***OESTROGEN-REDUCING MEDICATIONS***

moocow I will do, thank you  

Hi, I take quite a few tablets at night but not much in the morning, so added them to my morning ones. It didn’t seem to make a difference….

hugs xxx

Thanks moomy  I’m guessing it might be trial and error x 

Hi, Ive had letrozole since my op in March. Some hot flushes at night but otherwise fine.

I was really worried before taking them as Id been on hrt and had read other peoples bad experiences. I started right after op and before radiotherapy.

I take it in the morning but you can chose what suits you. There is other medication if you cant tolerate it .

Its hard not to worry but most people are fine xx

I have been on Letrozole two months now, and it seems the joint and muscle pain have become worse, after sitting down a little while its so painful to get up, I also get dry eyes, and dry throat too, I feel I have aged by at least 10 years I am 61. Since started Chemo and the Radiation Therapy, and then Letrozole my sleep is all but diminished, I snatch 1.5 hours in one session then wake toss and turn to sleep again, the brain is so active thinking all sorts of irrelevant nonsense. I feel so irritable and cannot tolerate a lot of things as I used to do. I get heat surges build up (hot flushes?) and they disperse after a while. I will ask the GP to change brand but not sure which one, as I have been reading here each one has its own problems. But I may ask for Tamoxifen. I dont know if I should keep on with Letrozole for a little while longer, any advice please?

I started Letrozole after operation and was having major problems but found out that some of it was down to lymhoedema. I changed to Exemestane which was much worse with diarrhoea constantly so went back to Letrozole. After a few months the side effects became more tolerable and a year on I have no real problem. I take them early morning and have Accord brand which is generally better.

Hope this helps as it isn't an easy choice. Take care and keep looking forward.

Hi Sam

I’ve been on Letrozole for 6 months now ( had 3 different brands in that time- Accord best for me so I plan to request just that if possible)

My joints are stiffer than they were and I have a dry mouth and inside of my nostrils. 

 Some things I’ve found to help are taking loretadine non-drowsy antihistamine each day (reduces the inflammation response apparently ) Plus a good magnesium supplement ( I use Solgar Magnesium Citrate - another type was not as effective) which helps with joints and sleep.

I’ve also succumbed to using Sominex when the sleep deprivation gets too much - you can get it over the counter.

Tamoxifen comes with its own joys but I believe it’s not as good for postmeno women 

Hope that gives you some help

x

I've been on Letrzole since December, after trying Tamoxifen, which didn't suit me (terrible hot sweats). The first couple on months were terrible, but I've gradually got better. Things I've found work are:

1. A fan (MEACO is almost silent) on me at night

2. B complex tablets to help with my energy levels (my B12 was low)

3. Fitbit (or similar) to try to get my steps up so that my joints don't stiffen-up so much (although I've found my knees are totally knackered now). I also wear Berkenstocks to help support my feet, which has helped a lot

4. Drinking plenty of water - I try to track this on an app so I don't forget to drink (I get very dizzy if I'm dehydrated)

5. Anti-depressant - Venlafaxine - my oncologist recommended this as there are studies that show is works well with Letrozole. It reduces my anxiety, which means I sleep better, and when I am feeling 110 years old (I'm 57) I can smile through the bad days.

I hope that helps. x

Hi, I started on letrozole but it gave me bad headaches which I couldn't tolerate, especially as I work in a school.

I was switched to anastrozole, no headaches but joint pain and  foot pain even after nearly 3 years on it.

The worst is the effect on my personal life, I've been married 32 years but now with the hormone blocker it has affected my intimate side of it.

I've tried various creams and have steroid cream too but to not much difference.

Anyone else had more vaginal problems, any advice x

Breast17 do you have Instagram? Girlvscanecer have put together a podcast series on there with advice looking at the intimacy side of things with tips to help. One of the products mentioned is yes 

https://www.instagram.com/girlvscancer/channel/

https://www.yesyesyes.org/why-yes/guaranteed-pure/?currency=GBP&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&msclkid=94db32f037991f4e01a6523ecec07180&utm_campaign=1%20UK%20YES%20Branded%20BUY&utm_term=yes%20organic&utm_content=Yes%20Organic