Letrozole

I have stated  taking Letrozole in November 2023 and still suffer from many of the problems discussed on this site I have spoken to.my breast cancer nurse regarding natural supplements suitable to take while taking Letrozole to combat symptoms.  I am still waiting for the info to be posted out to me I have tried to contact her.several times to no avail.  

I suffer from sweats and feel like I smell no matter what deodorant I use I am trying to.use aluminium free any suggestions? I ache all over suffer from stiff joints and cannot sleep to name a few of the problems I have come up against. my hair feels like it getting thinner with no life.  Would I be able to use magnesium &  collagen and I have seen adverts for Geek supplements are these a good brand.

Parents
  • HI Rubytuesday2,

    A very warm welcome to our forum I am sorry to hear of the side-effects that you are having from Letrozole. I took Tamoxifen for my first bout, then Letrozole for the second, which I discovered a year later. I took Letrozole for 6½ years. I discussed the effects of alternative medication with my consultant, as I was taking Evening Primrose Oil before I was diagnosed. I was told to stop this immediately, as it interacted with Letrozole, reducing the effectiveness of the drug. He did however recommend starflower oil instead. I am not sure if your consultant would be happy with you taking this, but it would be worth discussing. Discuss the magnesium, collagen and Geek supplements with your care team too. 

    Have you left a message for your nurse, when you've been unable to reach her? I find my nurses are busy and I mostly get their answering service, but they are usually very quick to get back to me. You could just leave a reminder that you are still waiting for the information on natural supplements, which she promised to send.

    In respect of your sweats, I find the original, non-perfumed Mitchum roll on, very effective. They also have a dry spray, but I don't find that so good.

    Some people are lucky with hormone therapy and sail through treatment, whilst others are unlucky enough to succumb to side-effects. You can change to a different medication, but they nearly all have some side effects. Most of these are similar, although some target certain areas more than others. Discuss the effects you are having with your care team, as there are prescribed medications that can help with some of these complaints. There are also some coping strategies for dealing with insomnia. I had all of the side-effects you mention, plus many more, but I stuck to Letrozole and I would do so again, if I had to, as I have been in remission now for 15 years.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply
  • HI Rubytuesday2,

    A very warm welcome to our forum I am sorry to hear of the side-effects that you are having from Letrozole. I took Tamoxifen for my first bout, then Letrozole for the second, which I discovered a year later. I took Letrozole for 6½ years. I discussed the effects of alternative medication with my consultant, as I was taking Evening Primrose Oil before I was diagnosed. I was told to stop this immediately, as it interacted with Letrozole, reducing the effectiveness of the drug. He did however recommend starflower oil instead. I am not sure if your consultant would be happy with you taking this, but it would be worth discussing. Discuss the magnesium, collagen and Geek supplements with your care team too. 

    Have you left a message for your nurse, when you've been unable to reach her? I find my nurses are busy and I mostly get their answering service, but they are usually very quick to get back to me. You could just leave a reminder that you are still waiting for the information on natural supplements, which she promised to send.

    In respect of your sweats, I find the original, non-perfumed Mitchum roll on, very effective. They also have a dry spray, but I don't find that so good.

    Some people are lucky with hormone therapy and sail through treatment, whilst others are unlucky enough to succumb to side-effects. You can change to a different medication, but they nearly all have some side effects. Most of these are similar, although some target certain areas more than others. Discuss the effects you are having with your care team, as there are prescribed medications that can help with some of these complaints. There are also some coping strategies for dealing with insomnia. I had all of the side-effects you mention, plus many more, but I stuck to Letrozole and I would do so again, if I had to, as I have been in remission now for 15 years.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Children