I was taking Arimadex for 2 years and had SEs of stiff joints in hands and hot flushes. When I saw my ONC in September he changed me to Letrozole to see if things improved. After taking this for over 3 months I feel worse, joint pains worse, flushes worse and I have nausea.This is making me feel under the weather and getting me down. Has anyone else experienced this? I am due to go on a well needed holiday next Friday for 4 weeks but the way I feel at the moment I have no enthusiasm. My ONC only visits my local hospital once a week on a Friday (the day we are due to go away). I was thinking of seeing my GP on Monday to see if he will be able to change me back to Arimadex, but dont know if he can do this without the ONC`s say so.
Hope someone out there can advise.
Pam
Pam Your GP should be able to do this and can contact your Onc by E-mail to check with him for the change back in medication.Wishing you well for your holiday J xx
Hello Pam,
I am on Letrozole, have been for 3 years and whilst I don’t have the SEs you have, I do have another side effect.
In April I saw my Onc and I asked for a break from Letrozole as I was having real problems with Letrozole. I have it as I had Primary BC and had previously had 5 years of Tamoxifen so our circumstances could be different. Anyway I was allowed a 4/6 week break, I am now back on it, SE no better!
As you want to go back to Arimidex, if I was you I would go to your GP, ask the question, and see if he/she can contact the hospital and check.
Hope that helps a bit and that you have other posts with more information or advice.
Hazel
Bump
hi pam
it’s not at all uncommon to have a break for a few weeks - after all, that’s nothing out of the whole 5 years
i started with letrazole but didn’t get on with it & now i’m on exemestane (aromasin) which i get on with better
i never had se’s as bad as yours though- you poor thing
i’d think about talking to your gp about having a break from them while you’re away & enjoyying the calming effects of producing a tiny bit of oestrogen!
whatever you decide to do, i hope you have a lovely holiday
Thanks Hazel and Norberte. I see from the time Norberte that you are unable to sleep as well. Thats another of the side effects I have, I am always tired. I slept yesterday afternoon for 3 hours, back in bed at 9.30pm and now wide awake. I shall be back asleep later this morning. Just hoping I can see GP tomorrow and get this sorted out.
Pam
there was a thread a while back on insomnia, & i picked up the idea of using phenergan - an antihistamine
it’s fantastic, but i find my body gets used to it v quickly so only use it twice a week or so
& mainly i’m awake at the moment cos of shoulder pain - even oxycodone won’t touch it (typing v slowly with the other hand!)