Forum Discussion

Tinkat's avatar
Tinkat
Member
5 years ago

Starting Letrozole, stomach gripes and other side effects

I am at day 9 (tomorrow) of Radiotherapy (25 sessions) and started Letrozole 7 days ago.  I have gone to bed (take my tablet then) and woken twice now with stomach aches and then diarrhoea.  Last night it was 2am before I went back to sleep.  I thought it might be the effects of the RT but now realise it's probably the medication.  I have read all the info on this site and see there are lots of side effects of inhibitors.  
My husband is FIFO too, I am feeling a bit flat this week after managing with a positive attitude since my mastectomy last Aug. 
I suppose COVID is not helping either?  My oncologist wanted me to go on a trial but I just thinks it's all too hard now (can't drive to Perth at the moment either)
coping
letrozole
radiotherapy
  • Ahnn's avatar
    Ahnn
    Member
    5 years ago
    @Tinkat i started my letrozole in the morning after breakfast.  Regularly having diarrhea but no stomach cramps. I find i am cycling between constipation and diarrhea  every few days TMI? Perhaps a time change might help and enable you to sleep better. I'm no expert- best wishes! I have been finding the dryness more uncomfortable 
  • Caz1's avatar
    Caz1
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @Tinkat I finished radiation a month ago and have been on letrozole for six weeks. Haven’t noticed anything too bad with it. Joints sometimes a bit sore. Just had a bone scan and apparently I have osteoporosis so oncologist is possibly going to look at stopping it after my surgery.  I take it early afternoon when my dog has his pills lol (or sometimes later due to forgetting lol)
    Like you I’ve tried to be  positive since diagnosis in July but it’s been more challenging the last few weeks. I’ve had to be pretty strict on my meditation routine making sure I do it every day.  I find that has really helped.
    Caz x
  • Tinkat's avatar
    Tinkat
    Member
    5 years ago
    Thank you Caz for these reassuring comments.  Yes I think I am finding it all a bit more challenging and wish I has finished the radiotherapy now.  I have been feeling a bit better since I wrote the post above so keeping my fingers crossed it will settle down. 
  • Katy_Sodapop's avatar
    Katy_Sodapop
    Member
    5 years ago
    Tinkat said:
    I am at day 9 (tomorrow) of Radiotherapy (25 sessions) and started Letrozole 7 days ago.  I have gone to bed (take my tablet then) and woken twice now with stomach aches and then diarrhoea.  Last night it was 2am before I went back to sleep.  I thought it might be the effects of the RT but now realise it's probably the medication.  I have read all the info on this site and see there are lots of side effects of inhibitors.  
    My husband is FIFO too, I am feeling a bit flat this week after managing with a positive attitude since my mastectomy last Aug. 
    I suppose COVID is not helping either?  My oncologist wanted me to go on a trial but I just thinks it's all too hard now (can't drive to Perth at the moment either)
    Hi Tinkat, 

    I would definitely try taking it a little earlier in the evening, but I suppose above all else make sure you let your Oncologist know and any other changes. Hormone blockers can be very tough. 
    I was on Letrazole and Exemestane for the last 5 years but I've just gone onto Tamoxifen as Caz has been told about osteoporosis I am the same and my bones are no longer stable so Tamoxifen is a little nicer to them. 
    I've noticed increased upset stomach and diarrhoea since being isolated and I think it's my anxiety talking. 

    Either way it's not fun and I hope things continue to settle for you  :)
  • Katy_Sodapop's avatar
    Katy_Sodapop
    Member
    5 years ago
    Caz1 said:
    Hi @Tinkat I finished radiation a month ago and have been on letrozole for six weeks. Haven’t noticed anything too bad with it. Joints sometimes a bit sore. Just had a bone scan and apparently I have osteoporosis so oncologist is possibly going to look at stopping it after my surgery.  I take it early afternoon when my dog has his pills lol (or sometimes later due to forgetting lol)
    Like you I’ve tried to be  positive since diagnosis in July but it’s been more challenging the last few weeks. I’ve had to be pretty strict on my meditation routine making sure I do it every day.  I find that has really helped.
    Caz x
    Hi Caz, I hope you get your meds sorted especially if you have osteoporosis - I'm in the same boat! They can give you medication to help with osteoporosis but also apparently Tamoxifen is easier on your bones. I'm sure you are getting the best advice from your Onc. Meditation and exercise is so good for you right! 
  • Caz1's avatar
    Caz1
    Member
    5 years ago
    @Tinkat @Katy_Sodapop yes come to think of it, my stomach is a little churned up, think it’s the anxiety talking too.

    I will be starting Prolia injections for the Osteoporosis after my op. I was only very weakly ER+
    ie 6% so depending on my path results ( fingers crossed) it will be ok to come off the letrozole/
    AI inhibitors.
    Caz xx
  • Tinkat's avatar
    Tinkat
    Member
    5 years ago
    It's all so very individual for us, working through a maze I think.  Yes the COVID is making us more anxious as we are going through tough times anyway.  Best wishes to you all on this journey that we didn't want to take.
    I am feeling a bit better this new week and plodding on with the radiotherapy almost half way there!
  • jintie's avatar
    jintie
    Member
    5 years ago
    I am taking Letrozole after having been on exemestane and I must say that I am tolerating the Letrozole (Femara) better than the exemestane.  I also have osteoporosis (I'm 42) but I am unable to go on tamoxifen due to its side effects (I have other medical conditions) - and because I was 100% ER+, I have to keep on taking the hormone treatment.  
    Anyway - Letrozole.  Side effects have been very minimal for me.  I agree with others - try taking the meds at a different time of the day.  And with the current COVID-19 environment, I wouldn't be surprised if many of us were getting a bit of an upset stomach/running poop.
  • Tinkat's avatar
    Tinkat
    Member
    5 years ago
    Thank you I am persevering.  Probably try and bring back the taking of the medication to earlier in the evening not just before bed.  I am still having radiotherapy (13 more days to go) so am looking forward to finishing the treatment 7 May!
    Best wishes, hope you are travelling ok, it's all very challenging for us