letrozole side effect - hunger and weight gain?

Hi All, I have been on Letrozole for 5 months I have just this week moved over to Exemestane (aromatase) due to really bad joint, pain and a swimming pool bed with hot flushes.

I took my remaining tablets back to the chemist but haven't heard anything about there being a shortage. I have also experienced hunger but didn't put it down to the tablets, maybe it was.... been on the new ones since Saturday so here's hoping an easier recovery :-) x Julie

Hi Yvonne, I also now have a sweet tooth which I didn't have before :-( 

Hi I've been on Letrozole for 16 months and have pur on over 2.5 stones in weight, I've got stiff joints - I laugh as i'm like the tinman when I get up in the morning and this is after sweating all night but this is the lesser of 2 evil's as I know I'm on a wonderful drug.

Hope things settle down for you.

E

Oh dear Ella I was hoping the side effects would 'improve' in time!

  Never mind if it does its job I can put up with the pain and flushes - I have a fan blowing on me all night and that does seem to be making my night times more comfortable.

The Tin Man is a perfect description!!!!

Hi everyone thank you for your replies.  Looks like I will just have to stick with the hunger pangs and buy bigger clothes :-(  However I remind myself the Letrozole are doing a job!!

Hi everyone,

Well, I've been on Letrozole for 2 years now and have put on well in excess of 2 stones. I was a larger lady to begin with and very low self-esteem - at the moment I am in the depths of despair. Can't keep affording a new wardrobe of clothes every few weeks!!   Besides that I too have developed a sweet tooth over the past 2 years, although I don't overeat (I never have).  Another thing I've noticed lately is that my hair is thinning terribly.  Not sure if this is the Letrozole or just an age-thing as I am in my late fifties.  On the whole I have very few side effects with this medication but I do have the issue with the weight, which I am sure is down to the tablets.  I'd also like to know that once we girls are through this 5-year nightmare does the weight gain start to decrease?  Does anyone have any answer to this?  I don't want to come off the Letrozole because of the job it does, and another one might not be as effective or might lead to worse side-effects, who knows. 

Hi TigerEve It might be worth having a blood test for low thyroid as many of your symptoms are similar. Tip - always have tests done as early in the day as possible as this is when the TSH hormone is at its highest.