Forum Discussion
Letrozole vs anastrozole
Has anyone gone from Letrozole to Anastrozole and found that the side effects eased or did they just stay the same? My right hand is just ballistic at the moment, stiff, sore all over particularly round the thumb area extending down the wrist. I do use my left hand more but am wary of doing too much with it for fear of it going down the same track. Last night I'm awake at 4am with an extremely sore right hip and not able to massage it cos of sore hands. Very frustrating!
Also for those who have had a holiday from the drug how long were you off it for and when you went back on were the side effects eased somewhat or just gone back to what they were before?
I am planning a break from the drug but would like to hang out till winter to do it as last winter was pretty bad for my hands. I see my onc in April. Exemestane is not an option for me as I've been told it will play havoc with my cholesterol levels and as i now got them down to where they need to be without drugs I'd rather not upset the apple cart.
I'm due to see my GP next week so I'll have a chat to her. I do exercise a fair bit at the gym but am finding that it's not a lasting fix in the joint stiffness area. It's good while i do it and it does give me the joint mobility but then later on in the day it just degenerates back to its usual status.
Any pearls of wisdom?
Also for those who have had a holiday from the drug how long were you off it for and when you went back on were the side effects eased somewhat or just gone back to what they were before?
I am planning a break from the drug but would like to hang out till winter to do it as last winter was pretty bad for my hands. I see my onc in April. Exemestane is not an option for me as I've been told it will play havoc with my cholesterol levels and as i now got them down to where they need to be without drugs I'd rather not upset the apple cart.
I'm due to see my GP next week so I'll have a chat to her. I do exercise a fair bit at the gym but am finding that it's not a lasting fix in the joint stiffness area. It's good while i do it and it does give me the joint mobility but then later on in the day it just degenerates back to its usual status.
Any pearls of wisdom?
26 Replies
- 43 in a couple of months
- How old are you @Cupcakes?
- Funny, i had a much smaller period back in sept and was "rushed" in for an ultrasound and blood test...all normal for a chemically induced menopausal woman but this time it was like go see your gp you'll be fine. i am seeing onc monday week which was arranged when i first changed ai's. I was offered zolodex last time but when hormone levels came back ok they said not to get it. We'll see what happens i guess.
- @cupcakes I would be chasing up the period business. AI drugs are designed for post menopausal women (and men who's hormones are regulated, I assume) so if you are ovulating they are not going to give you full benefit. Are you also having Zolodex injections?
I have great faith in my BC nurses, but that is highly unusual and I think you should definitely talk to your oncologist. Mxx - I was only on Letrozole for 6 weeks & I've only just started on Arimidex 2-3 weeks ago, after a 4 weerk break after 6 months on Exemestane @Cupcakes .... and I think I have about the same stiffness & pain in the fingers .... and the thumbs also (particularly the left one.) But in 'general' I don't seem to be as aware of 24/7 pain quite so much at this point in time (early days, I know.) And I am also on some magic oil that may be helping! ;)
I've not heard of anyone suddenly getting their period back! Definitely worth getting that checked out properly! - Hello, i too had bone issues on letrozole (on it for a year and a bit)and have been changed to arimedex. Bone pain has gone but i also started taking a bone and muscle supplement at the same time. Since changing i have been getting period pain and bloating. I also just got a period...a full blown period. Have not had one since well before cancer due to an iud.
Spoke to the BC nurse who advised it can happen when you change drugs. That would have been handy to know before hand. Been on arimedex for about 2 months.
Anyone else had this? - Thanks @Deanne . Unfortunately tamoxifen is not an option for me. I'm only due to be on this drug for 5 years. If they want me on it for longer they are going to have to give me a really convincing argument! I don't have any bone density issues and hope to keep it that way which means the gym is going to see me there for a looong time! Good luck with being back on tamoxifen and I'll keep looking forward to my drug free holiday.
- Well @Artferret, my oncologist confirmed that my thumb pain was almost certainly from Letrozole. Considering that I am also battling bone density issues, and the thumb is preventing me from doing my weightlifting at full strength, her decision was to give me one month’s holiday from everything before changing back to Tamoxifen.
Everyone is different but considering my particular situation, she feels this is the best thing to do. I made it through 3 years and 3 months on Letrozole. My first 2 years on Tamoxifen were relatively side effect free, so I am hopeful that it will be ok second time around too. She said we will see how I go but is hopeful I can get a few more years on Tamoxifen. She would like me to stay on anti-hormone therapy for a while yet. Our original plan was 10 years. That is 4 years and 9 months to go!
Will be interesting to see how long it takes for the thumb to get better. - I went from 6 weeks Letrozole to 6 months Exemestane and also have that thumb lock & extreme pain and stiffness in most fingers, specially left hand for some reason. Both thumbs are basically both ornaments - no good for anything! :( The fingers lock now & then too. (? Trigger finger?)
I will be using prednisone for a week leading up to my uke Festival in early Feb ... so that my fingers actually work! :(
I may ask about Anastrozole when I see my Onc next ..... - Yes @Artferret I will let you know what my oncologist says. My thumb has been clunky for about a month now. The pain goes right up my arm and into my shoulder at times. GP and osteopath have not been able to give me any answers or relief, so I am hoping that the oncologist will be able to say whether it is Letrozole related. Will let you know what happens.
