Prickly / creeping skin / night sweats - letrozole

Hi c22

I was on letrozole but now on exemestane. Many side effects the same. I am mid 70,s and get more hot flushes than when going through menopause. Fortunately no sweats. I do get odd unpleasant, uncomfortable prickly type e sessions before a hot flush, mainly but not totally in the groin area. Never had this when going through the menopause. No idea why I get it. It happens once or twice in every 24 hours  during the day or night. Fortunately it is short lived, maybe 5 minutes. But not comfortable at all.

Yes I get sore feet when I get out of bed to go to the loo or on rising. . I put my feet problem down to post chemo effect, lingering peripheral neuropathy and to joint pain in feet also old ankle injury. Depletion of estrogen just ages you. 

Sorry I have found silk sheets and pillow cases ( my chemo treat to myself) help. Amazon probably cheapest venue for expensive item.Also have you tried a cool pillow? I have soft spongy soled sandals next to my bed that I slip on before standing x

Hi Rozalia

have you found the Exemestane has affected your mood such as low mood, no interest in things etc.  my mum suffering at the mo with this and also mood swings.

thank you 

Hi

Not particularly, although I suppose I do have periods of being quite low, but I generally link this to specific causes. Some of the causes are linked to the effects of the medication eg the initial weight gained, the stiff joints and increased arthritis, dry skin, and the feeling I've aged 10 years but I don't think I have experienced that awful almost clinical depression that some people get on the exemestane or the other aromatase inhibitors. When following chemo and my double mastectomy I on hearing that I was now cancer-free did not make me jump up and down with the joy exhibited by my family. Yes of course I was glad but there was also an unreal feeling and also a residue of fear. In fact the residue of fear was probably worse then than previously. During diagnosis and treatment I never really expected not to survive so this was a kind of strange feeling and of course it is not what other people including family expect you to feel. I hope that makes some sense. I must admit to having a lingering although not overwhelming fear to this day, post 5 years since diagnosis. However mixed in with this was also elation and so much love for my family especially my daughter, who came to all my appointments and to my husband who looked after me. I felt cherished and helped by so many people family and strangers.  If you have a Macmillan centre near you I would recommend that you and your mum go along and talk to the nurses there, they have seen everything and I know there are support groups. 

I do think as well that moodiness and low spirits is not to be unexpected, hormone disruption does this. Memo pause is famous for making women moody and even to this day I remember feeling weepy for no reason just before a period. I don't know how old your mum is but I was 69 when diagnosed and I am having hot flushes in my 70s!!!!  It is also possible that I am not fully remembering what it was like when I first went on the anti-oestrogen meds and my moodiness and low periods have settled. 

I am glad your mum has you, I was certainly glad to have my daughter there for me .

xxx