Three years on Letrozole

Hi .  I have only been on Letrozole for 4 months.  I don't have too much joint pain at the moment.   Some stiffness.  But I am becoming increasingly breathless and cannot walk far without being worn out.  I saw my GP this week and i have had bloods taken to check nithing like anaemia or thyroid issues.  She suspects it is the Letrozole.  If bloods fine I will ring BCN and ask to see consultant.   I cannit live like this - there is little quality of life.  But I know it is early days for me and so I will try to be patient and give it longer if need be.  But I have an important event in Londaon in a week and a half and need some energy.  So I have made the decision to not take Letrozole for one week - starting a few days before I go - in the hope I have more energy and can cope whilst I am away.  It will be interesting to see if there is any difference.  Although I do realise that 7 days is not long and there may be longer term affects that would need more than one week off.  I will start taking again after one week.  I cannot see that one week off will increase my risk of reoccurrence greatly.  I'll let you kmow how I get on.

Do hope your GP can help you.  And it might be worth  onsidering changing drugs.  You may tolerate ankther drug better.  Worth a try?

Thanks you for adding that, AnnJac. I am going to leave my tablets off for a couple of weeks to see what happens. My cancer count was very low anyway, so hopefully, a break won't hurt. I was due to drive from Scotland to Essex in the middle of June, but have decided not to go. I haven't driven in much traffic for over 30 years and would need all my wits about me. Also I would be staying in a house, not a bungalow, for two months and I don't think I could manage the stairs, at least not as I am now. The train and plane are out as I would have a dog with me and I wouldn't be able to manage him, luggage and a stick, even with help. 

I worry about the breathlessness effecting my heart. I don't know if that would happen, but it scares me. I become dizzy sometimes and also worry about falling as I can't get up. 

I hope you manage with you London trip.

Sue

Hello to you both,

i too am on Letrozole and find mostly joint aches plus the (now occasional) hot flush. But I’ve ensured I stay on the generic supply of one brand that seems to work ok for me. Yes I’m tired at times but suspect I simply try to fight it. But I am 73 so guess I’m also fighting my age! Daughter refuses to admit I’m really that old! 

At least a year of my 5 has passed....hopefully when I finish I will improve?

hugs to you both xxx

Hi Moomy. I am nearly 70, and have never had any problems till now. My mother was disabled and I was her carer for most of my life. I see that I am as bad as her sometimes, and it saddens me. I hope you don't get many more side effects. I find that taking Vit D helps as Letrozole is supposed to leach it out of the body. 

xx

Hi,

yes I'm on vit D3 as I’ve got osteoporosis already, I’ve also begun Vit B12 as a spray and that helps too, as does Loratidine. The Loratidine I’ve had to stop as I’ve an allergy clinic appointment next Monday and the aches have gradually crept back. Will be glad to start it again!

hugs xxx

Hi everyone.  I had a lumpectomy nearly 2 years ago and was given Letrozole.  I too had no problems the first year but gradually I started get really bad joint pains and breathless, palpitations etc. I put up with everything but i eventually saw my oncologist who changed me to Anastrazole, but had to stop taking Letrozole for 4 weeks before starting Anastrozole.  I queried this with my GP who told me there is enough Letrozole in my system and not to worry. I have now been on my new medication for 6 weeks and instead of going forwards I am going backwards!  My GP also said to expect being out of breathe because of my age (76) and it's probably wear and tear on my joints.  That really cheered my up.!  I am due to see my oncologist again after my next Mammagram in a few weeks so I'll see what the next step is.