Letrozole hair loss?

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Hi all,

Been on Letrozole for 2 months now, brand Cipla, although my new prescription seems to be Sun. Feel zombie-ish, very anxious, but not too much joint pain, I have OA in both knees very badly, so I guess I am used to a certain amount of pain anyway. I have noticed, however, in the last week or so, that I am getting some hair coming out, in my comb, on my clothes, my desk, the carpet etc. I had a phone appointment last week with my after care breast care nurse. where we discussed everything so far, and what I could expect, i.e mammograms, going forward. 1 a year for five years, that's fine.

She did stress that it's a personal choice whether to take the hormone meds, and if I was worried by the side effects, I could ring them and they would arrange a break, so I could see if it was the meds giving the side effects. Obviously it is. Does anyone else have experience of hair loss on these meds? Any idea of how to stop it at least, if not do something to reverse it?

Best to all.

Hopeful Barb over 2 years ago

Hello Polgara, Yes yes to hair thinning and shedding. Seems like mine started soon after I found out I had breast cancer and I stopped Hormone replacement therapy . I expected some loss from the sudden stopping of estrogen but it was a lot. Seemed to quiet down but then started on Anastrazole and again more shedding. My hair has always been very thick and coarse but I notice the loss. I wash my hair twice a week and am gentle with it but still coming out. I read can use minoxidil for it but that only works while using and when you stop goes back to looking thinner.
I heard on one of the breast cancer symposiums that I saw on YouTube you can take the Aromatase inhibitors 9 months out of the year and not have decreased effectiveness. This is for those who are having symptoms that are becoming more intolerable. I would not do it without checking with medical oncologist though as I am sure they know about the studies.
Barbara

Barbara

zephyr over 2 years ago

It can happen as normally the oestrogen counterbalances our testosterone. For some of us the lack of oestrogen means that we get testosterone induced hair thinning. Mine is balding at the temples and much thinner along the hair line above my forehead. I hadn't noticed shedding, but some people do. There are women's versions of hair loss mousse, but I don't know how safe they are for breast cancer patients

Polgara over 2 years ago in reply to Hopeful Barb

Hello Barbara,

Thanks for that, so you were on Hormone replacement therapy when you found you had breast cancer, and so stopped it. Is that correct? Interesting. I first had breast cancer in 1990, I had no hair loss at the time (just lumpectomy and radiotherapy) but 10 years later my hair just started throwing itself off my head. No reason according to blood tests so must have been stress related. Like you, I had really thick hair and I think I lost probably at least half. Settled down after about a year but it never regained the condition. So I've already been through it once. What with the drug making me feel exhausted, tired, and having gained weight since starting it, and now losing hair I am questioning if, if I have another 5 years (I'm 60), do I want to spend them as an obese bald zombie? Or take my chances, having regular mammograms and check ups, and feeling relatively normal. Will speak with my breast care nurse next week about a break.

Take care.

Hopeful Barb over 2 years ago in reply to Polgara

Hello, yes I was on HRT when diagnosed and had been on it since I was 55. Diagnosed at 72. With the HRT being stopped, 2 surgeries and the radiation I was emotionally a wreck. Noticed hair shedding when I shampooed and combed my hair. I read that it could be telogen effluvium which can happen with menopause and stress etc. it is not supposed to be permanent hair loss.
Think positive as you are only 60 and there are a lot of good years for you. I think a break from the drug would help you. I understand that you just want to stop it and feel better and it is a tough decision. You have a great sense of humor too and I think that comes even more so in our wiser years.
Take care too.
Barbara

Barbara

mole35 over 2 years ago in reply to Polgara

Just posted this on the estrogen experiences thread but thought it may be partially relevant to your situation.

I had surgery late 2020 and then 3 weeks radiotherapy.

I have been on Anastrozole for around 2 years and for the first 18 months or so I didn't have any side effects that I couldn't cope with. However for the past few months I have had *extreme* fatigue, very bad joints and depression and lack of any positivity in my life.

I was told to take Anastrozole for 10 years but as I am 77, the thought of feeling so bad, for what may be the rest of my life, isn't really something I can cope with. I stopped taking it about 4 weeks ago and have to say that my mood has lifted, I feel positive, the debilitating fatigue has gone and my joints are what I consider normal for my age.

I did check with the Predict Tool on NHS website and it gave me a risk factor, on surgery alone, as 4%. Taking into account both this and my age I have decided to stop taking it for at least the foreseeable future.

Hope my experience may help others.

Best wishes to all xx

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Letrozole hair loss?