Very interesting reading ladies. I was diagnosed with lung metastasis 2 weeks ago. Luckily they are tiny. I was expecting chemo, but have been put on Letrozole. My oncology is very optimistic that they could totally disappear. I just need to have tumour markers and a bone scan. I fell great I have no lung symptoms. I feel I can get on with life again after 6 weeks of hell.
Hi I’m currently on tamoxifen ( got stage 4 bc with secondaries in liver ) had appointment at once last month - had a blood test to see if I’d gone through menopause ( I’m 50 ) does anyone know what this means ??? He didn’t say xxxx
Hello sheep
Tamox Is mainly prescribed for pre menopausal ladies but other hormones like anastrozole , letrozole and exemestance are for post menopausal ladies. At 50 you are sort of on the cusp and they might offer you a injection monthly called zoladex to put you in the post menopausal status. A lot of ladies here have it.
I had chemo when I was 51 which switched the periods off but had to take tamox for two years and then was able to switch to anastrozole once I was well and truly through it.
Other ladies might just be able to explain things better but that is the gist of it.
All the best xxx
Thanks for explaining xx take care
I have been on letrasol 4 yrs .I have bad mood swings every one stayes out of my way . My bones are so sore .put waight on .can’t sleep because I get so hot …biut I thank God I am still hear. Had breast cancer in my left breast xxx
I’ve just started letrozole so hope it works for me. Do you manage to forget you have mets? I’m finding it difficult as it is so new
Hello ladies,
Firstly, I am sorry for posting on this secondaries thread without any such diagnosis but I do have a question about a new breast lump I have whilst on Letrozole - I know that you all have lots of knowledge of this drug and its effectiveness.
I had BC left breast in 2007 which was her2+ and er and pr+ with 4/7 lypmh nodes. I had mastectomy, ANC, Chemo Rads and Herceptin. I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years and then nothing for 1 year (as 5 years was standard then) until I ended up back under the oncologist again because of shoulder pain (scan clear). She put me back on Tam until I suffered intermenstrual bleeding and then switched me to Letrozole which I have been taking for 2 years.
I am 54 now and postmenopausal according to bloods. Unfortunately, I have now developed a small lump in my right breast. I have been referred to the rapid assessment clinic and am going on Wednesday. I am driving myself mad with worry.
From what I think I know (!), this new lump is less likely to be a cyst or fibroadenoma given my age and medication. It would be a new primary and not a secondary as it is in other breast and it is likely to be a new type of cancer. I wonder if any of you have any experience of this kind of thing happening as I am finding it difficult to find people who have had similar.
Perhaps I am wrong about the cysts and they could be a possibility on Letrozole? I have searched the forums and cannot really find anything substantial.
Any advice or input would be really appreciated even if it is to point me in the direction of somewhere else I could look!
Thanks xxxx
Hello nicky
That’s interesting that u have never had TMs done either. .I read the threads and it seems to be a measure of how well treatments are working for a lot of ladies. …
I have asked several times and oncologist just poo poos them as not important. …
You must be finding just the hormone regime so much easier now after the chemo …I’m just hoping letrozole is doing it’s job …it’s 2 years now and sometime it’s going to let me down
Hugs xx
Hello windflower
Yes tumour markers are an extra blood test done to monitor activity of cancer I think.
Sounds like u are much the same stage as me but I’m on letrozole …there are 3 hormone therapy much the same …an anastrozole, letrozole and exmestance … I’m hoping mine is doing it’s job still .
I’m getting my scan results on Wednesday. .squeaky bum time …I only get ct scans every 8 months ( far too long) and see oncologist every 4 months …
I must say I do bury my head in the sand and don’t try to think or ask too much …just have my denosumab jabs every 6 weeks and pop the little daily pill !!
Hugs xx
Good luck Polly hope your treatment works for you,
Its nice to read that letrozole can work for years, i have only just started taking it after my secondaries diagnoses three months ago.
Some of you ladies seem to have been doing well for over five years which is great to read because in these early days I am just hoping that I will get that amount of time too - so well done girls sharing the positivity … because we need it 
Hi ladies,
''just a few words of encouragement here…whichever drug you are on now…you are doing your very best to fight this scourge and I want to express my admiration.
I was was told I could stop my letro and I did, and the bc came back…if I could have that time again…my choice would have been to stay on it…
''you are all…whichever drug you happen to be on…following advice and that gives you an improved chance…because you know you are doing the best you can.- what more can you do?
try to avoid too much stress, too much sugar and too much alcohol…and…after Xmas. Get back on track with the healthy options you want to be on.
love and hugs
Moijanxx???
Hi moijan, I was first diagnosed with bc ( her2 - er + ) in November 2012 and was put on tamoxifen. Unfortunately in May 2015 it had spread to my bones and I was then put on letrozole. Could I please ask when your primary was, and where about’s are your secondaries?
I hope you are keeping well xx
Hi I’m 52 and had a missed diagnosis in 2016 I was diagnosed with BC Feb 2018
I have had a double mastectomy both breast was my choice as I didn’t want to go through that again
I’ve had chemo and radiotherapy and my axillary nodes removed
I started letrozole last month and experiencing all the symptoms and I feel are the symptoms worth it
Does anyone know whet the % is for extended life for taking letrozole?