Hi all.
Ive been on letrazole for 4 weeks. So far, just a few hot flushes. However, my sleep is absolutely awful. I wake up 5 to 6 times a night and probably get 2 hours of unbroken sleep at best.
Since chemo started, my sleep was worse due to steroids. Then I had a mastectomy and diep reconstruction which made it uncomfortable to sleep. I just want 8 hours asleep.
Could letrazole be disturbing my sleep? What can i do to improve the situation?
Thanks 
Hi, unfortunately, yes .
I think it’s a combination of the stress that we are under and the lack of hormones . When I went through my natural menopause , broken sleep was the 1st thing I noticed .
I’m just 1 year since diagnosis and mine is a lot better but I still have the odd night where I either can’t get to sleep or I wake. Hot flushes don’t help .
You can read up on sleep hygiene , the usual stuff . No caffeine after lunch , no screens . For me , getting some light first thing and exercise help . And taking my illuminated clock out of the room , so I can’t see the time .
I try to go to bed and get up same time each day . Easier with light mornings !
I think there is an app called Sleepio that you can be referred to .
Hi there. I have been on letrozole for almost 2 years and like you i am lucky if i get 3 or 4 hours broken sleep a night. I am still working so i am usually exhausted all the time. I have been prescribed mirtazapine which helps a little…very little. I have had zopiclone which helps a lot but if you take it all the time i find the efficiency wears off. I try to keep that for fri and sat nights when im not working the nect day.
This disease is hard enough without lack of sleep too.
I also have aching bones and joints.
Hi, I have been on these for 6 months and i am exactly the same where sleep is concerned, hardly any each night, and the aching joints don’t help, i had that before taking these tablets but put it down to old age, but since taking them it seems to have emphasized it more. I did get flushes but they seem to have eased of a lot so grateful for small mercies. I had chemo the last time i had BC but didn’t have to this time so i suppose that’s a positive, not that anything can be classed as positive having to go through cancer treatment
Thank you all @mouse77, @jackbaz and @klf. Good to know I’m not alone. I’m going back to work in 3 weeks and I’m hoping that will help me sleep longer, but i think if not, I’ll see a doctor. I don’t want to take more tablets if I can avoid it though. Hope you’re all doing well.
Hi bluesatsuma and Jackbaz
I totally sympathise with you. I’ve will have been on letrozole for two years in August. I’m exactly the same re lack of sleep and joint pain, hot flushes and vaginal atrophy.
I’ve found the hot flushes have lessened but I do notice when I change to a different manufacturer that the flushes can become more heightened for a while. Depends on which brand the pharmacy order in. I’ve tried all sorts to help with the hot flushes as well as the sleeplessness and nothing helps long term. I even take a sleep tincture prescribed by a herbalist.
I do find the joint pain is helped if I walk daily and not sit down too long.
The osteopath I see from time to time suggests using an ice pack for 5-10 mins either side of the knees and on any joints which are painful. Oestrogen obviously helps keep inflammation at bay and the lack of it causes us to become tin men 
Unfortunately it seems that this AI does have many side effects and some ppl are lucky and don’t have any symptoms
Hope you ladies find that your symptoms improve over time
Lynn x
Hi @bluesatsuma & others
I’ve been taking Letrozole for 2.5 years, & experiencing the side effects you all describe. Insomnia was affecting every aspect of my life, despite persevering with all the recommendations for sleep hygiene, so I eventually went to my GP, & was prescribed a very low dose of Amitryptilline, which is an antidepressant & not addictive. I can honestly say that it’s been a life changer for me over the past two years. I take the tablet with my Letrozole 30 minutes before going to bed.
I try to stick to a consistent bedtime routine, & now listen to relaxing radio programmes or music instead of bedtime reading. I also found all the insomnia advice from the late Michael Mosley really helpful- it’s still available on BBC Sounds.
I still get the odd sleepless night, but can cope with that!
I wasn’t at all keen to take more tablets at first, but it’s allowed me to continue with the Letrozole which is the critical thing for me.
Best wishes to all, Jules X
Hi Jules_n
Thanks for the advice.
I tried taking letrozole at night and woke drenched in sweat so stopped that.
Interesting about the Amitriptyline though. I know it’s used for migraines as well and I’ve suffered from those for years.
Do you find it causes palpitations?
Thanks Lynn
Hi @Lynikinz. Thanks for the advice. Sorry you’ve had a difficult time with letrazole. Just wondering about the joint pain. I’ve not had any, or at least I thought I hadn’t. But i’ve had stiff shoulders, fingers and upper arms for a while. I put it down to surgery, then the gym, then sleeping badly. It’s not going away, so i wonder if it is to do with letrazole. Hmm.
Thank you @jules_n. I will look up michael moseley’s insomnia advice. Might go and see the gp too. I don’t want to take more pills, but after barely 3 hours of sleep last night, I’m not sure how long I can cope on this little sleep. It’s luke having a newborn again. Hope you are doing well x
Hi Bluesatsuma
I note that you have only recently started on letrozole. Mine seemed to build up over time
Hopefully you won’t have yours increase.
Unfortunately it’s a bit of an unknown with everyone’s experience being different. You going to the gym will definitely help you though. I don’t but I try and walk each day.
Really hope your time on this AI goes smoothly from now on
Best wishes
Lynn
Hi @Lynikinz
No palpitations thank goodness! The main side effect I have is a dry mouth, but I just keep a large glass of water next to the bed to sip if I wake during the night, and have a large drink as soon as I wake in the morning. Don’t want to drink too much during the night or I’m up at the loo multiple times!!
I’m still on the same low dose I started with, which I’m happy with.
My joints are also becoming increasingly stiff, but I walk every day, as well as swim or gym a couple of times a week. I get very stiff & sore if I spend a day or two travelling and miss my exercise.
Do any of you take any supplements like Glucosamine for example?
Hi Jules_n
Can I ask what brand and mg you are currently on?
Thanks
Lynn x