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Worried about side effects of Letrozole

Kimmyboo
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Diagnosed with breast cancer last November stage 2 had a lumpectomy Christmas Eve and start radiotherapy next week fir 5 days.need advice ir maybe more reassurance l have been prescribed Letrozole but always been so healthy before this and never taken medication so really worried about taking this medication after reading side effects,so l wonder if l discussed with my oncologist l can insist l don't want it. l live alone and l worry with all these side effects.

Is there anyone on here who has also not taken it after been prescribed. 
 

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    Hi Kimmyboo,

    I was diagnosed with stage 1 ductal last October, had lumpectomy and 5 days of radio in December. Was then supposed to start letrozole but I've declined it. My reasons? Well I did the NHS predict calculator and the additional benefit of having hormone therapy is only 1 or 2% for me. I already have joint problems and a weight problem. My mother has osteoporosis and I think I'm heading that way too. I don't want to trash my general health for the small benefit. I have since started to lose weight and am going to review my decision in June. I might try it but will stop if I have side effects. You must talk to your oncologist, find out the facts and make your decision. I guess we all live with the chance of the cancer returning but the benefit didn't seem enough to me to ruin my (apart from BC) good health. 

    Good luck with your own decision. X

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    Hiya!

    When I was told to take Letrozole, nearly two and a half years ago, I was adamant that I wasn't going to take something g to make me feel ill, so I didn't! ( Looking back, I think I behaved quite childishly)

    A few months later I was talking to my GP and gave her my opinion on taking something that could have so many side effects. In a very calm and sweet way she said that not everyone gets bad side effects, so why not give it a try. After all, she said, if you feel bad from taking it, you just stop. But if you don't feel ill it's a win win situation! So I started taking them almost exactly two years ago. For the first few weeks I would feel a bit nauseous, nothing too bad but it put me off my food. I lost half a stone in that time. However, the nausea didn't last! And, unfortunately, the half stone came back as quick as it went. The list of possible side effects is frightening, and I have developed one or two, but nothing too bothersome. In fact, I had occasion to stop taking it for a few weeks, while something totally unrelated was investigated and I felt quite uneasy about it. I was really glad when I got the all clear to start them again!

    That's my real life experience and I'm sure you'll hear a lot of similar stories. In fact I know women who have been reluctant to stop taking it at the end of their five or ten years.

    Good luck, I hope I haven't totally confused you about it, now!

    Christine xx

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    Hi Kimmyboo,

    I was prescribed Letrozole after completing radiotherapy sessions in February 2020. I had a breast reduction for stage 2 lobular breast cancer which was diagnosed on October 2019. 
    Like you I have always had good health (apart from breast cancer!) and didn't want hormones to upset my active lifestyle. The protective element of Letrozole for me was about 2%. I did try them out but very quickly found I was in low mood and had painful joints preventing me from walking and swimming. I kind of thought that if I didn't stop the Letrozole then I would get heart issues through not exercising?!!  

    It IS a very personal decision that needs a lot of thought. I DO sometimes think I ought to be taking them but I love my life and just don't want anything standing in the way of being active and joyful about life. Whatever time I have left I want it to be as best it can be rather than being almost 'wounded' by hormones isn't what I want. 
     

    I hope you come to the decision that's 'right' for you. I did ask the oncologist about my decision and he said that it was an informed decision offering me little real benefit. I was ok with that. Go well and stay well. 
    Kebbs x 

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