Hiya. I am taking Letrozole until September 2026 and I am struggling with some issues. When I was diagnosed, my consultant said that while I am on the Letrozole I cannot take ANY supplements of any sort. Well I have managed to live with horrendous menopause symptoms until now but I have developed excruciating leg cramps which are happening every night and the only thing that eases them is getting up and walking around. But this means I am up at 3am every day and I am exhausted. I hope for your advice on this. If you are taking Letrozole too are you taking any supplements? Before the cancer, I used to take magnesium for restless legs and it worked well. Can I safely take magnesium and calcium? My consultant said NO but I have heard of others who have been allowed to take it.
I would really appreciate some advice.
Hi @MrsNelly,
I would recommend giving our nurses a call on 0808 800 600 and chatting this through with them - they’ll be able to talk you through any advice. Or you can ask your question in the Ask our Nurses section 
Hoping you find something that helps your symptoms,
Alice 
Morning MrsNelly,
I know @Aliice_BNC, has mentioned about telephoning your breast cancer nurse for advise about taking supplements. I just wanted to jump in and say, i too had terrible leg/foot cramps almost every night for weeks, it made walking so hard, every muscle felt bruised. I ended up dreading going to bed knowing what would happen during the course of the night.
So i eventually spoke to my gp, he suggested quinine, which is found in tonic water of all things. I tried it (low calorie) lol drank a glass hour before bed, hay presto, no cramps, i just couldnt believe it. So now once a week i have just one glass of tonic water.
So hope this tip helps you. If you can, please let me know how you get on, until then take care
This is weird. I have never heard of anyone being told no supplements while on letrozole. Now chemo, sure. They told me to avoid all of them while on chemo but afterwards it was fine as long as I ran everything by my oncologist. So I am on vitamin D3, biotin, melatonin, zyrtec, and CBT gummies. All approved. Now you need to avoid anything that made imitate estrogen, DHEA, or anything that relieves menopause symptoms (because they probably can increase estrogen production) but to say you can’t take anything isn’t anywhere supported that I can find.
Hi @Kay0987
Can I ask what the CBT gummies are to help with please?
Hi @MrsNelly Yes try fever tree tonic with quinine, I’ve tried it recently and it seems to help. Early days for me on trying this.
Sleep. They’re magnificent for that.
I get a lot of cramp especially at night - and I found drinking a pint of water relieved the symptoms in about 20 mins - I probably don’t drink enough water!
I also take D-Mannose for the recurrent UTI’s I have on letrozole/examastane… my oncologist was not keen on mme taking magnesium as he didn’t consider it worthwhile…
If you’re on letrozole , which can cause bone thinning, you should be taking vitamin d and make sure you get enough calcium .
royal osteoporosis society recommend 1200mg per day.
Oncologist wanted to prescribe Adcal but it’s full of fillers , so I take a vitamin d/ k drops and a 300mg calcium supplement.
Also magnesium Glycinate .
Be wary of supplementing too much calcium , as it’s linked to heart problems.
Macmillan have a booklet about bone health .
Thank you so much for your help. Sorry I didn’t reply sooner. I’ve had a really rocky weekend.
I had a glass of tonic water like you said last night and I had NO cramps! Sweet relief 
I will continue to do it from now on. The cramps have been atrocious. I am very impressed so far. Thank you again 
Xx
MrsNelly
Im so pleased its working, nothing is worse than having no sleep or broken sleep if something as simple as drinking a glass of tonic water helps. Thank you for coming back to me. 
Hello MrsNelly, Yes I am on Letrozole until 2032. i take Cal Magnesium, the ratio of Calcium to mag is 2:1, i get my tablets in the uk from Hellenia, as they are valid strength. i don’t take the NHs Adcal as ithas hidden ingredients, ie they don’t fully tell you them, that is the company i asked for a safety Dat Sheet because i have a citrus Allergy, but they did say they can’t guarantee the fruit level. however their Cal Mag ratio was incorrect, totally. its the magnesium which will help you, and needs to be taken in combination.
Most consultants, bless them don’t understand the Supplements. But still worth speaking with the Breast care nurse. and a proper health shop, advisor.
Good luck Moonsox