Hi Gairloch,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

If you have read the information leaflet in your packet of Letrozole, you will have discovered that it can cause all sorts of side-effects, which can be quite daunting. However, although the manufacturers have to highlight the possibilities, not everyone gets side-effects. I took Tamoxifen for the first year after diagnosis, but discovered a second cancer after less than a year and I changed to Letrozole for 6½ years. I had side-effects with both, but if I had to, I would take them again, as it is now 15 years since I was first diagnosed. 

I hope that all goes well with you and that you will be one of the lucky ones, who sail through treatment.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there I’m on week 3 of letrozole. I hadn’t had symptoms until week 3-tired, stiff joints, momentary feeling of light headed ness. Mind you not sure if they’re just old age and overweight rather than letrozole based. Also I’ve read on here that different packets can change symptoms. They have different films on the outside of the tablet. My second packet is from different pharmaceutical company. Good Luck on your journey

Hi Mummymartin,

It usually takes 3-4 weeks for the effects of Letrozole to start kicking in. I am sorry to hear that you are beginning to find some side-effects, but it can be difficult to be sure whether or not these are due to the natural ageing process, or to the Letrozole. Some advice given for coping with this, is to take the medication in the evening, instead of the morning, or to stick to a particular brand of Letrozole. The side-effects can also sometimes lessen, after you've been taking it for a while.

Despite having had a lot of side effects, I would be happy to take Letrozole again, as it has given me 15 years with my family and friends - what price can you put on that?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there 

thank you for your comments. Yes I do agree these minor side effects are worth it if you think of the alternative. I still haven’t processed the last few months so I get annoyed with myself that my body isn’t the same visually, physically and emotionally. I have been referred for counselling so I’m hoping that will help as I still have radiotherapy sessions in June 

Thanks. I know a lot of people get side effects and dealing with them is better than the long term alternative but the prospect that I might not be able to work with them terrifies the life out of me as I don't know what would happen to me with no income. Cancer is tough enough in itself without losing my job as well. I have only been on the tablets for 2 days and my wrist already feels worse athough not sure if that is down to the tablets or me panicking.

Make sure you’ve checked your HR sickness/absence policy. Also see if there is a separate cancer/treatment policy. There should be some type of reasonable adjustments available. 

I expect some of your symptoms are due to anxiety and tension. I would say be honest with your boss. 

Thanks. I only started back to work last week after my surgery. All the HR policies are online so will check them out next week. My line manager is fantastic so will talk to her when we have our catch up on Wednesday although she can't alter the companies policies to suit me.

I think you are right and some of my symptoms are down to anxiety. Which is silly really as I am probably going to have enough issues without creating more for myself but have a history of stressing over problems so guess I am not going to change at this age. Hopefully I will settle down as I get into the treatment.

Its nice to have people out there who understand and hope everything goes well for you.

If you want to add me on here as friend I’m happy to chat on the private chat. You are right about HR policies but some companies don’t like to advertise reasonable adjustments. I have over 100 remote staff so I speak to HR quite a lot 

I've been taking letrazole for 9 weeks. The side effects didn't start for 6 weeks. I got numb fingers which was diagnosed as neuropathy due to the kadcyla I'm also on. Then I got severe bone pain and cramps. When my whole hands started to tingle I realised it was more likely to be carpel tunnel syndrome. The oncology nurse agreed and I'm waiting for a GP appointment to check it out. It wasn't mentioned when I was given the drugs but there is some information on the Breast Cancer Now website. In the meantime I've paused my letrazole treatment to see which treatment is causing which side effects.  I'd cross my fingers if I could!

I’m sorry to hear about your side effects. I was feeling smug with no effect after 2 weeks-didn’t realise it might taken longer than that for any to show. I hope you get sorted so that you can start again with same or different medication