Hi Lynne and welcome to Cancer Chat.

I'm really sorry to hear about the side effects you've been experiencing since starting Letrozole. It sounds like it's been very tough.

Many of our members have experienced similar side effects to yourself, so you are not alone Lynne, and I'm sure it won't be long until some of them stop by to share their experiences and advice.

If you'd like to discuss this further with one of our cancer nurses, they're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They're really easy to talk to, and insightful too, so do give them a call to talk things through.

Coping with side effects is never easy but we are here for you Lynne and sending all our support your way.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hello my name is charliface I was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer stage three advanced 12 years ago, iv been on chemotherapy and had major surgery and been on a trial and now I’ve been put on Letrozole, ive been on it a year now and im finding the side effects difficult, from sleepless nights and night sweats to severe bone pain  and joint pain, my moods are all over the place from anxiety to bad tempered, I have unbelievable skin irritation and leg cramps, I’ve had to up my heart medication because of palpitations and go on a statin has my cholesterol has gone up, I’ve now just been told I have to go on a osteoporosis medication because my bones are thinning, not all down to Letrozole it’s years of steroids for the cancer treatments but Letrozole has now made that issue worse, I have weight gain and so much fatigue, I’m on a blood thinner to protect me from blood clots has I have heart and vascular disease, in general I feel has ill has I did on chemotherapy, Letrozole is treating the cancer well and controlling it but with a cost to my health does anyone else feel this way and what’s the answer…….

Hi Charlieface,

I am glad to hear that your treatment so far has helped to control your cancer. I had 2 bouts of breast cancer. The first was treated with Tamoxifen, but this was changed to Letrozole after I discovered a second cancer, within a year of diagnosis. I had all of the side-effects that you mention, plus some additional ones. I am now 15 years down the line from diagnosis and I feel that all of my hormone treatment came at a cost to my health, despite giving me this extra time with family and friends. I wish that there was a simple answer to your question, maybe there will be some day soon. In the meantime, I'm just grateful for the extra time, that this has afforded me with my loved ones.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello Jolamine I’m sorry you have had this difficult path we all walk with Cancer I some days feel life’s hard has the side effects are worse than the cancer some days, I was given 5 years to live but survived 12 this year due to treatments after treatments, yes I’m grateful to still be here when I’ve lost friends to this disease but it has come a cost to my health and caused further health issues and disease I hadn’t got, I will try and stay on the Letrozole has long has I can has I always try my best but side effects are making it a horrible journey. I hope you soon feel better and life gets more bearable sending love and hugs your way love Charlieface Xx

I too suffer from similar side effects of letrozole and often wonder if it is worth it. I am 78 and secondary breast cancer has been in my life for over a year. I also take Palbociclib and that just adds to the ill health. However I do have good days, especially when on a break from the palbociclib. You are not alone and I find that getting support from a support group helps. It gave me the motivation to find holiday insurance ( InsureaandGo); and make the most of my life. It helps a lot even though it was expensive. I'm bbattling with the urge to pee all the time, one of the side effects of letrozole. Nothing seems to help. 

So conclusion get out and have as much fun as possible, it helps with the anxiety (again another side effect,) Read some good books and talk to others. Enjoy your family, go places and be glad to be alive.

Good luck x

I too suffer from similar side effects of letrozole and often wonder if it is worth it. I am 78 and secondary breast cancer has been in my life for over a year. I also take Palbociclib and that just adds to the ill health. However I do have good days, especially when on a break from the palbociclib. You are not alone and I find that getting support from a support group helps. It gave me the motivation to find holiday insurance ( InsureaandGo); and make the most of my life. It helps a lot even though it was expensive. I'm bbattling with the urge to pee all the time, one of the side effects of letrozole. Nothing seems to help. 

So conclusion get out and have as much fun as possible, it helps with the anxiety (again another side effect,) Read some good books and talk to others. Enjoy your family, go places and be glad to be alive.

Good luck x