Since starting Letrozole in January 21 I have put on so much weight, along with the constant pain in my bones, I just seem to be adding to this nightmare all the time! I hate that my clothes are so tight it's only upper body tho, my legs are still slim! Is there any relief from this I'm starting to wonder? Have any of you had the same problem with weight gain ?
HI
I do think that these tablets cause weight gain as I've seen so many posts by ladies on any of the inhibitors that have mentioned weight gain. I am on Anastrozole and have put on a stone since my diagnosis 4.5 years ago. There is some research which suggests that they increase the amount of cholesterol, but I also think that we are being put into 'more than' menopause. Menopausal women I have seen have always had more of a 'tummy' and I think this is what is happening to us .... x 2! I was 51 when diagnosed and had only just gone through menopause, so there'd been no adverse changes to my body (other than cancer of course!!!) that I'd noticed before, so I've certainly noticed that my upper half has got bigger. Including my breasts where I've moved from a C cup to a D cup. I am actually more active now that I was previously, so it's definitely nothing to do with lack of exercise. I have however changed my diet to a healthier one (I used to live on processed food and never bothered with breakfast). I now have Almonds for breakfast and eat more of what is suggested for an ER+ cancer, but who knows if this is more calories than I was eating prior. I've learned to accept the changes as a 'part of getting older and having had cancer'.
With regards to the pain in your bones. Try different brands to see if it makes a difference. The coatings in the tablets can be significantly different and I was given a different brand of Anastrozole one time - oh boy! the difference started within a day! I am ok on Accord and Teva and I have this on my prescription slip now. The coatings of the ones that affected me were significantly different to the tablets I am ok with,
Hope this helps,
Best wishes, Lesley
