Any help gratefully accepted - Letrozole and the blues

Thanks @ Deanne it’s pretty much inline with my thoughts and time to start turning things around.The breast cancer diagnosis was a shock but such a busy time and no time to think plus I did not have chemo so was a bit easier than many. I think the issue for me stems from the Letrozole which is causing my current low mood but hopefully am aware now and can make the changes I need as outlined above.I will say the break from much formal exercise over Christmas with classes in recess plus Christmas altering my priorities so my walking was less am thinking was a bad mistake and have learned not to do that again - to survive the 5 years I need to prioritise exercise daily as it really is a salvation.Diet is always a struggle and worse at Christmas as everything I like is in abundance but that said I am not enjoying the consequences. I will however be reading up on what I else can do in my diet to arrest the serontonin dump I gather Letrozole precipitates . Am lucky I can recognise I have a problem rather than be enmeshed by it .Time to make some changes.

Hi @Romla,
I have been on Letrozole for over 2 years (after first being on Tamoxifen for 2 years). The chemical/hormone changes have definitely impacted on my moods and ability to cope with everyday stresses. Exercise has helped me as has making sure that I make some time to do things I enjoy. It can be hard to lift yourself after the shock and impact of a cancer diagnosis. 

As as far as diet is concerned I think that I have succeeded in making the permanent changes that I really wanted to after I finished my other treatment. I have always struggled with my diet and was a real yo-yo dieter before bc. My weakness was definitely ‘comforting’ myself with sweet treats. I also often ran out of energy to shop, plan and make healthy meals.

Things that I did differently after bc was to make small changes rather than eat completely differently all at once. I kept a diary of what I ate. Rather than denying myself a treat, I found treats that were healthier and permanently swapped to these. I don’t eat anything that I don’t like and I also don’t eat anything that has no nutritional benefit. I saw a dietician at one stage to make sure that I was getting a nutrionally balanced everyday diet.

I think it has helped my mood, it has definitely helped me to feel better about myself. Eating things that taste good and that I know are actually good for me too is like double feel good points. I hope that you can work out a way to get to where you want to be. One less thing to stress about then. Take care. Deanne xxx

It’s interesting as realised that am reaching for foods that boost  serotonin eg nuts , cheese etc as well as junk sugary stuff - my body must know things subliminally.

Thanks @Jane-Altona I too have hot flushes but can adapt as retired and been there before during menopause years ago - the other worries me as am usually a fairly robust kind of person and find myself retreating into a smaller world.To avoid confusing others those close to me I am letting know about my struggle - it certainly seem s to have quietened me down.I am not sure psychologist is what I need at this point as am aware is not rational more a chemical imbalance I think created by hormone therapy.I will talk to my onc who I see next fortnight and keep up the walking to release endorphins to lighten my mood but desperately need to reconsider my diet which is not conducive to my emotional health.

Hi Romla, I've been on Letrozole for 18 months. I think I have two ongoing side effects, hot flushes & anxiety attacks. As I also wanted to avoid more drugs I've had a few sessions with a psychologist. It has helped, I still occasionally get the attacks but I now have strategies to deal with them. I think you can get some free sessions if you go through your GP and ask for a mental health plan. As for the hot flushes I just don't go anywhere that doesn't have strong airconditioning :)