HELP!!! ZOLADEX AND LETROZOLE

Hi. I am sure someone will come along to totally answer your question. Try not to panic too much. I am 74, I too had HER2 positive and went through chemo then a bilateral mastectomy and radiotherapy. Then Herceptin and am now on Letrozole. I started my treatments in April 2019 and finished just before Christmas 2019. That's when I started the Letrozole. Obviously being a lot older than you and definitely post menopausal!!!! Zoladex was not appropriate for me, so I cannot give any advice on the effects of having both, but if your oncologist is prescribing both for you, I am sure they wouldn't do that if you were going to get a lot of problems with them . Like you I found the chemo very tough indeed. I have been taking Letrozole since December 2019, and I do have some side effects, but so far touch wood I have found them manageable. Nothing like chemo if that helps. I do get a bit achy and tired, but that's probably my age as well. My mind is 20yrs my body 74...I do have peripheral neuropathy in my feet and hands, but that was from the chemo, which bothers me a lot more than the Letrozole.. So take heart, talk to your breast nurses or your oncologist about your concerns. You have probably googled the side effects and scared yourself silly. We all do it. If you do get any side effects that that really trouble you they are so good they will adjust any treatments to help.

All the very best to you, keep strong, it's nothing comparable to chemo....xxxx

Hi

I’m  49 and was peri menopausal pre treatment. The Goserelin is very easy ( the only nuisance is having to go for the implants at rigid four week intervals ). My menopause symptoms haven’t been too bad at all and Letrozole hasn’t been as bad as I feared. I am stiffer first thing in the morning but nothing that is an issue. I am taking magnesium and tart cherry extract as I’d read it can help with the joint/bone issue as well as a daily loretadine antihistamine- I don’t know if this is why I’m not having many issues but whatever!

Hi Mollusc

Can I just ask if you are also on Herceptin and Pertuzumab?

Hi Emma

no, just the Goserelin, Letrozole and bisphosphonate. I was HER- and no node involvement 

Michelle xx

Ok thanks for your reply I am HER2 positive and 2 nodes where cancerous too so need to endure the side effects for these extra meds. My mastectomy incision opened up wide again after radiotherapy and its still not healed.  I'll address all this tomorrow as its getting me down.  Thanks for the info.  

I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such a rough time. I’m not surprised it’s getting you down 

take care xx