Letrozole

@Chris51
Good to read you're doing ok on letrozole. Not everyone has the problem that I did.
Onwards and upwards for you!
Seasons greetings 
Take care 

So far’ so good but very early days I guess. Have only been on for 1 week. Would be great if no further issues arise, but I am told it is a bit of a ‘cumulative’ journey over the first 6 weeks. Have finally got my RT dates  - felt like celebrating to have a ‘finish date’ although I do realise this will not be the end of appointments, but after more than 7 weeks now of really living from one day to the next without really knowing what lays ahead was rather pleased to be given these dates. I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas surrounded by much love and laughter to break into the dark times this horrible condition creates for us all. Thank you for the valued feedback.

I have completed 6 months of Letrozole and the body did not adjust. Lived on pain killers
Moved on so hopefully a better time of it
BC keeps giving

I've been a few weeks on it after a few years of Tamoxifen. First thing that came back was my PTSD, anxiety and depression. Just getting on top of that now but joint aches and somehow I cannot switch off and drop off to sleep anymore. Not sure how many nights I can go before I just drop.

I started off on Tamoxifen and took it for 2 years before having my ovaries removed and changing to Letrozole. I had mild hot flushes on Tamoxifen which stopped after a while. They started again on Letrozole but only mild and settled after a while. I had muscle and joint pain on Letrozole starting a month in and settling by about 6 months. Weightlifting, which I started to help my bone density, seemed to really help the joint pain vanish. Curcumin has helped the pain I had in my hands.

I have now been on Letrozole for over 3 years. It has affected my bone density but weightlifting has controlled that. The only other affect is dryness which I have also been able to get help for.

The main thing is it seems to be working to keep me cancer free. Everyone has a different situation but statistically for people with my pathology, it reduces my chance of recurrence over 10 years by around 30%. Without it my chance of recurrence was 1 in 2. 

This network has been a wealth of ideas and information about how to relieve side effects. I was told by many that the initial side effects often settle in time. I have either had this happen or found something to help reverse them. I would say my quality of life on Letrozole is very good. I hope it is ok for you too. Take care. xxx

I don't know but I suspect the hot flushes may depend on whether you were completely through menopause.  I had night sweats for quite a few months last year but that was before my bc diagnosis.  I actually tipped the official 1 year mark for menopause just after surgery.  I had some mild hot flushes during chemo and have also get them on Letrozole but just enough to be slightly uncomfortable.  That could, of course, be just me.  I have no guidelines on how I could have exected to be during natural menopause as my Mum never talked about it and my sister had her ovaries removed and was on Tamoxifen.

Proactive things you can do include a bone density scan - if you don't know what your bone density is, best to find out now as Letrozole can have a thinning effect. If you know the score when you start, and monitor it, it's easy to know if it's having any impact and then consider ways to minimise it. Mine was very good to begin with, and while there has been some impact, I have now got to the stage (nearly 6 years) where the possibility of stopping scares me a great deal less than not starting! Vaginal dryness is another possible side effect, it can be rectified, and the Let's Talk About Vaginas group here is highly informative. And finally, hot flushes, joint pain, night sweats, arthritis type symptoms? I have had none at all. It's a mad swings and roundabouts game, best wishes! 

Thank you for these reassuring posts. I know it is in my interest to take this medication but I guess I got ‘cold feet’ at the last moment. After 6 weeks of stress & worry, it is nice to start to see some light at the end of what has been a pretty dark tunnel but when all the side effects are put to you it does become a bit daunting. I also start RT in the coming weeks, but have thankfully avoided the chemo so I guess I shouldn’t be complaining too loudly. If I have one more dr tell me how fit & healthy I am as I move through this horrible stage in my life I think I will scream. Just as long as I am still fit & healthy after my body being ravaged by this radiation and medication. Roll on 2019 please.
Best wishes to all those wonderful people who are so supportive through this online network.

Hi @Chris51. I’m 60 & only been on Letrozole 5 weeks, but so far all good. My mouth is dryer than usual, but I’m also having radiotherapy so I guess that could be causing it. Keep the fluids up & get some exercise in & hopefully you cope ok. All the best x

I am 54yrs old and went through a BC diagnosis Mastectomy and chemo last year.
I have been on Letrazole for 12 months now.
The one positive is that my hot flushes are not as bad as they been previously.
One month after starting Letrozole l developed Carpal Tunnel in my left wrist ( a side affect of Letrozole l  found out) a couple of months ago l started to get severe pain in my wrist, especially at night, l was having trouble sleeping, using my carpal tunnel brace has helped. Diagnosed as Tendinitis, again caused by Letrozole.
Sex has become painful since starting Letrozole.  I am tired a lot and have sore joints, especially in my knees at night.
I am very stiff first thing in the morning.
I have put myself through training as a Pilates Instructor this year and have recently qualified.
I hate to think how l would be without my pilates exercises.
I will continue on it for now,  hopefully it will not get any worse.
Good luck,
Karen