Anyone switch from anastrozole to letrozole?

Whatjusthappened

I'm looking for stories from those who have switched to letrozole because they couldn't tolerate anastrozole. Or vice versa, I suppose. I have been against trying letrozole, even though my MO has suggested it multiple times. A family member had a bad experience on letrozole, so my aversion is based on fear really. One of the things I'm really concerned about is weight gain. There is obviously a vanity issue there, as I've already put on weight since my DX and don't want to pack on more. But vanity aside, I have other health issues that get worse proportionately to the numbers on the scale (high blood pressure for instance). The issues that are deal-breakers for me with arimidex are terrible joint pain and severe hot flashes that feel like I'm having a panic attack at least ten times a day. I know everyone tolerates these meds differently, but I'm looking for people that are doing better after switching to letrozole, for some incentive that it's worth trying.

Peregrinelady

I switched from Anastrozole to letrozole mainly because I wanted to see if it would help with my high blood pressure, but it didn’t seem to make any difference. I actually lost about 5 lbs. but that may have been diet and exercise related. The biggest difference for me is that my hair has thinned out with letrozole. Perhaps this is because I am on my 6th year with an AI but difficult to determine. I am now trying to decide if I want to go back on Anastrozole now.

Flnana2

I switched from letrozole to anastrazole to see if it would help with joint pain, weight gain and hair thinning. It’s only been one month but my joints are definitely better and I haven’t gained any weight. Hard to tell anything about the hair yet. I’m staying on it though because my joints feel so much better.

Spookiesmom

Oh yes, letrozole is MUCH BETTER for me. No more joint pain, hot flashes, any of it.

exbrnxgrl

I have tried all of the AI’s and had the same side effects on all three but at stage IV the best se is being alive after almost 10 years. I am currently on Exemestane. I think switching is certainly worth a try. All the best.

Whatjusthappened

Thanks everyone for your input. Spookiesmom, I'm glad to hear that you are doing much better on the letrozole. That gives me a bit of hope, at least. I'm not excited about the possibility of more hair thinning that Peregrinelady and Flnana2 both mentioned. I have had trouble with that already!

exbrnxgrl

whatjusthappened ,

If it’s any comfort I have had no hair thinning on any of the AI’s. Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict who will get which se’s or perhaps get none

dipad

I've been on Letrozole for past 8 years. No side effects at all

Anonymous

I switched about a year ago. What I'm finding is the SE's really seem to kick in for both right around 9 months lol. BUT...the Letrozole has been better overall. With both I get occasional hot flashes, but they're tolerable for me with both meds. No hair issues at all, actually just chopped a bunch off lol. I have been having joint pain with both, but worse for me with Anastrazole as I ended up with a trigger thumb and pain in my hands. I went to PT for it, and that's when the MO gave me a break from meds for about a month and it totally improved. Now I get some achy hands, but more pain in my knees. The NP at the onocologist office suggested Move Free, which I think is helping (along with strengthening my quads/hips and exercise). I just switched from taking in in the morning/lunch time to dinner/evening to see if that was creating some of my afternoon/evening fatigue. Felt better up until tonight lol. I also get just achy muscles, arms, legs, etc. So hard to figure out what is causing what. I do take fish oil, Vitamin D, Calcium along with the Move Free and Magnesium. If my knees are bothering me I use a CBD cream on them which helps.

Whatjusthappened

ajbclan, thanks for sharing. I went in to see my MO and was prepared to try letrozole, but my MO suggested I try aromasin instead. He said that while there is no research to back it up, he has personally had more patients do better on it. I've been on it only a couple of weeks every other day, but I can tell already that it has less side effects than the arimidex at this point anyway. My main problem is swelling and joint pain. I will have to check out the Move Free-I've not heard of it.