Hi there,

I know exactly where you're coming from. I was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 2 BC in September last year. I've had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy. Supposed to be taking letrozole but declined as the side effects sound awful. I already have weight issues and osteoarthritis, I really don't want to make those worse. Having said that, the additional benefit to me, along with the treatment I've already had are 1 or 2 percent. I wouldn't encourage anyone to make the same decision as me as it's a very individual and personal journey. I would discuss this with the oncologist and see what they say. Since my diagnosis, I've lost quite a lot of weight so from where I am now, I am going to give it a go. Not everyone gets awful side effects, we can only try it and see how we get on. 

Good luck with everything 

Jane xx

Finley52

Hi Finley 52

I can understand your concern about taking letrazole for 5 years,I had lumpectomy of right breast, all lympth nodes  removed from under my right arm as cancer had spread to 3 of my lymth nodes. 

I had 8 rounds of chemotherapy, I also had 15 radiotherapys over 3 weeks. I started the letrazole before the radiotherapy. 

It does take time for your body to get used to it,and yes I did find it difficult at first. But there are so many different brands of letrazole, and with each one the coating on them is the same colour but differnt on each brand,I kept a diary  on how each brand of letrazole i tried made me feel ..ie what side effects I did or didn't get. I stuck with the brand named Accord  in the end ,as found it the most agreeable one for me. If you go with it hopefully in giving it time ,you will find  a brand that suits you. 

I'm now OK,with it and I have to take it for 10years,I've been on it now for well over a year. It's doable  it just takes  perseverance and tine for your body to adjust to the drug. 

It gives me hope that it's helping to stop  the cancer from returning, although I know there are no guarantees about that  but it blocks the estrogen in my body,which is what my type of cancer was feeding off of. 

It is of course your choice,but I listened to my oncologist, who said  it was better to take it,as it was a good deterent in helping keep cancer from returning,  and I'd do anything to help that from happening.  

I hope you reach the decision that is right for you,but you don't know how you  would feel ,without giving it a try.

Good luck with everything. X

Thank you for your help I really appreciate what you have said, also your determination and courage of what you have already been through is humbling I hope I have your courage and strength of character... it feels so strange being and feeling well yet going to have treatment that will change your life... it is Mother's Day today a celebration of woman all over the world ... I will do as you say.. I woke up this morning not feeling so panicky.. more hopeful ... yet still sad.. I saw my grandchildren yesterday ... which was a joy ... 

Hi Finlay52,

I had 6 months of chemo.  Once every 3 weeks for 4 sessions and then a change of drug infusion which was every week. Followed by radiotherapy. I thought it was never going to end.

Like you I was horrified at the thought of taking Letrazole. I told my consultant that I really didn't want to take it. His reply was that studies have shown that its as effective as chemo. On that basis I knew I really needed to give it a go. Well, I am only 6 weeks in but I haven't really had any side affects. I did ask last week how soon I would get side affects and was told it happens almost immediately and if I wasn't getting them now then I probably wouldn't. 

Obviously a lot of people do get the side affects but on these forums its usually only the people with problems that you hear from. Hopefully this post will help you to feel more positive.