I’m just about to have a re-excision of a margin, and I think next step will be hormone.
When I read, tamoxifen appears to feature quite often.
I’ve been told that women who are >60 tend to tolerate hormone treatment better than ladies who are <60.
Are there any ladies who are in their 60s that would agree with this? Just wondered what your experience is.
The reason I ask is I had a hard time during the menopause, and I don’t want to go back to dire menopausal symptoms again.
I was so glad when I was through the menopause and I was alright until all this malarkey started 
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I think we are all different. I’ve been on Letrozole for about four months now (I’m 60) and it’s ok so far. I get the occasional hot flush and sore joints but it’s manageable - so far…certainly not as bad as the menopause!
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Hi
I am 62 and been on letrozole since January. I also was taking it from April to august, then ceased whilst I had chemo during August to December. I also get occasional hot flushes and experience a bit of joint pain mainly in my fingers. I walk approximately 4 miles daily and I think that helps. I haven’t had to take any pain killers but I do take supplements.
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I started taking Letrozole the day after my 67th birthday in 2022. I do ok on it, I didn’t get hot flushes and I still don’t have joint or muscle pain, which is the SE that can debilitate. I sometimes get a bit of brain fog but that could be due to the statin I am taking. I have had two “holidays” from it and felt that any small SE dissipated after about 5-6 weeks so I’m fairly confident that when I finish it in October 27, I’ll be ok. I’ve had two DEXA scans and have no osteopenia or osteoporosis yet. All you can do is try it and see how you get on really.
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Hi itsjustnotmyyear
I had my diagnosis of bilateral breast cancer followed by lumpectomies and another surgery to get margins all in 2023. This was followed by radiotherapy on both sides and lastly letrozole for 5 years as I’m post menopausal these days
I had my 60th birthday in April that year!
That was def not my year!!
I began letrozole in August so I am nearing 2 years.
I’m afraid I’m one of those people who have all the SE; the worst are joint pain, sleeplessness, hot flushes and vaginal atrophy.
I have never been told what my scores are with regards to whether it’s worth me continuing/ reoccurrence but I’m trying to just get through things at the moment. I’ve managed to get the VA to a manageable level with vagifem pessaries although I’m only allowed two a week!
The joint pain seems to be getting worse though so I will be mentioning that at my next consultation in August.
I had 18 years on hrt patches which I obviously had to stop upon diagnosis as I was menopausal at 40. The symptoms are worse now as the letrozole eradicates the oestrogen from the body so I’ve now become the tin man🤭
I try to walk as much as possible as sitting makes it worse. I do find I know about it if I walk too much though. Ankles and knees and hips are the worst
I guess everyone is different and that’s not to say you’ll be the same as me.
Wishing you all the best
Lynn x
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Lynn, I had all that on letrozole but some of it (not all) is better for me on exemestane. Particular improvements were with vaginal dryness and hand pains. Still suffering with other side effects but those particlar issues are no longer a problem. Maybe talk to your team about trying a different drug?
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Hi laneycass
That’s good to know you found improvement with the exemestane. I wonder if they’d make me restart the 5 years though?
I can but ask
Thank you for your advice
Best wishes
Lynn x
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Hi, I’ve been on Tamoxifen since August 2022 and I’m not far off being 69.
Absolutely hate it…brain fog, joint pain, sight problems, thinning hair and dreadful swollen legs and ankles. Could try one of the others but keep thinking I’m just over halfway through so will grit my teeth and continue.
That said, a neighbour who is about 10 years younger and also on it hasn’t had any problems.
Good luck with your journey.
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Hi I started tamoxifen and surgery and radiotherapy I was 70 am 73 now. Have few hot flushes and have to get out 3 or more times at night for wee but on the whole tolerate it pretty ok. I always have the brand Tilomed it definitely suits me best! I also had dreadful menopause and was dreading it but hopefully you will be ok
Hugs
X
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No, @Lynikinz. It is a continuation of AI treatment, not a restart on something new. There are three aromatase inhibitors: Letrozole, Anastrozole and Exemestane. If you don’t get on with one you can try one of the others. That’s my understamding.
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Hi laneycass
That’s good to know. I’m going by what other ppl have told me that happened to them. I don’t fancy ending up taking these tablets for longer than necessary
Hello and thank you everyone for your input.
I feel like I’ve got off the roller-coaster a little.
Now thinking 
about radiotherapy 
I just want to get ahead of the game so I know the questions to ask, when I’m asked if I have any questions, so I’ll change channels to that section.
Thank you again. Your responses have been appreciated and I send everyone best wishes.
PS I think you have to be in this situation to understand it.
I’m 65 and started on Anastrazole in Aug 2022 when I was 62. I had a bit of stiffness in my hips first thing in the morning for a couple of months, but it wore off as I moved about. Then, it stopped completely. I’ve just had the results of my second bone scan and there was no reduction in bone density. I’m doing so well on it, I’m hoping I can stay on it after the 5 years I was originally told I’d be on it.
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Hello, with regards to your post about hormone therapy when over 60: I was on Anastrozole for three years from age 63 and I found the side effects intolerable (bone pain, hot flushes, palpitations, depression) I was also concerned about how Anastrozole decreases bone density and raises cholesterol. As my DEXA scans showed loss of bone density and my cholesterol was very high I changed to Tamoxifen which I have been on for seven months. According to scientific research, Tamoxifen can increase bone density in post menopausal women and can lower cholesterol too. I am feeling so much better now, I am still getting hot flushes but they are not so intense (when on Anastrozole I felt as though I was in a straight-jacket in a sauna and felt claustrophobic and anxious). I have also started on statins and my cholesterol has reduced to good levels. I read on this website that cancer cells can travel through biosynthesis pathways caused by high cholesterol. It’s important for me to feel that I am doing my best to stay healthy. I don’t drink or smoke and I only eat healthy foods and no ultra processed rubbish. I also only eat during an 8 hour window and fast for 16 hours on most days. When fasting, the body burns fat cells rather than using glucose and, as cancer cells need glucose to thrive, I feel that I have some control over my body. Since fasting I have lost the roll of hard fat that accumulated around my middle when on Anastrozole. I don’t think there’s a “one size fits all” when it comes to hormone therapy but for me Tamoxifen seems to work. I hope you find a course of treatment that works for you and that you make a full recovery. Best wishes and big hugs x
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Hi itsjustnotmyyear
I’m 67 and had a lumpectomy in January. They found some dcis present but were happy with the margins.
Four lymph nodes were all clear.
I was recommended a short course of radiotherapy plus five years of hormone blockers.
There’s so much great advice and experience people have shared here, but I just want to give a shout out for the option not to have any further treatment - that’s what I chose.
After looking at the survival predictor I realised it gave me a very low percentage of benefit. (The oncologist clarified that this refers to survival rather than reoccurrence which is a little higher.)
I’ll most likely still be alive in 15 years. I sort of feel if 87% of women in my situation will still be here then why wouldn’t I be one of them?!
Aside from the side effects, I feel like my body has experienced enough trauma with surgery, and the healthy breast tissue and small amounts of oestrogen that remain would rather be left to thrive.
Hope that’s helpful - it’s an option 
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Everybody responds differently to the AIs. I couldn’t take them in 2008, but with a reoccurance in 2023, I’ve tried them all again. Tamoxifen baby dose was horrible, so I ended up taking a quarter tab of the letrozole. This left me with tolerable side effects for 3 years. Noone recommends this dose, but i decided it was better than nothing. I’ve been experiencing vertigo24/7 for 2 years and i finally stopped the letrozole and within 6 days my symptoms significantly reduced. I didn’t Get all the info and find what works for you!
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I am 64 years old and have been on anastrozole for 7 months. I have terrible hot flashes, joint pain, and brain fog. Now my right shoulder is in constant pain. has anyone found pain in their shoulders?
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I took anastrozle for almost 3 years , i had to stop as i was getting very low and anxious, i also started having panic attacks and not wanting to go out alone.
Been on tamoxifen about 2 months now , and starting to feel much better . It is difficult to know what to do for the best as everyone is different , good luck
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Hi, I’ve been on latrozole for 2 and a half years, I’m 74 i have had no big problems, or i might just have got used to it lol except for pain in bones but its definitely not that bad and at my age i am extremely grateful what, I’ve read about it seems to be worthwhile taking. Xx
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I’m 67 been taking Letrozole six years no problems bone density normal after three DEXA scans . I walk around 3 miles a day probably helps .
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