. I sure hope I can go on the pill and not have any bleeding.....
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Post by chicagogal2 on Apr 6, 2011 18:19:39 GMT -5
Talia,
Can you please give me more info? How much does she take? I read the ask a patient reviews and they are reporting hair thinning and major joint pain. Karen said perhaps that's because its the breast cancer does vs. the endo dose which is maybe less? - is there break thru spotting or bleeding at all? - does this stop the period completely so I'd be going for like a year etc w/o any bleeding? - is there any weight gain from it? - headaches? - does she have to take it at the exact same time like the BCP or else you get spotting? - can you get pregnant while taking it?
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