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Gill_D's avatar
Gill_D
Member
9 years ago

Letrozole-my mums side effects

hi there,

My mum has recently been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer after 15 years. This time has gone to her spine and pelvis, and has difficulty walking on her right leg . She's done 5 sessions of radiotherapy and is on a waiting list for a trial , but until then they have given her letrozole.
After finishing radiotherapy last week ( gave her constipation)  ,she then started on letrozole and from the first day she started on it she has been having constant diarrea . It's been 6 days now.. Anything she eats effects her. i hope for her sake that it will get better as its not pleasant like any other side effect.


X

6 Replies

  • I was going to suggest it was radiotherapy.  Hope things settle for her soon. Kath 
  • Thank you everyone, she's taking probiotics and I'm making her light soups. 
    Boiling some apple aswell.
    Was able to contact mums care nurse today and she said its from the radiotherapy , obviously it must of irritated her like you said Lizzie13.

    xx
  • I have been on Letrozole (otherwise known as Femara) for three and a half years and have never had diarrhoea. I agree with both Deanne and Lizzie13, it could be a coincidental bug, but best to get it checked out. As with chemo, both constipation and diarrhoea are to be avoided, especially diarrhoea as you can quickly become dehydrated. Good luck!
  • I was on Letrizole for 3 years and never had the side effect of diarrhoea. Radiation can cause this especially if it is the mid or lower spine that was targeted. However, it is probably a good idea to talk to the oncologist about it as well and check her temp for any high temps.
  • I guess the first thing is to rule out a tummy bug. Sometimes we assume it is the medication but it could just be a viral or bacterial bug. The doctor should be able to help with this. Oats, bananas and rice are good foods to calm the digestive system. I am on Letrozole and it has caused some issues for me at times. I now take a good quality probiotic which seems to help most of the time. Hope you can find a solution for your Mum. xx
  • Hi sometimes you just can't win a trick your poor mum, talk to the doc and see if they can help xx