Letrazole effects

Hi @SuzyS, I have been on letrozole since Dec 2021, I have metastatic breast cancer so there is no end date for letrozole for me unless side effects get to much. I have bone ache in most of the joint areas, this only started in the last 3 months, hot flushes were give when I first started but they have calmed down now and I don't get them as bad. Had bone density scan recently and still all good. Am also on another drug for metastatic so working out which one is causing which side effect is not easy. I have thinning hair as well but have just cut my hair to a short style. Loved my long hair before cancer but you learn to adapt and accept. I embrace the hair I have and have fun with it. Good luck with your treatment xxx oh yeah Debono have the dryness and pain when sex, have not yet found a solution for that except we don't have sex, not so bad for me as I have no libido, not so good for the husband🙄😜

Thanks girls.
I recently had a bone density scan done (great results) so I have a starting point. I'm almost 74 and my doc was extremely happy with the scan results. I'll make use I keep an eye on it. Had a dental check-up at Xmas so that should be fine. 

Not everyone has side effect but if they do not are all awful.
Important to keep an eye on bone density and take bone strengthening drugs if needed and have a full dental check before you take those drugs.
Joint pain and hot flashes are the most common - important to advise your oncologist of any side effects - there are things that can be done and sometimes they settle down.

I started on letrozole mid 2017...so coming up to six years now. I have other pre existing joint, tendon, muscle and skin problems from systemic scleroderma, so it's hard to tell what's from which, but I can say (as does my rheumatologist) that any issues in these departments would have existed in any event, letrozole or not. I too have experienced vaginal dryness as well as some hair thinning but not to the extent that is a real problem....solutions can be found. A little of this and a little of that (plus getting the engine warmed up prior to driving...so to speak) have worked for me. Good luck with your ongoing treatment.

Hi @SuzyS

I have just finished ten years with Letrozole (Femara) and one thing I never had was bone and joint aches and pains. Others have had this, to varying degrees, but it is possible not to have those side effects! I’ve had two side effects - loss of bone density and vaginal dryness. Both may have been exacerbated by age (I was 67 when I started) so it’s quite hard to work out how much is due to Letrozole. My bone density was excellent when I started (I strongly recommend getting a bone density test soon so you know accurately your starting point and can monitor any changes) and that helped stave off osteoporosis. I may not recover what’s been lost but I’ll settle now for no further decline. Exercise, vitamin E and calcium may all help. Vaginal dryness doesn’t affect everyone and can be assisted by a number of treatments. Given my age, oestrogen cream helped me most but was suggested because, being way past menopause, my natural oestrogen was reducing quite significantly. But no joint pain, flushes, aches. Cancer treatments aren’t renowned for an easy time but a manageable time is quite possible. Best wishes. 

All the best with starting Letrozole, @SuzyS .... If you start wth an open mind, hopefully you won't have any issues ... but if you DO ... make sure you contact your Onc & discuss possibly swapping to another AI .....

The AI that I am on now, suits me much better than when I was on Letrozole ...  and you are right - it is usually only those WITH issues who jump on & discuss it .... 

take care