Breast Cancer Now Forum

My first week on Exemestane was ok but now, on my second week, things have got worse.  My mood has plummeted again, I'm very low; I also feel very tired, lethargic in fact.  Have lost interest in everything, can't concentrate on anything, feels like all my energy has been squeezed out of me.  Due to all this I have no intention of carrying on with them and won't be taking anymore.  From now on I'll be meds free.   Good luck to everyone else whose taking them or another. ... View more

Hi, well, I went to my annual check up and mentioned some of the side effects of Letrozole to the surgeon I saw.  He denied it all of course, even though oncologist had agreed with me before that they could be guilty of affecting my eyes so badly.  He did however offer to change them to Tamoxifen to which I agreed.  He said that if my symptoms persist then they are not down to the meds.  Problem is both have similar side effects anyway so my problems may continue after all.  We shall see. ... View more

Hi all, I have found your posts really interesting. I was diagnosed with incontinence before BC but it has got worse during the last few months and I hadn't thought of connecting it to Letrozole. I have my first annual check up tomorrow and I intend to ask if I can come off them because apart from my bladder I also have eye problems and memory loss which I really believe are linked too. I am not prepared to carry on like this for another 9 years as I'm scared that by then my symptoms could be permanent. I'll see what they have to offer me tomorrow, but I'm definitely not happy. ... View more

Hi Chick1 I am sorry you are struggling with leg pain at the moment. It is very worrying isn't it? I can understand and empathise that any prolonged pain now and we instantly think 'cancer' when in fact, the odds are, it won't be! Just think about it this way, if you had not been previously diagnosed with cancer, would you still suspect it was causing this pain? Probably not. Please try and stay positive and I hope it turns out ok for you. ... View more

Hi all, sorry for taking so long to reply.  After carrying out very thorough bood tests (6 bottles in all), they all came back negative which was such a relief.  Following this my GP went back to original diagnosis of gastritis and doubled my Omeprazole.  Lucky for me, it has now all cleared and I'm ok.  I understand that me stressing about it was making it worse which in turn made me stress more!  When tests came back clear though I was at last able to relax about it and the pain eased off.  To be honest, I think that stress caused it in the first place.   Where sleep is concerned...I am still struggling, despite trying various pills off my GP.  She has now told me that I need to accept that that is how things are for me as there's not much else she can offer. ... View more

Hi Cazbo04 OMG that must have been awful for you! No wonder you are worried about it, I would be too. I really hope you'll be ok. I saw my oncologist last Tuesday and she was very pleased with my progress and has now discharged me back to GP. Unfortunately though my stomach pains are getting worse and worse and I can't help but worry about it. My GP has arranged for me to have blood tests on Tuesday, in the hope to rule out anything sinister, and I will see her again on Thursday. I can't stop worrying about it which then makes the pain even worse! I went on a Moving Forward course in February, it was really informative. They had arranged for different people to talk about various topics from dieticians, oncologist, aroma therapist, breast cancer nurse and bra fitting etc. I found it useful as it was easier to discuss treatment and effects etc as I knew more about it by then and when they first tell you it is hard to take in all the information at once as you are in shock. I would recommend everyone to attend if they can. ... View more

Hi Helena Thank you for your reply and welcome xx It is very reassuring to know I'm not the only one to worry about this. I've had stomach ache past few days and I just had to go and get it checked out on Friday as it was getting worse and my fear increasing by the second! Turned out to be gastritis but am suppose to go back next week and if I'm not better by then they will do blood tests. I still can't stop worrying about it and the stress of it all is causing the gastritis to get worse. It is probably stress that caused it in the first place. I am due to see the oncologist where I had my rads on 27th which is a week on Tuesday. Not long to go but I think it makes me worry more! Thank you again xxx ... View more

Hi all, I started on Letrozole last September and almost immediately it started affecting my eyes.  I went to my GP and optician and was diagnosed with dry eyes.  They became very painful despite applying drops throughout the day.  When I saw my oncologist she confirmed that it was due to the Letrozole.  During my radiotherapy in November I was told to stop taking Letrozole for a while and surprise surprise my eyes improved!  Since going back on them in December however they are worst than ever.  I have now reached a point where I struggle to open them at all, they just burn so much.  Has anyone else experienced this?  If so can you please tell me for how long I can expect it to last?  Seriously thinking of stopping these meds altogether as I can't continue lioke this. ... View more

Oh yes, thank you, I hadn't thought of that. I could ask the nurses here couldn't I? I will do that and see what they say. ... View more

Thanks Jill   I wonder why nobody's mentioned this to me then?  One of my lumps and most of the other was hormone dependent.  I've been given Letrozyl since September, currently on a break from it, but nobody has mentioned my mirena coil!  Think I'll be making some phone calls come Monday!!! ... View more

Sorry if this is a totally stupid question but I keep reading on here about women having the mirena coil removed, can I ask why is this?  I had mine inserted February 2015 and nobody has mentioned removing it.  Is there a risk factor I'm missing here? ... View more