Forum Discussion

primek's avatar
primek
Member
9 years ago

Letrozole side effects

I've started on letrozole last week and have been waiting to be hit with hot flushes as peri menopause was difficult for me. My track record with the side effects on chemo wasn't good.

So far to my surprise...no hot flushes. Actually I think my normal hot flushes have lessened.

I was expecting to get the joint pain also but at the moment all good.

Just wondering with other ladies how long it was until you developed side effects. My oncologist wanted a 2 week review if I had any. I imagine the vaginal issues would develop over time as the skin changed.

Thanks
Kath

side-effects

8 Replies

  • Kester's avatar
    Kester
    Member
    9 years ago
    Great to see this. I had 3 rounds of AC chemo which floored me and then I was told I would only get a 1-2% benefit from chemo and my now oncologist said he would never have put me on it. Bit sad as I have a horrific sensitivity to drugs and it was hell. I now am scheduled for radiation and letrozole. Have been concerned about the side effects as I suffer with arthritis and fibromyalgia . Hope I can make it through. Has anyone tried alternative medicine for this?
  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    9 years ago
    I have been on it almost 12 months. Have found moving the affected joints (my fingers are the worst) helps. Coffee can make it worse, so I try to limit my intake. I also take magnesium (can help with aching in legs) and krill oil and glucosamine. I walk/run 6km a day and think this might be helping. Have just started weight bearing classes for bone density issues. I was told it can take 18 months for your body to adjust. Am still hoping for some continued improvements for myself yet. Good luck with it.  :)
  • KarenM's avatar
    KarenM
    Member
    9 years ago
    I have suffered hot flushes and joint and muscle pain (especially in my legs) since starting in late 2012 but I am persisting with this medication.
  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    9 years ago
    I actually started getting a sore wrist about 3 months after I started.  2 months later diagnosed with a tendonitis in my wrist/thumb. Had a steroid injection that worked quite well for a whole 6 weeks, now really flaring again. I'm thinking it's probably related as well
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    I had so many aches and pains from my weight gain it would be hard to tell. However the onc did say more into smaller bones ...like wrists and ankles.
  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi. I've been on letrozole since early February,  and this is a timely question for me. Chemo last year put me in to menopause,  but i was lucky, with not too many hot flushes. I have felt quite lucky not to have side effects from the letrozole,  but lately I am starting to question this, and for the last few weeks have had a variety of aches and pains that I think are probably delayed effects from it. Luckily,  I'm seeing my med onc in a couple of weeks,  so will have a lot of questions to ask. 
    Has anyone else out there developed aches and pains months after starting letrozole? 
    Lyn
  • OldDuck's avatar
    OldDuck
    Member
    9 years ago
    I've been on Letrozole for seven months.   Minimal issues to start with and now no issues.  Hope it's the same for you
  • InkPetal's avatar
    InkPetal
    Member
    9 years ago
    I was only on Letrozole over two weeks and as an FSH aid over fertility so I don't know how well my experience will apply (if at all). Usually I'm a side-effects magnet too but this didn't seem to do much beyond a worn-down feeling and a few dizzy spells which only started around the middle of week 2. I hope it stays nice and easy for you.