Break from letrozole

Hello, I was on Letrozole for just over a year, then had a 6 week break and I am now on Exemestane which I’ve been on for around 6 weeks, so early days. The reason I stopped Letrozole was more because I was feeling very tense and was finding I was getting annoyed easily! I did have stiffness as well and to be fair I still do, I’m not really sure if it’s better than before. But Any stiffness I have had certainly doesn’t feel nearly as bad as yours, more just when I get up from sitting down is the only time I notice it. Tbh with you, I’ve only just realised believe it or not,  that the stiffness is probably due to the tablets, I thought it was old age…. So that has made me feel better at least! I definitely don’t feel so tense now though, although it may be too early to tell yet? I hope this helps and if you do have a break enjoy it as I did!

I have just been put on Letrozole for next 5 years the company Accord manufactrer hospital gave me this first months and tried getting next lot but no pharmacy is stocking the Accord one.  Wonder if you could help with manufacturer as I have been told not to keep changing.

Hi sully

My first box was from the hospital and it was Manx brand, my pharmacy then supplied Accord for a bit then Sun Pharma and this week I was given Glenmark! I started Letrozole six months ago yet already had four different brands. (See my post on this “Letrozole…57 varieties”) Info posted by others say that if you tell your GP to put a certain brand on your repeat prescription then the pharmacist must supply that requested brand to you.

• Btw, I was also given a six week break due to sleep problems & joint pains, consultant suggested changing to Tamoxifen but I was worried about the different side effects from it so I chose to continue with the letrozole since my hormone status was 8/8.
• Best wishes x

Hi I had a hard time too all of the above and below symptoms.  I had a break over Xmas felt so much better  saw oncologist I'm on tamoxifen every other day and venlafaxin it's been a game changer for me . I hope this helps 

There is no short supply of accord here in Glasgow where my pharmacy gets it from. It’s manufacturer is south side Glasgow if you are from this area

Thankyou 

My hormone status is 8/8 too but told I can still change

Hi Hmfm

I switched from Letrozole after six month of taking it, due to similar SE to yourself, especially the knuckles and fingers. I mentioned that these were so bad in the morning that I thought that I should no longer drive.  Onc told me to stop Letrozole one day and start Exemestane the next. She made it clear that the L would take six weeks to wash out of my system and there were no guarantees that the E would be better, but worth a try. Now heading for three months since the switch. All the aches and stiffnesses you list gradually eased for me. Now just about back to how I was before the AIs, so it has been a good change for me. Glad she suggested the change.

Wishing all AI ladies all the best

WallyDug

I still had the sleep problems and joint pains during my six week break so goodness knows what's going on BUT I can honestly say I didn't have these problems before letrozole. It is also difficult for me to insist on a certain brand since I've not had any brand for a continuous three months to find out which suits me.    

Thanks, I’m hoping for same result as you , fingers crossed and glad you feel much better x