With my oncologist's blessing, as of today, I am stopping Letrozole for a month. A Christmas present to myself.The two main side effects are the permanent bone ache in my ankles and thumb joints. I am very interested to see how quickly they go, if they go at all. I'm also curious to observe the effect on my brain, again, if any. Mucosal dryness is the other annoying side effect.When I start taking it again on 1/1/19 I'll try taking it at night. And after observing what happens for a month, I'll add curcumin to the mix.The clinical trial continues!

@Flaneuse Thank you. Both my oncologists (as in old and new, not concurrent!) have told me that some of their patients have reported success with curcumin so I thought I'd give it a crack.I don't know about restorative, but certainly most fun! All the same problems remain, but it was good to have a break for a bit.@Annski @SoldierCrab I took the words of wisdom here to heart and let go of a lot of the Christmas Day perfectionism that I normally have. I wasn't here for the set-up, was behind on my own prep (normally have everything wrapped long before Christmas Eve) and couldn't find half the stuff I normally put out. But stress I did not! I just focussed on the food, laid a pretty table and made sure the sparkling shiraz was chilled. Not really the energy for anything else. It all went well. Sounds like it did at yours. K xox

My mother decided at a very early stage that we would all have Christmas Day at a hotel. With only 2 days holiday, she wasn't going to spend it cooking, clearing and cleaning up. So we did. It probably cost not much more, my mother enjoyed it as much as the rest of us and no squabbles about who's doing what. Even a large family can do it if they share some of the cost.

I hear you @Annski and @kezmusc. It sometimes feels like a major battle to create the traditions that everyone professes to adore yet won't lift a finger to contribute towards. And I agree with you about the cost. We are easily the most financially stressed unit in the wider family but no one ever offers to contribute financially! And despite protestations, it was my husband and I who did the cleaning up...I was pleased with the food delegation this year. Note to self: next year lay down the law re cleaning up!

@SoldierCrab and @kezmusc, yes, yes and yes. How old is the eldest? Get this, he is 52! He doesn't live anywhere permanently, works in rural horticulture and so comes to his Mum's at Christmas. Nowhere for him to host us. Older daughter has another Mumsy, my ex-husbands third wife who she regards as a much better specimen than me, so she goes to her at Christmas, or to her step-sister's. She herself never hosts anyone. Granddaughters are hilarious, especially the 21 year old. She did her level best to help but couldn't find out where anything was kept and as a vegetarian objected to being anywhere near the turkey. My youngest daughter really did try this year, brought lots of salads and dips and nice things but arrived having already enjoyed some Christmas libations with her new boyfriend and somehow couldn't stop. He was rude and obnoxious. They finished up watching the most disgusting movie I have ever seen and what was it called? Bad Moms 2, of course. Wonderful way to show respect to the poor old matriarch with BC.Oh Kezza you are so right, especially "feeling like a slave". I do love your list. It is a wonder, you should patent it. I thought I might print it out. I think the thing is, they all feel I have set the rules and they no longer feel they should have to abide by them. Who said there should be turkey and ham? What's wrong with hummus and cold tofu? Who says we shouldn't drink all the wine we can find in the cupboard when it turns out we didn't bring enough of our own? What's wrong with watching disgusting movies after lunch? I just don't know where I went wrong. They used to be nice, pleasant, kind children but they've got worse with each passing year. You've got to laugh sometimes.

I started Letrozole a few weeks ago. Aches aren't too bad but seem magnified when I want to go to sleep. The oncologist said if my finger joints get involved, have a month off. It's no biggie.

I'm on holiday... from Letrozole!

50 Replies

Emie
Member
7 years ago
@Flaneuse I had the terrible hand problems too - not so much pain but they became like claws and I couldn’t hold things or undo anything. I found tumeric (nageze) and acupuncture helped but in the end it was so disabling that the Oncologist took me off them and has swapped me after a break to tamoxifen. Everyone is different but the nature of my cancer meant that there wasn’t much difference between the two (please note this NOT the case for all breast cancer), I was on Armidex
Flaneuse
Member
7 years ago
I'm in the middle of a Letrozole nightmare. My hands - fingers and wrists ache constantly and are worse when I lie down to sleep. I have so little gripping strength in my fingers that it's almost risky. The past two nights, I've used Voltaren gel as "hand cream" at bedtime and I think it's helped a bit. Ankles, feet, lower back and one shoulder also bad.
Afraser
Member
7 years ago
Not even starting to think of indefinitely! My surgeon was very reassuring, I am way past menopause, my oestrogen level is dropping naturally as well as medically induced, and the amount in the cream is tiny. I am also using it sparely. But I am not keen on encouraging a prolapse either. Choices, choices and none of them great!!
Sirrah
Member
7 years ago
Afraser, it seems counter intuitive when we r supposed to b getting oestrogen out of our bodies doesn't it? altho My Oncol. said that topical oestrogen cream is OK I tried not to use it for a couple of months but I have had to resort to using it again. Did u get any indication if u can use it indefinitely?
arpie
Member
7 years ago
That's good @Brenda5 - I knew within 2 weeks that it was going to be a rocky road with letrozole for me!! You may be one of the lucky ones!! Hope the joint pain lessens.

I read somewhere that side effects can be lessened if taking half the dose in the morning & the other half in the evening ....... makes sense! But you'd have to discuss it with your Health Professional before cutting tablets in half (some aren't designed to be cut!!) So looking at trying 'half strength' tabs instead, if they are available!?
Brenda5
Member
7 years ago
I started Letrozole a few weeks ago. Aches aren't too bad but seem magnified when I want to go to sleep. The oncologist said if my finger joints get involved, have a month off. It's no biggie.
arpie
Member
7 years ago
Let us know how you go @iserbrown - and what your alternative is?

More pics, please @kmakm
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
I am thank you @kezmusc!
kezmusc
Member
7 years ago
Woohoo! That's great news @kmakm. Are you having a wonderful time?
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Day 12 and the pain in my thumbs and hands has almost completely gone. Bliss!

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I'm on holiday... from Letrozole!

50 Replies

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