Letrozole

Hi. Wondering if anyone had red irritated bloodshot eyes as a side effect from letrozole. 

Hi @Mahjah
I've now been on Letrozole for 5 months. Like some others have mentioned, I too tried different times of day, and have settled into now taking this at night, usually about 1 hour before bed.
At first, I had a really hard time with side effects. I described it as my joints screaming at me. hips & shoulders were ok, it was knees, ankles and wrists mainly. It would take me a while to get into a comfortable position before sleeping, and I took painkillers too.
Starting to be more OK now - rarely do I take painkillers, and i'm only creaky if I've been sitting for too long (like after driving somewhere more than 30 minutes or working from a desk). 
I too exercise (swimming twice a week and lifting weights) and also take Calcium, Vitamin D and powdered magnesium before bed.
(i'm also on Ribociclib, Zoladex and Zometa, as well as thyroid hormone from my first cancer many years ago).
I was really scared at first that the side effects would get on top of me, but am feeling much better now.
I really hope you follow the 'no side effects for me' tribe as opposed to those of us who feel the effects much more accutely.
Still amazes me that our bodies react so differently.
Very best wishes to you
Kelly

@GorgyS I’m regretting not starting the calcium supplements earlier. I was mildly osteopenia before all this cancer crap and having gone through menopause young. A known side effect. 

thank you @cranky_granny. I am taking it at night. I did my bone density scan yesterday so I will find out soon if I will be taking any supplements. 

@GorgyS. I tried different times of day. Eventually settled on night time. I’m in the routine now when I finish dinner I take my pills. Palbociclib Anastrosol calcium with vit D had to break a bone to discover I was borderline osteoporosis & magnesium helps with the cramps If I take them on an empty stomach I get nauseous. then just before bed I take panadol osteo to combat the bone  pain from my lesions and arthritis. 

Sorry to see you join our select little group @KimR xx And also sorry to read of your recent diagnosis xx. Feel free to jump onto 'Newly diagnosed' and tell us the story of your diagnosis & treatments so far .... 
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/categories/newly-diagnosed

Being in Alstonville - you'd have to travel to some of your appointments?  If you ever have to travel 100k+ (one way) you will qualify to join IPTAAS for fuel & accommodation subsidies.  We have a 'rural/regional & remote' group that you may like to join, where we put up any 'new' info re claiming the Patient Travel subsidies in all states.  If you'd like - just click on this link & then click 'join'.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/28-living-in-regional-rural-and-remote-areas

Clicking this link will help you see what is available to you from IPTAAS NSW
https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/pats-fact-sheet-and-guide-2023.pdf

Being Metastatic, you may also like to join the private Living with Mets group as well - where you can discuss all aspects of your treatment in total privacy xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/2-living-with-metastatic-breast-cancer

Take care & all the best

Also check out this post for lots of things on the forum you may like to check out ..... you can show us your gardens, art & craft, your fur kids, and there are also 'tick sheets' you can print off & fill in re your mental & physical health as you proceed ... print off 2 copies & give one to your team member as sometimes it is easier to do that than to 'talk' about it!!  
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest

I was on tamoxifen for 9 years and it took about 2 years for my body to get used to it. It stopped being enough now I have metastatic breast cancer, bugger! and have switched to letrozole. I have been taking it for 4 weeks and I have a headache and bone ache but I am hoping my body will adjust. I do take it at night. I am also on Ribociclib so who knows which side effect is which?

thanks @Katie46. I am starting letrozole tonight. Just reading again the information about side effects. Better be prepared  ;)

Hi @Gorgys I started my Letrozole today, I decided to take mine in the morning along with my calcium tablet, and see how I go. No noticeable side effects today, but I suppose time will tell. I'm taking mine with food, I don't like taking medication on an empty stomach unless I have to. I also had my first Goserelin injection last week as I'm pre menopausal, and no noticeable side effects so far. I was already getting hot flushes and they don't seem any worse. I'm keeping up my exercise, and back doing aqua aerobics again.

Thank you Arpie and HelenlovesSnoopy. That makes sense. My McGrath nurse told me that if I take it at night, I might manage the side effects better. I will also do my exercise in the morning, so taking it at night is the way to go for me too.