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Side Effects of Letrozole

lynnea56
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Hi,

My name is Lynne and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2024 and I was prescribed with Letrozole. I have been taken the medication with mild side effects up until last month, when the hot flushes and cold shivers become unbearable at times and I have had real trouble sleeping ever since.

I am also on anxiety medication but my anxiety levels have also increased at the time, leading to me struggling to cope with the side effects and the exhaustion.

I have had numerous tests at the hospital, who have ruled out anything else causing this including kidney function.

I was hoping that by reaching out on here, there would be someone who has experienced similar to this before and could maybe give some advice for something that helped these symptoms? Or maybe just to see if the side effects did eventually ease? I know that everyone’s journey is different, but I am struggling to cope at the moment so wanted to reach out.

Thank you

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    Hi Lynne,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear that you are suffering so much with the side-effects of Letrozole. The side-effects you mention are fairly common ones, but it is worth trying to persevere with these. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. First time around, I had a lumpectomy and followed that by taking Tamoxifen for a year. At this stage, I found a second cancer in the same breast. I had a double mastectomy and took Letrozole for 6½ years. I had a number of side effects, as well as the ones you mentioned, but this treatment has given me an extra 14 years so far. As a result, I would certainly do it all again, if I had to.

    Have you spoken to your specialist breast care nurse? She could prescribe medication to reduce the hot flushes, which in turn, should reduce the cold sweats. Mention the increase in your anxiety levels too, as you may need to have your anti-depressants tweaked. 

    Some people find it easier to take their Letrozole at night, instead of in the morning. This might also help. Some people do find that the effects settle down eventually. Unfortunately, for me, they lasted right through.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    Hi Lynne,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear that you are suffering so much with the side-effects of Letrozole. The side-effects you mention are fairly common ones, but it is worth trying to persevere with these. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. First time around, I had a lumpectomy and followed that by taking Tamoxifen for a year. At this stage, I found a second cancer in the same breast. I had a double mastectomy and took Letrozole for 6½ years. I had a number of side effects, as well as the ones you mentioned, but this treatment has given me an extra 14 years so far. As a result, I would certainly do it all again, if I had to.

    Have you spoken to your specialist breast care nurse? She could prescribe medication to reduce the hot flushes, which in turn, should reduce the cold sweats. Mention the increase in your anxiety levels too, as you may need to have your anti-depressants tweaked. 

    Some people find it easier to take their Letrozole at night, instead of in the morning. This might also help. Some people do find that the effects settle down eventually. Unfortunately, for me, they lasted right through.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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