RE: [Wellness] Femara experiences/Karen Pattersons magazine article

["Karen Patterson" <Patterson@womens-wellness.com>]

Thank you Hilary for sharing that very detailed information which I know
will help others. It sounds like you have a great attidude and I wish you
all the best. You are a shining example to follow.

My best for whole wellness,
Karen

-----Original Message-----
From: wellness-bounces@womens-wellness.com
[mailto:wellness-bounces@womens-wellness.com]On Behalf Of Hilary
Drysdale
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2005 5:53 AM
To: wellness@womens-wellness.com
Subject: [Wellness] Femara experiences/Karen Pattersons magazine article


Dear Karen and other interested members,   I am currently on a drug
trial in the UK taking Femara.  The aim of the trial is to see when the
best time would be to give women bone enhancing drugs with Femara - from
the start or if/when they show signs of bone loss.   The broad aim being
to give Femara to women who've had early detected cancers in the future,
as well as the women who receive it now, after later diagnosis.    My
own cancer was detected early.
I have been on the trial since February 2004 and get 6 month check-ups
which include bone scans, blood test, and an infusion of Zometa.   I
also take a daily supplement called Calcichew-D3 Forte.
On the cholesterol front it seems I had fairly high levels when I began,
a surprise as I am quite food aware, and it did creep up a bit in the
first few months;  it is now creeping down a bit and I will wait till
this coming 6 monthly checkup in Sept before taking a decision on
cholesterol treatment.
Bone density is stable.
I have had considerable trouble on the joint and muscle aches and pains
front, the first year especially;  however, I decided to persevere and
now I'm lots better.   At one time I couldn't hold a phone to my ear or
put it down without pain, so my partner got me a hands free phone!
Phone holding still troubles me a bit, but it's not a real problem
anymore.    The rest of the aches and pains have gone.   I get brief hot
flashes still.    Tiredness is a nuisance so I've made lifestyle changes
to help myself.   Afternoon naps when I need them, for instance.   I'm
not sure how much of the tiredness is due to the Femara and how much is
still long term after-effects of the original trauma, surgery, and
radiotherapy.   I'm also somewhat weaker physically and generally low in
energy.
In myself I'm in reasonably good spirits about it all, though, and do
what I can hobbies and interests wise - including American Blues music,
which I love.    I guess I'm a pretty dogged and determined character,
but on a serious note this is because my mother died aged 39 from
untreated breast cancer, when myself and my brother were young
children.   It was a catastrophe for the family completely, and when I
learned later on how she died I resolved that I would do everything I
could to make sure history didn't repeat itself.
After surgery, when I was offered the opportunity to go on the
Femara/Zometa trial, I looked at the possible side-effects information
and decided to go ahead, and despite experiencing some of them I am
pressing on with the trial.
I am 55 years old incidentally, in case age has any relevance to taking
Femara?
I hope my experiences might interest some women, and add information to
the subject.   My love to you all.    Hilary Drysdale in the UK
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