Hi all,
I have been on letrozole since November. Initially the side effects were relatively manageable. Besides the obvious fatigue, there was increased bowel movements, dry eyes and mouth sores. The hospital prescribed a mouth wash which does help.
Then the arthritic pain kicked in and then the brain fog. Both the arthritic pain and the brain fog have intensified over the past 4 to 6 weeks. I started losing my car keys, I put the plastic crimpit case direct into the toaster and melted it (resulting In having to buy a new toaster), I have burnt numerous meals as I have forgotten food is in the oven, gone upstairs where I can't hear the buzzer, and only realised once the smell of burning made its way upstairs. I don't feel like myself anymore and I don't like myself for it.
But it is the arthritic pain that is the worst. I can't lift my arms up without terrible pain. I struggle to put tops, cardigans, coats on. I am in pain when I lie down on either side but can't sleep on my back.
So the BC nurse advised I stop taking the tablets for 2 weeks to see if the symptoms reduce. I am concerned that if it has taken 9 months for the side effects to build up how could stopping for such a short time give my body a chance to show whether symptoms reduce. I have also been worried as to whether stopping taking the tablets for a period of time gives the cancer an opening to jump back in. I know logically we wouldn't be advised by the BCN to stop taking it if there were any risk but psychologically I am struggling with this. As I know that, if the cancer comes back, I shall wonder if stopping taking the letrozole for those 2 weeks, was the reason and blame myself.
The pharmacist advised me against stopping and told me I should speak with the oncologist but getting an appointment is proving difficult. I shall try to speak with her secretary this week.
Have other people stopped taking letrozole? Did the symptoms reduce? Did you successfully change to another medication or did you persist with letrozole?
