Starting Letrozole & Zoladex

Ugh, starting zoladex was a bit of a shock to the system but it absolutely gets better with time.

Things that helped me:

Coolmax gel pillow. Get 2 because they absorb your heat so need to cool down again. 

Bedside table fan

Sheet to use under duvet - I wish I'd done this one sooner as the hot then cold then hot then cold keeps you awake, but if you can push your duvet off but keep a sheet over you, then it allows a more even cooling down.

Acupuncture really helped the anxiety that not o ly came with each got flush initially (like a panic attack) but also the anxiety when you go to bed and can't stop your mind from racing.

I tried sage tablets and CBD oil at different times but don't think they helped much

I have been wearing one of those antisickness pressure point bands but on a pressure point further down your wrist which is supposed to be good for hot flushes. I think that does help a bit. 

I use a vaginal moisturiser. I got regelle from my GP but now buy Active Balance menopause and use a few times a week. That one has made a big difference to comfort levels! 

I'm 2 years since starting zoledex and about 19 Mo this since starting exemestane. What I found was that as my hot flushes started to ease, I realised I also had mood swings and wasn't really feeling like me so I have recently started a low dose antidepressant and find they are really helping me with even mood - I am no longer feeling low, and I don't have those awful flashes of anger any more. 

I do find the fatigue a bit challenging at times but it makes you focus on the things you want to do and cut out everything else. I simply don't have the energy for everything any more so pace myself. 

I started zoladex during chemo so think it was even more intense but a sudden menopause is a bit of a shock no matter when it happens. 

It really does get better and more manageable as time goes on but be kind to yourself. It's a big deal, but a necessary evil to keep us cancer free and we all need to go through the menopause anyway - at least you will know this is definitely what it is!! 

I've been on both zoladex and letrozole for about 5 months now. What beatthebreast said is absolutely right, sheet under duvet and fan at the side of the bed definitely help. The hot flushes can be overwhelming but I also carry a rechargeable hand held fan which is brilliant. If i feel one starting it really helps. I do get all the aches and pains as well and headache at times so I take paracetamol for that. The fatigue comes and goes so when i need to rest i rest but when i feel energetic i make the most of it. The side effects aren't good but I've learned to live with them the best I can. 

Thank you so much for your advice it is very helpful

I know it is going to be a bit tough for a while but agree it’s the price we pay to keep cancer at bay

I bought a fan that goes around my neck looks like a set of headphones and you can turn on and off as required! 

Your oncologist can prescribe medication to help address hot flushes associated with letrozole. I’ve been taking oxybutynin since September and it has had such a remarkable impact. I still get a couple of hot flushes a day but this is nothing compared to the 20+ per day I was having. The sweating has also gone - I don’t need to use my cool gel pillows or fans now. Good luck with your treatment. 

Hi, to give you a little bit of a different perspective, I've been on letrozole for over a year and Zometa 6 monthly infusions. No hot flushes (unless I've been drinking red wine) and some minor aches and pains that quickly go away if I do enough exercise, I feel very fortunate and hope your side effects are minimal 

Hi Irishgirl16, I don't want to be doom laden, but I think it's the zoladex putting you into a sudden menopause that makes everything so intense, rather than the letrozole (or exemestane in my case). Assume you were post-menopausal so no need for the zoladex? The zoladex stops your ovaries working, which isn't much fun when it happens so quickly.

Yes, I was post menopausal, so that would make more sense, thanks for explaining. Best wishes to all of you going through this.

That's fabulous wish that was me, xould cope with that xx 

Hi I was just taking letrozole and was crippled by its side effects x I came off 2 weeks ago and the difference is massive already so definitely the leteozole for me xx. Nit sure what to do after this break got a meet up with the girls at Maggies this week to discuss