Does this strike a chord with anyone?
Awake very early (5am) as usual after another night of broken sleep (every night for 11 months). Heave my aching bones out of bed and get into the shower. Wash my thinning and dry hair with Tgel shampoo (as recommended by facilitator on BCN Moving Forward). Carefully wash my mastectomy scar area and feel for any lumps and bumps along scarline, in remaining breast, underarms, and above clavicle. Nothing felt. Phew! Finish showering and dry thoroughly. Apply castor oil to scar area and massage as shown by hospital nurse. Cream dry shins, feet, hands and face. Inspect varicose veins (another new gift) and worry about blood clots. Towel dry hair and apply rosemary oil to stimulate hair growth. Finish drying hair with hairdryer on lowest heat setting. Squeeze out some moisturising conditioner and put through hair. Try and style hair to stop short bits sticking out and to try and cover my ears. Mourn the loss of my previous long and shiny locks - its been 17 months since it all fell out. Its growing again but oh…so…s.l.o.w.ly. Cover my finger in coconut oil and insert non-hormonal lactic acid pessary into vagina. Take opportunity whilst there to stimulate an orgasm. So much harder since ones libido has been shot. However, think sexy thoughts and Hey Presto! Let joy be unconfined! Apply coconut oil to labia to finish. Apply nail nurse to cuticles of ridged, flaky and splitting nails on hands and feet. Paint on nail strengthener to try and prevent more splitting and flaking (as recommended on Look Good Feel Better nail care workshop). Insert prosthesis into pocketed bra from Nicola Jane whilst looking longingly at pre BC bras in my undies drawer that I can no longer wear but cannot bear to throw out. Get down on floor for exercises suggested to me by the Penny Brohn Cancer Centre to mobilise hips and strengthen core. Make breakfast - green tea, home made protein bread, mushrooms, parsley, scrambled egg with added turmeric powder…erm can I have tomatoes or are they too acid? Lets live dangerously - I think they’re OK if cooked. Calculate carbs and inject insulin (yes, lucky me, I also have type 1 diabetes), After breakfast take Vitamins D and K for osteopenia, Bezafibrate for high cholesterol, magnesium for joints and sleep (as recommended by oncology nurse), …and then the little yellow pill. Open post…results of recent scan…devastated to read fibroids have grown on Letrozole. Call Stratified follow up. Outcome - told to take 6 week break from the offending little tablet. Start thinking about what to do in 6 weeks time. x
Exactly! Like you, I seem to spend my days following all the advice I have been given. It could be worse but you have described it all perfectly 
Well written made me smile in places as I feel your pain and can identify with a lot of what you say.
You are not along, l can also identity with some of what you have written, its nice to know Im not alone.
It’s the gift that keep giving, 
Haha! Great post. I’ve been on Letrozole for 14 months. I took a nutrition class and have been trying to eat more plant based. I am keeping my Cholesterol low.
The last 6 months I’ve developed knee, thigh and right hip pain. I wake up several times a night and have to stretch my legs. I am going to PT and Acupuncture and had 3 xrays and 3 MRI’s. I went to my Oncologist and she thinks it is all due to Letrozole. Iam 70 and I think my back issues are separate. She told me to stop it for 3 weeks and see if I improve. If I do, then she will switch me to a different AI drug or Tamoxifen. Any advice? Don’t they all cause joint pain? I don’t want Endometrial cancer from Tamoxifen. Thanks
I can certainly sympathise with the aching bones especially first thing in the morning, also if I stop and sit for more than hour I am like an old woman when I stand up and creak alot and its painful until I start moving.
Also have the same issue with breaking and flaking nails, they used to be so strong, but now keep them very short…
The other issues is the hot flushes have returned, I thought they were sorted after going through the menopause.
But heyho I am still here and very appreciative for all the breast care team have done for me, they are amazing.
Enjoy the 6 week break from the offending tablet and be gentle with yourself. X
You have described things so well, thank you.
Aches, pain, nails etc.
4 years of taking Letrozole, lost all hair after chemo and it is still thin with bald patch. Been told I’m just unlucky.
Keeping my fingers crossed I will not be told to take them for another 5 years.
Hi mog2
I like yourself have been on letrozole for 6 years and my hair has never recovered from chemo dispite promises it would dealing with thin fly away hair and finding ways to disguise my bald patch has been sole destroying but you cling onto the fact that there could be light at the end of all the aches, pains in hands and feet, dry skin, brittle nails, loss of confidence in who you were before the mood swings and 3am wakes. I was told last year that NHS guidelines have changed and the recommended 5 years on letrozole was now 8 for my self Unfortunately in September this year I have been told my bc has appeared in my lung despite 6 years of being cancer free. So another journey begins without the dreaded letrozole.
Take care of yourself
Hi ameynelli61
So sorry to hear you now have another journey to face, I will be thinking of you.
Thank you for saying about loss of confidence as I just thought I was being self indulgent. Some days I just just feel like sitting in a corner and crying but we don’t we soldier on slap a smile on because of everyone else.
When they tell me if I can or can’t stop Letrozole I not sure what my reply will be.
Please keep in touch and know everyone is rooting for you.
Take care of yourself
Just a quick update. My 6 week break from Letrozole turned into 8 weeks as oncologist refused to discuss risks/benefits with me or consult the other disciplines treating my other conditions. I therefore had no choice but to consult the other people separately and collate all their inputs. As a result i am not going back on letrozole. Choices now are anastrazole (with or without herbal support) or no Hormone therapy at all. Still cant decide but debating trying anastrazole half dose for 4 weeks if i can cut the tablet cleanly.