I have only been taking Letrozole for about 2 months and my hair has started falling out quite dramatically. I know its not as bad as chemo but it is starting to worry me. I used to have thick hair but it is getting rather thin now and the loss doesnt seem to be slowing. Has anyone else suffered this with letrozole and did it stop falling out after a while and will it regrow?
Because of this and other side effects with letrozole ( moody, flushes, aches) I spoke to my oncologist today. She has ordered a dexa scan to see if I have any bone problems and has said I should suspend taking the letrozole for 6 weeks until rads are finished and scan results are in. I feel very relieved.
Hi LadySue,
I have been taking letrozole for nearly ten years now. My hair has certainly thinned over the years but only slowly. I have never noticed an excess of loose hair in my comb or in the shower. My breastcare nurse said hair thinning can be a side effect of the complete blocking of oestrogen.
Letrozole has proved to be a very effective drug for me (I’m in remission from secondary cancer ) and my oncologist has told me I should take the drug indefinitely. I have learnt to disguise my thin hair to a certain extent by having it cut in a page boy style, having it coloured and have found that dry shampoo gives the impression of thicker hair.
It must be very worrying for you to loose a lot of hair in such a short time and I hope your oncoligist finds a solution for you.
Take care.
Wendy
Wendy
I am pleased to hear that Letrozole has kept you in remission. I know that it is a very good drug. I will go back on it if I dont have osteoporosis and it is decided that I need to take a hormone to stop the cancer coming back.The doctor said the hair thinning should stop after a few weeks.She did say that one of the other hormone treatments might be better for me.
Thanks for the tips on disguising thin hair. I will ask my hairdresser what she can do.
Sue
Ive been on Letrozole for almost 3 years, but its only the last year that Ive developed male pattern baldness, in that my most severe hair loss is at the temples and the front of my head, in fact I used to wear my hair in a fringe, but now I dont have enough hair at the front for a fringe, maybe it took so long for it to become so noticeable because I had very thick hair to start with, I do know that my shower becomes blocked regularly due to my hair loss, oh well, yet another side effect to contend with, along with the constant urine infections, loss of sex life, painful joints and weight gain ,but as my cancer had spread to most of my lymph nodes and I had 3 large tumours, I sometimes have to take a step back and realise that it is probably this drug that has given me this time, so I’m grateful
SS xx
SS. I’m sorry to hear about all your S/E’s with Letrozole but your story and Wendy’s have made me realise what a good drug this is.If my oncologist says I should take it I will.
I too have noticed a lot of hair loss which is worrying me greatly.
I have been on Letrozole for 12wks after 5yrs of Temoxefen I’m suffering from lots of side effects, blurred vision, headaches joint pain fluid retention to name but a few, I don’t know if it is worth continuing with this treatment, I have been wondering if quality of life is better than quantity. i have spoken to my oncologist who has recommended I try to tolerate the medication as I am high risk of reacurrance. I don’t know what to do its driving me insane Its constantly on my mind.
I have been on Letrozole for 2 1/2 years after 5 years of Tamoxifen. I had primary breast cancer.
I tolerated Tamoxifen very well apart from the hot flushes and weight gain and thought that I would sail through the 3 years of Letrozole - WRONG!
I haven’t had many of the aches and pains, had a clicky thumb, gone now, loads of hot flushes but lost the weight and more that I put on whilst on Tamoxifen.I am now under 8 stone which is quite low for me.
The trouble I am having is with my mouth which started 6 months after I started Letrozole, sore mouth, sores, mouth ulcers, dry mouth,oral thrush, etc etc.
After being referred to an Oral Specialist it has been diagnosed as Burning Mouth Syndrome which 1 in 3 postmenopausal women suffer from(new one to me)so I am on a low dose of nortriptyline which isn’t really making a lot of difference at the moment. My Oral Consultant says that it could well be Letrozole causing the problem.
My Onc said that I would be on Letrozole for 3 years but at my last review in April he has upped it to 5 years.
Last week my mouth was so sore I have stopped taking Letrozole for a week to see if it improves.
What I want to know is whether 3 years AIs after Tamoxifen is enough and where did the 5 years come from? NICE guidelines say 3 years for Primary BC, I am on PHI so is my Onc being extra careful or does not want to discharge me from his care.
My GP says Letrozole is a wonder drug, but another problem I have is that I am on the generic Letrozole which is probably the reason my symptons have got worse.
I gave up my full time job in February to take a break and now want to find another job in the New Year but I feel that with my mouth the way it is I won’t be able to do that.
Oatcake, I agree with what you have said about quality of life and I always said that I would take whatever I was offered but there are many days when I think that I have had enough of Letrozole.
Hi, I have been taking Letrazole for nearly 2 years. M hair I’d very thin at the front. I add fibres I got online and they make your hair look thick.next week I am having the first of 3 treatments where my scalp will be tattoed. That way it looks like I have hair all over.
I have been on Letrozole for 4 years my hair is very thin my nails do not grow. And my skin itches terrible. And I have had a dexa scan and I do have bone loss. All I can say is hang in its only temporary. I have to think positive even though it is awful
Hazelmary I have burning mouth today…never met anyone who has! My mouth was a problem all through chemo…thrush ulcers etc and it’s never gone away.My dentist said side effects like this don’t last but I know they have.My mouth tastes of salt and gets so dry sometimes I can literally not get my words out.The best product I’ve ever tried is called xyliimelts.I get them from Amazon and you resolve it in your mouth.it sticks to your gums and slowly disolves.it just helps me to sleep at night.it’s a wretched problem.
Hello Cindy
I have been on letrozole for nearly 2 years …hair thinning too but the itchy skin …it feels sometimes like an army of ants running around inside !! Scalp always itching and I’m sure people think I have nits !!
But it’s a wonderful little pill …well proven so needs must.
Xx
Hope the tablets work …just finding the right thing .I take adcal vitamin d tablets prescribed by oncologist but not for hair loss.
I have been taking letrizole 11 months.
I regularly suffer joint pain, insomniabrain fog,
Insomnia and hair thinning at fringe.Usually when I do my root lift my hair feels thicker but not so now.
I have a breast scan Jan’18.Will discuss at next appointment.
I have a very positive attitude, I returned to work after 3months (stat sick pay basic rate so had no choice) I continue to keep fit and lead a busy life.
I too have gained weight but eat a healthy diet.