Letrozole

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December last year. In February this year I had a mastectomy and reconstruction.

I did not have chemo or radiation therapy (lucky me) as they had removed the cancer and there was no evidence of it having spread through my lymph nodes.

In March I was prescribed Letrozole by my oncologist but I have not,as yet, taken it as I have been researching the side effects and am very worried as I do not generally react well to tablets of any kind! Can anyone tell me if you can take Letrazole without side effects? Are they inevitable?  Does anyone know how many people in the UK take Letrozole? Has anyone got any advice about taking it? I know I should have already started the treatment as it will prevent the cancer coming back. Any advice would be most welcome. Thank you.

  • Hi

    I started this 3 weeks ago.  Apart from feeling that one of my eyes is a bit blurry, a bit headachey sometimes and feeling warm at night I don't think I feel any other side effects.  I know everyone reacts differently, couldnt you try them and see how you go? 

     

    Claire 

  •  

    Hi Sunny,

    Welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear of your cancer diagnosis. You were fortunate not to have chemo or radiotherapy. I had a lumpectomy 11 years ago and had a double mastectomy when I had a second bout the following year. I took Letrozole for 6 years after my bilateral mastectomy.

    You do not say what age you are, or what type, grade or stage of breast cancer you have. Some people do have problems with side-effects. If you experience any, it is always worth trying a Letrozole tablet from another manufacturer. Although some people do experience problems with side-effects, not everyone does.

    I agree with Mrs-Knee-Ball. It is certainly well worth trying Letrozole before you give up altogether. Like you, I didn't have chemo or radiotherapy. For the first year I took Tamoxifen, but that didn't work for me, when I deleloped another cancer within the year. If you had been offered chemo and/or radiotherapy, would you have taken them? Letrozole causes far fewer side-effects than these.

    With no further treatment, you are likely to have the cancer recurring. Is it wort allowing this to happen for fear of side-effects that might never happen? If you have problems with Letrozole there are other alternatives, but you do have to follow the advice of your consultant/oncologist.

    I do hope that you give Letrozole a try. If it's not for you, you can always change to another treatment or stop, but at least you will have tried.

    Do please let us know what you decide to do. It is always scary to have to make these choices, but you've got to give yoursef the best chance possible.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine

    Many thanks for your input. You are quite right of course. Without trying it I will never know if I'm going to get side effects. I will start it tomorrow. I was being negative and fearful and I'm very grateful for your common sense.

    Thank you again

     

    Sunny

     

     

     

     

  • Hi Claire

     

    Thank you very much!  Between you and Jolamine you have convinced me to be sensible and start taking the Letrozone. I intend to start tomorrow - I was being a wimp! Good to hear that you're not experiencing a lot of unwanted side effects. 

    Many thanks

     

    Sunny

  •  

    Hi Sunny,

    Starting any medication like this is always scary. If you haven't already done so, although I suspect that you have, try not to read about all the side-effects, as you're likely to get them by auto suggestion if you do.

    I'm so glad to hear that you are going to give it a try. With cancer treatment we cannot afford to be negative. The more positive you are the better your chances.

    Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx