FEMARA

I just started letrozole this week. Am starting with taking every other day since these pills cant be split because of enteric coating. Any idea how long it takes side effects to start showing up? So far I've done 2 doses, and nothing bad has happened. If you are going to get hot flashes do they start right away? Thank you for any input!

quinnie...I have been on Letrozole since April 2020. My hot flashes have been brutal as well. The absolute worst of them is at night. I saw my MO for my regular appointment a few days ago. She put me on Neurontin (can't remember the other name of it) for the hot flashes. It has make a world of difference! I take it at night and it helps with sleep as well as the hot flashes. I have been dry and slept every night since starting it. It is wonderful not waking up in a pool of my own sweat. She offered 3 different meds that help with hot flashes. We chose this one because I am having horrible peripheral neuropathy in my hands (caused by Letrozole) and this drug helps with neuro pain. It has not helped my hands much. She also referred me to ortho to a hand specialist to get help with the increasing neuropathy. All of this to say, talk to your MO because there is help out there for the hot flashes. I also want to offer you some encouragement about your joint pain. Mine was horrible for several weeks. I start doing yoga and stretching daily and it helped a whole lot. After a few weeks I found the joint pain just went away and stayed away whether I did yoga or not. Hopefully yours will follow the same path. Hopefully you will also NOT develop peripheral neuropathy.

arabiansrock, in my case, I can't really say when Letrozole's SE started since I was on monthly lupron shots and going through surgeries while in letrozole. For sure, on the 6th month of letrozole and after all other crap, I start feeling SE mostly join and muscle pains. I am a yogi, and I push myself to continue yoga even through the pain. I can say lately, there are more good days than bad days. Actually, it is getting easier to manage pains or I am used to having them. I can't figure out what type of food or lifestyle change can flare SE of letrozole. But, it is getting better.

Can you experience side effects shortly after starting letrozole? I stated taking it Tuesday and have been feeling exhausted the last two days. I’m making myself walk at least 20 min per day and doing some easy things around the house, but just general malaise. I’m also experiencing some nausea, treating it with zorfran.

I’ve had issues with anemia, low potassium and low magnesium so I plan on calling my oncologist on Monday.

Thank you for the response ThreeTree.

Good to know. Thank you for the response LillyIsHere.

From what I've read, there's no recommendation as to when to take it or with/without food. And my oncologist didn’t make a recommendation I've been taking it with dinner. I started 10 days ago

I have been on Letrozole since April (with time off it for radiation) and have always taken it first thing in the morning without food. So far it hasn't bothered my stomach at all. You might need to try it different ways to see what works for you. Congratulations on finishing radiation!

My RO told me to stop taking it during radiation and for 2 weeks after. He said it was "probably okay to continue during radiation but would prefer to err on the side of caution and not take it". I was going to start it back the day after I finished radiation and his PA told me not to. She said that my body had been through a lot and to give it a bit of a rest (and then told me 2 weeks). Ask your RO and/or do some research if you aren't comfortable just stopping it for a bit. I want to say that I have seen others on the radiation boards also stop their AI during radiation.

Yes, like Kanga-Roo said, please let your dr know about side effects if they are affecting your quality of life. I take mine first thing in the morning and my hot flashes came fast and furious during the night, only they kept me up. I also have developed carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of Letrozole. My oncologist put me on Neurontin for the hot flashes (and I now stay dry all night long, it is heaven) and sent me to ortho for the carpal tunnel. Still working on dealing with the carpal tunnel. My ortho gave me splints and did steroid injections but, well, no consistent relief yet. Despite these issues, Letrozole is my "cancer be gone" pill and I will stick with it.

I take Letrozole a couple of hours after dinner and I have put the alarm on my phone to be exactly at 10 pm. Yes, I am a night owl . A nurse told me hot flashes start 3-4 hr after you take the pill, that means I am sleeping or watching Netflix. Small waves of hot flashes may happen during the night because I don't feel them. From my own experience, I feel that taking the medication at the same time each day helps your body and mind to adjust better. Lots of water too, before, during, and after medication. In the morning when I wake up, I do stretches while still in bed. It does get better.

Hello, all!

I am finishing rads this week (hooray!) and will be starting on letrozole soon. Honestly, I’m a little freaked out by it. I already have arthritis in my hands, feet, and back, so I’m not sure if I can cope with MORE joint pain.

I’m also almost always hot, so I dread the thought of hot flashes.

And neuropathy? Noooooo! I had no idea this medication could cause that. I really feel like a full-on child/brat sometimes and just think, “But I don’t WANNA take it!” On the other hand, I don’t want cancer, so cue the big-girl panties. *sigh*

Anyone on here have mild or no SEs

Nsbrown54, in my case the SE of letrozole had a peek of worst SE on 5-6 months and then start getting better. Lots of work on my end with yoga, massages, acupuncture, etc. I also learned that if you can take a nap or warm shower when you are feeling lousy helps a lot.

Thank you LilyisHere.

Thanks cm2020. Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with neuropathy since after my 4th TCHP. Some days are better than others (or maybe I deal with it a little better). Ugh