Femara User Reviews & Ratings

• Femar...
• October 8, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Femara for 9 months. First few months were tolerable, as time progresses, I am miserable. In beginning, I experienced nausea and diarrhea. As this went away, the bone and joint pain began. I would be awakened from my sleep in tears, as my hips would ache just from lying in bed. My hands/fingers hurt to make a fist, or do any type of extended writing. My knees ache horribly. When I get out of bed in the morning, I need to stand still for at least 2 or 3 minutes until I can get my legs to work. Same thing when sitting for any length of time. I am 45 and feel like I am 85. "

• noosa
• April 11, 2012

For Breast Cancer "I am 65 and have been on Femara for 2 years. Side effects quite severe. Joint pain, lost libido, dry vagina. However it is what it is and we must continue to take. So, I decided to fight the effect, dry vagina improved with a non hormonal lubricant. For joint pain, fish oil, magnesium, zinc and calcium twice a day, big improvement. Also each morning no matter how stiff you are, go walking, it warms up the joints and gets you going for the rest of the day. I also do weights 3 times a week to increase muscle to protect bones. All have made big a difference. No weight gain. Vitamins have certainly helped keep hair and skin in good condition. Three more years of it so it's best to just keep trying to counteract the negative effects."

• Loving...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 9, 2013

For Breast Cancer "After a lumpectomy for stage 1 Breast Cancer, I was prescribed two other aromatase inhibitors prior to Femara. I had occasional head pain in one spot from all of them. I also had trigger finger and terrible knee pain from Arimidex. My doctor then put me on brand name Femara and the joint pain, head pain, and trigger finger all went away. What is bothering me now is the hair loss (can see my scalp!), memory loss--constantly groping for words. Sometimes I do feel like I'm "foggy" but mostly I just can't remember words. I feel it is getting worse as time goes on and I do not understand why others report the same but there is no mention of this in the patient information leaflet."

• Sarah
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2021

For Female Infertility "Had irregular periods and sudden weight gain, when consulted I got to know I have PCOS. I was advised to try for pregnancy as it might get difficult for me to conceive if I delay. I consulted many doctors, different doctors different advises!! I started dieting and exercise but nothing worked! I was then told to start glucophage 500 mg and femara on my periods days 2-5. I had no side effects. With the grace of almighty I conceived that month itself and have twin baby boys now.."

• Des
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2021

For Female Infertility "Had my 1st round of Femara in December. I did ovulate for the 1st time that I’m aware of in a long time due to PCOS. I did end up pregnant, but sadly had a chemical pregnancy around 3 weeks. I’m thankful that it did work for us and I was able to conceive. Now is the hard part of figuring out where to go from here. Prayers and love to all!"

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2012

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I've been taking Femara since the breast cancer was discovered in my lung - that has been 10 years this year. Two types of chemo failed to knock it out and as I was preparing for radiation, I started taking Femara. Within a month the tumor began to shrink and all that is left is scarring where it once was. I am so grateful to my doctor for recommending it to me. My other oncologist didn't even mention it. Needless to say I'm happy to be alive and enjoying life."

• Tooty...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking Femara for almost two years now after my second surgery for estrogen receptive positive breast cancer with no lymph nodes involved. Sure there are multiple side effects, some pretty tough to deal with sometimes but I am 66 years young and I love living. Give it a GO and keep on living."

• Smittie
• May 15, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I've been taking Femara for a little over 5 months and have yet to experience any side effects whatsoever. I'd been warned about hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, muscle pain, and so far nothing. I have two smallish tumors in one breast that we caught very early on, and at my 4 month ultrasound they've decreased by about 50%. I'll have a nipple-sparing mastectomy in about 2 weeks with DIEM flap reconstruction...the grossest part of this whole episode in my opinion...followed by radiation. No chemo here, just a very healthy mostly vegetarian diet and tons of walking. I'm 69, 5'6", 135, and so far consider myself about the luckiest cancer patient anywhere. Maybe I'll start feeling sick at some point but not yet. Hang in there ladies!!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2021

For Female Infertility "We tried for a year and half to fall pregnant, then I discovered I had fibroids had to have them surgically removed. 8months later discovered I had gallstone & had to have my entire gallbladder removed which was another set back. 4months after my gallbladder removal now 42yrs old, the fertility Professor that removed my fibroids done a ultra sound said I have a few eggs but my age is against me and I would need to go on Femara along with artificial insemination. My partner was not keen on AI he was more for it happening naturally and if it's God's will. I had the prescription for the Femara to take 2 tablets for 5 days starting on the 3rd day of my period took it in September without AI & nothing. Got my periods October again and I decided to give Femara 1 last go and after that I was going to give up & I thought it was just not meant to be. November 2021 I was 1week late for my period took a pregnancy test & BOOM positive. There is hope ladies wishing u luck with baby dust.X"

• rosies...
• February 8, 2012

For Breast Cancer "I had many side effects- including, hot flashes, confusion, stomach problems, vaginal dryness, tired easily and bone weakening. On the bright side-I have had no recurrence and it is now 12 years since my diagnosis with lymph node involvement."

• Anonymous
• January 2, 2011

For Breast Cancer "I am 46 yrs old, stage IV MBC to lungs, been on femara for 1.5 years. My tumors were 40% down after one year and I am about to do next ct-scan soon. My side effects are minor muscle pain (and possibly some anxiety but may be unrelated). I have simultaneously adopted vegan life style and do regular exercise (yoga and walking). I have so much energy I don't know what to do with it. I don't gain weight either, and my muscle pain is usually gone after a brief stretch or walk. I highly recommend vegan diet and exercise to those who want to minimize pain. Thanks all and good luck."

• Chille...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2015

For Breast Cancer "Had Grade A Breast Cancer that was caught early. Had a mass and one lymph node removed. Went on Femara on Nov. 8, 2014, the day after I finished radiation. At first, I didn't notice anything. Slowly the pain in my feet started, then other joints in my body. I felt like I was having trouble getting air into my lungs. I started feeling like I was in a fog. I already had been diagnosed with depression years ago which was under control with medication. I started experiencing depression a couple of weeks ago which included waking up and crying. That turned into suicidal depression. Without pain medication, I couldn't move around well. The bottom of my feet were killing me. I work full time. I quit the Femara 2 days ago."

• Charl...
• August 24, 2021

For Female Infertility "I struggled with getting pregnant for years! I found out I had PCOS in February of 2020 and my doctor put me on femara in July of 2020 a week later I was pregnant and now I have a healthy 4 month old baby girl! Love and baby dust to all stay positive!"

• Billy...
• October 11, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Femara for 3 years now, following 5 years on Tamoxifen as part of the Tango treatment for breast cancer. I have experienced severe joint pain, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, etc. But thought it was worth the effects in order to keep me 'cancer free'. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. I have also issues with bone problems i.e. broke my foot 4 years ago & chipped my knee joint. But hey I'm still here. Keep persevering girls!"

• Little...
• July 9, 2009

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Femara for 3 months. After taking Tamoxifen for approximately 2 years, which I could not tolerate any longer, my oncologist put me on the Femara. While my hot flashes have pretty much disappeared, the joint and bone pain I am suffering is unbearable. My elbows, hands, fingers, knees, ankles and feet are the worse. In the mornings I cannot get out of bed. I take thyroid medicine in the morning and cannot open the bottle. It takes about 20 minutes before I can close my fingers or bend my toes. Nighttime is also bad. After sitting for short periods I cannot get up. I have never felt better in my life except for the constant agonizing pain. I am a very active 49 year old but feel like I am 90. This pain gets worse every day. I can only imagine what it will be like in 3 more months. I I am seeing my oncologist this week and am going to tell him I am stopping this drug. I believe the quality of my life is more important that the quantity."

• inday
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2020

For Female Infertility "I recently found out I have PCOS. My periods regular never late, then I went to my Dr. she gave me a femara just took my first pill 2-5 days of my period and I'm still hoping this month or year to get pregnant.. keep on praying.."

• Erica...
• February 9, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Femara for almost a year. At first I had nearly constant hot flashes/night sweats. Was started on Effexor with nearly immediate relief. Have had increasingly painful joint and muscle pain, especially in my knees. Nothing seems to be helping much with that and it has been a major detriment to my quality of life. Have recently added Magnesium, Fish Oil and Glucosamine/Chrondroitin to the Calcium and D3 I had been taking. Hopefully this will ease the joint stiffness and pain. I am 52 and some days feel 92. Still I am cancer free so far, so I will continue to take Femara."

• cauryn
• August 30, 2013

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I had stage 3 breast cancer have been through chemo, radiation and have been on Femara for 4 months. I started on Aromasin but had terrible joint and muscle pain so my oncologist changed me to Femara. My joints and muscles feel better but I am so tired that even my oncologist tells me I look worn out. I will live with the fatigue as I know this medicine works. I am 58 and I can no longer do what I did less than a year ago. I ride a bike 40 minutes a day, I eat healthy but I just have no vitality. I miss my old self."

• Shorty
• September 21, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I've been taking letrozole(Femara) 9 months, after a right side mastectomy for stage IIA breast cancer. I'm ER & PR positive. No radiation or chemo. I'm 58 & this is the only drug I take, besides vitamins. The first 6 weeks I had trouble sleeping, occasional dizziness, some joint pain, & mild headaches. Around 4 months in, I started losing hair. I'd guess approximately 25% of my hair has fallen out. Besides the hair loss, I have dry eyes, genitals, & skin. There's some stiffness & joint pain in my hips. These side effects are tolerable, especially, knowing that the drug is preventing a cancer recurrence. None of these side effects are enough for me to stop taking letrozole!"

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2009

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I have been using Femara for 8 months, and I have been having very few side effects. I get the hot flashes only once in a while now. I do have some joint pain, but that has been easy to tolerate, if that means I will have a longer life, but only GOD knows that. There is always hope, just keep the faith and have no doubt in the medicine, doctors and mostly GOD."

• ramade
• June 5, 2013

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Femara for 18 months no side effects for first 6 months, then joint and muscle pain, physical fatigue, bone density loss. Will continue for as long as it works, at the moment looking clear, I want to live."

• tinyb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2023

For Breast Cancer "Awful! I've been on Femara for about 8 months. And since I started, I seem to have every single side effect. My joint and muscle pain is excruciating. In no particular order, I suffer with body pain (fingers, hands, shoulders, chest, back, sides, hips, legs, feet - basically everything head to toe). Plus, weight loss, hot flashes, headaches, dizziness, thinning of hair, dry mouth, high BP, night sweats. Even my scalp is tender. Chest pain that radiates to upper arms, shortage of breath, over all depression. Chills, insomnia, intestinal pain - sharp pains, plus dull aching. Constant feelings of nausea, diarrhea, constipation. I'm afraid to eat but also have little appetite. Brain fog, shortness of breath. Feeling that I am just going to die. Sitting up in pain all night. I hurt everywhere - too sick to move; too sick to cry. Feels like I am going to have a heart attack. Can’t lie down, can’t stand up. Full body chills, hands shaking. Haven't slept through the night in months."

• dogho...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2014

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I was diagnosed in 2009, had lumpectomy, chemo, radiation. Managed to continue working through it all. Then took tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years...had horrible muscle cramping and hot flashes, switched to letrozole after determining I was post menopausal. The major muscle cramps lessened considerably, as did the hot flashes. I took this for 2 1/2 years, just stopping 3 weeks ago. I have muscle, joint, bone achiness 24/7, no energy, tired always, feel like I'm in a fog, tinnitus, heartburn, slow metabolism with weight gain. How long will it take to reverse all of these side effects now that I no longer take it? I even quit taking ibuprofen because it doesn't do anything for the pains. I am now 2 months from being 50 years old."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 2) - underwent 6 months of chemo and 6 weeks radiation. My hair regrowth was pretty quick but began thinning significantly after about a year of Tamoxifen usage (could see my scalp pretty clearly in the front and on top of my head). My doctor switched me to Femara about 2 months ago - side effects include lots of hot flashes (about 6-10 daily) and weight gain which I am combating by working out everyday and cutting my calories. I am prayerful that I don't experience anymore hair loss or the joint pain that I keep reading about. Everyone hang in there!"

• Fatima...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2023

For Female Infertility "If you came here to look at reviews, that means you are planning to conceive, and baby dust to all hoping for pregnancy, including me. I found out last year that I have pcod and that my thyroid (hypothyroidism) is extremely high; it was 11 and is now around 4, so I need to reduce it even more for conception. My gynecologists' advised me to take Clomid for two cycles without success, and this month she advised me to take Femara (letrozole) from the second day of my period to the fifth day. I really hope it works. I read a lot of your reviews and got a positive feeling! Insha Allah, I get my positive news soon, and I hope the same for every other woman who is looking forward to pregnancy! We've got to be strong and positive! Lots of love to all."