Fearful of Letrozole - side effects

I started letrozole a week after I started 25 sessions of radiotherapy 12 weeks ago.  I have suffered some nausea (my oncologist says this is not related to the medication) who knows, I am chewing on Buderim ginger lollies when I feel it is coming on.  In the past couple of weeks I am getting quite painful joint pain and swelling fingers in my hands that has woken me at night and I now need to take my wedding rings off before going to sleep. It seems to settle during the day although my hands are stiff and I have been taking regular panadol osteoporosis (2 tablets, morning, afternoon and evening) plus rubbing fisio cream into my hands and finger tips.  I also have peripheral neuropathy in my fingers and feet from 6 months of chemo.  My yoga teacher showed me some hand yoga (mudras?) to do which stretches fingers which I am doing when I am a passenger in the car or just sitting at night watching TV.  I never expected all these side effects and thought that I had managed the chemo very well (didn't get nausea etc) and got through the radiotherapy and now the whammy of side effects from letrozole.  I know it is well researched to keep the cancer at bay for suppressing oestrogen.  I am going back to the oncologist in 3 months whilst all of this is being monitored (gabapentin for the PN).  She said it could be changed if the side effects were unbearable but I will see how I progress.  As my daughter who is a consultant physician doctor says, "well mum you are still alive...."  On at the good side, I got clear scans last week (after mastectomy in Aug with Lobular C) so that's VERY GOOD NEWS!  Just the reconstruction op to have in Sept after the birth of my grand-daughter!

I was on letrozole for 3 years, initially I had quite a bit of stiffness in my ankles then by 6 months it was bearable. Fast forward 2.5 years and I developed bursitis on both shoulders which did not improve with steroids and rest. I had a month off letrozole and it resolved quickly. I'm on anastrazole now with no apparent side effects. I had osteopenia post chemo (also was 1st year after menopause) but it's improved in last 3 years. Bizarre.
So if it doesn't suite, another one might.  Not everyone has terrible side effects. 

What @sister said!
Many of us whinge and moan about the side effects of these drugs. It all seems like insult loaded on injury and how much can a koala bear? (Scuse me, my mum says that) Those most impacted have the most to complain about.
You won't know how you will cope until you try, and only you can determine what you are prepared to tolerate.

Chemo side effects do not just disappear after your last treatment. I've done this twice now, with an without AIs, and the recovery period can be much tougher than you expected. The message from that is not to confuse cause and effect and automatically blame fresh woes on a new drug.

Two years ago I was going to give them the flick and let nature take it's course, but have found it possible to continue. For now. 
Give it a go. Tinker with brands and variations. These things are supposed to give us the best chance of survival. Mxx

Oh so nice to hear from you Dory65.  I really needed a pick me up this morning and your kind words have really helped.  I wish the puppy was mine but it's my grandpuppy.  My daughter Jaimee owns Karma and they live in Weipa unfortunately.  They are both adorable ❤️ have a great day.

Hi @Karma03,
I second all of the above and just have to say I love, love, love the picture of the puppy! I had a beloved dog Snoopy, a Schnauzer/King Charles Cavalier cross who looked very similar. So gorgeous. <3

Such very wise words.  Thankyou

@Karma03
Please don't be fearful of side effects.
At present your body is in fatigue mode after all the treatment to date, not unusual!  Fatigue was a major factor for me and it is only as time has passed that my body has adjusted and I am in a better place mentally and physically along with making a few changes along the way.
It is not always wise to read the side effects prior to taking as that is where the fear builds and as mentioned above those with side effects make noise as they look for others with similar and look for support on how to combat them.
You maybe one of those that has minimal and maybe none and just sail through.
The options are there with consultation with your Oncologist to change medications if the side effects are a problem.
Have you seen the BCNA booklet on Hormone Therapy?
There are links within this link that hopefully can give you a better understanding of this next phase of treatment

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy/

Best wishes
Take care

@Sister you’re absolutely right about that, people who are ok with it don’t need to say anything, so we need to remember that there’s lots of ladies out there who are fine with it. This is a good reminder. You’re also right about trying to manage symptoms as much as possible as it’s pretty much all we have to keep this b*stard disease away. 

Yes, please remember that those of us who have the side effects make the noise, if only to compare notes - those who don't have a problem, mostly don't need to talk about it.  And there's no-one saying that you have to continue if you can't manage it.  Even with the side effects, I know this is my best defence at the moment and so I am trying what I can to manage it.

@ddon that sounds very promising about your mother! It’s good to read about stories like that. And you’re right that we shouldn’t be thinking about side effects too much before we start. As for the arvo energy collapse then the peak during the night, it’s my life story 🙄😆 xx