Hi GoonerGirl,

Some people don't have any problems with Letrozole, but there are some fairly common side-effects for others. If you have any side-effects it is best to talk to your breast care nurse or GP for advice. Letrozole can cause increased sweating. This can be helped by certain mild anti-depressants, or something like Clonidine, which are available on prescription. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches and constipation or diarrhoea can also be a problem and there are medicines to treat these. We can also have an increase in appetite, which can lead to weight gain, so it is worth being aware of this from the outset and controlling your diet. Rashes or dry skin can be controlled or helped with various creams and emollients. Arthralgia and musculoskeletal pain can be helped by exercise, pain management clinics, or self-help groups and can be eased with anti-inflammatories and pain killers. Osteoporosis and fractures, seek medical help. Depression can be helped by exercise, social activities, self-help groups and prescribed medication. Alopecia can sometimes be helped with certain shampoos to increase hair growth. Coronary, eye, urinary, joint and memory problems, all need the input of a suitable medical practitioner or surgeon. Fatigue can also be an issue and you just have to allow yourself the necessary rest periods and again, exercise can help. Dry mouth and mucosa - there are sprays or pastilles, which you can use to increase saliva in the mouth.

This is just a quick run through of some of the potential problems and their fixes. I am not a doctor, so am not advocating any of these. These were some of the fixes I used and some were more successful than others. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi again,

I forgot to mention that some people have problems with different manufacturers of Letrozole. I stuck to the one brand, after the first few months and this helped. If it doesn't agree with you when you take it in the morning, take it in the evening instead. Mentioning a list of side-effects is not always a good idea, as few people will get many of these. I sometimes feel that just by mentioning them, there is an element of auto-suggestion.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

That’s useful to know, about the different brands. 
I took my tablet this morning but will try the evening if need be. I’ve got myself one of those tablet organiser things- I’ve always thought they were for old people!! Haha ! xx

Hi GoonerGirl,

I used to think that they were for old people too - now I can't find one big enough to take all my tablets. Give yourself time to try Letrozole in the mornings first of all. If you're having trouble with it then try the evenings instead.  I sincerely hope that you are one of the lucky ones and that it turns out well for you.

Kind Regards,

Jolamine xx

Two weeks in. Yesterday was the worst day on it. Got a headache all the back of my head paining. Too Nurofen it just filled it a bit. Then bawled my eyes out last night. . Pains in back. Have urinary tract infection too, back ache terrible. It feels like all my old injuries have flared up. I don’t know what to do. 

Hi MaisieP,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with Letrozole too. The side-effects sometimes settle when you have been taking it for a few weeks. You say that you have an UTI at the moment too - this will also make you feel pretty low. Can I ask how you got your previous injuries and what they were? Try to persevere for a little longer, then have a chat with your breast care nurse if you are still suffering. You can try some of the suggestions above. If not there are alternative hormone therapies, but almost all cause some sort of side-effect.

I had 2 bouts of breast cancer within a year of each other. I took Tamoxifen for the first year and Letrozole for the following 5½ years. I had a number of nasty side-effects, but I'm glad that I persevered, as it is now 15 years since I was first diagnosed. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi MaisieP,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with Letrozole too. The side-effects sometimes settle when you have been taking it for a few weeks. You say that you have an UTI at the moment too - this will also make you feel pretty low. Can I ask how you got your previous injuries and what they were? Try to persevere for a little longer, then have a chat with your breast care nurse if you are still suffering. You can try some of the suggestions above. If not there are alternative hormone therapies, but almost all cause some sort of side-effect.

I had 2 bouts of breast cancer within a year of each other. I took Tamoxifen for the first year and Letrozole for the following 5½ years. I had a number of nasty side-effects, but I'm glad that I persevered, as it is now 15 years since I was first diagnosed. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx