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Letrozole Intolerable digestive side effects

Vanessa26

Hi there, 

I started Letrozole 10 days ago, taking it at 830pm. Initial side effects of hot flushes but they are ok. But then I developed constant indigestion with bloating, nausea, burping and intermittent stomach pain. Then diarrhoea. This has made every day really miserable and uncomfortable and I am scheduled to take this for 7 years as I had a positive lymph node as well as a breast tumour.

I have a hiatus hernia and I am on long term steroids for Polymyalgia Rheumatica which adds to stomach problems. 

I have had to stop letrozole while I try to get my stomach settled and then I'm going to try it at lunch time mid meal. I will try a few dietary changes and having small drinks and a walk after meals.

Any help or advice is much appreciated 

  • Offline

    Hi Vanessa26,  I am sorry to hear about the troubles Letrozole is causing you.  Have you discussed this with your oncologist.  I have been put on Exemastane which I tolerate a lot better than any of the others so there are other alternatives.

    Lee x

  • in reply to leelaloo

    Thank you so much. I have spoken to team and they are happy for me to stop Letrozole whilst waiting for consultant to get back within a week. I felt so ill it was ridiculous, thankfully my stomach / guts are much better now they took 6 days of TLC to recover. I start radiotherapy next week, it will be good to get that hurdle cleared! Wishing you good health and happiness x

  • Offline in reply to Vanessa26

    Hi Vanessa glad to hear that you are feeling better.  Has oncologist been in touch yet, because he can change your medication.  Good luck with your radiotherapy next week, are you having 5 sessions.  I found the radiotherapy okay and drove myself there and back.  Very tiring though.  Good luck.

    Lee x

  • in reply to leelaloo

    Hi there , oncologist not been in touch yet. Yes thankfully there are alternatives to Letrozole so hopefully I can try one of them. I am scheduled for 15 radiotherapy sessions. I thought I would drive and as any side effects take over then get a lift. The last 6 years have been a bit rubbish, I got bladder cancer, then Polymyalgia Rheumatica and now breast cancer ! However I'm still here and happy most of the time xxx

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