Letrozole

Obee
Obee Member Posts: 4
edited February 2017 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

hi friends, I am 77 and I am on Letrozole after mastectomy November last year for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.. I am having awful side effects, with extremely sore knees and hands, plus hot and cold sweats every 10 mins, plus other side effects..... My feeling is I can't go on like this for 5 years at my age and wondered if any of you have discontinued taking it, and what percentage is the risk ..thank

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2017

    Hi there, so many of us can relate to the side effects of our anti-hormonals. I had to switch from Arimidex to Aromasin after about 1.5 years on Arimidex because of the side effects.

    My advice is to make an appt with your oncologist asap, and tell them of your concerns. They should offer to switch you to another one that you might tolerate better.

    Aromasin seems to be the one I can handle, although we are all so diff some women do great on Arimidex and had to switch to that drug FROM Aromasin.

    You can also ask your doc to order a Breast Cancer Index test (look it up and read the online brochure). You don't post your dx date, but if there is still a tumor sample available (my oncologist told me they keep them for about 7 years) you can have tests run on that tumor and see if you would benefit from taking this drug for 5 years, and what that benefit might be. Sometimes it's just a percentage or two, and ladies then weigh that against the side effects and often it's not worth it.

    Hugs

    Claire in AZ

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2017

    Hi Obee, and welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're sorry you're having a hard time with side effects... If it helps, take a look at the article on Femara (chemical name: letrozole) from our main site, where you'll learn more on the most common side effects of this drug and how to deal with them.

    Best wishes,

    The Mods

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  • Obee
    Obee Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2017

    Hi Clair, thanks very much, that sounds helpful..the only problem, I have never ever been to Oncology,

    Why, I don't understand ? But I saw my GP yesterday and she is writing to the surgeon ..hugs Olive

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited February 2017

    I would also suggest trying a different brand. I had problems with the generic, but things improved with Femara. Perhaps the fillers they use, who knows. Good luck.

    I'm confused, you have never seen a Medical Oncologist?

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