Hi Ellen,

A very warm welcome to our community, although I'm sorry for the reason that you've joined.

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer 9 years ago, when I had a lumpectomy and started taking Tamoxifen. A year later I discovered another lump in the same breast. It turned out to be the same type of cancer. I had a double mastectomy this time and, started taking Letrozole, as my consultant said that it was obvious that Tamoxifen hadn't worked for me.

I had a number of side-effects with Tamoxifen and, initially found that those caused by Letrozole were similar. However, I  have had more problems with my joints. I have since had both knees replaced and still have pain in my arms, shoulder, neck and back, but hey, I'm still here, so I consider this a small price to pay.

If you are considering not taking your new medication, have you considered how you would feel if your cancer reappeared or spread, because you weren't taking your medication? By then it could be too late for any medication to be effective.

Why not try out the new meds first and see how they affect you? Some people don't experience any joint pain with these drugs. I must confess that I was fairly arthritic before I started treatment, so it's difficult to tell whether this is a natural progression for me, or whether it has worsened as a result of the medication.

Whatever you decide has got to be the right decision for you.  Write down a list of questions before your next appointment. Talk things through with your consultant, ask all the necessary questions and then come up with a well informed decision.

I sincerely hope that you reach the right decision for you. Do please update us when you decide what you are going to do. We are always here for you.

Kind Regards,

Jolamine xx