Forum Discussion
Early Days on Letrozole
So, I started taking Letrozole on the 1/6/18.
My oncologist says I have to be on it for 10 years as several ongoing studies are indicating cancer preventing benefits beyond the seven year mark. It's a watching brief though, so I'm prepared that the advice might change in this time.
Three days after starting it my ankles started to ache. A lot. It got worse and started to wake me up at night. Whether I exercised or not didn't make any difference. I took some osteo-panadol for when it was really painful but I didn't fancy living on that, so on the advice of many people here, and my oncologist, I started taking krill oil. Within a few days the pain was down to a manageable level. Hooray!
Three weeks later though the ache ramped up. At exactly the same time my hot flushes, which had subsided to a bearable level after chemo, suddenly got a lot worse. Longer, stronger and now with extra bonus sweat!
I persisted with the krill oil for another week but there was no change. So in my personal clinical trial, I came off the krill oil for a (painful) week, and then started magnesium. Again on the anecdotal evidence from the good folk here, many of whom say it helps.
I also had a foot, ankle and lower leg massage at one of those mall massage joints on the same day as I started magnesium. It was utter bliss having my aching ankles worked on!
Something changed, because again the ankle pain subsided to a bearable level. Now whether this was something to do with the massage, or the magnesium, a combination of both, or my body simply adjusting to the rapid withdrawal of oestrogen, I simply don't know.
My oncologist says no evidence that magnesium works on anything other than cramps. However I'll keep taking it for a couole more weeks and then stop. I'll observe what happens and then, if the pain returns, I'll move on to the next thing in my 'clinical trial', which is curcumin. The onc says her patients have reported success with that. There'll be a magnesium spray test at some point as well!
My ankles still ache but it's at a lower level at the moment. All our bodies are different, der, but I thought I'd share my experiments in managing Letrozole side effects. It might be useful to someone! K xox
My oncologist says I have to be on it for 10 years as several ongoing studies are indicating cancer preventing benefits beyond the seven year mark. It's a watching brief though, so I'm prepared that the advice might change in this time.
Three days after starting it my ankles started to ache. A lot. It got worse and started to wake me up at night. Whether I exercised or not didn't make any difference. I took some osteo-panadol for when it was really painful but I didn't fancy living on that, so on the advice of many people here, and my oncologist, I started taking krill oil. Within a few days the pain was down to a manageable level. Hooray!
Three weeks later though the ache ramped up. At exactly the same time my hot flushes, which had subsided to a bearable level after chemo, suddenly got a lot worse. Longer, stronger and now with extra bonus sweat!
I persisted with the krill oil for another week but there was no change. So in my personal clinical trial, I came off the krill oil for a (painful) week, and then started magnesium. Again on the anecdotal evidence from the good folk here, many of whom say it helps.
I also had a foot, ankle and lower leg massage at one of those mall massage joints on the same day as I started magnesium. It was utter bliss having my aching ankles worked on!
Something changed, because again the ankle pain subsided to a bearable level. Now whether this was something to do with the massage, or the magnesium, a combination of both, or my body simply adjusting to the rapid withdrawal of oestrogen, I simply don't know.
My oncologist says no evidence that magnesium works on anything other than cramps. However I'll keep taking it for a couole more weeks and then stop. I'll observe what happens and then, if the pain returns, I'll move on to the next thing in my 'clinical trial', which is curcumin. The onc says her patients have reported success with that. There'll be a magnesium spray test at some point as well!
My ankles still ache but it's at a lower level at the moment. All our bodies are different, der, but I thought I'd share my experiments in managing Letrozole side effects. It might be useful to someone! K xox
373 Replies
- I’m on Tamoxifen. I’m taking glucosamine with chrondrontin, magnesium, curcumin, zinc with Vit C. I like the idea of electrolytes and lots of water. We’ve gots lots of lime, lemons, orange & apples when in season and I find I feel fresher just squeezing the juice in some water.
I feel anxiety causes my hot flushes so a half of a lorazepam occasionally before bed helps the calm. I discovered when I’m distracted they don’t happen so frequently.
Other drugs set off my hot flushes like Endone and also after I’ve had an anaesthetic. Sugary foods after 8pm also I’ve found. And I don’t like panadol osteo as it for me triggers some bone & muscle pain.. A monthly remedial massage is great for me. - @JenniA Thank you sweets.
- You’re having a rough time, hope it helps. Big hug for you
- Gosh no @JenniA! Two nights ago I couldn't get to sleep until 2am. Last night I woke up repeatedly all night. And now I have a cold for the first time in a year... exhausted. Thanks for the tip!
- @kmakm spray it on your feet, behind your knees & calves, rub it in at nighttime. It might help you sleep better. Don’t put it any higher than your belly button after 3pm or it could keep you awake & you don’t need that!!
- Thanks @Romla xo
- @"Kiwi Angel" might be better to have Curcumin which is an antinflammatory in the morning to help during the day
- That's the one I just bought @JenniA! The spray though.
I shall report back... - I think it does help @kmakm but I also twke panadol osteo and curcumin tablets at night.
- @kmakm look up amazingoils.com.au
Their magnesium roll on gel is the best product I have ever used. It’s a little family business set up in Qld because of a family medical issue. Australian mined magnesium too
