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Erika888's avatar
Erika888
Member
23 days ago

Letrazole what's it like to take?

Hi everyone - I've been looking at my box of Femara (letrazole) for the past 3 weeks. I had a bone density scan a week ago and I have osteopenia which I'm dealing with by doing weight-bearing exercises and taking Vitamin D3/Calcium and drinking more milk. I went to my GP to voice my concerns about why I wasn't having a blood test before starting letrazole. Oncologist just says to get bone density scan and that's it - good luck. I had a blood test last week - waiting for my results so there's at least a marker for when I start the letrazole. Hmm...glad I thought of it but why isn't it mandatory? Anyway, just wanted to know if there are any good benefits of taking aramatose inhibitors besides stopping breast cancer recurring which is obviously a good benefit! What supplements do you ladies take and what is your diet like and exercise regime to alleviate any side effects?

aramatose inhibitors
HORMONE TABLETS
LETRAZOLE

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  • Minka's avatar
    Minka
    Member
    17 days ago

    I’m on another AI and at the encouragement of my oncologist take Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, a hair/skin/nails supplement and am rigid about weight bearing exercise 5 days a week - a weights program at my gym. I’ve just had a bloods check and everything looks great. I was lucky to have good bone density before I started which we’ll check each year as I want to make sure I’m protecting  that. 

    While I don’t love taking handfuls of supplements I do love knowing I’m doing my best to protect my health.

    Trusting your oncologist is super important. If you feel like yours is fobbing you off and you don’t feel safe consider finding another. You’re starting a long journey with them so feeling like you can trust what they’re telling you is critical 

    Best of luck. 

    • arpie's avatar
      arpie
      Member
      17 days ago

      Absolutely Minka - having a good relationship with your Onc is paramount.   My first Onc was useless - and was very dismissive of anything I said about side effects - I changed Oncs, she listened, I changed AIs twice & the the 3rd one was the one that suited me - I was on it for over 6 years. ;) 

      Erika888  How are you going?  Have you started yet?   Give it a few months, at least to see how you go!   Ask your Onc about 'starting slowly' - taking one every other day, at the start?  Not everyone gets side effects and I hope that you are one of the lucky ones!! But if you do - ask your onc about switching to one of the other 3-4!  The only one I ended up NOT trying, was Tamoxifen!

  • Tri's avatar
    Tri
    Member
    21 days ago

    HiErika888 

    I have been taking Letrozole for a year now - likeCath62 says it’s to give myself the best chance of reducing the likelihood of recurrence. Like you I am taking VitD and calcium (recommended by the oncologist after my bone density scan). 
    I had blood tests regularly before each infusion right throughout chemo but I also had a benchmark set of tests on completion of treatment carried out by my GP. It varies for everyone but my risk profile prior to breast cancer included a family history of issues (and having Herceptin could exacerbate it) so my GP was prompted to check my heart, vascular and general health through a blood test and it was not triggered by being prescribed Letrozole. 
    Prior to breast cancer treatment my results were more or less perfect, but this first benchmark showed variances which my oncologist and GP have been monitoring and over the past 12 months the blood tests results improved. My oncologist and GP consider that my focus on appropriate exercise and what I eat (I don’t drink alcohol) has helped but that it probably just took my system a bit longer than others to bounce back to “normal” (for me). We didn’t see a correlation or impact on my bloods when I had a 4 week break from Letrozole (long haul flights). 
    When I see my oncologist she receives any tests the GP has done. 

  • Cath62's avatar
    Cath62
    Member
    22 days ago

    Your oncologist has assessed your risk and recommended this drug for you. Take it. Give it a go. These doctors has studied for many years and they don't recommend treatments for no reason.  Side effects can be addressed and there are other AIs you can take if this isn't right for you.  You don't want the cancer returning or metastasising. There's no return if you get metastasis. 

     

     

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    22 days ago

    Erika888  ... What is causing your reluctance to take Letrozole?  Your medical team is making decisions that will hopefully benefit you in the long term.

    The main reason for taking AIs is to try & prevent a cancer recurrence  ...   
    So it would probably be in your best interests to give them a go as your Oncologist has prescribed them for you, for a reason.  If you aren't comfortable talking to your Oncologist about it, maybe chat with your Breast Care Nurse?  Or even ring our Helpline tomorrow on 1800 500 258.  

    Having a bone density test prior to starting AIs is pretty standard - and continuing exercise is always good, as is watching your diet.  Some supplements can inhibit  the AIs - Tumeric/Curcumin has been mentioned - so always put any supplements past your Onc.   Excess Vit B6 can cause neuropathy and additional aches & pains ..   ;)  (Copy & paste this link)
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussions/general-lifestyle-and-wellbeing/peripheral-neuropathy-aches-and-vitamin-supplements--caution-about-b6/

    Very Regular blood tests are usually done for chemo patients re red/white cell counts before every dose .... 

    Most GPs won't order 'excess' blood tests unless there is a specific reason.  Many won't 'do' Cancer Markers either.

    Take care & all the best.