Feeling anxious about Letrazole and Radiation

@Islandgirl64
You say it might be hard to continue with your nursing, do look into your insurance that comes with your Superannuation.  If you can't work then you may have a claim for compensation under that insurance.

@Islandgirl64
Everyone reacts differently. For me the first six months on letrozole was horrid. Incredible painful hands and a trigger thumb, plus lethargy. I changed to anastrozle and haven't looked back. Good to know there are alternatives. All you can do is try, and see what suits. 

Hi @Islandgirl64

You may find the special group, Lets Talk about Vaginas, useful regarding painful sex. It’s not uncommon with Letrozole. Best wishes.

I think @arpie may have had problems with her hands and might be able to help.

@lslandgirl64 
The tendonitis was very painful, it developed about a year after starting letrozole, l tried resting it which didn't help, so l started with wrist exercises and also strengthening, push ups, etc and it eventually went away.  Sore feet were also a problem after chemo, l find walking barefoot and using a small ball to roll under my feet has helped.
The sore joints are usually while trying to sleep.  The painful sex is an ongoing problem, started almost immediately after starting Letrozole.
I haven't figured out the best way to deal with this yet.
I did not have radiation, so no advice there.
I just recently (Feb) had a breast lift on my non breast cancer breast and a nipple created on my implant reconstruction breast.
I did not realise how much l missed having a nipple until waking up after surgery and looking down. Also having both breasts at the same height is nice. My plastic surgeon did an amazing job.
Good Luck with your radiation and the Letrozole.
Karen

Kazmar said:

Hi @Islandgirl64,
I have been on Letrozole for just over 2 years now.
I was diagnosed with Osteopenia before l started chemo and my letrozole treatment.
I am 56yrs old and was shocked to find out that l had osteopenia, as l have always been very fit. Because of my taking Letrozole which can have a detrimental affect on your bones, l have been receiving bone infusions every 6 months to increase bone density. Now about my letrozole side effects,  shortly after l started them l got carpal tunnel, that got better, then tendonitis in my wrist, that also went away. I get a bit sore in the joints in the night, hot flushes, l have a little trouble sleeping, mainly because of the hot flushes. I feel a little fatigued at times, probably due to not sleeping well.
Everything comes and goes.
Lately l am having more pain in my legs and hips during the night or after sitting for awhile.
I keep very active, in fact l changed career during my BC journey and did my Diploma in Clinical Pilates.  I hate to think how l would be without my exercise regimen. Most of these conditions l can cope with,  but the problems with having sex and the loss of my libido can get me down at times. My husband is very supportive thankfully.
Just remember that not all side effects stay.
I am too scared to go off the letrozole, although not sure if l could do 10yrs.
Good Luck,
Karen

Thank you so much for all this information about your experience. I think exercise is really important and will definitely be participating in regular exercise. I am seeking some more information over the next couple of weeks as my hands are already so very painful and I am very limited to what I can actually do with them already so I am really concerned that any more pain would be really hard for me to continue with my nursing. Everyone in this group is so friendly and helpful. Good luck with your journey I truly hope it gets better for you 

@"Island Girl" Just remembered asked mymedicaloncologistabout what to take for joint pain whilst on Letrozole.To my surprise he did not say analgesics like Panadol Osteo he said Krill Oil.( not fish oil as think is stronger) Anyway I took one tablet daily for the first 2 plus years on Letrozole  - no idea if it worked but too afraid to stop and find out.

Hi @Islandgirll64 I finished radiation 5 weeks ago and started on Letrozole maybe 9 weeks ago.  As all the wise ladies on here have said - make sure you cream up - I used cream a lot and it helped - I did end up with skin blisters under my breast right at the very end - however this was soon sorted by the nurses - so if you are experiencing any issues let them know - and it can be quickly sorted.  Other than that no issues.  I didn't need time off work - went at the end of each day so that made it easy to carry on working.  

I started on the letrozole at the same time I started radiation - I found I had sore ankles and when I spoke to my Oncologist she said it could be a side effect from the tablet or it could still be left over side effects from my chemo - i had TC and ended with fat legs and ankles (commonly known as cankles)   the only way to find out who was the culprit, was to come off the tablets for  a couple weeks to see if it made any difference (i was worried about coming off them so soon after starting as I had only been on them 4 weeks)  Basically if it made no difference it wasn't the tablets - I had 2 weeks off, I didn't feel any significant difference so after 3 weeks break I've  have started them again.  Ankles are still a bit stiff but I'm hoping that will go eventually.  I had a bone density scan before starting as well and am on 6 monthly infusions of Zoldronic Acid (bisphosponate) to help my bones which will hopefully prevent any further deterioration from the letrozole.  All of these things are part of the new me and I accept that I have to live with them and they are all very do-able.

Wishing you well and fingers crossed you'll get through this next stage without any problems - but let your Onc know if you are experiencing any issues - they can change your medication and you don't have to live in misery or pain unnecessarily.

Take care xx

@"Island Girl" a front opening bra helps for creaming up  - I bought mine from Target. They will get quite grubby because of the emollient. After things settled I switched to a sports bra - when introduced they were called “aah “ bras and yes they are - so comfy even for a bigger breast.

@"Island Girl"
I don’t think you need time off work for radiation but a few days off at the end would be wise. Make sure you make time at work to cream up possibly 2-3 times per shift.