I have been on Femara for 5 months so far for breast cancer. I will need to take it for 5 years. I have absolutely no side effects, in fact, I am feeling quite well. I hope it stays that way.
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Hi,
That’s great to hear ndorofeeva . Did you have any side effects at the start or nothing at all since day 1 ?
I’m on week six now and so far have occasional hot flushes (which I can manage), some joint ache (but again manageable) but what I’m really struggling with is lack of sleep . It’s really wearing me down now, it’s weeks since I’ve had a proper nights kip. I am tired, I go to bed as my usual routine (10.15’ish) and then just lay awake.
I’m not worrying or got anything on my mind but I just can’t get to sleep ! I manage to drift off usually just before midnight then get a couple of hours, wake up for about 30mins doze again for a couple of hours and just repeat the cycle until eventually I get up around 7.00am feeling groggy.
Can I ask you when do you take your tablet - morning ? bedtime ?
I’m interested in anything that would help me get a proper nights sleep - I never had this problem before, I’ve always been a good solid sleeper, head hit pillow and through to the morning. I am now so very tired !!! 
Hello bee2, I have been on Letrozole for 4 months. At the start my oncologist said that most side effects tend to happen to younger women (I am 66). How wrong she was! All was well at first but now I have insomnia - drop off ok but then wake up between 1am and 4am and cannot get back to sleep. I switched to taking the tablet from morning to night for 6 weeks but it made zero difference. Vaginal atrophy is a killer along with its best buddies stress and urge incontinence. I have YES vm on prescription but it only lasts one day so currently using Dr Wolffs pessaries which last for 3 days. Using this has eased the incontinence problems. I have creaky knees, hips, back and ankles, a furry face, a dripping nose, and high blood pressure. I take the Letrozole 6 days a week. I’ve been offered a switch to Tamoxifen in order to allow me to use a hormonal moisturiser but I have declined that option for now. Ten years of this? I dont think so!
I wish I had a solution to offer for lack of sleep. I follow all the advice - no screen time before bed, a calm bedroom with curtains closed, 4 lavender bags under pillow, mindfulness, reading a book, milky drink. Nothing works. Like you I am now so very tired. No solutions but you have all my sympathy with love from Tulip x
Hi,
I had really bad insomnia so started taking Letrozole at night and it really helped. I still struggle to get to sleep some nights but usually sleep through till morning. But before, I would lay awake for up to 3 hrs at a time!!
Hope this helps x
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Thanks for asking this . I haven’t got my letrazole prescription made up yet as I was waiting til I could take a break from work over Easter . I’m having a low day - went to a menopause yoga workshop yesterday which emphasised the importance of oestrogen on so much of the body . This is my first post . Thought I had done so well til now ! Am 6 weeks post lumpectomy / clear margins and none in lymph . Generally I feel lucky and praise the NHS but today have hit bottom. My daughter is having IVF at the same time .
I love this Forum
X
I am at the same stage as you @annasally 6 weeks post surgery , clear margins and nothing in lymph nodes . I am due to get 5 days radiotherapy in April and then 5 years of Letrozole . My surgeon was really keen for me to take the Letrozole. I have agreed to take it once radiotherapy has finished ( Since my diagnoses I can only process one thing at a time) I am concerned about side effects and hope that any I might get are manageable . I had two small tumours 11mm and 2mm , invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 2 and want to do all I can to avoid it coming back . My GP is more relaxed about it said at 66 my oestrogen is already lowering and the fact that I have a very healthy lifestyle stands me in good stead . The GP would support me if I got severe side effects and decided to stop. It’s so difficult to know what is best……
Hi @annasally welcome to the forum albeit on a day when you’re feeling pretty low. I’m 18 months on from surgery and 17 months on from rads and starting Letrozole but I still get low days when it’s hard to make sense of what has happened and experience worry about what might be to come. It sucks. I hope that tomorrow is a better day for you.
As for the Letrozole, my advice has always been to suck it and see. Lots of people have absolutely no issues with it and many more are able to find ways of ameliorating most of the SE. There is no denying, however, that plenty don’t get on with endocrine therapy and are then left with a huge and serious decision. You’ll find lots of debate on whether to take Letrozole on the forum. If and when you take the plunge with the pills, I wish you success with them but always know that you can question or vent on here if needed.
I was interested in your GP response @llanwinno123. There have been two occasions on which I have had to see the GP about potential Letrozole side effects and she has categorically stated that she won’t do anything that goes against the oncologist’s decrees. It’s good to know that there are some enlightened practitioners out there. I hope you go well on the Letrozole too.
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Thanks - much appreciated
Mine recommended magnesium for sleep and also for muscle pains. I put no stone into it. However I stopped the magnesium for a week and didn’t sleep and the day I went back on it I did . I figure it works
I have been on letrozole for two years nearly and had very few side effects, only dry mouth to be fair. I take Accord brand and will stay with this for the next 3 years hopefully.
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I have been on Femara for 5 months so far for breast cancer. I will need to take it for 5 years. I have absolutely no side effects, in fact, I am feeling quite well. I hope it stays that way - https://onlinecheappills.com/letrozole.html
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Hi everyone, thanks @heartbreak for tip re magnesium. I am still only getting 5 hrs a night so trying bach flower remedy at the moment. Hips and back very painful but knees seem to be easing off. I’m now 5months in and hoping that this is a sign of my body getting used to it. Fingers crossed. Also got gp to refer me to gynaecology so i can get checked to see if letrozole is shrinking my fibroid. If so that will be a big plus! Am still giving my body a rest from letrozole every Sunday. It is my weekly reward for putting up with all the side effects. On my day off i take turmeric and vitamin c as an effervescent tablet to boost my immune system and to try and lower the inflammation. The recent news that a dear friend has a recurrence in her lungs has put things in perspective. At least us ER+ ladies have this treatment option whereas those with TNBC do not. Sending love to everyone. X
Good morning Ladies,
Hope everyone is getting on well.
My Letrozole journey continues !
Last night, a very scary (for me anyway) episode - I had a severe attack of Hives !
Never suffered before, I hadn’t eaten anything new/different or been in contact with anything that could cause an allergic reaction … so is it the Letrozole ?
I’ve been taking the Accord brand for two weeks now, previously I’d had Bristol brand but this time the chemist only had Accord.
I don’t know if the Letrozole caused hives ?
Or the change of brand may be something to do with it but surely that would have kicked in earlier, not waited two weeks ?
Or may be it’s nothing to do with Letrozole but having checked what can cause Hives I don’t tick any of the other boxes .
And of course, it would be a Friday night wouldn’t it - no BCN or GP doctors to talk to 
I’ll get in touch with my BCN on Monday morning.
If anyone has experience of Hives & Letrozole it would be good to hear from you.
Take care all, xx
Good morning bee2
Sorry you are going through all this. I too am on letrozole 4 years now. I have lots of side effects. Hot flashes, joint pain. You might not have the same side effects as I have. Just stay on it. I wish you well and hope you feel better.