Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I did not take Femera or any of those types of drugs but someone may be able to answer those questions. I can tell you this, I had 3 friends that went off of chemo for alternative treatments and died within a year leaving behind 9 children between them. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com Femara I feel so ignorant..... I have been reading the posts here for a few weeks now triying to understand the lingo... and I have to admit this is a whole new language.... especially when I go back to my aunts and ask them ...it is sad, they dont know.... they just say, cancer...they dont even have records.... I can imagine they feel even worst not understanding the language completely..... I was reading the info on Femara and it said the study was done on 5100 patients....if I understand correctly it said it was supposed to be a 5 year study but did not conclude? Femara , aridmex , are those drugs what is called an inhibitor? is it a hormone? what is the difference between them ? has anyone tried alternatives ?are there any alternatives? help please...... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I did not take Femera or any of those types of drugs but someone may be able to answer those questions. I can tell you this, I had 3 friends that went off of chemo for alternative treatments and died within a year leaving behind 9 children between them. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com Femara I feel so ignorant..... I have been reading the posts here for a few weeks now triying to understand the lingo... and I have to admit this is a whole new language.... especially when I go back to my aunts and ask them ...it is sad, they dont know.... they just say, cancer...they dont even have records.... I can imagine they feel even worst not understanding the language completely..... I was reading the info on Femara and it said the study was done on 5100 patients....if I understand correctly it said it was supposed to be a 5 year study but did not conclude? Femara , aridmex , are those drugs what is called an inhibitor? is it a hormone? what is the difference between them ? has anyone tried alternatives ?are there any alternatives? help please...... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I did not take Femera or any of those types of drugs but someone may be able to answer those questions. I can tell you this, I had 3 friends that went off of chemo for alternative treatments and died within a year leaving behind 9 children between them. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com Femara I feel so ignorant..... I have been reading the posts here for a few weeks now triying to understand the lingo... and I have to admit this is a whole new language.... especially when I go back to my aunts and ask them ...it is sad, they dont know.... they just say, cancer...they dont even have records.... I can imagine they feel even worst not understanding the language completely..... I was reading the info on Femara and it said the study was done on 5100 patients....if I understand correctly it said it was supposed to be a 5 year study but did not conclude? Femara , aridmex , are those drugs what is called an inhibitor? is it a hormone? what is the difference between them ? has anyone tried alternatives ?are there any alternatives? help please...... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hi, - You're right - this is a whole new language. Lots of new words and ideas to get our heads round. There are three drugs (as far as I know) in a group called aromatase inhibitors. They are Aromasin, Arimidex, and Femara. What they do is this: they prevent a chemical in your blood called aromatase from converting something else (I think it's testosterone) into oestrogen. This is good because some of our cancers " feed on " oestrogen. So these three drugs are not hormones themselves, but they change the way our hormones are behaving. I don't know about the differences between them - it seems thay cause varying side effects in different women, and the doctors may try them in turn to find which is best tolerated. I think these drugs are used where Tamoxifen used to be used - these are newer but seem to be for the same purpose. Hope this helps, Margery. ============================================ margery@... in North Herts, UK ============================================ > Femara > > I feel so ignorant..... I have been reading the posts here > for a few weeks now triying to understand the lingo... and I > have to admit this is a whole new language.... especially > when I go back to my aunts and ask them ...it is sad, they > dont know.... they just say, cancer...they dont even have > records.... I can imagine they feel even worst not > understanding the language completely..... > I was reading the info on Femara and it said the study was > done on 5100 patients....if I understand correctly it said > it was supposed to be a 5 year study but did not conclude? > Femara , aridmex , are those drugs what is called an > inhibitor? is it a hormone? what is the difference between > them ? has anyone tried alternatives ?are there any > alternatives? help please...... > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hi, - You're right - this is a whole new language. Lots of new words and ideas to get our heads round. There are three drugs (as far as I know) in a group called aromatase inhibitors. They are Aromasin, Arimidex, and Femara. What they do is this: they prevent a chemical in your blood called aromatase from converting something else (I think it's testosterone) into oestrogen. This is good because some of our cancers " feed on " oestrogen. So these three drugs are not hormones themselves, but they change the way our hormones are behaving. I don't know about the differences between them - it seems thay cause varying side effects in different women, and the doctors may try them in turn to find which is best tolerated. I think these drugs are used where Tamoxifen used to be used - these are newer but seem to be for the same purpose. Hope this helps, Margery. ============================================ margery@... in North Herts, UK ============================================ > Femara > > I feel so ignorant..... I have been reading the posts here > for a few weeks now triying to understand the lingo... and I > have to admit this is a whole new language.... especially > when I go back to my aunts and ask them ...it is sad, they > dont know.... they just say, cancer...they dont even have > records.... I can imagine they feel even worst not > understanding the language completely..... > I was reading the info on Femara and it said the study was > done on 5100 patients....if I understand correctly it said > it was supposed to be a 5 year study but did not conclude? > Femara , aridmex , are those drugs what is called an > inhibitor? is it a hormone? what is the difference between > them ? has anyone tried alternatives ?are there any > alternatives? help please...... > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hi, - You're right - this is a whole new language. Lots of new words and ideas to get our heads round. There are three drugs (as far as I know) in a group called aromatase inhibitors. They are Aromasin, Arimidex, and Femara. What they do is this: they prevent a chemical in your blood called aromatase from converting something else (I think it's testosterone) into oestrogen. This is good because some of our cancers " feed on " oestrogen. So these three drugs are not hormones themselves, but they change the way our hormones are behaving. I don't know about the differences between them - it seems thay cause varying side effects in different women, and the doctors may try them in turn to find which is best tolerated. I think these drugs are used where Tamoxifen used to be used - these are newer but seem to be for the same purpose. Hope this helps, Margery. ============================================ margery@... in North Herts, UK ============================================ > Femara > > I feel so ignorant..... I have been reading the posts here > for a few weeks now triying to understand the lingo... and I > have to admit this is a whole new language.... especially > when I go back to my aunts and ask them ...it is sad, they > dont know.... they just say, cancer...they dont even have > records.... I can imagine they feel even worst not > understanding the language completely..... > I was reading the info on Femara and it said the study was > done on 5100 patients....if I understand correctly it said > it was supposed to be a 5 year study but did not conclude? > Femara , aridmex , are those drugs what is called an > inhibitor? is it a hormone? what is the difference between > them ? has anyone tried alternatives ?are there any > alternatives? help please...... > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Yes Margery,,, it helps a lot... thank you very much.... cancer is something that really scares me and I have taken the coward way out ( ignoring it as much as posible ) I think I need to stop being stupid about it. for the past 2 generations ., actually 3 counting mine, the women in my family have died of one type of cancer or another.... and now looking at my twin aunts with breast cancer is hard.,,., is somehow : " closer " . thanks for the info... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Yes Margery,,, it helps a lot... thank you very much.... cancer is something that really scares me and I have taken the coward way out ( ignoring it as much as posible ) I think I need to stop being stupid about it. for the past 2 generations ., actually 3 counting mine, the women in my family have died of one type of cancer or another.... and now looking at my twin aunts with breast cancer is hard.,,., is somehow : " closer " . thanks for the info... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 , I'm an oncology research nurse. Novartis (manufacturer of Femara) is funding a large study right now on Arimidex and Femara. (They have to pay retail for the Arimidex, so next time you hear someone bad mouthing the price of pharmaceuticals, remember what they put out up front to get these drugs available for us to take them.) They are both aromatase inhibitors. We are just finishing up the long term follow-up on the Arimidex and Tamoxifen trial (10 years). They were both Astra-Zeneca products. Studies document results. If everyone was just out there taking stuff, and no one is keeping track of the side effects and time to progression, we would never know if one is better or how their side effect profiles shake out in the percentages. Possibly the study you read about is still going on. Preliminary findings may be published, but the jury is still out on it. I know that some women have to take them for awhile before some of the side effects subside. Lots of drugs are like that. What I'm saying is that if you start taking one of the AI's (aromatase inhibitors), give it a fair amount of time for your body to get used to it and stop giving you some side effects up front. I had that happen to me with fertility drug and Claritin. They both made me high. Claritin was a great appetite suppressant for awhile (that is NOT why I took it). Anyways, I can take Claritin now and not even know I took it. The initial side effects wore off, my body got used to it or whatever. Good luck with your drugs! Rhonda & nne Svihlik wrote: I did not take Femera or any of those types of drugs but someone may be able to answer those questions. I can tell you this, I had 3 friends that went off of chemo for alternative treatments and died within a year leaving behind 9 children between them. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com Femara I feel so ignorant..... I have been reading the posts here for a few weeks now triying to understand the lingo... and I have to admit this is a whole new language.... especially when I go back to my aunts and ask them ...it is sad, they dont know.... they just say, cancer...they dont even have records.... I can imagine they feel even worst not understanding the language completely..... I was reading the info on Femara and it said the study was done on 5100 patients....if I understand correctly it said it was supposed to be a 5 year study but did not conclude? Femara , aridmex , are those drugs what is called an inhibitor? is it a hormone? what is the difference between them ? has anyone tried alternatives ?are there any alternatives? help please...... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 , I'm an oncology research nurse. Novartis (manufacturer of Femara) is funding a large study right now on Arimidex and Femara. (They have to pay retail for the Arimidex, so next time you hear someone bad mouthing the price of pharmaceuticals, remember what they put out up front to get these drugs available for us to take them.) They are both aromatase inhibitors. We are just finishing up the long term follow-up on the Arimidex and Tamoxifen trial (10 years). They were both Astra-Zeneca products. Studies document results. If everyone was just out there taking stuff, and no one is keeping track of the side effects and time to progression, we would never know if one is better or how their side effect profiles shake out in the percentages. Possibly the study you read about is still going on. Preliminary findings may be published, but the jury is still out on it. I know that some women have to take them for awhile before some of the side effects subside. Lots of drugs are like that. What I'm saying is that if you start taking one of the AI's (aromatase inhibitors), give it a fair amount of time for your body to get used to it and stop giving you some side effects up front. I had that happen to me with fertility drug and Claritin. They both made me high. Claritin was a great appetite suppressant for awhile (that is NOT why I took it). Anyways, I can take Claritin now and not even know I took it. The initial side effects wore off, my body got used to it or whatever. Good luck with your drugs! Rhonda & nne Svihlik wrote: I did not take Femera or any of those types of drugs but someone may be able to answer those questions. I can tell you this, I had 3 friends that went off of chemo for alternative treatments and died within a year leaving behind 9 children between them. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com Femara I feel so ignorant..... I have been reading the posts here for a few weeks now triying to understand the lingo... and I have to admit this is a whole new language.... especially when I go back to my aunts and ask them ...it is sad, they dont know.... they just say, cancer...they dont even have records.... I can imagine they feel even worst not understanding the language completely..... I was reading the info on Femara and it said the study was done on 5100 patients....if I understand correctly it said it was supposed to be a 5 year study but did not conclude? Femara , aridmex , are those drugs what is called an inhibitor? is it a hormone? what is the difference between them ? has anyone tried alternatives ?are there any alternatives? help please...... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 thank you very much for the info I will pass that to my aunts.... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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