Hi Diane84 sorry its a bit late in reply but have only just joined up.I have been on letrozole for four years now and my weight had piled on.in January I joined slimming world and have managed to lose two stone. It has taken me longer than other people but its coming off slowly. Go online and look at their sample menus it is a good healthy eating plan rather than a “diet”.
Diane84 sorry its a bit late in reply but have only just joined up.I have been on letrozole for four years now and my weight had piled on.in January I joined slimming world and have managed to lose two stone. It has taken me longer than other people but its coming off slowly. Go online and look at their sample menus it is a good healthy eating plan rather than a “diet”.
I have been taking Letrozole for 3 months now. I have developed the most horrible burning sensation all over my body - but especially badly in my hands and feet. I am exhausted and very low mentally. I also seem to need the loo more frequently.
I’m going to have to see my doctor because I can’t tolerate this much more. Anyone else had similar symptoms?
CTL
I have been on letrozole a year now and find that I need to use the loo more too. It’s an urgent feeling.
I have had several different brands and the side effects vary a lot. Some more hair loss and itchy scalp, some a itchy burning feeling too.
Once you find the best brand ask the doc to mark the prescription to keep it.
Carolyn xxx
I think they are normal side effects …the metallic taste especially …I often think its a rotten tooth !! Main thing is to take the tablets with food if you can …it helps. I find a cod liver oil tablet daily helps with joint pain.
But …it’s an important part of the treatment if you can put up with it.
Carolyn xxx
Hello sue
I think it takes a while for the body to settle in with these pills. I was told they take six weeks to work so it does seem quick to get se so maybe it’s a coincidence.
There are different brands so if these se do continue …you might need to change over to another.
I have been on them a year now and have had a few things but it does settle down.
Hello flora
I find that if I have the " Cipra " brand of leyrozole …an hour after taking it …I get blurry and itchy eyes and seem to blink a lot.
I am now back on " accord" brand and much better with less side effects. I think I ache a bit more on this brand but don’t get the itchy scalp/ hair loss and cystitis like I did with Cipra.
Try switching brands …ask at chemist. A lot of ladies prefer sandoz brand as its nearest to the original brand of femera .
Carolyn xxxx
Flora
Hope the eye problem sorts itself out by testing it for six weeks off.
It’s a very powerful little pill and side effects must be taken seriously .
Keep in touch and let us know how thibgs are.
Carolyn xxx
Hi. I have been on Femara for over 6 mths and am finding the nausea getting worse. Worse when I first wake. Terrible prickly burning sensation all over. Itchy scalp. 5 yrs on it in total . Might speak to oncologist about changing. I feel more nauseous than on chemo. Yuk
Hello airlie
Like you …have exactly the same side effects after being on letrozole for 15 months but I must add that I’m taking them for secondary bone Mets and so if they keep me stable on them …can put up with it!!
They do a good job at controlling any rogue cells at primary stage too …so try to stay with them.
Carolyn xxx
Hi Dolly. Your symptoms and mine sound so similar. Spoke to oncologist today and he said he has never (from thousands of patients) had anyone suffer nausea. He said to go off them and am having camera down to have a look see.
Hope its nothing. Always get anxious when further tests are required. X
Thanks Carolyn. The nausea is really bad so the oncologist is doing more tummy tests and he wants me off femara to get them done. X Airlie
I have been on letrozole for 2 weeks & my head is really aching every morning & have been waking feeling burning hot, not a headache sufferer normally .
Hi I have just been diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer w bone mets right off the bat. I am 49 yo and these last 4-5 weeks have been such a whirlwind! The plan is for me to take letrozole and ibrance while receiving monthly injections of xgeva to keep my bones strong. I am to start this on 9/13. My dr says there have been great success with this treatment and with all of the available options out there for my type of cancer that I can see a lot o years with good quality of life. I am so hoping this is the case. I remain very positive. Looking for any feedback from anyone who has been on this treatment.
Hi all,
I wonder if anyone can help me. I’ve been on Letrozole for almost a year now. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in 2015. Having had Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and a partial mastectomy, I then have been taking these tablets.
I enjoyed a holiday abroad for two weeks, before commencing on these meds, and flying has never been a problem. But, since commencing these meds, I have had anxiety issues. I have suddenly had a fear of open spaces, heights and this scarily appeared when I was flying on our last holiday!! Is it these tablets, or something else that’s suddenly made me have this problem? I can’t believe it, I’m usually such an outgoing person, and out of nowhere this happened.
I’d truly appreciate anyone’s opinion on this x lol x I’m sorry if I sound like I’ve lost it, but this anxiety problems has only appeared since I’ve started these meds, so this is what I’m blaming x lol x Anyone else had similar symptoms?
Thanks everyone xxx
I must say it makes scary reading.I had stage 3 grade 3 breast cancer.Had Fec-T and 5 weeks of radiotherapy and a mastectomy.Was on Tamoxifen for 2 years and went back to surgeon because of fatique and liver problems.
Was taken off Tamoxifen for 2 months while blood tests etc done.
As now in menopause have been put on Letrazole.
Must say after only 3 weeks I’m struggling with worse fatique and such awful.bone pain.
My brain feels like mash potatoe and My moods are very very low with thoughts of 'wishing I wasn’t here".Most of the comments mentions side effects taking months but I feel so unwell already.Im hoping the headaches, mood and pain will ease??
Karen x
I started running in Jaunuary and I’ve been on letrozole for 1 year, switching to Accord brand a few months ago as Cipla was horrendous. I have now started to get severe hip pain on right side only. Had an MRI last week as they have found a cyst in my right thigh but doesn’t look sinister. They have just tried changing to another brand when the pain stopped for now. I say that it’s the medication and attacks one joint after another. Is anyone else having the same problems? Oh and the depression and heavy head is horrendous and making life miserable. With the hip problem I have had to stop running for now, which isn’t helping with the depression…one powerful little drug ?
Try Planctur 39 for the hair. I use the shampoo, conditioner and also the daily tonic… I think it has made a real difference to mine x
Hello all, i had grade 2, stage 1 idc, er+ 5/8 and her2+. This came 1 year after being treated for DCIS, a lumpectome and 15 shots of radio.
I finished chemo in january and had a masectomy in feb. I started letrozole in april and have had 13 herceptin with 5 left to have.
Within days of starting letrozole i could barely walk with the pain in my knees. However it did improve after about 10 days.
5 months on though i feel wrecked. I am constantly tired, my feet and ankles ache and my legs feel like lead. By far the worst thing at the moment though is my shoulder pain. My right shoulder, surgery side, is the worst. I cant reach up, i am struggling to put my bra on, if i reach sideways it feels like my shoulder is broken! I cry all the time!
I told my onc nurse and she said its ‘disappointing’ that i’m not exercising so to go swimming and come back in a month!
People think chemo is over and we are ok but i said to my husband today that i think i feel worse now than i did when i was having chemo! Is that awful to say?
I am totally fed up of moaning!
I returned to my teaching job full time in Septembet and i am wondering how long i can keep going. I am trying to keep a brave face on!
I am going to try pilates this week and find a swimming pool that i can walk into and not go down and up steps to get in and out of!
Morning Ali
Letrozole is very challenging that’s for sure! I’ve been on it almost 2 years now, and I struggle with fatigue, bone pain and muscle aches. Sadly, I don’t think it’s possible to go back to the way we were before bc. Hormone therapy gives us a new normal.
What I would say is try different brands. I’m on accord, which seems to be one of the better ones. I had crescent once, and that was awful. Also, try taking the pill in the evening, with food. This seems to help.
I don’t have any magic answers for you ( or for me!)I’m sorry to say. But personally I would rather the side effects, than risk not taking it.
Best wishes
Sue xx