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Letrozole Query

FiDoc
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Hi Everyone :happy:

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to read my post.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2015 age 51 peri menopause.  I had grade 2 ER positive PR positive HER2 negative and 1 lymph node postive external, lumpectomy, removal of sentinel lymph node and secondary node.  My treatment was chemo followed by radiotherapy for 33 days and I took tamoxifen for 5 1/2 years.  Tough ride but I was strong and faced each hurdle and came out the other end.  Every mammogram since has been clear and when my Oncologist recommended finishing tamoxifen in May 2021 I was afraid of loosing my 'crutch' so to speak.  She was happy to discharge me at that point but I asked for another yearly appointment, just to be sure..

So I went back to the Oncology Dept of my hospital in May 2022, they checked me out and my recent mammogram was clear.  So I got another appointment for May 2023.

I had my appointment on Tuesday this week. My mammogram is clear and a recent Dexa scan is good too. My Oncologist has since left the department and I have a different doctor now.  This doctor wants to put me on Letrozole as I am now in full menopause.  I am totally shocked by this and feel like I am taking steps in a backward direction.  Had I been discharged in May 2021 this would not have occured.

I suppose I am wondering has anyone else experienced this.. recommending Letrozole after 2 years of no medication. I have requested a second opinion so I am waiting for another appointment.

Again, thank you for taking the time to read my post.  

FiDoc x

  • Offline

    Hi fidoc,  I can only say Letrazole is given to many post menopausal women . As I had read on this site & Google. Hope you continue to be well .pip

  • Offline in reply to Pipestril

    Hi Pipestrill, thank you for your reply.  I guess when I was off medication for 2 years I thought I was finished with it.  I hope you are keeping good yourself, best wishes, Fi.

  • Offline in reply to FiDoc

    Yes I get your thinking, wishing to stop meds. I think there may have been some more things linked to tamoxifen lately so letrazole is preferred choice from the Doctors. I hope they find newer things very soon as letrazole has been around since the 90's. That's what I take but have a salty tongue comes & go's. Have you any tips for me starting radiotherapy soon only 5 fractions & scared. 

  • Offline in reply to Pipestril

    I'll see what my second opinion says as she was my original oncologist and was happy to discharge me 2 years ago without further meds. I'm sorry to hear you are suffering with salty tongue I hope it clears up for you.

    When I was on radiotherapy we have a local charity that organised lifts to and from the hospital.  I found this a fantastic help as tough on family to drive daily.  The best advice I can give is to get plenty of rest and look after your skin.  I used aqueous cream daily and let as much air as possible to my skin so it didn't crack and drink plenty of water.  I wore cotton tops and never wore a bra so I didn't have any friction.  

    Try not to be scared of it as it really isn't too bad at all as I said I found it tiring and that was all really.  The nurses are brilliant too .. it will be all over before you know it.  Best of luck Pip, Fi xx

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