Letrozole

Hi Skylark

I haven't had Femora but have experience swapping brands with side effect changes.  Was on Sun brand for a couple of months, very achy and stiff generally, sore shins, then next prescription was Accord which made the aches disappear but replaced with tummy pains!  I'd rather have the aches so have been to a different chemist who had the Sun brand in stock.  Haven't heard many people being able to get Femara but I believe the Accord brand is closest to Femara in it's components?  I am going to take my prescription to this new pharmacy from now on, who were much more sympathetic and wanted to help.  Might be worth a ring around to other places if you haven't done so already. Good luck x

Thank you Lullabell I appreciate your information are you also getting the Herceptin injection as it’s had to know what is causing what side effects.  I am half  way through and have 10 more injections to go.

hope you find one that helps X

It's difficult isn't it knowing what to attribute the side effects to when there's a lot going on.  Throw in menopause as well and I haven't got a clue what's causing what!  I didn't have Herceptin, but I'm sure someone who is having it will be able to share their experience.  Good that you're half way through now, finish line in sight!

Hi, I had Letrozole for three years (swapping to Tamoxifen due to osteoporosis) and decided after research, to stick to one brand; it was Accord. As already said, it seemed the closest generic to the original Femara. My GP supported me by adding the ‘please supply Accord brand’ to my repeats. 

I think it’s the additives that can generate some of the extra symptoms. But joint aches and hot flushes were standard, sadly. An antihistamine, Claritin, did seem to help bone aches, so might be worth a try. (It’s used for bone pain with Filgrastim injections, very common in patients being treated for some blood cancers) 

hugs xxx

Hi Skylark

Yes, I'm currently taking the Femara brand. Like you, I was prescribed the Accord brand of Letrozole but the side effects (joint pain mostly) were so bad my oncology consultant wrote a letter to my GP requesting my prescription be changed to Femara on a trial basis. I'm still taking it a year later. 

The Accord brand gave me constant pain in my joints to the point where I had to take painkillers four times a day but since taking Femara I've had no joint pain at all .....I still get night sweats, insomnia and swollen ankles but I'm ok with that. 

All the best

Ruth

Hi RuthieT

My GP has agreed a one month trial of Femara brand and will speak to me in three weeks to see if any improvement.  How long did you take it for before you felt any difference, I have only collected mine today from the pharmacy and will start it tomorrow. X

Hi Skylark

It took about four days to work for me.

I hope it works for you too. 

Ruthie

xx

Thank you Ruthi, I took my first one today so really hope it makes a difference.

Xxx