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

I have yet to find someone who has not lost friends/family through cancer. I have lost both but its been a blessing as I no longer pander to these people and only surround myself with people who actually care about me - some of them were strangers to me pre diagnosis. I agree with Jolamine, some cannot deal with it but others simply don't care. I do think 'the stiff upper lip' can make others jealous as they know if it were happening to them they would be crumpled mess on the floor. They see people like us as the strong ones and I  have no doubt if and when it happens to them they would come to us for advice/support.

My sister came with me to hospital on the morning of my surgery, we sat in a room with 7 other breast cancer patients and she went on about her sore toe, even taking her shoe off to show everyone how swollen it was, I was mortified but that act told me all I needed to know and she was never asked to help again.

It can be difficult to come to terms with this but I think I'm better off without them. x

Hi Magpiemaggie,

I totally agree. It is always helpful to surround yourself with positive people - don't bother with negative beings, as they will only drag you down.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi everyone, 

Sad to see so many people having pain and difficulties and soldering on. I was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer July 2018 age 36, radical surgery and 6 x chemotherapy sessions, all clear January, and am on leterozole since mid February 2019.

I fortunately, did not experience any symptoms initially. But since returning to work 5 weeks ago, have felt dizziness and nausea on and off, sometimes all day, other times once a day. My GP thinks it's unrelated to leteozole as its 8 months on, thinks Vertigo! . My bloods are showing elevated liver enzymes, alko phon. My oncologist thinks it may be leteozole but is happy to let me continue as I am. 

Before 5 weeks ago I was doing gym classes and dance classes and these last five weeks can barely do basic household tasks. I cannot keep a full work week going feeling like this and just go in some mornings to show up, doing very little and feeling unwell. Just looking for advice really. 

Thanks, 

Cars x

Hi Cars,

Welcome to our forum. I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 10 years and took Tamoxifen for the first year, then Letrozole for the next 6years. I stopped taking this in July 2017. I had a number of side-effects from both including dizziness and nausea. There are a number of different tablets that you can take for nausea. Discuss this with your consultant or breast care nurse. Do you have any bother with your blood pressure? If this is off kiltre, it can leave you feeling dizzy. Get your GP to check it out.

Exhaustion was one of the things that affected me most. I also piled on a lot of weight, although I have now managed to lose 5 stones, I still have more to lose. I am not at all surprised that you cannot keep up with a full work schedule throughout the week.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Update my Doc took new blood test after I stopped taliking Letrozole. My liver enzymes had risen whilst on it, they went back to normal once I stopped taking it! . No more Letorzole for me, still have bone pain 

I found it took about 6 or 7 weeks after stopping the medication for bone & joint pain/stiffness to cease.

Hi Claire,

You're lucky in that your bone and joint pain have gone. I stopped taking Letrozole in July 2017. I had 2 knees replaced while I was taking it and, I still get severe joint and bone pain.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx