I had to take antihystamines (Piritese) whilst on it to stop itchy urticaria (rash).  When I stopped it & moved onto Tamoxifen it took about 3 or 4 months before I saw an improvement.

Hi Viv, 

My symptoms are definitely getting worse. I read in another chat that an antihistamine can help itching.

All the best 

Nora 

Hi All,

 I use Eurax cream for the itching and find that this helps.

Kind Regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello , I’m new to this foru. I have been on letrozole now for 8 months. I have really bad knee  pain and stiffness. Is is unusual just to have it in one knee.   Sx

Hi She,

Welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear about your experience with Letrozole. I had a lot of bother with my knees when taking Letrozole. One knee was certainly a lot more painful than the other. I eventually ended up having both knees replaced.

Have you discussed this with your care team? They can prescribe pain killers to help ease the situation for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi, I too have ended up with one knee replacement with my second due in January, I also had a shoulder replacement on the same side as my breast cancer and the specialist told me it was very common after radiotherapy.  My shoulders still ache in bed at night but my legs and knees are much better with Aromasin/Exemestene.  I felt very old when using Letrozole. I feel much better now.

Hi Snowdrops,

I'm now looking at hip replacements, despite having stopped taking Letrozole after 6 years, in July 2017. My knees are much better, but I still have pain in my arms, shoulders, back and legs. I agree that I felt very old too when I was taking Letrozole.

I hope that your second knee replacement goes well in January.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

This is so true speak to your pharmacist I suffered debilitating trigger thumb so frightened of it happening in both hands. The brand of letrozole is important I am approaching 5 years since diagnosis it appears to have resolved. It saves your life but a nasty drug I advise don't stop

I have been taking Letrozole since March 2018.  I've coped with all the side effects which included deafness, dizziness etc. and try and forget about the downside and concentrate on the good side, i.e. hopefully keeping cancer from recurring.  But what is awful and I don't think its paranoia is the fact that my friends have treated me very shabbily and I have realised that our relationships were all about them and also my family (apart from my husband which is the most important thing).  I have been ignored and snubbed when making invitations.  The younger generation who have very little empathy seem to treat cancer like a dose of flu.  I really don't go on about it, but have to listen to diatribes about everyone else's problems and illnesses.  This is what I have found hardest to deal with.  I am a trooper and will do what the doctor tells me and take my medication religiously but it seems I am not allowed even a little bit of sympathy.  I do wonder whether my "stiff upper lip" actually makes people jealous?

Hi Dottess,

Welcome to the forum.

I am so sorry to hear how shabbily you have been treated, but this is not unusual. Many of us find that our so-called friends disappear following a cancer diagnosis, possibly because they don't know how to treat us, or what to say. Having said this, you will also discover some real friends who you can talk openly about everything and anything. These  treasures often come from the most unexpected quarters, so please don't give up hope yet.

I am glad to hear that your husband is being supportive. So long as you have at least one person who you can bare your soul to, you will get through this. What better person than your hubby?

It can be very difficult to sit in a group talking about their minor ailments and pushing cancer under the carpet as if it is a bad word and, no more than a common cold. I found this hard to take too and often feel like shouting out - " you don't know how lucky you all are to have such minor ailments - mine lies in the lap of the Gods! Sometimes your 'stiff upper lip' leaves people feeling awkward to bring up the 'C' word, in case you cannot cope with talking about it and start to bubble. They just don't know how to react if you do.

I am glad to hear that you are a trooper and are following your doctors' advice. I have found that being open about my condition, but playing it down  slightly when I talk about it, helps people to react better. I always try to deiver my cancer journey details with a smile. This helps to get over that horrible silence and 'Oh' when you tell them that you have cancer. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 10 years and have had some incredible responses in that time.

I also have Lymphoedema in both arms and am bandaged from shoulder to fingertips in both arms from tme to time. The reaction I get to this when I am out and about is one of sheer curiosity and, most people cannot resist the temptation to ask what has happened. Their reaction at times is priceless and, it now amuses me instead of upsetting me.

Kind Regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Dottess,

Welcome to the forum.

I am so sorry to hear how shabbily you have been treated, but this is not unusual. Many of us find that our so-called friends disappear following a cancer diagnosis, possibly because they don't know how to treat us, or what to say. Having said this, you will also discover some real friends who you can talk openly about everything and anything. These  treasures often come from the most unexpected quarters, so please don't give up hope yet.

I am glad to hear that your husband is being supportive. So long as you have at least one person who you can bare your soul to, you will get through this. What better person than your hubby?

It can be very difficult to sit in a group talking about their minor ailments and pushing cancer under the carpet as if it is a bad word and, no more than a common cold. I found this hard to take too and often feel like shouting out - " you don't know how lucky you all are to have such minor ailments - mine lies in the lap of the Gods! Sometimes your 'stiff upper lip' leaves people feeling awkward to bring up the 'C' word, in case you cannot cope with talking about it and start to bubble. They just don't know how to react if you do.

I am glad to hear that you are a trooper and are following your doctors' advice. I have found that being open about my condition, but playing it down  slightly when I talk about it, helps people to react better. I always try to deiver my cancer journey details with a smile. This helps to get over that horrible silence and 'Oh' when you tell them that you have cancer. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 10 years and have had some incredible responses in that time.

I also have Lymphoedema in both arms and am bandaged from shoulder to fingertips in both arms from tme to time. The reaction I get to this when I am out and about is one of sheer curiosity and, most people cannot resist the temptation to ask what has happened. Their reaction at times is priceless and, it now amuses me instead of upsetting me.

Kind Regards,

Jolamine xx