Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 49 replies
  • Views 34546 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Not coping with taking my letrozole medication after breast

Eggy
Offline

omg where do I begin had a lumpectomy 13/12/16 results 2 weeks later back in 10/1/17 for second operation again 2 weeks later back for results back in 7/2/17 for mastectomy all this was fine  it was like a rollercoaster didn't have time to think about myself only how my family would cope etc then a month on I started taking letrozole and bang I have never felt so unwell is this normal? Has anyone else experienced awful side effects from this tablet?

Parents
  • Offline

    Hi Eggy

    Like you I was coping really well with my cancer, I had a mastectomy in July and was more worried about my husband than myself. It was detected early and was a stage 2 and eostrogen receptive, the oncologist said that he had removed the whole tumour and there was no sign of any in the lymph glands. My Onco DX score was 6 out of 100 so he decided I didn't need chemotherapy just a short intense course of radiotherapy which I had. I was put on Letrozole whilst waiting for my op which was postponed because of Covid-19, it didn't suit me and I was swapped to Exemastane, however that was as bad, now the oncologist wants me to try Tamoxifen and Ibandronic Acid. I said I would rather not take anything but he asked me to research it and reconsider NO WAY am I taking Tamoxifen the list of side effects it may cause are horrendous including thinning bones and cancer of the uterus. The Ibandronic Acid is to help with thinning bones but I can't see why I need to take if if I don't take Tamoxifen which causes bone thinning.

    The more I research into what effect these meds have on other women the more I can understand why so many refuse to take them, apparently it is as high as 6 out of 7. I asked what % of benefit these things have and the oncologist told me without them my chance of recurring cancer is 7%. I have decided to manage without the eostrogen blockers and take my chances, I can't face years of feeling ill, I am a chronic depressive and have been since1972 and all these drugs cause depression. Why anyone would prescribe medication that is going to make you feel worse I really can't understand.

    Do your own research, ask about percentages and decide for yourself, only you know how you really feel and what is acceptable. 

    Good luck.

     

  • Offline in reply to Grannypam76

    Hi I have just read your post and wondered what is an Onco DX score used for.

    Who would know this the oncologist ? 

    I hope you are coping ok now 

    Regards Hjf

Reply Children
No Data

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.