Oil of Evening Primrose

[Tabbycat64]

I had a lumpectomy last May. It was a small ductal carcinoma which was invasive. I went on to have Radiotherapy and started a five year course of Letrozole. I developed bad joint pain and I had a month off to see if the Letrozole was the culprit. It was better but not gone. The oncology nurse suggested I take the Letrozole for the next 3 months but take a supplement of high dose Oil of Evening Primrose to see if this helps. I was surprised by this and still think it sounds a bit dubious.

Has anyone been taking Oil of Evening Primrose? I’d love to hear about other members of the community ‘s experiences with it.

Best wishes to everyone: I e found reading your posts very comforting and informative.

[Happyrosie]

certainly I had severe joint and muscle pains with this. Changed to similar pills with slightly better result, which got worse again. I’ve now been off then for two years and it’s (arthritis) not all that much better.

I can assume that osteoarthritis was going to strike anyway.

I believe that most people have joint pains with Let. But better than getting cancer again! I’m almost ten years free.

[Happyrosie]

i meant to say. I was advised not to take evening prim.

[Tabbycat64 in reply to Happyrosie]

Did they say why? I was surprised that an NHS specialist nurse would recommend a herbal remedy. Thank you for your helpful comments. I have Osteoporosis too .

[Happyrosie in reply to Tabbycat64]

It’s a while ago now - but I think this was the case:

Some twenty years ago evening primrose oil was found, in a small piece of research I think, to be helpful for menopausal symptoms and for dry eyes. So I took it for a few years. I seem to remember my oncologist saying that’s she’d prefer me not to take it as it might affect the various female hormones (which is why it might be helpful for menopause).

Osteoporosis isn’t the same as osteoarthritis.

[Tabbycat64 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks for your reply. Sorry I confused osteoarthritis with osteoporosis. I do know they are completely different.

I’m going to try the evening primrose oil. I have some ordered. I will let everyone know if it is helpful.

I’m. Just coming up to my one year mammogram. Congratulations on being 10 years clear. Best wishes .

[Jhnard]

I am on Raloxifene which is mild drug for Breast cancer and osteoporosis which I got after being on Anastrozole and before that Letrozole. I had exactly what you had IDC and radiotherapy but was 10 years ago. I had less side effects from Anastrozole. See if you can switch. my understanding is that they both treat breast cancer, the same. Good Luck on your journey🙏🏻

[Tabbycat64 in reply to Jhnard]

Thank you. That is helpful. I’m on a three month trial of the Letrozole and oil of evening primrose but will keep your comments in mind.

[Bluesparky]

Hi Tabbycat, I had the same procedure in the UK last year. I take letrozole too.

Like you I have joint pain but havnt heard of the evening primrose oil.

As letrozole can affect bone density I now take Vitamin D3 ( we dont get much sun in Scotland). Ive also doubled my efforts at the gym because I think that strengthening muscles and ligaments helps with joint pain and bone density.

Exercise was recommended by my consultant. The supplements are just between me and google.

Anyway I will keep taking the letrozole and put up with the side effects .

[DCCC_204]

Hi Tabbycat64.

I’m glad to hear you sound like you are well otherwise. That’s great. I also had a lumpectomy, had chemo x 4 & the super radiation x 5, then letrizole. I hesitated starting petiole because I was having dental work done that the nurse warned about. About 3 weeks after having a tooth pulled, I started. I found I had almost all the symptoms listed for the first 3 months then my body settled down with most symptoms gone after the 3 month point. I’ve had more teeth pulled due to roots cracked (treatments results?) & each time have gone off letrizole for 8-10 days. (Endodintist tells me that letrizole slows the healing process). My own decision. I asked medical staff but they haven’t had an opinion. When I resume taking I do find my joints are achy for a few days then settle out. This has been my experience hope it helps

I hope for you that you will find your body will also accept the letrizole without joint pain. Good luck.