Hello everyone ?? I will be on letrozole after my radiation finishes & would love others feedback, unfortunately I googled ?? & came across so much negative stuff about this drug ?? I am hoping theses are the very vocal minority & most people cope very well, The thought that running ( which I adore ) biking, swimming & yoga may be totally compromised is more than slightly physcing me out , is there any helpful tweaks to diet, lifestyle that has helped anyone else ? Thank you thank you ??

Hello I think those of us facing hormone therapy do get a bit nervous when we read about problems that others have. I actually took Tamoxifen for almost 2 years before having my ovaries removed last July and swapping to Femara (letrozole) last October. I was very active (hiking, swimming and Pilates/yoga ) while on Tamoxifen and still now on Femara. It did cause my joints to hurt more at first and stirred up some mild arthritis in my foot and hips. But that has mostly settled again now ( 4 months on Femara). I was really worried that this drug would prevent me from enjoying being very active but I think that with persistence over any initial reaction I am feeling ok about it now. I have found it harder to feel as good as I did on Tamoxifen but I think I am getting there now. Hope this helps you to feel better about this part of treatment. Hope it goes well. Take care. Deanne xxx

Hi Tansygrant,It’s Lisa from the Policy Team. It is great that you posted on the Online Network as it can be a really good place to get support and hear about the experiences of others.I just wanted to jump in to let you know about BCNA’s booklet, Hormone therapy and breast cancer. It provides information about the types of hormone therapy, the benefits of hormone therapy, common side effects and also suggestions and strategies from other women about what has helped them to help manage some of the side effects. If you would like a hardcopy of the booklet, you can order it on our website or give us a ring on 1800 500 258. We also have some information about the different types of hormone therapy on our website which you can find here. The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute also has a useful booklet called Hormonal Therapies for Breast Cancer. You can download or order the booklet on their website.If you do experience side effects that are difficult to manage, you can also talk to your doctor about possibly adjusting the dose or switching to another hormone therapy drug, as this can sometimes be an option.Warm regards,Lisa

Hi there Deanne thanks so much for taking the time to reply, can you still do all the active things you used to ? from the stuff I read ( yeah,never Google anything ! ) a lot of ladies are totally debilitated. But they were US sites, so I was hoping they may not be that relevant. Did you need to change your lifestyle, diet & do you enjoy a vino or two ? ?????????? Warm regards, tansy !

Hi Lisa thanks so much for your reply ?? I have the booklet " beyond breast cancer " that is very informative, do you think the others would be helpful as well ? Warm regards tansy

Hi Tansy,I don't think am familiar with the booklet, Beyond breast cancer. If you wanted to have a look at BCNA’s booklet, Hormone therapy and breast cancer, to see if it would be helpful, you can click here to download a copy. You can also find a list of all of our free fact sheets and booklets on our website here, and download or order any of the resources at anytime.Best wishes,Lisa

Letrozole questions | BCNA Online Network

Aqua_sunrise
Member
10 years ago
Hi lyn

thanks so much for taking the time to answer

it is so heartening for me to hear others that are coping just fine,

warm regards

tansy
Aqua_sunrise
Member
10 years ago
Hi beppie

thanks so much to hear positive comments !

I had shocking hot flushes for years with menopause, so can cope with them again if I need to !

Hopefully that will be all for me as well !

Warm regards

tansy
lrb_03
Member
10 years ago
Hi, I started femara just over two weeks ago after finishing radiotherapy four weeks ago. So far, so good. Some increased aches in the hips, but Otherwise ok. Looking forward to getting my in to a pool soon, when I'm sure my skin can handle the chlorine. I'm going to the beach in a couple of weeks for ten days or so, so probably after that.

Take care, Lyn
Aqua_sunrise
Member
10 years ago
Thanks tracey

& isn't that the truth !

??
Tracey62
Member
10 years ago
Hi Tansy, I ended up taking Panadol 2-3 times a day for the burn. Last few weeks I needed a light sleeper to get thru the night. Ice packs were great after each treatment. I wish I had kept up the shoulder exercises they give you post op, the positioning stretched my shoulder and now weaker that side. But you know what? That fantastic feeling of being done with treatment makes everything so much more bearable. Good luck xXx
Beppie
Member
10 years ago
Hi all,

ive been on it for over 2 years now - side effect hot flushes only. I was on tamoxifen for 5 years with my first breast cancer with hot flushes as the only side effect too. Second breast cancer in 2013 , hence the femara . Still do everything I used to do , although I'd love to kick the hot flushes , so sick of the really hot face and sweating !! Take care xx
Aqua_sunrise
Member
10 years ago
Thanks Tracey ??

Any other tips re radiation ?

Was it so burny you couldn't sleep at night ?

thanks

tansy
Tracey62
Member
10 years ago
Hi Tansy, will do, wishing you all the best with radiation, remember to keep on moisturising, really helps, Tracey xX
Aqua_sunrise
Member
10 years ago
Hi Tracey,

I would appreciate it if you let me know how you are going,

I will be on it in a couple of months, right after my radiation,

thanks !

Tansy
Tracey62
Member
10 years ago
Hi Lisa, just starting Femara today. Thank you so much for all the links to more info, really appreciate your help with this, Tracey??