Letrozole

Hi SMP  your post is completely appropriate. For some people letrozole has very few side effects, for others it is hell on earth. For me it was the latter. I took it for one year, and then my oncologist decided to change it to anastrozole. Still not brilliant, but for me it is a life long medication so I have no choice but to take it. I have a different cancer to you but it is hormone fed, so the treatment mirrors breast cancer treatment. if you click on my name you can read my story in my profile. 

Are you taking letrozole pre op to help shrink the tumour? If yes then I would suggest you carry on, but please do talk to your oncologist about how you are feeling! Don’t stop taking it until you have spoken to him. You won’t be the first one that he has had this discussion with, it is very unfortunate that you are having such horrid side effects. 

Thank you so much I m going to ring  breast nurse today and find out when my surgeon is back from Christmas and new year ( what a bad time to be waiting for results!). Then I can talk to her, I don’t think it’s to shrink the tumour it’s a holding brief while they find out what unknowns are in my body. I had biopsies in my right breast last week and a chest and abdomen scan. She was quite clear with me that until she knows the full extent of things, she does not want to operate . When I spoke to the Breast nurse she said I’d be taking Letrozole long term even after surgery but the way I’m feeling right now is that it will be pointless and frankly it’s stopping me be who I am!

good luck with your treatment. I will have a look at your profile. 
Susie 

Hi SMP , absolutely nothing wrong with your post. The great thing about this site is that we can say it as it is. I’m not a fan of the fight/ battle terminology as that’s not how I look at it, personally.

Re letrozole, definitely worth asking re alternative hormone treatments. I’m on Anastrozole and I don’t love it, in fact I retired early because of the side effects, but am able to enjoy retired life all the same. I don’t know why I’m on it rather than letrozole, it’s just what I was prescribed post op, in my case. 
Hope you get results soon and can discuss the way forward. Love and hugs, HFxx

I’m at the very start of my cancer treatment (I had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal 8 days ago). From what I keep reading I’m more terrified of having to take letrozole (which is what is being recommended) than the surgery itself. I’m obvs hoping they’ve got it all bit more surgery is an option.
I’m speaking to a nutritionalist in the morning just for an alternative view.

Your post really hit a chord with me. What’s the point of saving our lives if we can’t enjoy them… 

I’m sorry you’re experiencing such a rubbish time. Hopefully you will be offered an alternative that will make you feel a bit better x 

Hi, I’m on Anastrazole (aged 62) so not your age, but I can understand why you have written what you have. I was prescribed it in July 2021 for ten years. I literally became 112 years old within a few weeks. Terrible disabling pains in ankles, exhausted etc. I should say that I also had 5 months chemo prior to a mastectomy, and then 3 weeks radiotherapy. However, I have found that the side effects have eased tremendously in the last year, and so I am glad that I stuck with it. This is something that oncologists know can happen as the body adjusts. 
I respect your views about not having radiotherapy, but of all the treatments, this one was the easiest (for me). Most people nowadays only have a weeks treatment. I did get some short term fatigue about 3 weeks after (they tell you this can happen), but it soon passed. 
With respect to hormone treatment, there is also another tablet called Exemastene. I know someone who switched to that, and had no problems with it, but we are all different of course. 
Perhaps once you have all of your results, an informed chat with your surgeon and oncologist would be useful, discussing all the available options that you are happy to consider. Xx

Thank you! I do Hope you do well after your surgery. Letrozole affects different people in many ways. I spoke to the Breast nurse today and she asked me to pop into my surgery and do a stool test. Apparently I was second patient ringing today with the same symptoms. Apparently Norovirus  is rampant here in SW Scotland right now and she needs to ensure I have not got a bug. I can see my surgeon next week and she may change the oestrogen blocker I am using. 
Thank you so much for your reply. I have has really nice feedback from people. I don’t know your age but maybe at 75 I have a different attitude to treatment pathways. I know a brilliant herbalist and I plan to go to see her once my diagnosis is complete. Regards Susie 

Thank you! Such a full response! It’s such a strange time at the end of the year and solstice anyway and the waiting for results is frustrating.

My partner and daughters, I’m sure, want me tohave radiotherapy  and until I’m faced with all the results next week I can’t finally decide. 

Like others here I had five days of radiotherapy after two rounds of surgery and I have to say it was an absolute breeze. No side effects at all, other than perhaps an occasional feeling of slight  tightness if I reach back with my arm, and that goes away with a moment's massage.

I know everyone reacts differently, but just to tell you that it's possible to have, essentially, a completely painless and trouble-free experience.

Thank you! Good to know.