Letrozole and Hair Loss: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 29, 2015

Letrozole for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "Stage IIIc lobular breast CA, node, started generic Femara 18 months ago after radiation. Minor side effects - hair loss, nails, skin, vaginal dryness. Major - started out with tolerable joint, bone, and muscle pain. But about a month ago, these symptoms became severe enough to decrease my quality of life. My oncologist did blood work, all okay. She wanted a bone scan, but after reading reviews, this is the Femara, not bone cancer. She just has not had any patients do this, the literature is based on trials, not the general population. The literature (and she told me) the symptoms go away by 8 months! Not!! I also have MS (still mobile, but that has some same/similar side effects) but Femara more like arthritis. Knees, ankles. Stay on though!"

• Fif...
• April 28, 2016

For Breast Cancer "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."

• can...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2018

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "In 2015, I was diagnosed with stage 2A right breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and reconstruction, as well as a full hysterectomy. This is my second year on Letrozole (scheduled for 5), and my symptoms have just started. Mild headaches, back and neck pain, muscle aches, weight gain, and hair loss. The latest is nausea, which I hate! I have high blood pressure, and it has been going up alarmingly. That's really the main concern that I have since heart disease and strokes run in my family. For the first year, I had no side effects, but now it seems like every one of them is converging at the same time. I'm wondering what I'll experience next, but I've decided to remain on the medication and will try to mitigate the symptoms as best I can. I'm 48 and have had a wonderful life, but I'm living for my family, and especially my new grandchild. So, I'll suffer, but it's worth it to stick around for as long as I can."

• snu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 17, 2018

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "Had a lumpectomy 21 years ago with radiation. Last year, another type of breast cancer came, so had breast removed. Started Letrozole 11 months ago, and I was a bit lightheaded at first. That has gone away. My hair thinned on top, but took some Biotin vitamins and stopped further breakage. Now hair is back to normal. Some various joint stiffness, but that goes away. I had blood clots in both lungs from knee surgery 4 years ago. Had to be on blood thinners for 8 months. Last week, had a blood clot in my left leg yet again. Went to the hospital, but didn't make the connection for Letrozole to be the cause until I happened to read the information papers in the pill box. The doctor never mentioned it. So I have stopped the pill and am waiting for the doctor to get back to me about continuing."

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

For Breast Cancer "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."

• Ral...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 14, 2024

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Metastatic breast cancer - L5 vertebra metastases diagnosed in October 2008. I started Femara in November 2008 and took one daily until July 2023 when I switched to generic: Letrozole. As long as I took Femara, the adverse effects were tolerable: at first there were hot flashes (about 2 years) with fatigue, hair thinning. Since last year, since I have been taking the generic Letrozole, I have had joint pain, burning sensation in the soles, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, sensitive peripheral neuropathy. Since March 2024, I have developed a sensation of facial paresthesias (chin/lower and upper lip), numbness and tingling in the skin of my arms and legs bilaterally. However, almost 16 years on from my initial diagnosis I have no signs of breast cancer recurrence so I will continue with Letrozole"

• fir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 23, 2013

For Breast Cancer "Got aches and pains in shoulders, knees, stiffness after sitting, trigger fingers and thumb-left hand, thinning hair."

• Cur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2015

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Switched to letrozole and Ibrance from Xgeva and Denosumab, April 2015. The weight gain, hair loss, and depression are an impending deal breaker. Sorry. Can't live like this."

• Fox...
• March 1, 2017

For Breast Cancer "Morning joint stiffness progressing to hip, wrist, shoulder stiffness and pain. Hip pain is the most bothersome. Also, dry mouth and some hair loss."