Anxiety and decisions about letrozole

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Josey53
Josey53 Member Posts: 3
edited April 2019 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

Hi. ... I was diagnosed with stage 1,grade 1 breast cancer last year, only estrogen +, and had a mastectomy and 1st stage reconstruction in August. No lymph problem and extremely low aggressivity. A fortunate diagnosis and operation all things considered.

I'm waiting for the 2nd surgery to remove the expander which has been delayed due to lack of operating space in hospital. I have to take painkillers everyday. I am told I should take letrozole but when I started it I felt about 100 years old almost immediately, I'm 53 and live in a mountain village and have to walk everywhere and i have my own business to run. Letrozole is making me feel pain through my legs and feet, constant headache,nausea and insomnia. Digestion is not the same. lack of memory and concenteation which is really worrying me. I've only taken it for 3 weeks as I delayed taking it because I wasn't sure about it. I also have to have cortisone daily for asthma so the bone density risk is also a huge concern.

I don't know what to do. My oncologist doesnt seem to really hear me,she says if I don't take it I risk bone cancer.

I am now constantly anxious and crying all the time.

I was fine after surgery and have been positive and calm. Now I'm an emotional wreck and i can't function like this.

I would prefer to go down a natural path supporting my immune system etc... I am experienced and trained in the field, however the fear the oncologist is putting in me is making all decisions seem impossible and i just sit crying and paralysed in my thoughts.

Any advice or similar experiences shared could help... I feel truely lost.

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited March 2019

    Ask your MO if you can switch to another AI. Some women find one much more tolerable than the others. A bunch of us who have started fairly recently also did so slowly--either half a dose every day or a full dose every other day for a few weeks. And this really doesn't have anything to do with your immune system--because your tumor was ER+, you need to get rid of the estrogen in your body.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2019

    Dear Josey53,

    Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry that your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment side effects have brought you here but glad that you reached out to our members. There is much to be gained here in the way of support and information from the shared experiences of others whose stories may be similar to yours. You also may want to check out the topic on Femara or the Hormonal Therapy Forum for more information and experiences of others to connect with. Please let us know if you need help navigating your way around.

    The Mods


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  • Josey53
    Josey53 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2019

    Hi and thank you for your reply. I know that letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor and stops the production of estrogen from fatty tissues. I am 18 months into my menopause. My problem.is the side effects and how to weigh up whether to take it with all the problems it is causing or not to take it and work with alternative methods. this is the confusion.

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  • pippy1963
    pippy1963 Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2019

    Josey could ask to go on Tamoxifen?. I was on tamoxifen and had no side effects. Unfortunately I have just been diagnosed wtih lung mets so now I'm on letrozole which is giving me terrible leg cramp I use CBD roll on stick which is helping. But the crying is new to me. You need an oncologist who understands you. Helps you in every aspect. Support is very important.This is your life and your choices sometimes we have to fight for what we need. Believe me I get the fact that it takes energy to fight but your worth the fight.

    pip

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited April 2019

    There are many hormonal meds. if this one is causing you issues you need to speak up and let them know your choice. It is your choice how you decide to treat your cancer and not theirs. If your MO is not cooperative you need another one.

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