Hi update with metatistic b/c i am now going on Letrozole i have heard about the side effects but what choice do i have as there is no cure at the moment, please god willing this helps and i get through side effects !
Hi Hellsbells and thanks for the update. I was really pleased to read that you had a good response to your chemo and that you are now in a position to take Letrozole with no further IVs at this time. I have always made it my aim not to read the side-effects of these drugs unless it is totally necessary - that way, I can go through treatments without preconceived ideas of 'what-ifs'. If you read the side-effects of even the most common over the counter meds you would never take anything! Thats my philosophy anyway lol!
I know it is very difficult to deal with being told that your disease is treatable but not curable and it will take some time to come to terms with this. Am always here if you need a chat x
I had breast cancer in 2010 and have now been on letrozole for 5 years. Just to let you know that apart from a few achey bones I have had no other effects. I have had arthritis for some years now so perhaps thats why it hasn't seemed too bad at all - I do remember my oncologist writing on a report about me " seems to tolerate very well" concerning this drug. I believe everyone is different so impossible to say how you will feel 'but I do not want to stop taking it although in some people I should - it makes me feel 'safe' My doctor is happy for me to continue - good luck xx
Hi, Hellsbells, I have been taking Letrozole for 3 months now (for pelvic cancer). The only side effect I have had is a huge appetite! After taking it for one month a scan showed that my main tumour had shrunk by a half, so good news. I have incurable peritoneal cancer so am hoping that the Letrozole will help with that too.
I realy hope that you benefit from this drug, most people tolerate it and do well with it. Best wishes. x
Thanks for your reply, im interested if your c had spread or is it just in one area, mine began in breast 2011 and then came back at xmas 2014 and spread to a few places although chemo has shrunk and to the naked eye has dissapeared its still in my breast, hoping that Letrozole helps me further hope you are well thanks again for your reply
Sorry to ask but was ur bc inoperable and was it first time you had the dreadful disease? Second time for me and inoperable cant cure me so chemo which i have responded well to and now Letrozole
Hi, I hadnt been feeling well for about a wek but put it down to the worsening of the cancer, but having read your bit about side effects I went onto the NHS webpage and realised I had quite a few of the side effects - breathing problems, diarrhea/constipation, bloating, nausea etc. I have 2 weeks before I go back to the hospital so will discuss it then. I don't think there is any alternative for me so I may not have a choice. Of course, for every person who gets side effects there will be someone who gets nothing, Please God, you do well on it. Let us know. x
Hi - I was very 'lucky' in that mine in 2010 was grade 111B invasive lobular cancer which was treated with mastectomy, chemo, radiotherapy and letrozole and I am keeping everything crossed that it doesn't come back!! I am so sorry yours is back! I believe Letrozole is very effective in stopping any 'stray' cancer cells becoming tumours if the original cancer was hormone type as it lessens oestrogen levels in the hope that any 'strays' will starve to death - thats how my oncologist decribed it. All the lymph nodes were affected under my right arm so they were all removed at the time of the mastectomy to try to prevent spread of the cancer. I have heard that even with higher grade cancers than mine patients have used the drug for many years - extending their lives considerably by shrinking tumours and in some case halting it alltogether.
Hi, Sitesi, I wish my oncologist had explained it like that to me. They told me nothing about it, so when I went back after a month and found one of the tmours had shrunk I was quite surprised. Thank you so much for the information it gives me a bit more hope. x
Hi, Hellsbells, just been for another checkup with oncologist after MRI and was amazed to find my tumour is now 1/4 the original size and there are no cancer cells around it, also all cancer cells in my pelvic area have gone and inflamed lymph nodes back to normal. Even the oncologist was amazed. So, Letrozole does work! How are you getting on with it?
