Hello again!A couple of questions for you all!First one: I've been on Letrozole for 10 days so far, and I'm just wondering if the side effects are felt immediately, or do they stalk and pounce down the track? Apart from wanting to howl constantly (been howling since I got the diagnosis in mid-January), I haven't felt much different - long may it last! I haven't had surgery, chemo or radiation yet - oncologist has started me on Letrozole as we are currently overseas for a couple of weeks.Second one - a bit random I think: for those who have had early side effects, were your estrogen levels high or low to start with? All my hormones are low and I haven't taken HRT.I'm just trying to understand all this.Thank you!

Hi @afrazser. Thank you for your comments. I hope that the symptoms keep away. Other than the AI, did you do anything else to reduce estrogen? Congratulations for sustaining it for 10 years - wow - that's incredible! Good luck with your journey!

@KimF Letrozole side effects may vary widely, so it can be hard to tell if you are not having any or if they are delayed. Certainly 10 days are very early days indeed. From the vantage point of nearly 10 years of Letrozole (I stop in May, hooray) I have never had joint pain, aches or menopausal type symptoms, which can occur. My bone density has taken a bit of a bashing but that is symptom-less (unless I fall and break something!). My bone density was excellent when I started and also my age is a contributing factor over a decade. It’s worth having a bone density test to know what’s what. I have vaginal dryness, which can and has been treated. You may have relatively few side effects. I was 67 when diagnosed so my estrogen levels were probably not high and will have fallen steadily since. Worth remembering if you need estrogen treatment for vaginal dryness. Best wishes.

Hi @KimF I had some initial hot flushes after about a month and then joint pain at the base of my thumbs after about 6 months.I was 62 when I started on the Letrazole.Everyone is different as to the side effects they have and severity , but if is early days yet.I changed the time I took the Letrazole to night time and they helped with the hot flushes.

Hi I’ve been on Letrozole for bout two years now plus Kisqali so far mine is stable but I do get joint pains but it’s bearable I also get monthly injection for my bones so can get muscle pain but I get through it I find swimming helps me but hope you get better take care 💕💕💕💕

@KimF No, didn’t do anything else - at that age, nature is doing it for me! My main concern has been to try and limit bone thinning by weight bearing exercise, vitamin C and calcium. Best wishes.

Letrozole | BCNA Online Network

12 Replies

Ktre
Member
3 years ago
@KimF hi. I have been on letrozole since December 2021, I got hot flushes pretty quickly, bone aches started about 1-2 months ago, just had a recent scan but don't know results from bone scan yet, bone density ok so far. I don't have vagina dryness but do have vagina tightness (like I am a virgin again and painful during intercourse) this is another symptom of letrozole, can be treated as well. I am on another drug as I have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer to the liver so get symptoms from them as well
Pommy8
Member
3 years ago
That's good tablets and bones
SuzyS
Member
3 years ago
I started Letrozole May 11th - so been on it 18 days. I take it at night and so far (fingers and toes crossed) the only side effect I have is waking with a slight headache for the past week. I'm 73, bone density test was perfect before I started, no vaginal dryness, etc, so I'm hoping it keeps this way. Never been on HRT.
Pommy8
Member
3 years ago
I'm 7 or 8 months down the track now and nothing I'm aware of with side effects.
I had bone density test before I started my results not great already got osteopina.
How you now going?
KimF
Member
3 years ago
Hello @Not_good_63_57. Thank you. Good idea about swimming - I haven't done any for many years, but I'll certainly look at doing it in the future. Take care.
KimF
Member
3 years ago
@Afraser. Hello again. Thank you. You're right about the bone thinning, and I'll certainly up the amount of weight bearing exercise and supplements. Fortunately they're in good shape at the moment, but any support is good. Take care!
KimF
Member
3 years ago
Hi @Julez1958. Thank you! I didn't have many flushes during menopause, so hopefully they don't start up with a vengeance, although if they do, I'll look at changing the time I take it. Thanks again, and take care.
Afraser
Member
3 years ago
@KimF

No, didn’t do anything else - at that age, nature is doing it for me! My main concern has been to try and limit bone thinning by weight bearing exercise, vitamin C and calcium. Best wishes.
Not_good_63_57
Member
3 years ago
Hi
I’ve been on Letrozole for bout two years now plus Kisqali so far mine is stable but I do get joint pains but it’s bearable I also get monthly injection for my bones so can get muscle pain but I get through it I find swimming helps me but hope you get better
take care 💕💕💕💕
Julez1958
Member
3 years ago
Hi @KimF
I had some initial hot flushes after about a month and then joint pain at the base of my thumbs after about 6 months.
I was 62 when I started on the Letrazole.
Everyone is different as to the side effects they have and severity , but if is early days yet.
I changed the time I took the Letrazole to night time and they helped with the hot flushes.