Letrozole for 9 months

Hi, 

I have been on Letrozole since November and am feeling very sluggish and tired all the time but unsure if it was the after effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy which all finished beginning of December.  I was hoping this would improve over time.  My Consultant told me that you can try alternatives to Letrozole if side effects are troublesome, so you could perhaps ask about that, as it has been 9 months for you.  I also was fit, I am 55, I used to jog, but can’t imagine being able to do that at the moment.  I am hoping things will improve, hoping they improve for you to. Xx

Hi

Thanks for your response and sorry to hear you had chemo and radiotherapy.  I was lucky that was told I didn't have to have either. I'll raise the side affects when I have my annual review ( obvs worried about that too!). Lack of energy etc not great eh? 

Hi 

I have only been on Letrozole 3 weeks am 64 and was fit used to walk a lot every day.. am tired but am having radiotherapy at the moment 

Hi,  

After my lumpectomy in April last year I was put on Letrozole and I too suffered from fatigue, terrible night sweats, poor sleep and slight swelling all down my right side.  In October I saw my Consultant and mentioned everything to him. He took me off Letrozole and put me on Anastrozole 1mg.  Things did improve regarding sleeping.  I tend to wake after 2 hours and sometimes I have difficulty getting back to sleep and other times I go straight back over. I was never 100% fit but 5 years ago I did the Race for Life without problem. I live on my own in a small 2 bed bungalow and it takes me all week now just to clean.  I am 70 years young this year.   Maybe ask your consultant about the Anastrozole, it does seem to suit me.   Hope things improve for you soon, take care.xx

I also had my lumpectomy last May so very similar as also 70 yo. I will definitely ask about changing the AI. Thanks very much for that. I’m getting my first Dexa scan next week and hoping bone density not too bad as I seem to be getting a lot of joint creaking and clicking. Are you getting an annual mammogram and review? Thanks again

For me I've been like this for a few yrs, now 66 yrs young as you call it. I like to exercise and dance, not so much for the last 2 + mths. I've just started Letrozole 3 days ago. I feel some of the fatigue is about having cancer and all that goes with it. Shock disbelief, the whole grief cycle. Letrozole adds to it and symptoms obviously, I can only speak for myself. I used to fall asleep in the sofa after work. Giving is draining when one does it all day long at work I mean. 

I choose what to do on a daily basis physically. I have been dancing and to the gym but didn't push it after that. It was an achievement, I was so fatigued after the 2 nd time I danced, my husband tught something was wrong. I'm not going to accept it. Dog walking and gardening, but I pace myself and sometimes only get out of bed at 11 am. I'm no saint I'm just saying choose how you use your engy. If I stay in all day, it feel dreadful. Xx

Ps my knees aren't great and I already have osteoporosis. I saw a physio who gave me exercises for the knees. Important to build the muscles up to support the knee. Hope everyone gets better in the summer, easier to get out. 

I'm on exemestane and 18 months in and I was still an insomniac. I tried lots of sleep things, some worked better than others but didn't really last. 

I asked for help for mood swings and my GP prescribed me a low dose anti-depressant. I'm finally sleeping again, and although I still wake in the night (I always did, even pre-diagnosis), I'm not lying awake for hours when I wake. And I fall asleep quickly now too.

I just feel a little bit more like me again, mood swings have gone and hot flushes and night sweats have significantly improved too.

Absolutely the worst part about it, it’s difficult to describe to others how exhausted you actually feel.  Wishing you all the best for your future and recovery. Xx