Letrozole

Hi Sparkle498uk , I’m on Anastrozole, older cousin of letrozole! Similar effects. I wasn’t given any instructions re taking it but decided to go for first thing in the morning, mainly so that I’d remember. It’s now so engrained (nearly 7 years) that it’s just what I do. I also reckoned that it would be easier as I’m awake more or less the same time each morning and generally in the same place, whereas mealtimes can be variable and I initially took it with my breakfast in case it gave me nausea (it doesn’t so I now take it on waking and have water beside my bed so I can take it straight away). But that’s all just personal preference. 
Re the calcium and Vitamin D, I take that with my evening meal, as mine are to be taken with food, so they are around 12 hours apart. I can’t remember why I did this though! Not from any advice. Seems to work ok! 
Good luck with it, it feels daunting but for me it’s now just part of my daily life. Love and hugs, HFxx

Thanks so much for your tips. It is daunting at first, don’t want to forget, don’t want to be out and miss it so first thing is probably the best time actually. Good to hear 7 years on you are still remembering to take it! 

Hi, I take mine in the evening, I wanted to ensure any side effects were minimised by sleep and I take all tablets altogether, literally. Best wishes 

And I take mine just after my lunch!! The time can vary between 12 and 1.30 pm - I'm hoping that this doesn't matter.

I forgot to take my tablet on 2 different occasions and got really worried. I'm now keen to stick to the lunch time routine because it gives me the rest of the day to remember, should I ever forget again.

I use a tablet organiser / pill box for my Letrozole and have stuck day stickers on the inside of the lids and leave the lids open once I've taken the tablet. This way I can easily check to see if todays lid is open.

Thankfully I haven't had many side effects - I've been taking Letrozole for 9 months now- so I have stuck to the same brand. It's quite hard work trying to track down my preferred brand every 2 months, but so far so good.

sx

Thank you. That’s a good idea re the pill box, I might do this. 

My consultant suggested I take mine at night as there were reports of fewer side-effects, so I've been doing that for the past four years. Having said that, I find increasingly I'm falling asleep on the sofa, so some nights take it a lot later (ie when I wake up). My plan is to take it about 10pm. I take it with other tablets (Venlafaxine to offset the side-effects and Fexofenadine as I have incredibly itchy skin and allergies, plus now Vit D/Calcium supplement). I find it easier to take all meds at the same time. 

I have been taking it for 3 years. I was advised to take it everyday at the same time and consultant suggested bedtime . I had a radical hysterectomy 30 years ago and was amazed to find that the adrenal glands produce oestrogen. As I’m a fit 77 I decided that I would not have the major breast surgery and total lymph gland clearance advised  ( I did a lot of research regarding outcomes for over 70,s women) my female consultant supported my decision. So in answer to your question: I did get some night sweats, also some leg pain but take magnesium glycinate which helps, no alcohol and lots of exercise: walking, gardening and running with my highly active Bengal cat.  3 monthly scans now can’t find the 3 tumours . Good luck!  

Hi SMP,

I was so delighted to see your posting. I was diagnosed just over two years ago and remember reading your posts. I faced  the same dilemmas as you, and I was so pleased to read that you are doing just fine. Sending love and best wishes. x

That is SO kind of you. How are you doing? I have noticed a lot of people looking for specific brands of Letrozole. I had no idea re this and checked my pack looked all over pack and found tiny mention that it’s Sun but I assume all brands actually the same since it’s out of patent.
 You say you faced same dilemma; what did you decide? Personally I’m glad that I refused treatment which seemed very brutal. as a leftie and tumours were on the left.  The Breast Service here is fantastic I’m just so privileged. 

I was 70 when I was diagnosed withh Stage 2 Lobular. I decided against mastectomy and eventually went with a lumpectomy. My oncoloogist gave me a choice re: radiotherapy. He explained the cost/benefit and pro's and cons. He could not advise me one way or another given my age (by then I was 71). He strongly advised me to take Letrozole for a minimum of five years. I'm two years in now and the results of my recent mammogram were all good. I have been fortunate in that I have not (so far) experienced any side effects of note (fingers crossed). I was started on Accord brand and have continued with that. It was all so intense at the time and it was difficult to think clearly about each decision I made. I too feel very fortunate to have had the most amazing care and support from the breast care team. I am so impressed by your five miles a day. I'm a "6000 steps a day kinda gal", but on days like today I can get to 10,000.  xx