Anastrozole vs. Letrozole? Please Help!

scared57

Hi all,

I am 57, was diagnosed the end of February with a 11 mm invasive ductal carcenoma. I had a lumpectomy with very clear margins and sentinal and 2 other nodes clear. Healed ok from surgery, was thinking of reduction right after (DDD cup) and that was not happening due to Covid-19. My oncologist said my next step is radiation (consult end of May) and the hormone pill which she wants me to start before. My question is after reading about the side effects of both Anastrozole and Letrozole I am so worried to begin either. Have any of you post menopausal women have better luck with one or the other? I have had 2 knee replacements and was working on dropping some pounds I put on after and reading about nausea and joint pain etc...I am very concerned. Any feedback would be so appreciated, I have to let her know on Monday which one I want to begin with.

Thank-you for reading!!!

Scared57

Beesie

Certainly the list of side effects is scary, and most people probably do experience some side effects. What's important to know is that for many people the side effects are minor and very manageable. For others, not so much.

If it was as easy as there being one AI that everyone could tolerate better and that was equally efficacious, then everyone would be taking the same AI, but that's certainly not the case. What you will find is that some people have better luck with one of the AIs and other people have better luck with a different one. There is absolutely no way to know which one you will tolerate better until you try one or the other.

Something else to consider is that the side effects kick in differently for everyone. Some people start to experience side effects immediately, others not for several weeks, others not for many months or even years. And for some patients the side effects ease over time whereas for others the side effects build over time. So the best thing to do is to start off with no expectations, and just see what happens. With luck you will be pleasantly surprised.

Someone else asked something similar recently:

Topic: Which is the Best Aromatase Inhibitor for Breast Cancer? https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics...

And the information in this thread might be helpful:

Topic: Letrozole https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics/876203?page=1#post_5545087

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Usually MOs have a preference or a recommendation based on the patient's diagnosis, age and other health concerns. Has your MO left this entirely up to you, with no recommendation? That seems strange - you are paying the doctor for her knowledge, advice and recommendations on treatment.

Spookiesmom

I was on aramidex for 4 years. The pain in my foot joints made me quit. Was on tamoxifen for about 7 months. Same foot pain. Have been on letrozole almost a year. So far, no serious se. I’m tolerating this much better than the others.

I say try one or the other, you won’t know about se until you do. And maybe there won’t be any!! And if there is, you can switch.

Nancy2581

I've only been on letrozole. I was on tamoxifen, but it was causing me to have abnormal pap smears which led to biopsies and a D & C. Ugh. I don't have any side effects from letrozole and my pap smears have gone back to normal. I've been on it 2 1/2 years now.

Nancy

scared57

Thank-you for the input!

scared57

Good to know thank-you so much!