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Femara side affects

As I have posted before, my wife aged 74 has breast cancer and has been on Femara for about three months prior to surgery. She's responding well and the cancer has shrunk, and she hasn't really had any side affects but in the last 2 weeks has developed an itchy red rash in the area between her legs and upper thighs.
The doctor diagnosed thrush, which she has never ever had,  hasn't had physical contact with anybody for years and is scrupulously clean, but it hasn't responded to the treatment she prescribed; tablet and creams.
Could this be an adverse reaction to the Femara? Has anybody else experienced anything similar? Any opinions will be appreciated.
thanks
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25201 tn?1255580836
That rash is truly a "poser" as they say; I certainly hope that some answers will come when the studies on the swabs are completed.
As to the other subject .... I would NEVER rely on just the treatment you Wife is taking even though the tumor and nodes may well shrink to nearly nothing. Cancer cells can certainly remain even though the tumor may not be easily visible. There would be one circumstance where surgery might not be considered in such a case and that would be if the patient were quite aged and/or in very poor health in general and considered an extremely poor risk for any type of surgery. When cancer is involved I don't believe in taking chances; I wouldn't myself nor would I advise my Mother to do so. Regards .....
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Avatar universal
Hi and thanks for your reply,
We are still trying to find out what the rash is - it is inside and around the vagina, and has also appeared in the creases inside the elbows on both arms like 'welts'. Itches and is angry looking. Are waiting for swab results and they have ruled thrush out.
On another subject (sort of) the Femara has had a fairly dramatic affect on reducing the cancer and lymph nodes under her arm, and when we visited the surgeon a couple of weeks ago he sugested she wait another couple of months before booking surgery for a mastectomy and lymph nodes remove;. She asked if the Femara kept working and shrunk the tumor to the extent that it  it 'disappeared' is surgery essential.?
He said surgery is the standard treatment, but the decision was hers.
With your experience in this area, what have you learned about this option and have you any opinions that she can consider?

thanks again, regards Kev - on behalf of Ursula (she dictates this by the way)
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25201 tn?1255580836
To simplify the answer to your concern ..... anything that interferes with the estrogen production which is happening with your Wife's situation (Femara) disturbs the natural acidity in the area and permits the development of this yeast infection. Please keep in mind that this is NOT a disease that is solely due to sexual contact (although it can be passed along to a partner) OR uncleanliness !!!!! It is also something that at some time will affect 75% of women during their lifetime. This may be stubborn to treat as long as your Wife is taking Femara but PLEASE continue with the treatment prescribed. Kindest regards ....
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