Letrozole ?

[Paradise43]

I had to post. Finished chemo and radiation. Today I was suppose to start THIS PILL. But I was scared. My doctor gave me the script. Told me to start it 2 wks after rads ended. Nothing else except it would be a good idea to start calcium. And sent me on to radiation. What do I need to know about this pill? What should he have told me!

[VicReg Partner]

They didn't give you or discuss potential side effects? That's horrible. Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor used in postmenopausal women for ER+ breast cancer. Your doctor should have explained the potential e effects including bone & joint pain. Here is a link with some information: medlineplus.gov/druginfo/me...

[Paradise43 in reply to VicReg]

Thank you. I felt so violated by his lack of concern. I let myself trust. And forgot I was a patient and not my own advocate. So after joining SHARE, I realized this pill could take away my beginning feelings of health. Chemo and radiation are over but 10 years of a debilitating health sucks. I can’t go back to that....

[VicReg Partner in reply to Paradise43]

Please know that not everyone has these side effects and most are manageable. While your oncologist should have provided you with information about the drug, they are still giving it to you to avoid recurrence. My suggestions is also to give it a try, rather than assuming you will have a bad reaction, everyone responds differently to medications.

Do your research and speak with your oncologist about your concerns. Be your own advocate for ure.

[Paradise43]

I know there is no choice. I plan to start next week and I’ve met with a nutritionist oncologist and there are options on to handle the effects of this pill like taking calcium, D3, K2 and magnesium. So it’s a beginning. It was just a shock to find out that this pill might get to kick you in the head while protecting your life. Thank you

[Scrapbooker in reply to Paradise43]

Tumeric Curcumin really helps my joints and so does Claritin. Oncologist doesn’t know what in Claritin helps joints but does for some people. You’re so right about the shock of the side effects kicking our butts from meds but just keep moving, don’t quit.

Prayers to you on your journey.

[Paradise43 in reply to Scrapbooker]

Started last night. Thanks for the heads up. We are all warriors I guess. Maybe that’s what bonds together. We do really care for each other keeping each other going forward. Merci

[SoCalLady]

Take the Pill!!!! You had estrogen based cancer. This is an estrogen blocker and given to you to prevent your breast cancer from recurring. In 2008, after my breast surgery, etc. I was told to take this pill for 5 years. I did, and with every annual test, I was cancer free. I was told I could get off the pill. Guess what, after three years of not taking it, my sleeping cancer cells woke up and metastasized to my bones. Stage 4 (that means not curable, but treatable) It's called MBC (Metastatic Breast Cancer) Because of the chance that "it" can come back, I believe that most onc's are having their patients take an estrogen blocker for 10 years now. Wish I did, I may not have gotten my death sentence of MBC. Back when I was in your position, just finishing chemo and radiation, I had never even heard of MBC. I was a survivor! I had to restart taking Letrozole 3 years ago, along with other estrogen blocking drugs. They all list the same side effects, but I never had any problems with Letrozole. If you do feel you're having side affects that are bothering you, ask your onc if you can try another estrogen blocker. There are others out there and some do better on another pill.

[Paradise43 in reply to SoCalLady]

Bless you socalLady. Damn cancer sucks! My prayers for you. Thank you for your advice.

[SoCalLady in reply to SoCalLady]

P.S. I just read your bio, you are just one year older than me. Congratulations on ending your treatment. You are now a survivor! So, take your pill like a good little girl, because I do not want you following in my path like so many of the others that are on this hub with MBC.

[Mmnyc]

Paradise43,

We are in the same boat except that my oncologist prescribed anastrazole along with lupron injections for the next 10 years. I was so upset when this was revealed to me but this is the standard treatment for women my age who haven’t gone through menopause.

Like you I am very scared about the dude effects, especially my poor bones. They already crack like crazy I wonder if they will be able to remain strong.

Honestly after thinking things through I had to have a one to one with myself and come to terms with the fact that all of these pills have side effects but I am willing to go through with them since I have to live for my little girl. And if this pill is going to help keep my cancer cells asleep then fine.

I think that’s how you have to rationalize things when you have cancer. You’ve already been through so much. You are very strong and as others have said give it a chance and jot down any weird symptoms and discuss with your oncologist.

[Paradise43 in reply to Mmnyc]

Yes so true. It’s been a heck of the last 7 months. I’m tougher and as you say people need me to be there. I want my life too. So there is no other way to go. Hang tough too.

[ToryH]

I’ve been on Letrozole for nearly 5 years and have had minimal side effects, but everyone is different. They will send you for a dexa scan to see if/how the medication is causing any bone loss. I would make sure to let your doctor know how you’re feeling once you start.