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LibbyA's avatar
LibbyA
Member
3 years ago

Letrozole and fatigue

I have been on Letrozole for about 8 weeks.  Prior to that I was on Tamoxifen, Anastrozole and Exemestane.  All three gave me such bad side effects, I was taken off them.   Letrozole hasn’t given me any of those side effects except sudden intense fatigue.  I sleep all night, am back asleep by 9am for an hour or so and then again byt 1pm I fall asleep again.  I just cannot sit down without falling asleep.  While I’m up, I feel like I’m made of lead.   I can’t find this side effect anywhere.

3 Replies

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    3 years ago
    Oh my gosh - you've been thru ALL of them!!  I've had all except Tamoxifen - starting on Letrozole (gave that the boot after 6 weeks) then Exemestane for 6 months & currently on Anastrazole for 4 years & going 'OK'.

    Yes, the exhaustion but for me, the aches & pains & difficulty doing day to day things & my kayaking & fishing, things I love doing is what made me stop the first two.  My sleep was also BADLY impacted by the first two, less so with the Anastrazole .... and I take Medicinal Cannabis Oil to help me sleep & take the edge of the lesser aches & pains that I still have.

    Take care & all the best xx
  • FionaM's avatar
    FionaM
    Member
    3 years ago
    Hi Libby, I am also on Letrozole, and also swapped onto it from Anastrazole and have been on it only 5 weeks. I've also found I'm tired. Anastrazole did the opposite to me, and I was stressed all the time, and couldn't sleep and couldn't think properly. Now, on the Letrozole, I'm sleeping better than I was, but am waking tired, and generally feeling much more tired than I was when I was sleeping much less. I find I don't have the energy I am expecting I should have. I don't think I have this to the extent that you are describing though. The consumer medicine information for the Sandoz Letrozole does mention sleepiness/tiredness as a side effect - you can download it at this web address:

    https://apps.medicines.org.au/mob/item.cfm?handle=nvcletor&type=cmi&src=Direct

    Do you think it is getting better, or worse as time goes on?