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kmakm's avatar
kmakm
Member
7 years ago

After a break, Letrozole, continued...

Drug holiday over, today I started taking Letrozole again. At night this time. Don't know that it will make any difference but worth a try.

If/when (she said optimistically) the side effects return, I'll start my curcumin trial.

It's been really really good to be pain (and dandruff) free for a few weeks. I feel it's given me a boost, and more strength to continue.

If the side effects don't settle down my oncologist was quite keen to put me onto Tamoxifen. From what I've read here I'm not so sure. Better the devil you know...?

328 Replies

  • @pattij
    I did 2 plus years on Tamoxifen and had tamoxifen induced problems which sent me to a Gynaecology Oncologist and two operations later it was decided that the Medical Oncologist take me off Tamoxifen and put me on Letrozole (Femara).  Well I did 6 months on Letrozole, disturbed sleep, aching bones and weight gain.  I had a 3 month review and he said if my body was going to adjust it needed to be on it for 6 months and it didn't!  He said normally the adjustment is obvious in the first month however I persevered.   Now I am on Aromasin but since then I have had to go on strong painkillers because of the bone pain and other non-related things from BC (at least I think that is the case) x-rays will tell the tale and I will be reviewed again in April by the Medical Oncologist and October by the Gynaecology Oncologist with the obligatory vaginal ultrasound.  In the meantime the GP has ordered x-rays, painkillers and keeping me sane!

    I still keep saying to myself how did I get into this predicament but although those thoughts come and go they don't stay long as there's no point dwelling. My acceptance came at the start.  I prefer to try and work out how to make the body tick better!  It's the damn side effects, pain, weight gain that is more tiring than the actual BC diagnosis.

    I did the Ex-med Cancer program and that was very beneficial.

    Long story short is you don't have to endure forever on a medication.  They will change you as this is for the long haul and to find something that the body adjusts to.  We are all different in the way our bodies metabolise and react and sometimes the time of day that we take the medication can help but geez it's a learning curve.  Sorry if this has turned into a bit of a whinge.

    Hope you find your happy medium with the pills and each day gets better

    Best wishes to everyone else trying to adjust and bloody fantastic to those of you that have sailed through unscathed

    Take care
  • I know where you are coming from @kmakm as far as the Letrozole goes. I have been feeling very weepy the last few days because of the Letrozole. I am sick of having toxic chemicals in my body. I took Tamoxifen for five years. I put on 10kg., which for me was a lot. I lost weight as soon as I  stopped taking it.
    I would prefer to be on chemo.
    The alternative is not worth thinking about however.

  • Fingers crossed , this time around .will try the cur cumin as well
  • All the best, @kmakm - I take all my meds at night - to work their magic as I sleep.  (Particularly anti inflams!)

    It will be interesting to see if there is a difference this time round!  Fingers crossed! xx

    What strength Curcumin were you looking at?
  • @"Kiwi Angel" I know that some people find it a breeze. I suppose I can only try.
  • @Sandyr Amazing how different the responses are eh? We're such varied creatures.
  • I started taking letrozole on the 10dec,so far the only thing is I get sore feet and a bit tired  but I am feeling ok 'touch wood'.i was on Anastrozole for 9months drained the life out of me.
  • @kmakm I find tamoxifen not that bad compared to some. Hot flushes, a little joint pain and a little brain fog and water retention but that is about it.