Letrozole (Femara), Fatigue and Depression.

pabbie

I've only been on Letrozole for a week. I can feel the fatigue and depression blanketing my life. Does it get better?

windingshores

I didn't get those symptoms until two years in. Are you still close in time to menopause? The first weeks involve a sharp drop in estrogen levels so I would wait and see. The body adjusts to that quick change, but it takes some weeks. In my experience the real problems with aromatase inhibitors come from a slower accumulation of effects form low estrogen over a period of years. But everyone is different.

Make sure you exercise!  Walking can feel difficult at first but after 20 minutes or so you start to feel better, so always walk at least 45 minutes or so. I have found Tai Chi to be helpful as well, and I am sure yoga would be too.

pabbie

Hi: prior to taking Letrozole, I was on Aromasin for 4 months., so then began the descent of my estrogen. I took a 4 day break., and started Letrozole on Tuesday. I couldn't believe the fatigue which increased daily and was turning into depression. I couldn't talk myself out of the depression and just say hang in there.....I was fearful that I was getting too depressed. I'm dx'd with major depression and take medicine to help me.

I'm way past Menopause. 59. I was put into chemopause when I was 41.

I took today off of the Femara and I'm going back to the Aromasin tomorrow. I can deal better with the joint pain and tendonitis. (trigger finger) rather than the depression and fatigue.

Yes, I do walk, every other day. Thanks for your help.

Do you take your Letrozole at night or mornings?

Falconer

pabbie, I'm on the same hormone therapy track as you except I'm 46 and premenopausal so I get the added bonus of Lupron. I took Aromasin for 5 months. The last month my hands and feet ached so much I couldn't sleep. Took a five day break then started Femara three weeks ago. I loved your use of the word "blanketed" because it's true. I feel an emotional darkening happening and easily cry at anything. Today, a beautiful summer afternoon found me napping in my bed (not even outside in the gorgeous sunlight). I just couldn't hold up my head. I'm going to try to stay w this drug; I start back to my teaching job next week. I hope I have the energy for it. Hope it's true that in time for our emotions even out. Hugs.

ChiSandy

I’m trying to stay ahead of the fatigue by exercising moderately and getting enough sleep (and being retired helps). I have been on Wellbutrin for >15 yrs. (and other SSRIs before that, since I had PPD and depression runs in my family), so no depression symptoms (knock wood). Triggering and morning finger stiffness on the R hand, so I’m gonna have to get my nails reinforced (and the L ones trimmed) and start practicing guitar again to get the joint “juices" moving. (Finding that a joint-health formulation of my krill oil supplement seems to help a bit). I entered menopause at 54 and finished at 55, but though my ovaries gave up the ghost years ago my ample adipose tissue was still making androstenedione, and my liver was still cranking out the aromatase that helped convert it to estrone. So there’s always a drop in estrogen, though not as precipitous for some as for others.

pabbie

Hi Falconer: make sure you tell your oncologist about your depression.

I really don't have any wise words because I'm still trying to figure things out with these AI's.

I'll keep you posted. Take care.

Pabbie

pabbie

Hi ChiSandy: I was able to stay ahead of the joint pain when I was on the Aromasin by walking.

I'm also trying to lose weight. I've lost 8 pounds in 6 weeks. I have ample adipose tissue.

Take care,

Pabbie

pabbie

Back on Aromasin today.

amygil81

Pabbie, so sorry to hear you had a recurrence. It was just a few months ago you and I were chatting about trivial things, like bra and prosthesis, and now this damn disease comes back. Sigh.

They had to take my muscle when I had my chest wall recurrence, as the tumor had started to invade it. I'm down to the bone in places. I call it my upgrade surgery, upgrading me to a full radical mastectomy.

I had CMF chemo, followed by taxol. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't horrible either. They wanted to give me AC, but I'd already had my lifetime max of adriamycin when I had my bone cancer as a teen.

I wish you the best, and please post so we know how you're doing

marijen

It's usually four letters like TEVA BREC ACCO ACTA MYLA at the end of the line the word Letrozole is on

marijen

Yes, that's a good one

Kaso

I am 1/3 through radiation and will start letrozole when I complete this part of treatment. However within the three months that I was told that I possibly have breast cancer and conclusively do you have breast cancer my triglycerides and glucose skyrocketed both more than doubled. Both along with my blood pressure had been totally non-problematic before the stress of this diagnosis hit my system. In addition my blood pressure at each doctors appointment since surgery July 5 has also skyrocketed. Obviously I am not dealing with stress very well and I'm truly not sure what I can do to get back to who I was. These numbers make me more nervous so the cycle of stress is just revolving nonstop. I realize also that I'm not necessarily dealing with breast cancer alone right now as a spot was seen on my simulation CT scan which led to a long scan which is leading to diagnostic testing to determine if perhaps I now have asthma. I can only wonder if this is also anxiety induced. I also am being tested once the long scam and testings resolve within an endoscope to determine if in fact there something awry in my esophagus. Of course this two leads to the never ending stress that I can't seem to escape. I do take pleasure after my teaching job and after radiation to take a nice walk each day with a bok in hand. I average the ten thousand steps

airlie

I have been on Femara for 18 mths now and the last 2mths or so I am so fatigued, not just tired where a good sleep helps. I am 58 and only work 10.5 hrs a week and have to really push myself to do that. Am usually a very energetic person.

Talked to my onco and he said that it would be Femara as all my bloods are good.

I'm glad I found other people that are suffering fatigue. Thought something was wrong with me given the length if time I have been on it and very little side effects.

Thanks. 💚

airlie

---

---

I have been on Femara for 18 mths now and the last 2mths or so I am so fatigued, not just tired where a good sleep helps. I am 58 and only work 10.5 hrs a week and have to really push myself to do that. Am usually a very energetic person.

Talked to my onco and he said that it would be Femara as all my bloods are good.

I'm glad I found other people that are suffering fatigue. Thought something was wrong with me given the length if time I have been on it and very little side effects.

Thanks. 💚