AI (Femara) "Vacation"--Insight or Advice?

AnotherMichelle

I've been taking letrozole (generic Femara) for 30 days after having a complete hysterectomy (including ovaries) at the same time as lumpectomy and SNLB at age 47 in August. For the last week or so, I've had some light-headedness (not vertigo), especially in the morning (not upon getting out of bed but while I'm doing stuff in the morning and during yoga this morning). It was so bad last Friday that I didn't drive to work because I was afraid of passing out behind the wheel. When I had some more lightheadedness during yoga this morning, I contacted my MO, and his PA said to stop the letrozole for 2-3 weeks to see if this improves.

1) Have any of you had lightheadedness with your AI? What did you do?

2) Have any of you taken such a "vacation" from your AI? Did it work?

3) Does this increase my chances of recurrence/mets, being off the drug for several weeks so early in its treatment use?

4) If I feel better, and the lightheadedness IS from letrozole, do I just learn to live with it or will they give me something else? What did your "vacation" result in?

Fun added variables: I'm steadily losing weight (more or less on purpose to lessen the "estrogen" produced by my belly fat), so I'm not eating that much these days, especially in the morning. Can low blood sugar cause lightheadedness?

My WBC was below normal at my last blood work (lower than it was after chemo and before surgery + radiation). Can low WBC cause lightheadedness?

I'm just freaking out about not taking an AI and the flood of estrogen (ha ha) that will wash over me. Advice? Insight? Consolation?

Thanks,

Kelli

Freya244117

Being light headed can be caused by low blood sugar. I would definitely eat something for breakfast and see how that helps. Eating small but regular meals is the best way to keep your levels balanced.