I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer 2 years ago with a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and was started on Tamoxifen. I was recently due to another issue put into surgically induced menopause so was changed over to Letrozole.
I seem to have been quite lucky so far with side effects thankfully but have only been on them for 4 weeks but i have recently noticed an urgency to urinate and defecate which wasnt there before. I can control it but constantly feel like i need to go. Has anyone else had these side effects whilst on Letrozole?
I should add i have been checked for utis and they have come back clear. Thanks for your advice.
Hi, I’ve been on Letrozole for 2 years and have just noticed the urgency in the past several months; not so much prior to that, but can effect differently. Hope you don’t get the cognitive memory issues.
I have to wee a lot but poo is very erratic. I have constipation and every time I go little round lumps come out. Then yesterday I had bad diarrhoea which I don’t think I can spell properly. I can’t remember much either. All these could be due to being retired and having a lot of time to dwell on my health. I need to get out more provided the new location has plenty of public toilets.
I am the same as you only on the 2nd pack of Letrozole and I do wee a lot more than I used to and sometimes it comes on so quick, my poo is to very erratic also and not very regular and mainly constipation I guess it is something we have to endure.
I take 1 laxative at night once a week when I know I am going to be working from home the next day to try and make it better, will mention it on my next call but at the moment my issue is that since starting my first cycle of Palbociclib I have had 3 White blood count drops and now told to have an extra week break and more bloods next week to see if I can continue with the highest dose or they reduce it.
Lack of oestrogen from taking an aromatase inhibitor can cause Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), such as vaginal dryness, UTI’s, urgency. I have had a variety of issues and started vaginal oestrogen on a very low dose which has helped. I started this thread below.
There was a large study published in December 2023 that said it was safe to use with aromatase inhibitors whereas previously you could only have on Tamoxifen
I would recommend talking to your breast care nurses, GP or ask for a menopause referral. I have also self referred to a pelvic health physiotherapist which has been very useful. It’s not just above pelvic floor (kegels). It also helps to keep your hips flexible and a strong core.
Lots of great information and guests on the above that I have found really helpful.
The BCN nurses are on 0808 800 6000 m-f 9-4 sat 9-1 if you want to chat it through with them.
