Letrozole and GERD

SuzyS

Was taking Letrozole for 13 months when I started getting severe pains around my breast bone (like an alien trying to burst out). I thought it was my heart.
Medical oncologist felt it was the Letrozole interacting with my diagnosed GERD and told me to stop for a month then try Anastrozole. Over that month the pain slowly left leaving me very relieved to know I wasn't having a heart attack...lol
Been on the new med for 10 days and so far so good. No side effects (touch wood). When I started Letrozole I had hot flushes, joint pain, headaches, immediately. They eased off to just very occasional hot flushes but an enormous weight gain (12kgs).
Fingers crossed this new medication is much kinder to me.

arpie

So sorry you've had that pain, @SuzyS .... any chest pain is extremely frightening & I hope they ran tests to make sure it wasn't anything else.  I had pericarditis once & thought I was having a heart attack .... I think rest & a course of antibiotics fixed it ....  and GERD is never pleasant either.  Do you have the head of your bed raised a little? I have mine on a brick (under both legs) and it prevents the liquid from rising in the oesphagus during the night (when it is usually more active.)

I hope the change in meds helps you.    Take care

cranky_granny

Hi @SuzyS. Like you i have reflux. I was put on nexium after a top and tail check up. I was on tamoxifen for a short time like you thought i was having a heart attack. Put back onto  anastrozole the reflux not so bad along with the other side effects are tolerable. The raised bed head is a definite help as well. I couldn’t use bricks so got foam wedge under the mattress protector at the head of the bed. Really notice the difference atm because i am temporarily in the spare bed waiting on the delivery of my electric bed getting delivered. The reflux pain is back
Ive been on Anastrozole for 5 years now  im told I will be taking it for a long time. My Er & Pr + was very high % for someone who was 19 years post menopause when diagnosed a very hormone greedy tumour. I haven’t had any major weight gain Im actually not back to my pre cancer weight or size. 

Just keep an eye on your bone density though age is a factor. The stoping of the hormones speeds up osteoporosis and a few other things. 

Exercise is a must. Doesn’t have to be intensive. Just regular 
hope everything else is going along as planned 

SuzyS

@cranky_granny @arpie I'm all clear re heart. I take Pantoprazole for my GERD (diagnosed years ago after had my gallbladder removed).
I rarely get reflux at night, thankfully, & I sleep on my left side more often than not (surgeon recommended that). The pantoprozole seems to keep the reflux in check most of the time as long as I watch what I eat & time.
Last bone density test was perfect, especially considering I'm 75.

cranky_granny

@SuzyS Pantoprazole is actually what im on (sozol) same as nexium. I tried not taking it for a while big mistake the acid taste came  back and the refux cough got worse. Mine is usually at night. Only during the day if I eat the wrong thing. Then I know about it. I had to stop the krill oil because it didn’t agree with the reflux. Any tips re reflux will greatly be appreciated. I had none of this pre Cancer.  scarred oesophagus from rads 

SuzyS

@cranky_granny. Prior to radiotherapy I only took pantoprazole a few times a week but since the therapy I have to take it daily.
I try not to eat after 4pm and only drink water after 4. I found this usually stops reflux at night. I live alone so it is easy to change meal hours. I rarely eat meat, mainly have a vegetarian diet. 
Also found too much chocolate, coffee, caffeine, etc with bring on reflux. As does cream and bananas. 
I can't take fish oils either, plays hell with the reflux..

cranky_granny

@SuzyS it took me a while to figure out it was the krill oil that aggravated the reflux. It was recommended for the creaky achy joints. What helped with one thing aggravated something else. The choice was a no brainer reflux was worse than the joint ache. 

I don’t eat much chocolate but when I do I go over board then suffer its like satay I love it but pay for eating it just sometimes you have to treat yourself 

Locksley

I don't have Gerd but I do get very painful chest pains which my drs tell me could be scar tissue moving around after treatment.

SuzyS

@Locksley - ah the joys after breast cancer.