Hi, that sounds scary. Hope you are recovering and good luck with starting letrozole, hopefully you can find a brand that suits you. Enjoy the Christmas break with your family. Take care x
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Hi @lottie73 I’m on statins. Some people call them the wonder drug…
I started taking them 2 years ago as my cholesterol was too high, they helped bring it down hugely. Anything below 5 is healthy, I was 7.8. I’m on Atorvastatin. You can try managing by diet and exercise, this will obviously help but it does take a long time. Letrozole slightly increased my cholesterol level but nothing like before. For me it was a no brainer as 5 years ago I had very high blood pressure/stressful job etc and started suffering from atrial fibrillation which is when your heart beats irregularly, with a risk of heart attack or stroke. I’m on other blood pressure tablets and beta blocker, and finally last year had cardio version to correct my heart beat. They’ve made me feel so much better, along with me improving my fitness. A long story, but my advice is research what works for you. I know it’s a hard decision
On another note I’ve bought 2 new bras! Encouraged by you ladies I’ve found some comfortable and uplifting bras which actually enhance without the added wire 
Good luck with final Christmas prep and dash! So looking forward to putting 2025 behind me. Enjoy the festivities 
xxx
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Hi lovely, sorry to hear about your arthritis, hopefully you can manage it without strong painkillers that wipe you out and bung you up (still grimacing after the codeine constipation 
). Do you need surgery? Acupuncture is supposed to be very helpful and last resort… being in a warmer climate helps arthritis, I think? Maybe a heat lamp or a trip to the sun is an option… only kidding and dreaming 
Re your heart rate, the beta blockers will help. Depending what they give you, I found they actually calmed down my anxiety and made me more chilled too. Hopefully it helps with the night sweats.
I definitely agree about the comment on all the pills we’re popping! I’ve struck up a friendship with my local pharmacy 
And turning a ‘young’ 60 this year and getting free prescriptions has been a lifesaver!
Wishing you all the best and hope you manage to enjoy the festivities 
Amanda x
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Yep, that’s a bit high. I think you might need the statins hon. Mine is just over 5 but the ldl/hdl ratio is good, so they leave me alone 
. I think they prefer everyone to be under 5?
To be honest, I’m amazed mine is so stable given my weakness for dairy Lol! Phil’s was 8.4 when he was put on them.
I wouldn’t worry too much. Loads of people take them these days and if it keeps you safe while on letrozole, it’s worth it. Gym will definitely help with everything. Just don’t kill yourself going mad on day one 
Take it easy- you are still healing, we all are. My PT (who also has BC) told me that it’s not about cardio and sweating like a pig… it’s about gentle breathing and building strength. If I start wheezing, we stop and turn it down a notch. (I don’t leave there wet through but my legs are usually wobbly) 
update on propranolol.. it made my ankles swell so I’m waiting for an alternative 
. It didn’t do much for my heart rate, but it did help me feel cooler 
We are all going to be rattling for years with our pills!
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Hi Amanda,
Well done for making it to 60 with your sense of humour still intact! Lol
Yes, the arthritis was a bit of a bummer. I guess the lack of estrogen made everything grumble. I’m not sure on the surgery thing. It’s possible but if I can manage without for a while, I’d prefer not to have another surgery on the same side just yet 
I’d rather take your advice and move to Barbados! That would work for me 
Nice to dream…
The beta blocker certainly helped with my clammy/hotness but I’m afraid it didn’t touch the heart rate 
. This particular one made my ankles swell up, so I’m waiting for an alternative. He did say it was a possibility, which begs the question:”why put me on it in the first place if there are others that don’t?”
Hay ho… all part of the journey eh
I had a bit of bad night last night and these tramadol that I’ve been given for shoulder pain (never had before) were calling to me from my pill stacked bedside table… so, I got brave & took one. Blimey!!! Zonk city!!
Geez they are strong. I fell into a mini coma until 8.30 then woke up to find my bathroom swaying and three toilets looking me lol!! I had to aim for the middle one 
It took about an hour to come round but boy did they make me 
… Totally agree btw about the codamol. Did the same to me.
So, I think I might try another one tonight but I’ll take it as soon as I get in to bed and see if that stops me waking up with a sore shoulder at 3sm 
I could do with a few days without gp appointments. I’ve got appointments coming out my wazoo … physio, acupuncture, med checks, blood tests and thyroid check…
Roll on Christmas.
I wish you sll all a flush free, itchless, painless Christmas
Love and hugs 
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Oh Bella! What a bloody nightmare. How are you now after the A&E dash?…
I totally understand about giving your hb peace of mind. I’ve had a few ups & downs and I keep worrying about how it’s effecting him. He gets so stressed when I’m ill (which up until this merry go round was very seldom). When I was taken into A&E by ambulance after my boob opened up, he followed in my car and was so stressed/distracted that he drove into the cat park barrier and crunched my front end (the car-not me! lol)… bless him. He was then extra stressed about the fact that it was my car he pranged and not his 
.
You’ve both been through so much this year, so I completely get where you are coming from. You must do what feels right.
Part of the reason I am mulling over my meds is to do with Phil. I don’t want to spend the next five years struggling and him watching me feeling that way.
I hope you both get some quality time together over this Christmas and lord knows we could all do with some days of feeling normal 
Good luck with your review and fingers crossed for the Letrozole lovie.
Take care.
Happy Christmas and much love fellow bonkers boob babe
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Got as far as “…drove into the cat…” and spluttered on my tea Glad it wasn’t a cat 
I’m fine now thanks but it was hugely scary x I’m relieved to hear you’re also considering your hb in your decisions as I didn’t know how to consider this at first but we are a team and it’s important to look after each other. I think I said I’m now back on Letrozole, will have another review in 2 months. Today my GP has just prescribed another BP med so providing the SEs don’t become cumulative I should be more protected from both BC and stroke etc and will join you all in the morning pill rattling dance 
On train home from work, I’m done now for Cristmas, woo hooo bring on R&R, too much food, telly, family and the odd sneaky 
And @amafoss65 I’m same age as you, so 60 pretending to be 30. I’m so glad I pushed the boat out earlier this year to celebrate, I had an amazing time. It’d be a great age if it weren’t for BC and all the joy it brings!
Bxx
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God love your husband, he sounds amazing! Mine has been a saint… though often disappears outside to his shed or the garage. I couldn’t have got through this without him, 31 years married and he knew what he was getting The other day he disappeared to sharpen his chisels …. Hahaha that’s not a euphemism I never knew he had 14 chisels. Anyway well done to all the husbands and partners putting up with us mad lot 
xxxx
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To all you fabulous BBBs, thank you for giving me some laughs, lots of positivity and loads of inspiration from your amazing experiences of breast cancer throughout the year. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and especially Healthy New Year.
Pam
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Sounds like you got a good one too lovie. The chisel euphemism made me laugh , thanks for that …
31 years is about the same for us. My hb is very fond of saying “you get less for murder” lol! To which I reply “we had to marry each other- no one else would put up with us ”
The truth is that we are a great team and it works.
Happy Christmas boob babes
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Happy Christmas lovely ladies 
It’s been a roller coaster of a year for most of us but we have all come through it with the support of our wonderful families and the craziness of this group!!
I hope you all have a great Christmas break with your loved ones and lots of love and best wishes to you 
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Hiya not sure if any of you still read this group chat anymore but just in case I hope you had a good Christmas and fab New Year.
Wishing you all good health and happiness for 2026
Charlotte
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Hey, morning Charlotte, morning all!
I was just thinking exactly the same yesterday… Happy New Year all, let’s hope 2026 is not as 
as 2025!
How’re you all doing?
I’m still juggling drug SEs. Went back on Letrozole a month ago plus I have a new BP tablet so am battling insomnia again, a drying 
, hair loss then have added the fun of nausea. The advice to counter it is to avoid alcohol, rich and spicy food. There goes my Friday night curry and 
So what with that and not being able to dip in the sea I feel like I’ve turned 80 overnight.
I have taken up knitting.
I’m serious I was so fed up after Christmas (which was lovely but I ended up collecting my 92 yr old Dad up from A&E after he decided to faceplant the pavement and break his nose, then spent 2 days cooking for him and my Mum (they’re the other side of the country from me) to give them a break) I thought I’d try something more fitting to my drug-imposed OAP fun-vacuum status. It’s going quite well, 20 rows so far
Honestly, it’s bad isn’t it I’m seeing my surgeon again next month to decide whether to stay on Letrozole or give it up. She did offer me a switch to one of the other 3 drugs but agreed that as they all have similar effects it’s probably not going to help. It’s a big decision which I won’t make lightly so if anyone reading this has any advice it’d be appreciated.
Right I’d best get up for work. I failed yesterday due to only having 2 hrs sleep, which really isn’t sustainable.
Hope to hear from you all soon,
With love
Bella xx
I feel like I’m gatecrashing this group chat but I just wanted to wish all BBBs a Happy New Year. I love reading your posts and I hope that 2026 will be a better year than 2025 for everyone. I’m locking 2025 into a big drawer and looking forward to a good year ahead! However, I’m almost 3 months away from my first annual mammogram and already I’m getting twitchy! Goodness knows what I’ll be like as I get nearer the appointment time 
! Anyway, all the best to everyone. Keep posting all your lovely stories and for those going through a hard time, I’m sending you virtual hugs and lots of love.
Pam
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Hi Pam
There’s no such thing as gate crashing here, all are welcome! We love reading other peoples funny stories and it’s good to have each other on those down days and difficult times.
I think a lot of us are locking 2025 away, it definitely wasn’t the easiest of years.
I can only imagine how you are feeling with the first mammogram coming up but we are all here for you and just a message away.
Keep smiling, you’ve got this
Charlotte xx
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Hi Bella
I get the SE worries, they’re rotten aren’t they! Have you changed brands? I found that when I took Cipla I had hot sweats and dry mouth which were manageable but with Amarox I was left in so much pain I couldn’t move and Accord wasn’t much better. I stopped taking them in November as no local pharmacies had Cipla (apparently it’s one of the expensive ones 
). My lovely hubby called a few pharmacies in Broxbourne and one said that they had a box in stock. We drove straight over there and it turns out they had 9 boxes in stock and the lovely pharmacist has put all the boxes to one side for me so at least I can have a run at taking the tablets and see what happens.
I have also refused to take the statins too due to the fear of SE. Doctor wasn’t impressed but a lovely nurse said change diet, cut back on alcohol, do some exercise and go back in 3 months for another blood test. If it reduces then she will fight for me to try and manage the cholesterol with diet 
Hope your dad is recovering well, bet they loved having you around for a few days.
Enjoy your knitting, a nice warm hat and scarf would be perfect around now
Love to you both
Hello Boob babes!! Happy new year you mad lot!
So, so sorry for my absence, I haven’t forgotten you all, & I hope you all enjoyed seeing the back of 2025 
… locked away in this house- 2025 can get stuffed and naff off! 
@bellalasagne1 & @lottie73 I feel for you ladies with your SE. Bella, when do you speak to your onc again re letrozole?
Mine is due to phone me next week and I’m telling her I’m not going back on AIs. I’ve been absent because I had a rough time with the hyperthyroidism. My heart started playing up and between Christmas & new year I had 2 abnormal ECG showing possible enlargement of left chamber (wtf??)… so(stop me if I’ve said all this before- my brain fog is greeeaaaat!), I was put on propranolol to try and slow the bugger down. My bpm went crazy and I felt like I was running a marathon sitting on the sofa … hot sweats/night sweats … urgh. I’ve been referred to endocrinologist but the wait list is ridiculous
Anyway in desperation I went back to gp as soon as I could after they opened up again; and I had a melt down in the surgery (it was the only way to get them to take me seriously). I pushed them to contact the endo for guidance and insisted I get to start the carbimazole asap. It worked!! Yippee 
Got my pills. Started yesterday and, it could be my imagination, but I already feel much better. It’s easier to breathe and my muscles feel less shaky.
The hyperthyroidism is a bitch! My leg muscles stoped cooperating and I kept loosing feeling in my arms … I never knew it could do that. Coming down the stairs was sn exercise in extreme concentration to stop my wobbly legs giving way. And getting up from the sofa became a ludicrous circus of heaving and grunting, clutching the arms and a lot of panting! God, not exactly sexy, is it? Lol!
Anyway, back to AIs… the endocrinologist, in his guidance to the gp, queried medically induced toxicity as being the trigger, which makes me wonder if the anastrozole had something to do with it?? It would tally with the timeline. My onc said that my SE constituted an “unacceptable level of toxicity” … I’m not certain but it could all be related to the BC & or treatment??
On the plus side my vag is less like a sand pit full of tumbleweed these days
What a life!
So, anyway, I hope you ladies manage to get some relief too- and very soon
Let’s hope 2026 is our year!! Good riddance to last year. Onwards & upwards
Love to all you bonkers boob babes!
Xxx
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OMG how awful for you!! What an example of how other areas of our health have to trump BC. Sounds like you’ve had a terrible time and I hope you continue to improve very quickly lovely xxx
For me, it’s getting my BP under control. My last A&E dash due to cold water shock was partly caused by my high BP (I’ve since read). Not only did it terrify my poor hb, but a friend younger than me had a stroke on Christmas Eve. It really brings other risks and priorities into focus so I’m still considering everything. I’m seeing surgeon on 9 Feb, so 4 weeks to go.
I’m getting on better with the BP meds. Pharmacy 2U offer a phone consultation with a pharmacist if you’re prescribed a new drug and I had mine on Friday. It was very useful. We discussed the nausea; she advised taking it with food (I don’t always have breakfast) so my new regime of a slice of toast plus a pill is actually working. She also said the nausea should only last a couple of weeks which is great news 
, makes persisting with it easier. Bit like being preggers and getting past the 12 week point!
In other old lady news the knitting’s coming along steadily but slowly. I keep dropping stitches while watching The Traitors 
so this baby blanket is definitely going to be wonky
I’ve also jumped on the magnesium trend and have some ££££ balm stuff hb bought me for Christmas which I’m rubbing on my legs every night. What with that and all the other lotions I’m like a slippery fish so if he did try to inspect my sandpit he’d slide off
Have a good week all. It’s getting slightly lighter every morning and evening 
Love to all
Bxx
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@lottie73 and @bellalasagne1 - the brand of Letrozole I’ve been on since I started taking it has been Accord on which I had a few manageable SE, but the last time I went to renew the Rx, the pharmacist didn’t have any in stock and gave me some Crescent brand to try and, touch wood, no SE on it so far. I don’t know if either of you have tried that brand but just thought I’d mention it.
Px
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Hi, so sorry to hear you’ve been suffering with side effects. I hope it calms down for you soon xxxx
I’ve had a set back too and I’m not sure if it’s related to my bc drugs as I previously suffered from atrial fibrillation where your heart rate races when doing nothing. I had a cardio version to correct the rhythm 18 months ago and I’ve been fine until 2 January where my heart has gone back into afib…. It’s probably not related at all to the cancer treatments… but just when I thought I was on track and looking forward to 2026. Now I’m being put on more powerful heart drugs (digoxin) and a 6 month wait list for another cardio version and a year for ablation 
I’ve also been prescribed alendronic acid for bones, but not started that yet until I feel better with my heart.
FFS 
I’m jingling with all these tablets!
Keep well and all the best
Amanda x
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