To all ladies on Letrozole.......

Hey there christinediane.  What a brilliant idea to put some lymphnodes back into the arm!  I sure hope it helps and will keep you in my prayers.  I only had 3 lymph nodes removed and they were clear.  Surgically there was no reason for me to develop any lymphedema, however, radiation hardened all those tissues and sure enough I have it.  Mine too is mild so I'm happy to wear my compression garments when I get a bit of a flare up.  LOL  Mine weren't quite free, but I only had a co-pay of $8.00 for them, so I'm not complaining.  Do let me know how the reconstruction goes!  Dottie

hello, dottie

thanks for taking the time to reply  and nice to know I will be in your prayers -  I certainly will let you know how my reconstruction goes.    may not reply straight away, as will have to see how long in hospital and recovery time.

kind regards

pam

Hello ladies, Hello ,

So love reading these posts, they all make so much sense and give so much encouragement.

I do understand we are all different and get told different things and eat differently.  

I to have been told oestrogen is made or recreated from 'fat cells' - not sure if this is all the time or after menopause.  Hence a good reason to loose weight, the trouble is with so much going on, it is hard to do.... until mentally we can get our heads into the right place to make a start.... I did this a few months back and then fell off terrible whilst I had approaching 2nd year mammogram - so, I need to get back onto 'cutting down' at least.... today very greedy and gluttony took over .... packet of chocolate biscuits (hangs head in shame)...

Tomorrow  is a new day, a clean sheet for me to do the best I can

Thank you again ladies for these posts and all information, no matter how small all helps us.

Love and hugs to all xxxx 

WhatHappened!  Hey there!  It's been a long time eh?  I'm glad my post was a bit encouraging.  I do want to say that if you decide to diet, choose a wise diet.  I used a diabetic diet.  I'm not diabetic, but it's a very well balanced food regiment and doesn't skimp you on things you really do need like some of those fad diets.  My friend lost about 70 lbs on Keto, had a check up and her cholesterol was sky high.  She had to go back to eating carbs to get it down and now she's put back on 90 lbs.  I'm not strict with following the diabetic diet.  If I want a slice of cake (or chocolate biscuits), I'd jolly well have them - but only after I hit my protein, fruit, vegetable, dairy and grain quota.  And to be honest, by the time you eat all you're supposed to the extras just aren't as attractive because you're full.  

I don't rightly know the answer about estrogen production from adipose cells being causative for BC in younger women, but the fact remains that a high BMI and obesity both tend to give a poorer prognosis.  My oncologist gave me a kind lecture telling me that if I'd just lose 15 lbs that my chance of recurrence would lower by 20%.  So I did.  I find walking a lot to be my go to exercise, but if my bones ached, I might move to chair yoga.  Even chair stretching is better than nothing. 

I'm rooting for you tomorrow!  Hugs, Dottie 

Hiya,

I looked into this Letrozole/Oestrogen malarky when J was first found to be ER/PR+ after her menopause.

Basically there are 3 types of Oestogen produced by the body..

One Oestriol is mostly only produced via the placenta when pregnant - The other two are Oestradiol (the strongest oestrogen) which is produced by those of childbearing age mostly by the ovaries.

Post menopause it is Oestrone which is produced from adipose tissue (fat) cells and also by muscles and the adrenal glands.

If pre meno they give Tamoxifen because it affects the ovaries more efficiently than the AI's.

Post meno as they ovaries have shut down the AI's are the better option to control the oestrone - AI = Aromatase Inhibitor, aromatase is an enzyme which can also convert other hormones to oestrogen which is er' inhibited lol

There are 3 common forms of AI's Letrozole, Anastrozole and Exemestane (aromasin)

The image below if from a US site hence the missing O 

Oestrogen is like human WD40 that is why nearly all the side effects are from the lack of oestrogen (a feelgood hormone) the rest is down to tablet fillers and coatings that is why it helps to try to find the type and brand that suits you - as everyone is different...

Hope this helps a little  G n' J

Great explanation ! I knew about fat cells creating oestrogen but this makes it really clear.  I love the WD40 analogy too

hello Everyone on Letrozole.and thank you so much dreamthief for the info. I think you are right about th loss of oestrogen making us feel older and I didn't know it can come from fatty tissue.

.I have been on a roller coaster lately  with this drug, Not too bad on Accord, b ut worried when Cipla took it over and used the name

Recently I was accidentally given Teva because Accord was hard to source, and funnily, felt much better on it..more like my old self. so I decided to try it. By mistake I was then given something from Sun Pharmaceuticals with letrozole on the front.but.no name.     didn't notice for ten days but began to feel quite downand stiff, walking clumsily  with dreadful painful hands So back on Teva( on the box)when I realized they were different colour etc. andt feel better. Will stick with this for a while until I find out whether Accord, under Cipla, has altered

.. One major thing.   I ha've discovered. Pharmacists can be much more helpful than doctors...there may be some very good sympathetic doctors, but many take the view that the pills are all the same drug so get on with it. The worst thing is that a doctor with his own pharmacy may be watching his budget and refuse ,say, Accord because it costs more than Cipla.. I found a local pharmacy and when I said I wondered about the cost she said "its o.k. the NHS pays" so am not going to the doctor anymore.

.  Not too bad otherwise. Lost a lot of weight, down to 8st 6 (5ft 1") due to stress (and how much would two lost boobs weigh?) but gradually piling it on again because of a sugar craving.so must try to get sugar levels checked. .Diet is difficult because i am trying to avoid certain foods which contain Asparagine ( don't ask!. I must be the only idiot in our group who has taken Cambridge research into asparagine seriously).

Main thing:  We are all here! Let's stay like it as long as it takes....and share any info we have.

Love to all.

Hi calador

thank you for the info you have given, interesting!! Yea I feel as if iv aged with all the aches and pains since taking the letrozole but keep reminding myself it’s better to feel this way and stay alive, keep smiling

Sadly, I understand oestrogen is also manufactured by the body in muscle as well as fat tissue! Does one get stronger, does one stay a bit on the plump side? Ah well......

but yes, sticking to one brand does seem to help avoid the problems made by fillers, after all, 2.5mg is a VERY small amount, if that was the measurement of the tablet only I suspect we would have problems seeing it! 

I’m taking daily walks at present (courtesy of sons dog who is staying with us while they are away on holiday!) and although a bit of a bind in bad weather, with this sunny spell it’s keeping me motivated well. Not sure how Friday/onwards with rain will be (he hates it also!) 

hugs to all AI takers! xxx

 My brand has been Cipla, I’m aching in a morning with stiffness and waking in the night every few hrs. just opened my new batch and they are a different one Glenmark Pharmaceutical, is anyone on this brand? I’m not looking forward to taking a different brand.