I’ve been taking letrozole for just over two years, and am due to get my first prescription for tamoxifen today. I had fairly severe side effects from generic brands of letrozole at first, which became much more manageable once my GP switched me to Femara. I have come across a number of women who have had problems with generic brands of letrozole which improved with Femara; I wondered whether this was also an issue with generic brands of tamoxifen and if I should ask my GP to prescribe Nolvadex from the outset?
I would also be very interested to hear whether other people have found tamoxifen easier to tolerate than letrozole, and how quickly they noticed a reduction in joint pains?
Sorry I can’t answer your question but I am very interested in any replies you get. I have horrible joint pains with Letrozole. Other threads suggest generics are used because they are cheaper. I will keep a record now of the brands I get. I have noticed Zentiva and another beginning with S. This an importnant issue not just because of the physical pain but also the anxiety especially with pains in the back and hips. Hope you get some answers. Good luck with the Tamoxifen. I hope it helps
I started on Anastrazole but changed to Tamoxifen as it was thought Anastrazole was causing my constant itching (I know now it wasn’t). I usually have Wockhardt or Teva brand and have had no problems with either after 9 months. I’m hoping to go back to Anastrazole soon though, as being VERY post menapausal I think I would feel safer.
Hi, I’m wondering if anyone can help! I have been taking Letrozole for 18 months and in Feb this years finished Zoladex. My joints since taking both letrozole and Zoladex have been very bad but when i’ve mentioned this to the Doctor and Oncologist both have said it’s really bad as I’m having both together so it’s like me hitting a brick wall! Since finishing Zoladex in Feb I thought my joints may improve as now only on Letrozole but they have got worse! Even bending down to sit on the toilet hurts me knees! My hands are swollen, I can’t use my right hand for the first half hour of getting up, althouhg I can cope with my hands it’s my knees I’m struggling with. They won’t put me on Tamoxifan due to me having a large blood clot when going through Chemo - any help / advice would be much appreciated. I’m going to see oncologist again on 3rd June and am hoping to go with some suggestions as to what else I can try!! many thanks in advance. XX
I changed from letrozole to tamoxifen in January and apart from feeling hot at night, not sleeping great and having a dry mouth it’s been fine.
The letrozole gave me such bad feet I couldn’t walk in the morning and I’ve had 3 lots of surgery on my hands for carpal tunnel and trigger thumbs (suggested to be a side effect of the letrozole).
Brands seem to be all the same for me.
Knoxybabes42 have you been tested for carpal tunnel syndrome in your hands? Letrozole can cause swelling and affect the nerves.
Hi. I’m joining this thread a few years on as I’m just changing from Letrozole to Tamoxifen and wondered if others could give any advice on what to expect?
I’ve been on Letrozole for 10 months now (with Zoladex as I’m 46 and pre menopausal). I had a lot of horrible side effects 4-6 months in (hard to concentrate, knee pain, alcohol intolerance). Now, things have calmed down and aside from the usual menopausal symptoms my main Letrozole side effect is now really painful hands. But the hand pain isn’t really tolerable. So my oncologist has suggested I try tamoxifen for a few months and see if the side effects are easier to tolerate. Advice welcome - I took my first tablet this evening…
Hi Nat,
I’ve stayed on tamoxifen rather than go onto AIs with the agreement of my onc & surgeon, simply because I’ve felt fine on it. I have read that in post menopausal women, it tends to act more like hrt on the bones so is protective of bones in that respect.
Hopefully it is better for you, it’s certainly worth a try anyway.
Wishing you well with it all.
ann x
I’ve now had 5 days on Tamoxifen after 9 months on Letrozole.
Initial experience hasn’t been good! My joints all ache (I’d got to just hand pain on Letrozole but I’m now back to knees throbbing). I’ve felt absolutely knackered all week, and a bit low (PMT like symptoms of feeling a bit low and snappy).
I’m going to give it a bit longer as the Letrozole and Zoladex will still be in my system, so I might just be experiencing the impact of all of the drugs on top of each other. And I’m hoping that when it all settles down the side effects might be better than on Letrozole. But I’m hoping that happens soon, as this isn’t pleasant.
Hi everyone, I have been taking Letrozole for just over a month now and I think I must be one of the lucky ones, slight joint pain and excessive sweating, seeing my oncologist on the 19th July so will ask him about this sweating as its driving me mad, but compared to some of you think I have nothing to moan about. Early days for me, just hope it stays the same. Take care and hugs to you all, its not an easy thing to come to terms with, but we are all still here, so thats a bonus xxx
I thought I’d give an update, three months on from changing from Zoladex and Letrozole to Tamoxifen.
In short, much better for me on side effects. My painful hands are a lot better. They are still stiff in the morning but a lot less painful. I did have more hot flushes initially but they’ve calmed down. Fatigue levels really low - my energy is fully back. I am getting more constipated but Senacot seems to work! So I’ve decided to stay on Tamoxifen.
Good luck to others trying to decide on the best drugs to take…
ive been to see my oncologist today and been on letrozole for nearly 6 months… the achey joints have been unbearable but what also,worries me is the thinning bones…I had a bone density test which shows my bone density is low…I’m taking the calcium/vit d tablets but was told can’t take the once a week alendronic acid tablets until I’ve been to the dentist. Went to the dentist and was told can’t do any work as to near my recent treatment. Meanwhile, as said, been to see Oncologjst today and she’s giving me script for Tamoxifen … decided will try these and going back in 3 months to see how I get on. Been told possible side affects but these will protect my bones so for me def worth a try. Sorry I’ve rambled on so much …sending love and hugs to all you lovely ladies xxxxx
…sending love and hugs to all you lovely ladies xxxxx