Have you read the information leaflet that comes with Letrozole? This describes all fairly clearly. Have you started taking this medication yet or are you having some side-effects?
I am sorry to hear that the Letrozole is making you ill. Can you tell us in what way it is making you ill? This might help us to give you some advice. If you are really having trouble with this drug, please mention it to your specialist nurse or consultant, as there are other drugs that can be prescribed.
The tablet was giving me headaches and made me feel sick, aching all over, the consultant told me leave it off for 3 weeks and go back on it, I did ask her to change it, for some reason she reluctant, Carol.xx
I've been taking it for a few months now. I had hot flushes and sweating, some sickness and loss of appetite and also tiredness. I have a nap to make up for the loss of sleep and I take it in the morning, because I find it easier to deal with any problems while I'm distracted with other things. Breakfast tends to be toast, very lightly buttered, and some fruit, and that helps with the sickness.The problems have eased (or I've got used to them) as time's gone on. I didn't have headaches though and I think that would concern me. Gill xx
I am so sorry to hear of the side-effects that you are experiencing. Some people have a number of side-effects, while others seem to sail through with none. Have you gone back on Letrozole after being off it for 3 weeks yet? I suspect that your consultant is reluctant to change the medication, as all of the hormone therapies can have similar side-effects, with some side-effects more specific to a particular medication than others.
I took Tamoxifen for the first year after diagnosis, but was diagnosed with pre-cancer in the other breast 5 months after my initial diagnosis and a second bout of breast cancer in the original breast within the year. At this point I had a double mastectomy and changed to Letrozole, which I took for a further 6½ years. I did have a number of side-effects, but I managed to stick it out to the end of my course. It was a hard slog, but it has given me 16 additional years to see my family reach many of their milestones and, for that, I am extremely grateful.
Have you tried taking your tablet in the evening instead of the morning? I notice that the nurses have advised this to a number of people, who are having problems. They have also advised that side-effects should lessen after you've been taking the medication for a while. Have you considered taking an anti-nausea drug to combat this particular effect?
If you continue to have problems with this drug, do discuss it with your care team. Your specialist nurse may also be able to give you some helpful suggestions on how to deal with these.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
Don't let the reports of side-effects scare you. Some people get them, while others never do. The only way you'll discover which camp you lie in, is to try it for yourself and hopefully, you'll be one of the lucky ones!
Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
