Hi Kebbs

Like you I am also on letrozole, as I am a very compliant gal am taking it every day! It does give me some aches & pains and I have found that the level of these does differ depending on the brand (as many others do), sounds bonkers but that's just how it is. Not sure when you take your tablet but the time taken can also help manage any side effects (were you to start getting any) - I take mine on an evening as the side effects are at their worst for X hours after so am ok-ish by the morning (stiff but knees much better).  I don't notice any mood impact but am such an annoyingly positive person not sure I'd notice!

Re the impact on your bones I am osteopenic and have bisphosphonates (zoledronic acid infusion every 6 months) which helps take the calcium from your body (take prescribed high strength calcium too) & rebuild the bones, thereby counteracting the impact of the letrozole and can also help prevent cancer in dem bones!  These may be annual infusions you refer to???

It is a choice and if my side effects were to be worse than I would think twice about taking or the frequency of taking the tablets but given the side effects are very manageable and do not impact my quality of life then I'll crack on to do what I can to stop that blummin' cancer in its tracks.

There's quite a few discussion threads on the topic of letrozole brands over on the MacMillan forum also if you want to read others experiences.

Sam

Hi Kebbs

Like you I am also on letrozole, as I am a very compliant gal am taking it every day! It does give me some aches & pains and I have found that the level of these does differ depending on the brand (as many others do), sounds bonkers but that's just how it is. Not sure when you take your tablet but the time taken can also help manage any side effects (were you to start getting any) - I take mine on an evening as the side effects are at their worst for X hours after so am ok-ish by the morning (stiff but knees much better).  I don't notice any mood impact but am such an annoyingly positive person not sure I'd notice!

Re the impact on your bones I am osteopenic and have bisphosphonates (zoledronic acid infusion every 6 months) which helps take the calcium from your body (take prescribed high strength calcium too) & rebuild the bones, thereby counteracting the impact of the letrozole and can also help prevent cancer in dem bones!  These may be annual infusions you refer to???

It is a choice and if my side effects were to be worse than I would think twice about taking or the frequency of taking the tablets but given the side effects are very manageable and do not impact my quality of life then I'll crack on to do what I can to stop that blummin' cancer in its tracks.

There's quite a few discussion threads on the topic of letrozole brands over on the MacMillan forum also if you want to read others experiences.

Sam

Hello Sam,

sorry it's taken me so long to respond to your interesting reply to me. 

Yes I take my meds at night too. It seems the best time to me. I have only ever taken Femara as I have just never fancied the generic tablet at all. You sound as if you have tried a few brands?? Is that right?  Many people on here state they have had horrible side affects with differing brands of Letrozole and not so bad with others. Odd how this can be really. 

I do think about taking Femara every day as prescribed. I am really pleased I am managing it as well as I am though. Never really been a one to do as I am told which in this instance isn't that helpful!! I get that. Will definitely work on trying to do better!  I truly don't want of course another cancer nightmare. 
 

Yes the annual infusion I have is Zoledronic acid and it does give some protection from bone cancer whilst strengthening our bones. I have osteoporosis very lightly. (-2.5 which is only just on the line of being counted as a person with osteoporosis) So I feel taking the extra high strength calcium, Vit D and having the infusions plus doing weight bearing exercises will all keep me relatively safe in the future. Hoping so anyway!!! 
 

Please  keep in touch and let me know how you are going. I wish you well and thanks again for your reply. 
 

Kebbs x