Forum Discussion
Femara/Letrazole
Hi, anyone on this and have side effects? I’m almost half way through my supposed 5yrs of this and still have various side effects on and off. Nausea, weakness and have fainted a couple of times over a period of time. Have had bloods, abdomen ct and brain ct with nothing showing up. Was suggested to go off them for 5 weeks see how I felt. Did feel marginally better but unless was off them for good how would you know? Offered to change meds but I’m like could there be another lot of different side effects. Feel stuck, 2.5yrs long time to still feel pretty crappy 😔
12 Replies
- iserbrown said:Hi @sickgirl
as to the Gold Coast there's someone on here, @sandramj who is actively involved in support groups in your area. She may know of programs that may help
Here is one of her posts
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/182930#Comment_182930
Thank you I have joined the group cheers Cheryl - Like everyone else I agree it’s such a personal thing as to what works best for you.I think you’ve given it a good shot and you do have some choices.Maybe it’s worth a diary for a month or so of your symptoms so you can have something clear to show the onco and importantly to compare if you do decide on a change?
lots of love Tinks xx - @sandramj Hi Sandra, wonderful to connect. Thanks for your response I have just liked the page and asked to join the Private Group.
Kaye ❤️ - Hi @sickgirl. I run a support group on the Gold Coast for women with breast cancer (& some ovarian ) our group on Facebook is Breast & ALL Women’s Cancer Care Team GC. If you want to join you can like the public page, then ask to join the PRIVATE GROUP & answer 2 questions - we have 23+ members all currently undergoing surgery, chemo, Rads &/or other treatments.We have coffee meetups And regular events at mid GC, northern end & soon in Tweed heads. We’ve had Prof of oncology Dietetics & Nutrition, Exercise physiologist, life coach, lymphodema specialist, yoga, Pilates & mindfulness professional, E.F.T. (Tapping) practitioner and a lady showing us how to make home made non chemical soap, lip balm, sunscreen, laundry detergent, etc.Link to public page.Please message me on 0421549977
as I volunteer for a few places and DONT get notifications from email or messenger until night mostly.Hope we can support you in some way. The lovelies in our group are amazing. From 30-82.Hugs. Sandra. - Hi @sickgirl
as to the Gold Coast there's someone on here, @sandramj who is actively involved in support groups in your area. She may know of programs that may help
Here is one of her posts
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/182930#Comment_182930 - Hi @iserbrown thanks for your comment. I’ve been on it for almost 2.5 yrs now and it’s like a roller coaster. The aches and pains are probably the least worrying it’s more the nausea, weakness and feeling faint. They have said they’ll change me, just worries me if all for nothing and end up with more or different side effects. I’m on GC in Qld I wonder if they have a similar ex med program?
- Hi! @sickgirl
We all react differently. When you are feeling so crappy perhaps you should ask is there an alternative to try. I did 6 months on Femara/Letrozole and my Onc was happy to change me.
It's about trying to find a way to cope with ongoing treatment.
Do you see an exercise physiologist as that may help? I was introduced to one that cares for cancer patients and it helped to manage some of the aches and pains.
In Victoria there's a program called Ex-med Cancer
https://www.exmedcancer.org.au/
Maybe this link from the BCNA website may help
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/resources/podcasts/episode-11-exercise-and-breast-cancer/
Take care and best wishes and hopefully you will find what suits you best - @arpie hi thanks for reply and chart. I definitely have the majority of those side effects some are minor some worse and I have the eye floaters definitely. I did take a 5 week break and as mentioned felt marginally better but just haven’t changed meds yet.
- Hi @sickgirl - I had horrible side effects on Letrozole & only lasted 6 weeks. Then I had 6 months on Exemestane to reach the same pain level & have now been on Arimidex for 12 months now & coping well - but I am sure it is the Medicinal Cannabis Oil that is helping me stay on it. It takes the edge off the pain & I am no longer taking pain killers or anti inflams.
Don't be afraid to ask your Onc
1) for a break - 3-4 weeks
2) change to a different AI
All the best xx
Here is the side effect chart .... let me know any others & I'll add them!! This covers ALL the AIs - Sorry, I meant no research to show 7 or 8 years is better than 5!
