Taking a break from lethrozole

Options
FaithAndTrust
FaithAndTrust Member Posts: 44
edited May 2021 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

hi ladies due to issues with fatigue and nausea my Onc and I have agreed I could take a six week break from lethrozole to see if I improve. It's been nearly three weeks and tbh I haven't really felt much better. The fatigue and nausea tends to come in waves mostly late afternoons especially if I have been very busy. So it really feels almost like pregnancy hormonal type symptoms (btw defo not pregnant 😉) and it doesn't happen every day. I am 56 post menopause and was hoping this was all lethrozole driven but now wondering if I am still suffering menopause symptoms. Hoping someone can throw some light. many thanks 🙏

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • JRNJ
    JRNJ Member Posts: 573
    edited May 2021

    I took a break from arimidex for my diep and it took the full six weeks to feel “normal”. Now I’m on letrozole since February and miserable.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited May 2021

    Hi FaithAndTrust, Nausea wasn't one of my symptoms when I went through menopause. Did you have any other test done? Labs? Are you staying hydrated? Any new vitamins or medications? How much longer do you have to take letrozole?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FaithAndTrust
    FaithAndTrust Member Posts: 44
    edited May 2021

    thanks for your reply JNRL. I hope it is the same for me that in six or so weeks I will feel normal..if that's ever possible again🙈

    could you not go back to Arimidix if the lethrozole is not suiting you?

    hope things improve for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FaithAndTrust
    FaithAndTrust Member Posts: 44
    edited May 2021

    thanks flashlight..no other tests done as it genuinely feels like hormonal issues causing my symptoms. I will hope to see an improvement after a few more weeks off the lethrozole.

    Wishing you all the best.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JRNJ
    JRNJ Member Posts: 573
    edited May 2021

    FaithAndTrust, Your dx was 2014. How long have you been on letrozole? I've been on 4 so far, exemestane, anastrozole, arimidex and letrozole. They all make me miserable. My arm and leg pain and inflammation was horrible and crippling on arimidex. Aromosin made my whole body swell, I couldn't sleep and I had headaches every day. On letrozole, my arm and leg pain is better, my main symptom is insomnia (with a sleeping pill), agitation and headaches. But I have had so many other things going on, hard to isolate what has helped and what is making me worse. I was on Lupron when I was on Aromosin. Since starting letrozole, I also stopped my statin, got a steroid shot, and had DIEP flap surgery. I think the combo of the statin and the AI was crippling. But my cholesterol is now through the roof and I am working with a cardiologist on alternatives, but it is not promising. Meanwhile, just found out I need a biopsy for nodules on my thyroid. Thyroid cancer has the same symptoms as letrozole, so I don't know what is up or down anymore.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FaithAndTrust
    FaithAndTrust Member Posts: 44
    edited May 2021

    dear JNRJ I have been in lethrozole sibe August 2016.

    Oncologist says they know that efficacy is very little after seven years so if you are struggling then he would advocate coming off the lethrozole..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories