Further to my reply last August when I questioned whether radiotherapy could be involved, I have now discovered through a blood test that I have an abnormally low level of vitamin D. This can cause or exacerbate tinnitus.
My tinnitus is now so bad that at times I can hardly think and I have developed painful peripheral neuropathy in fingers and toes! I do not have diabetes so can only conclude that letrozole is the culprit. I have stopped taking the tablet and will see if matters improve in three months time. I expect my GP who I shall see on Monday will prescribe vitamin D tablets to help out. I have done everything I can diet-wise to boost my calcium and vit D intake but obviously to no avail!
This awful tablet has also caused a rise in cholesterol from 5.0 to 5.7 in less than one year. I feel doomed!! At the advanced age of 82 I am seriously considering abandoning letrozole and trying to ignore the potential for a recurrence. My prognosis is considered poor according to a NPI score of 5.44 but I need to weigh up whether I can stand a further 6 years of feeling drained of energy and in pain.
I really hope you get some improvement . Just wondering if you have had your Vitamin B12 levels checked at all. I know someone who has had persistent problems with their ears and had some improvement after being diagnosed as B12 deficient and being given injections for this though I do hope that the Vitamin D will help - it’s apparently a very common deficiency in this country . Xx
Thanks @rica I will get my levels checked but I have been on Vit D & Calcium since my first diagnosis in 2003. Still worth understanding if the supplements are keeping levels in the normal range. Hope you feel better soon x
Thanks @JoanneN I will ask for a b12 level test - anytime is worth a try
Yes, I had my B12 level checked and it is normal. I had a very comprehensive check and all levels were satisfactory with the exception of Vitamin D and cholesterol.