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

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 

Hi Gairloch,

It usually takes 3-4 weeks for the effects of Letrozole to start kicking in, so 2 days seems very soon. Here's hoping that the pain settles as your trepidation about taking Letrozole settles down.

Have you looked at the possibility of getting state benefits? These might be of some help, if you cannot work as a result of your cancer treatment. Macmillan can offer advice about this.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Gairloch,

It usually takes 3-4 weeks for the effects of Letrozole to start kicking in, so 2 days seems very soon. Here's hoping that the pain settles as your trepidation about taking Letrozole settles down.

Have you looked at the possibility of getting state benefits? These might be of some help, if you cannot work as a result of your cancer treatment. Macmillan can offer advice about this.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx