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

Hi Jammer, I took Letrozole for 10 years. Advice from my oncologist was to stop after 10 years,  so I stopped last May. I’ve been off Letrozole now for 1 year and joints still painful and stiff. After 9 years on Letrozole I broke both my hands and my left ankle separately in the space of 18 months. I feel like my bones are so weak despite regular bone density scans and 10 years of Invita D3 tablets. My bones and joints are so stiff and painful but I’ve just learned to live with it as I wanted to fight the cancer in the best way I could. I’m 65 now and for the last 11 years Ive felt like I am 95! I don’t know what to say to you as I don’t think there’s anything that can make the side effects of this drug any better. The only thing I found was that some brands did make the side effects worse than others so it might be worth seeing if different brands are any better? I think some of the medical profession are finally admitting that this drug can cause horrible side effects. I remember back in 2011 when I started taking Letrozole and started to have bone and joint stiffness and feel like I was 95, my oncologist said “maybe it’s because you’re getting older?” It’s funny too as in all those years of suffering it has always been my ankles, hands and wrists where I’ve had the most pain and that’s where I’ve since had broken bones! Strange coincidence? Sorry I can’t be more helpful but you will get through it and you will find what’s right for you. Good luck and take care x

Hi, have you ever tried sunphama  brand, I'm on cipla, but have tried accord and manx, none are good, but having problems getting cipla brand, so will have to try a new brand.

Thankyou for  your story, it sounds pretty much similar to my own. A nightmare. 

Thanks

• Hi, It’s interesting that you mention Cipla brand as they were the only ones that I felt caused slightly less side effects. My GP used to put Cipla brand on my prescription but like you say it was very difficult to get hold of and I also found that many people on here said that they couldn’t get on with Cipla! It’s strange I think it’s different for everyone and you just have to find one that half way suits you! Yes I have tried sunpharma along with most other brands but none of them helped with the side effects. The last brand I was using was Glenmark which were horrible too. Have you tried asking your Gp to prescribe Femara? I know most won’t prescribe it as it’s too expensive,  but it might be worth a try? Mine wouldn’t prescribe it so I can’t say if it is any better. I know that many Gp’s think these drugs are all the same but I know from experience they’re not! After discussions with many pharmacists on the subject I think the consensus is that it’s the coatings of the tablets that might be the reason for the different reactions to different brands? It’s very hard I know and everyone has to weigh up the pros and cons of taking it. I am glad that I persevered for 10 years as I feel I’ve given myself the best chance if it not coming back. If it does at least I can say I tried!

All the best let us know how you go.

x

Hi

first of all I was put on anastrozol had really bad reaction I am now on lextrazol but am taking it every other day so far ok

I have been on Letrozole for 4 years now. I do ache quite a lot, but again, it could be age as I am 68 now. I'm a bit concerned about possibly coming off it next year as I believe it is only prescribed for 5 years??

Why,? you should  be taking  it every day. 

I take mine every day.

I took it every day for 10 years. Finished taking it 2 years ago

My oncologist said as I had a bad reaction on anastrozol take lexotrol everyother day and then see how you go she is checking on me in early December

Hi everybody.  Since I started treatment in March this year, I've been doing not too badly with the aches and pains of Letrozole.  Feeling cold now that winter is here though, seems to be encouraging the aches.  I'm thinking of adding calcium tablets to my daily concoction, as my surgeon didn't prescribe it (which surprises me now).    However, I don't know which brand to try, or how much to take.    What are you all taking, calcium-wise? 

My GP has prescribed Strivit as I can’t get on with the chalky type of tablets that you have to suck.