Hi @skye2,
Thank you for posting. It sounds like a difficult time for you at the moment. If you’d like to talk through how you’re feeling, you are welcome to call our helpline. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information.
If you haven’t done so already, do let your breast care nurse or treatment team know how you’re feeling so they can support you. They will be best placed to let you know if the treatment you have had may be impacting on how your body copes with the recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). If your GP has been managing the infections, do let them know they you’re still feeling unwell, especially if you continue to have a high heart rate. You can also call NHS 111 if you feel very unwell.
Some people do experience menopausal symptoms, as a side effect from letrozole, and this includes having recurrent UTIs. Some people do also experience dizziness, although this can also be related to the UTI as you mention. Your treatment team, or GP will be able to let you know how to manage these side effects, or any ways to prevent further UTIs.
Working while experiencing side effects from treatment can be difficult to manage. Although you say you feel guilty for having to call in sick, the impact of treatment, both physically and emotionally can be ongoing and it’s important to give your body time to recover. Do talk to your workplace about how you’re feeling, if you feel comfortable to do so. They should support you with any changes you need, called reasonable adjustments, to help you manage work. You may find our information about work and cancer helpful to read. the organisation Working With Cancer also has some information for both employees and employers.
Some people find talking to others who have been through a similar experience helpful. You may find our Moving Forward course, for people who have recently finished their main hospital treatment for primary breast cancer, helpful. We also offer a range of free supportive services which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
As mentioned above, please do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
Our number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
Best wishes,
Cassie
Breast Care Nurse
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