Hi yorkshirelass, 

Weight gain is one of the occasional side effects that can occur when taking letrozole but if you are finding it difficult to control then it may be worth getting in touch with your doctor to let them know.

We have many breast cancer ladies on the forum, many of whom are on letrozole, so hopefully some of them will pop by soon to offer their support and advice.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Many thanks Steph will mention at my next appointment with my oncologist.

Yes. I am now 14 stone due to these fattening drugs. I want to stop all my medication & Injections. I think if i stop taking them, maybe the weight will come off. Oncologist don't take my weight gain seriously, because  my cancer is now secondary  & my stomach is 43 inches.so just gonna stop.

Hello and thanks for your post

I'm sorry you have gained weight since starting letrozole. This must be very difficult for you.

We would always encourage people to speak to their specialist or breast cancer nurse before considering stopping treatment as they might have some suggestions in reviewing your medications.

The organisation Breast Cancer Now has some information on stopping letrozole which you can read here. 

I hope this is of some use. Give us a ring if you would like to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene

Hi Celene

I will talk with my Oncologist about stopping Palcociclib, Letrozole, zolodex  & the other injection. I have type 2 diabetes on my mom side of family, which i don't want to get on top of my Cancer. I have huge adominal fat due to treatment.this is very dangerous for me.Induced menapause I had straight away & been very patient with treatment for 6 years. 

Feed up looking like washed up whale on beach as my confidence is all time low & have menapause rages.

Been doing the joe wicks exercise 5 times a week & lost no weight. 

These drugs cause major hormone imbalances & I am tired of putting on brave & happy face! 

Hi yorkshirelass52,

I was prescribed Letrozole in November 2020 following successful surgery for recurrent breast cancer after 24 years.

I need to lose a lot of weight, but, even though I'm counting calories, have hardly shifted any wieght at all!

It's so frustrating.

My other main problem is really thick, strong facial hair. Cream removes it, but it is visible again in just a few days.

Hi there

I was originally on Tamoxifen and then changed to Letrozole last March to try and stop the awful hot flushes.

I had no problem with weight gain but had really bad joint pain so I contacted my breast cancer nurse about it.  They were very helpful and are moving me back onto Tamoxifen.

My point of answering is that it may be worth you getting in touch with your breast cancer nurse to see if there are any alternatives that you can take. Apparently there were a few things that could be tried.

I wish you all the best xx

I have been on letrozole since I had a lumpectomy 14 months ago I have always been the same weight between 7 -7&half stone I don't usually bother weighing myself as I can tell by my clothes if there's a noticeable difference but although Ali exercise regularly walk daily and eat healthily I notice my clothes are tight around my waist and abdomen I was m 79 and apart from she I was pregnant I've never put this type of weight on and it makes me feel uncomfortable 

Is this notmal

Dear Shai_Shai, 

i've gained around 15 Kgs since i started Letrzole 14 months ago, i've been careful with what i eat and i walk daily but i can hardly control not gaining more weight and can't shed any! 
 

after mastectomy and hair loss from chemo i can bately recognise myselfqnd has tremendously affected my self asteem, it is frustrating and i keep hoping i can one day stops meds ( my diagnosis metastatic breast cancer, so i'm supposed to be on them for the rest of my life) i am grateful that these meds may saves lives and have cleared my cancer but their side affects are affecting the quality of life! 
 

trying to be positive each day and feel grateful for being cancer free, hang in there 

xoxo