Hormone therapy

Hi Caryn. I had a stage 2 invasive ductal cancer last year. My experience with Letrozole wasn't good. I had several side effects and came off it three months after starting it. They wanted me to start another tablet but I declined. Letrozole works for a lot of people and I hope it works foe you.

Hi I’ve only just started it but I am osteopenia so I’m concerned about my bones becoming thinner. Let alone all the other side effects! 

I am Osteopenic as well. I have a good amount of calcium in my diet. So my gp has put me on vitamin D supplements only. I went through menopause early at 38 and did HRT until I was 50. I am 60 tomorrow and doing ok without letrozole

I've been on Letrozole for about 18 months. About six weeks in the side effects hit me hard. The night sweats were worst - I would wake up in the wee small hours and not be able to get back to sleep. The lack of sleep left me feeling dazed and not able to function. My consultant prescribed Venlafaxine which is used for women who can't have HRT. It's certainly helped with the night sweats, but - as it has an anit-depressant - I'm concerned it's masking other emotions which I perhaps haven't dealt with yet. I have other side effects. The worst at the moment is joint pain, particularly in my fingers. It's on my 'to do' list to call my BCN to discuss this as it's starting to really impact on my life (eg holding a pen - my fingers spasmed and it shot across the room, fortunately without hitting anyone!). Some people don't suffer with that type of side effect.

I had grade one cancer in left side which required a mastectomy but hadn't spread, thankfully, and a lumpectomy in the other side. I was grateful for that, and to know there was something that would reduce the risk of a recurrence. 

There is another thread which focuses on Letrozole - I don't know if you've found it yet.

Good luck!

Diane.

Hi

i had surgery July 2022 for grade 2 IDC which had spread to 1 lymph node under my arm. To be sure they cleared all nodes under there . 
I had radiotherapy in September and have been on Letrozole now for 6 months . The side effects were not good to start with but have settled down and are bearable . I am 70 years old and believe Letrozole is my best option for hopefully preventing the cancer from recurring. I know nothing is certain but that is what I decided to do . I was also on a daily bisphosponate but have had to come off those 3 weeks ago due too bad side effects . I have to discuss with the BCN to discuss alternative medication. 
I promised myself I would give all medication a few months trial to convince myself I was doing everything possible to prevent reoccurrence. 
it’s a very personal choice but remember that some people are lucky enough to not have uncomfortable side effects therefore I would suggest giving it a trial run. 
take care and I hope you can come to a decision you are comfortable with.

nannaJ