Hello everyone…sorry about yucky subject! I had my 2nd lumpectomy 5 weeks ago (1st one Christmas 2002) and have had 3 doses of Letrozole, taken at bedtime. This morning, starting at 4.30am, I need a poo. Half an hour later I was on the loo again, down to slurry! An hour later, just brownish water! I daren’t even fart in case it’s more than foul air! Is this likely to be a one off, or is it likely to be an ongoing condition whilst taking Letrozole?
I realise it’s very early days, but the last 6 months have been a trial, as I was hospitalised with Hepatitis E first week December for a week. No sooner had I recovered my pink hue from tartrazine yellow than I was diagnosed with my new lump at the end of January.
I’m 77 and a half, very positive about the cancer side of things, was far more worried about developing lymphoedema, but this runny tummy thing really is unexpected!! Normally, I have an extremely slow transit…constipated as an owl…I take after my father and his mother gut-wise!
So, lovely people, have you had diarrhoea with Letrozole and if so, how long has it lasted? It is ironic, as my husband has faecal urgency and many is the time he has been caught short and I’ve had to go into a public loo or behind a tree or bush to try and help him clean up! I can’t have two mobile poo fountains in my life…and as I’m normally constipated, I really don’t want to live on Immodium (sp?) like my poor husband!
I sit here with bated breath to hear from you about your experiences…loo within striking distance!!!
Not on letrazole but certainly know the effect.
Please call the 24/7 hour advice line that the hospital will have hopefully given you. It may need loperamide or similar, tweaks to your diet or a mix of both. In honesty its best talked about with someone who has oversight of your treatment regime as they are the ones who will know the most and are best placed to advice.
Please try and stay hydrated as the runs from treatments can leave you dehydrated very rapidly.
I have diralyte, loperamide within grab distance and dream of being able to eat anything wholemeal and filled with nuts, pulses and beans. I miss my old wholefood veggie diet and l am sick of soup, white bread, porridge, broths, boiled to death veg, tinned fruit and having to eat meat. (There are some ideas on foods that may help in the cancer made me eat thread in tips in the treatment section but do call the hospital for advice first)
1 Like
Hi notagain2, oh yeah I think I know what you’re going through - same here when I was switched from Letrozole to Exemestane. At first I thought I had food poisoning, and got tested at the local surgery - came back clear. It had to be the Exemestane. I was prescribed Imodium style tablets and at least it gave me some relief. It did calm down after that, on and off. I thought I’d give Kefir a go and have a few tablespoons a day with breakfast. Everything has returned back to normal now, so I can only think it was my stomach adapting to the meds. I eat Kefir every day now and Aldi do a plain, natural Kefir that’s cheaper than any others that I’ve seen, and it’s just like a thick yoghurt, and healthy, apparently. Hope things settle down for you soon. All the best.
Thank you Flowers and bees…I think I was a bit too quick to “moan!” Touch wood and fingers crossed it seems to have been a rather alarming one off…things are quiet at the moment!! I hope they stay that way anyway!!
23 years ago when I had the first bout, I was on Tamoxifen and cannot remember having such a reaction!! Thank you for your suggestions
. xx
1 Like
truly hope all has settled down for you, IF it does start up again do contact the hospital as there are diet tips and drugs etc that can make your world seem a nicer place.
2 Likes
That’s kind, thank you…I’ll certainly bear it in mind.
1 Like
