Starting treatment with Faslodex (fulvestrant) and Zometa can be a significant step in managing your stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and bone health. Here’s what you might expect based on the information available:
1. **Faslodex (Fulvestrant)**
- **Administration**: Faslodex is given as an intramuscular Show Full Answer
Starting treatment with Faslodex (fulvestrant) and Zometa can be a significant step in managing your stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and bone health. Here’s what you might expect based on the information available:
1. **Faslodex (Fulvestrant)**:
- **Administration**: Faslodex is given as an intramuscular injection, typically in a clinical setting. You will receive three injections in the first month as a loading dose, followed by monthly injections.
- **Common Side Effects**: These can include injection site pain, nausea, bone pain, joint pain, headache, back pain, fatigue, hot flashes, vomiting, decreased appetite, weakness, and musculoskeletal pain.
- **Serious Side Effects**: Watch out for issues like bleeding disorders and liver impairment.
2. **Zometa**:
- **Purpose**: This medication is used to strengthen bones and help prevent fractures, which is particularly important in the context of cancer spreading to bones.
- **Administration and Effects**: Zometa is typically administered via infusion. It helps manage high blood calcium levels caused by cancer and reduces the risk of fractures.
Both treatments are part of a comprehensive approach to managing your condition and improving your quality of life. It’s good to stay in close contact with your healthcare team, monitor how you feel, and report any side effects. Many patients share their experiences and find support from others undergoing similar treatments.
May 6, 2024