Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi again I have just turned 63. I had surgery February 2018 and finished RT early May 2018. I didn't question why Letrozole was prescribed over the other A.I''s.  I guess at the time I didn't know too much about any of the meds and literally just did as I was told. The other side effect I didn't mention was fatigue. I've noticed an increase in tiredness since I started this drug. However I am going to perevere and see how it goes.   Good Luck x ... View more

Hi Melly,  I have recently stopped Letrozole and after a 4 week break started on Tamoxifen 5 weeks ago. I took Letrozole for 9 months and had chronic joint pain in my ankles knees and shoulders . Some days I couldn't get out of the bath. I also had chronic vaginal dryness which made me miserable and affected my relationship.  My oncologist suggested a change to Tamoxifen and, as Ann says, I was happy with this as I have osteoporosis and it is kinder to our bones. My joint pain reduced dramatically in the 4 week break, as did the vaginal dryness. After 5 weeks on Tamoxifen the main side effect is an increase in hot flushes but these are manageable.  I still have slight dryness and slight joint pain, but overall not too bad at all. 5 weeks is probably early days but I remain hopeful. I certainly feel much better than I did whilst taking Letrozole.  I hope this helps, but please ask away if you have any more questions. Sending best wishes  Andi x     ... View more

Thanks for the info Tessa ... View more

Thanks Tessa I have problems swallowing tablets and read it was available in liquid form although a more expensive option and not readily available.  I understand Tamoxifen is available as 10mg so thought maybe I could take 2 if they are smaller.   I'm seeing my GP tomorrow to ask about options. I could take it if I chopped it up I guess. Thanks for the info  ... View more

Thanks Michelle I've also heard that Teva is a good one x ... View more

Hi Cathy I had a very dry mouth and sore tongue initially when I first took Letrozole but this seems to have subsided although I do often wake in the night very dry. I believe it is in the list of possible side effects perhaps you can speak to your GP for help to relieve the symptoms. ... View more

Hi Ladies Just a follow on from my 1st post in early December. Following my hospital consultation I've now been advised that it is perfectly acceptable to change to Tamoxifen Could I ask for a concensus of opinion on favourite brands as I'm guessing the same issues will present as it does with Letrozole. I've heard that Wockhardt is a good one? Could you let me have your comments please? Also I'm currently in the "wash out " period off Letrozole which I'm told is 4 - 6 weeks. Feeling quite vulnerable not taking any hormone blockers but have been reassured this is perfectly fine. How long have other ladies had for the wash out period when changing meds? Thanks in advance for your contributions Andi x ... View more

Thanks for your comments Ali. The decision is tough and the more I research, the more I am uncertain. I am nearly 63 so a good decade older than you. I've spoken to my bcn today and she is fully supportive of a change to Tamoxifen as I am classed as low risk. She is arranging an appointment with my oncologist for the New Year and has suggested stopping Letrozole from next week to allow the drug to be washed out of my system. Everything feels like a scary option. I'm quite excited about a pain free Christmas, but also worried about not taking it for 4 weeks! We had a long discussion about risk factors and quality of life. Good luck with your decision, has anyone mentioned a change to Tamoxifen or is that not an option for you? ... View more

Thanks for providing the link Kathy. It provides interesting reading. I'm speaking with my bcn tomorrow for advice. ... View more

Thank you for your reply Ann, that's reassuring ... View more

Thanks everyone for your comments. I intend to speak to my GP to ask if I can have a fixed brand and also try maybe Accord or Dr R as they seem to be the most favoured. Mcnulcc to answer your question I have not experienced any stomach issues while taking Letrozole. In fairness I can just about manage the hot flushes and joint pains but the vaginal dryness is just a pain. Intimacy is out of the question right now. I've been using Replens and Sylk with some relief but not enough to return to a normal sex life. I'm a young 62 and really don't want to abandon this side of my relationship. I am therefore going to try other brands in an attempt to reduce the side effects before considering a change to Tamoxifen Thanks again everyone ... View more

Hi Everyone Just looking for a concensus of opinion on the best brands of Letrozole. I have been using Cipla for 5 months and now experiencing ankle pain, hot flushes and worst of all vaginal dryness. My oncologist has suggested a switch to Tamoxifen in the future if the side effects persist but has asked me to continue on Letrozole for the next few months. I'm seeing my GP next week to discuss a change of brand to see if this may relieve the symptoms. Any thoughts on the best brands for reducing side effects? Also, can anyone enlighten me why some brands create worse side effects than others? A friend was told by her GP that that they were all the same and changing brands was pointless. Thoughts and contributions would be most welcome ? xx ... View more

That's great Emily, I will do that. Thank You ... View more

Hi Dealdoh I have just returned from 3 weeks in America. My rads had been completed 4 weeks when I flew out. The holiday had been booked over a year and prior to my diagnosis. I haven't experienced any problems either with flying or my skin. Just need to be vigilant and protect the skin. I used InsuranceWith and it was around £145 for 3 weeks. However I do have other medical conditions which bumped up the quote. I also waited until active treatment ended before obtaining quotes. Hope this helps ... View more

10 months is a long time to wait and holidays are so important. May be worth trying other companies? I finally went with InsuranceWith and paid £145 for 3 weeks in USA . I am only 4 weeks since treatment finished and USA is known to be expensive for medical insurance so I'm hoping this will be less in the future and for trips to Europe. Although expensive this was the best quote from several companies I tried. ... View more

Hi Bellas mum I asked the same question myself on the forum a couple of months ago. Like you I was given a Letrozole prescription by my oncologist but with no clear instructions when to start. My radiotherapy appts did not start for several weeks after. The consensus was that the instructions on this can vary. I telephoned the oncology department and was told to start immediately and this was 5 weeks before rads. I had very little side effects from Letrozole in the first few weeks so really don't worry too much about the radiotherapy. In fairness my side effects from the meds so far are all manageable and I'm trying to stay positive long term in the hope that they settle down. Hope this helps xx ... View more

Thank You. Once it's sorted I will report back. There may be some useful advice for other members. £100 for 3 weeks USA seems to be the average so far. Will also see what they have to say about the counselling. I think it is important discuss every possible factor with the insurance company as I know a claim would be rejected for any none declaration ... View more