hormone suppression and mood

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cm2020
cm2020 Member Posts: 615
edited May 2020 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I started Letrozole April 26th. So far it has been fine. An increase in hot flashes but nothing that I can't handle. However, over the last couple of days I am SO grumpy and bitchy! Every single thing is stomping on my nerves and I desperately just want to be left alone on a deserted island somewhere. Today has been really rough. After spending the day grumpy now I am teary and feel defeated.

Does this pass? Does it stabilize? I have a follow up appointment (telephone) with my oncologist this week and if it isn't better I will talk to her about it. Not sure anything can be done but I will at least talk to her.

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  • orangeflower
    orangeflower Member Posts: 146
    edited May 2020

    It seems really common. I'm going through this, too. I've only been on hormone therapy for 5 weeks, but I would say that in my case, this side effect is getting better but is not gone.

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited May 2020

    I had mood side effects on Aromasin (also an aromatase inhibitor), but I did not have mood problems on Tamoxifen or Faslodex. For me the mood issues from Aromasin did not improve for the five or six months I was on it. Eventually I had to switch drugs due to other problems from Aromasin. Everyone is different, but many people do have mood problems from hormone medicines.

    It's definitely worth mentioning to your MO. My advice would be: don't feel like you have to "tough it out" and keep feeling like this, and also don't give up yet. There are other effective drug options out there.

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  • Beaverntx
    Beaverntx Member Posts: 3,183
    edited May 2020

    Cm2020, I'm on Tamoxifen but have the same issue with grochyness(sp.?). It has gotten better overall but like most of my side effects it tends to come and go. My dear DH has been very tolerant !😂

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited May 2020

    When I started aramidex I was the same way. Even barked at my dogs cause they had the nerve to bark. After a few weeks, it all settled. Tamoxifen, same thing. Now letrozole, best one yet, for me.

    So yes, it will get better. Do mention it to MO, just so s/he is aware.

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited May 2020

    One thing I want to add: In my experience the initial "crash" of hormone medicine will happen no matter what drug you are on. According to my experience (and my nurse practitioner) the "crash" can stabilize after 2 or 3 months. If you are still having significant mood changes after 5 or 6 months... then it's definitely time to talk to your doctor about trying another option. I hope that helps.

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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited May 2020

    Okay now I am crying. Thank you ladies very much! I kind of figured that this was happening to others too, but hearing it from you makes me feel not alone which makes me feel better. My cancer (both tumors) is 100% hormone receptive positive, so I MUST be on an AI (i can't take Tamoxifen due to being on Plaquenil). I will definitely let my oncologist know this week just so she is aware and get her thoughts on it and at what point maybe something can be done and if there are options.

    I appreciate all of your comments, advice, and experiences so much. Thank you.

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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited May 2020

    buttonsmachine I wonder if the initial crash may be part of why my oncologist is following up after being on the med for a month. Just a thought I had. Thank you for providing timelines. That is helpful. But I am definitely going to let her know where things are now when I talk to her this week. Gosh I hope it improves on it's own.

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  • MikaMika
    MikaMika Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2020

    cm2020,

    What is your regime with pills? Are you taking them every day or every other day?


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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited May 2020

    MikaMika I take it daily.

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  • MikaMika
    MikaMika Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2020

    Me too. It seems like my friends who started taking pills every other day, had less mood related SE. But maybe they are just stronger than me.

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  • Rah2464
    Rah2464 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited May 2020

    MikaMika its is important to understand that how you process a medication is biology and chemistry, and is no way a reflection of how strong you are. In fact, you are really strong because you are still going even with all this difficulty thrown at you! I hope you get side effects resolved soon, or at least to where they are tolerable.

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  • MikaMika
    MikaMika Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2020

    Rah2464,

    Thank you so much for your kind words! I needed them so much!


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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited May 2020

    MikaMika Never doubt how strong you are. This has nothing to do with strength at all. You are perfect just as you are. We are all doing the best we can under tremendous circumstances. I think by the time we get to the hormone suppression we are just kind of beat down and tired. They are powerful drugs designed to help us, but they come with powerful effects as well. Lots of hugs to you...

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  • MikaMika
    MikaMika Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2020

    cm2020,

    Thank you for your support! It means a lot!

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  • VioletKali
    VioletKali Member Posts: 243
    edited May 2020

    I had some of the same thoughts when I quit chemo. Here I was beside these women taking it like a champ, and I was thinking about quitting. My quality of life matters more than just living. Just being alive is not good enough for me.

    I wasn't weak, YOU aren't weak, our bodies and physiologies are all unique.

    💕

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