Letrozole for Breast Cancer User Reviews (Page 4)

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 23, 2019

"I have been taking letrozole for over a year, and about six months ago developed hand and foot tremors, very mild, but never had those before this drug. Had lobular, did radiation, left breast, clean lumpectomy. Also had hair shedding and vaginal dryness. It does beat the cancer coming back, but I feel like a very old 61. Will be talking to the oncologist next month, maybe ask if I can take a break."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2023

"Was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in 2022. Had a lumpectomy. Then had a double mastectomy. I was told, “we got everything.” Then I was told to take Femara. I’m 54 and have arthritis from past sports history. Within 48 hours of taking this drug, my leg swelled up and was painful. Swelling subsided after 7 weeks. It’s a daily struggle to get out of bed due to the severe joint pain in my knees and hips. Hot flashes have returned. I have a general feeling of apathy. This is not living. Seeing the oncologist in a few weeks and advising them I’m not going to continue taking this. The daily pain of just walking around my home is not worth it."

• Tul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

"I had 2 tumors removed, 2 operations, radiotherapy, and medication letrozole. 28 days in taking letrozole, headaches, joint pain, muscle aches, hot flushes, and terrible mood swings. Hope to heaven this is not to be with me every day as I'm not sure how I can keep working."

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2018

"I have been on letrozole for 13 months, which I began after a lumpectomy of my left breast, followed by four months of chemo and four weeks of radiation. For many months, my only noticeable side effect was fatigue. I always took it at night, so this was not too much of an issue. Within the last few months, I’ve been experiencing increasingly more painful joint and muscle pain in my shoulders and arms. Sometimes ibuprofen seems to ease the pain, but not always. I’m hoping it doesn’t get worse, for it is not easy to ignore. And yes, I’ve had weight gain also... the 20 lb seems to be the magic number, however, being menopausal, this was occurring with me anyway. I have a very active job with a lot of lifting and walking, but the weight gain won’t budge."

• The...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 16, 2021

Letrozole "I was prescribed Letrozole by the oncologist after breast cancer surgery. Exactly one year on this medication, I started having arthritis, which progressed to full-blown rheumatoid arthritis. The oncologist refused to acknowledge a link and insisted I stay on the medication for five years. Common sense told me that the medication interfered with my immune system. I will be on medication for the rest of my life to control the RA, taking injections every three weeks. I am positive it is connected to the Letrozole."

• Fat...
• October 31, 2016

"I have been on Femara since 6/4/15, almost 1.5 years now. At first, my only side effect was enhanced hot flashes and night sweats. I am post-menopause. No real weight gain, which has pleased my oncologist. I do, however, now have muscle weakness, joint pain in wrists, fingers, and knees. Also, I now have trigger finger in my thumb. I have seen a rheumatologist and have been put on diclofenac for joint pain. Even she feels like my aches are from the Femara. The meds she put me on are not working. I get just as much relief from Aleve and Advil. If anyone out there has a solution to the joint pain, please write in."

• 201...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 24, 2015

"I had stage 2 breast cancer in 2004, took tamoxifen for 5 years, and was then moved to Femara. I have had significant bone and muscle pain; weight gain; severe hot flashes/night sweats; and brain fog, forgetfulness. However, my 5 years of Femara will end in June 2015; I was under the impression that I would be taken off of this medication. However, I have seen many posts that show individuals on this medication for 8, 9, or more years. I am not sure what my oncologist has in mind for me. I was 46 when I found out and have had both breasts removed and completed 5 months of chemo, but I am still concerned to be without any medications for fear of my cancer returning."

• Apa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 6, 2017

"I was diagnosed with stage 2 hormone-positive breast cancer in December 2015. I had a bilateral mastectomy in January 2016, just 3 days after turning 60. No lymph node involvement. I also didn't have chemo or radiation and started on letrozole in February. Didn't notice side effects at first. I think I was going through reconstruction with tissue expanders. This was very painful, and pain meds helped. Since having my implants and no pain meds, my joints ache, my memory is awful, I'm tired, and I have hot flashes. Sometimes depressed for no reason and just don't feel like doing anything. Have lost weight by strict dieting and biking, which helps. Now it's March 2017 and still cancer-free. Also added another BP med, a cholesterol med, and a low-dose pain med."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 7, 2018

"I have been on this drug for over a year now. This is my update to a previous comment. I stopped it on the advice of my doctor because of my hot flashes and sweats, joint pain. It was a month break. I started it up again, my hot flashes and sweats were subsiding, now they are getting worse again. My joint pain is going away. Some nights I may sleep four hours max."

• Fif...
• April 28, 2016

"Diagnosed with breast cancer, Nov 2013, double mastectomy, chemo, radiation therapy, oophorectomy. Side effects: leg cramps, disturbed sleep, palpitations, hot flushes, muscle, joint, and back pain, hair thinning, nausea, fatigue, increased appetite, breathlessness."

• Jew...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 2, 2016

Letrozole "Stage 2b or stage 3 according to the onc nurse. Invasive lobular cancer. One year on letrozole. Just had a bone cancer scare, but a negative bone scan. Hot flashes, sweats, bone fracture, not injury. Some bleeding from genital tissues. Also had a 10 lb weight loss. Anyone else with bleeding and weight loss? Lots of back pain, already had osteoarthritis."

• Yoj...
• January 4, 2018

"Had chemo every other week for 4 treatments, surgery, another 4 sessions of chemo, then radiation every weekday for 33 sessions. Neulasta shots day after chemo, that was so horrible, excruciating body aches. I've been on letrozole for 8 months. Side effects have been muscle aches, fatigue, some nausea, dry mouth, trigger thumb, hot flashes, weight gain, blurry vision, insomnia, occasional decrease in appetite, neuropathy mostly in my feet (maybe from the chemo?). Is that enough? My doctor wants to give me a 3-4 week break, but I'm scared to stop. I can live with these side effects if it keeps me from a recurrence. I am feeling better, not quite as tired or nauseated. I'm glad I'm not the only one with the symptoms."

• Bar...
• November 21, 2007

"I am interested in how long it takes letrozole side effects to disappear after 5 years of taking the drug. I have completed one month. I had stage 1 breast cancer, mastectomy with no lymph node involvement, no chemo or radiation, and no tamoxifen. I am 67 years old and in otherwise good health."

• ire...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2023

"Letrozole was successful in shrinking my tumor prior to surgery. I am now taking letrozole to prevent recurrence of breast cancer but am finding the side effects are impacting my life. I get so many aches and pains in my joints, coupled with dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. I am grateful to letrozole for helping to remove the cancer but feel that my enjoyment of life is reduced due to taking this drug long term."

• JHa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2023

"I was reluctant to even commence taking letrozole as my benefit score was 0.9%. After only a few weeks, I had leg pains and brain fog. Then, devastatingly, my dental implants failed, and I have had immense bone loss in my jaw, causing tooth loss. My DEXA scan confirmed I am osteopenic. I was only on letrozole for about 3 months, and it has ruined my life. I wish I had followed my instincts and never taken it. I had no dental implant problems prior to taking this horrible drug."

• Mic...
• February 7, 2017

"Stage 3 breast cancer. Double mastectomy, chemo, radiation. Started letrozole about 5 months ago. Severe joint and muscle pain, especially in shoulders, arms, and hands. 20 lb weight gain. Seriously hate this medication but afraid to go off it because supposedly it reduces my recurrence rate. I'm trying acupuncture for the joint pains."

• new...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2021

"Has anyone had eye problems with letrozole? I've been on it about a year and a half. Every so often, I can't see out of my right eye at all, and the color is a deep maroon... very scary. My retina doctor said there was no bleeding. I have wet macular degeneration in the right eye, and I read letrozole can cause the pulling of the vitreous in the eye on the retina, causing the retina to change your vision and also small retina hemorrhages. I'm so afraid of losing my vision. Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Does anyone know if there are other safer options to prevent my Stage 1 breast cancer from coming back other than letrozole?"

• Ani...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 7, 2016

"Was diagnosed in Oct 2014 with endometrial stroma sarcoma and put on Letrozole 2.5 mg (UK). Small tumors near my liver have now disappeared, and the main tumor has shrunk from 2.7 to 1 cm. Side effects have been very bad from nausea, dizziness, aches and pains (sometimes from head to toe), stiffness in all the joints, brain fog, and tiredness. Yes, some days you wonder if it is worth it, but then you look at the family and decide there is no option but to keep fighting. Taking loads of supplements and herbs, which have helped somewhat, and acupuncture. The insomnia is very hard to deal with - nothing seems to help at all with that. Now having a 4-month break. Oncologist suggested 1 month, but after 1 month, the effects are still there."

• joy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 14, 2016

"I have been on this drug for almost 5 years and have a few problems, like a persistent cough and about a couple of hours of hot spells each day, but will be stopping this at the end of the year and am wondering if there are after problems."

• tc1...
• April 8, 2024

"I have been on letrozole for 12 months due to stage 1 breast cancer, estrogen positive. Had lumpectomy and 5 sessions of radiotherapy. I also have ME for 15 years. If this drug keeps the cancer away, I will continue to take it despite the side effects. I take it each evening at the same time, yes, I get the headaches, joint pains, fatigue, hot flushes, but I battle on with a smile on my face every day because I am still here."

• Ely...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 17, 2016

"Surgery for ER Stage 2 in right breast. Started letrozole before radiation. Had a lumpectomy and one sentinel node out below the armpit. So next, a sore, red, swollen breast. My GP put me on huge doses of antibiotics. Didn't work. Surgeon then told me it was lymphedema. Gave me dexamethasone (appalling side effects). Had to stop it, and it took a month to settle the problems down, settled infection but not lymph blockage. Off to a lymphedema nurse, learning exercises and massage. Acutely tired. Loss of interest/drive. Headaches, mind blurriness, and bad recall. Eyes also blurry. Aching everywhere began and grew so badly could barely move. Taken off Femara. Three weeks later still ache badly. Back soon to decide what to do. Hard decisions..."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2016

"My 2nd breast cancer 8/16, 1st 2005 DCI stage 1 Rt. breast. 2nd in left breast. It is primary, not metastatic, but due to the large size tumor, the surgeon wants to shrink the tumor to try a lumpectomy. On Femara 2 months and feeling very blessed. Sonogram follow-up shows tumor shrinking and this allows me the holidays with family before surgery. I have the typical side effects: joint pain, daily hot flashes, nightly sweats (fans everywhere, portable in my purse), and some hair thinning, so I keep it in double braids to save the vacuum and shower drains. I can't walk far at one clip due to fatigue, so I use a walker with a seat to allow daily exercise. Changed diet and losing weight. Grateful for medication and will keep taking it as long as the tumor is shrinking."

• Nan...
• May 12, 2017

"Feel horrible on this med but will keep taking it. Started 2 years into it. Every bone hurts, have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Every day is a challenge. I exercise, eat right but still gained 20 lbs. I will take the BCI sometime at the end of the year, test to see what future chances of reoccurrence are. I just keep praying to feel like my old self."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2021

Letrozole "Male had breast cancer removed. Lymph nodes clear, but started on this after I had a bad MRI for an eye issue. Started taking letrozole as insurance. Recently have been having more brain fog, unexplained black eye, yellow bruises on legs, and one on my arm. Will probably stop taking. Also just diagnosed with glaucoma like someone else here. Good luck. It seems this drug works for many, and doesn't fit for a lot too. Make up your own mind for what is best for you. Good luck."

• Dem...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 28, 2023

"I started letrozole in May 2018 after chemo-mastectomy-ovary removal-radiation for stage 3A breast cancer. I was 32 at the time, I'm 38 now. I've taken the recommended 5 years of letrozole without (or rarely) missing a dose. The oncologist now is giving me the choice to stop or extend it, leaving it up to me. I'm afraid to stop. However, I do have osteoporosis now (at age 38). My feet/knees/hands have been stiff, and I have no libido (probably because of surgical menopause). I'd like to stop to see if I can kick the brain fog, but is it worth getting cancer coming back? It's a hard choice. This medicine probably saved my life up until now."