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Bagnara's avatar
Bagnara
Member
5 years ago

Metastatic Breast Cancer & avoiding weight gain while on Letrozole ?


Metastatic Breast Cancer & avoiding weight gain while on Letrozole. 
Is it possible ? 

Has anyone been successful in losing weight that was gained while taking  Letrozole ? 
What have you find helpful ?  

I have only met two other women with metastaic breast cancer who  are also talking Letrozole and their response to my question  was to just accept the wieght gain ( especialy around abdomen ) and " nothing you can do about "  .

I am grateful to be alive but the weiight gain and other side efects from Letrozole are negatively affecting my mental health and quality of life . 




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  • Dory65's avatar
    Dory65
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @Bagnara,
    I empathise. I am experiencing similar Letrozole side effects. Six months in, I'm hoping they will level out, diminish or disappear - but not yet. I work full-time and have no energy for anything else by the time I get home. I don't make the best food choices. I keep intending to plan and prep meals - but never do. Very low energy, weight gain, poor sleep and feeling very despondent at times. I recently discovered Panadol Osteo, which is a slow-release pain killer. It may help you too. I can forget the joint/arthritic pain and almost feel normal - enough to exercise or work in the garden etc. on the weekends. I hope you find something that helps. If I can manage to increase my physical activity, eat better and lose weight, I think my mental health will improve too. I hope you feel better soon too. :)
  • Bagnara's avatar
    Bagnara
    Member
    5 years ago
    Thankyou for your care & concern   Sooziqu, 

    I would love to give a positive , happy answer to your question ☺  but  my reality is that
    I find the side effects ( menopause symtoms  etc )  including weight gain  have negatively impacted my energy levels , self esteem  and  mental health. 

     I  need to stay  on Letrozole so trying to accept what I can not change including the metastatic breast cancer diagnosis.  

  • Bagnara's avatar
    Bagnara
    Member
    5 years ago
    Thanks very  much for your reply Afraser. Your experience gives me some hope 🙂
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    I’ve been on Letrozole for nearly eight years (but not metastatic cancer) and have managed to keep my weight fairly steady (I lost weight on chemo and want to keep that level). I am however much more active than before I had cancer - I took up a gym membership and before COVID went usually three times a week. I try and limit my alcohol intake, eat a good, varied diet and since my gym closed, I walk! Every day. What may make a difference is that I don’t have any joint or bone pain on Letrozole (I do have some other side effects). Limited mobility due to illness or side effects is a very real barrier to weight control. Have your medical team any suggestions? Best wishes.