Letrozole for Breast Cancer User Reviews (Page 2)

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2013

Femara (letrozole) "I was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 2) - underwent 6 months of chemo and 6 weeks radiation. My hair regrowth was pretty quick but began thinning significantly after about a year of Tamoxifen usage (could see my scalp pretty clearly in the front and on top of my head). My doctor switched me to Femara about 2 months ago - side effects include lots of hot flashes (about 6-10 daily) and weight gain which I am combating by working out every day and cutting my calories. I am prayerful that I don't experience any more hair loss or the joint pain that I keep reading about. Everyone, hang in there!"

• Susan...
• September 7, 2010

Femara (letrozole) "I'm 4 years status post breast CA and doing well... no recurrence for my Stage IIIA. I started taking tamoxifen, then my oncologist switched me to Femara. I do have frequent hot flashes (whew!) and joint and bone pain that worsens with being tired. Overall, I am able to tolerate the medication, and my oncologist believes it is the treatment of choice for me. The side effects of being without estrogen are worse than the Femara side effects. I know the drug is working as having no estrogen produced results in atrophic vaginitis, decreased sex drive, and other female issues that are bothersome. But, in the big picture of life, it's a small price to pay to be, and hopefully stay, cancer free. I will continue to use Femara!"

• greyh...
• November 2, 2015

Femara (letrozole) "Had lump removed April 2014, 15 treatments of Radiotherapy then Letrozole. The doctor only warned about making my already present aches pains worse but felt this was the best for my age; now 70. I went out with my daughter on Friday and felt I had to drag myself around, so wiped out. I feel the need to sit down all the time. Going upstairs to bed, by the time I get to the top of the stairs, I'm sweating, very hot, and feel like I'm running out of air; I have to sit down on the toilet while I cool down. During the day, I constantly fall asleep. I feel this is a poor life with no energy to do anything. I wake up in the morning with a headache and sometimes feel sick."

• Posit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2014

"I have been on letrozole for 5 months. I experience pretty strong joint pain in hands, fingers, and feet, especially upon rising in the morning. I look like Walter Brennan going to the bathroom. I am 54 and previously felt like 25; now I often feel 85. I have found something great to prevent weight gain and help with the energy issue. Still working on vaginal dryness and libido. Have found an anti-inflammatory diet improves pain, energy, and mental clarity."

• Anonymous
• May 23, 2010

Femara (letrozole) "I was on Tamoxifen for 2 years following breast cancer and doing fine. My oncologist wanted to try Femara because it could be a little better. I was on it for about 3 months when I awoke in the middle of the night with horrible joint pain. It had been coming on slowly, but I thought it was carpal tunnel, maybe arthritis. Then I realized that my doctor had said that joint pain was a possible side effect of Femara. I was also gaining approximately 2 pounds a month! I have been off of it for a month now, but am still having pain. It is worse in the mornings and evenings. Trying to grip with my hands is very difficult some mornings. My doctor said it could take a few months to get this out of my system."

• Jill...
• November 30, 2015

Femara (letrozole) "Stage 4 HER2-positive breast cancer was found in 2011. After a double mastectomy (additionally, 6 other surgeries due to Staph infection and failed reconstruction attempts), 6 months of 2 types of chemotherapy, including Neulasta booster shots after each infusion, a total of 1 year of Herceptin chemo infusions, 6 weeks of daily radiation, then 8 years of Femara. Been taking this medication daily since August 2012. Hot flashes and night sweats are awful. Anxiety occasionally. Easily out of breath after any activity. Difficulty maintaining focus and frequent forgetfulness. 3 years with this medication and chest, bone, and joint pain is intensifying. 5 more years to go. CANCER FREE STILL."

• Scooter
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2020

"2019 Jan diagnosed with breast cancer. Stage 2. 58 yrs old. Left breast mastectomy no radiation no ca in the lymph nodes. Given Letrozole 2.5 mg, side effects of this medication: Severe hot flashes, chills, severe pain in hands, knees, feet, legs, foggy head, muscle pain, insomnia, poor memory, extremely tired, cankers, pain in upper abdomen on occasion, first four months hair loss and itchy hands. I quit my job as I was just too tired to continue. I now wish I would have quit the Letrozole instead. I will see my cancer dr in a few months and this will be discussed. If I don’t quit before."

• CHARIN
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 26, 2014

"Was on Arimidex for one year but was changed to Letrozole because I couldn't walk due to burning sensation. Side effects after treatment have been: bone weakening, fatigue, insomnia, night sweats, weight gain (40 lb), dry hair, feel older than 71, redness in my face, high blood pressure, neuropathy, burping, stiffness after sitting, memory loss, joint pain...but I am happy to be alive. I try not to complain because I want my husband to be happy."

• Jenna
• August 8, 2019

"A mammogram found lump in my breast and had lumpectomy, followed by 5 weeks of radiation and the hormone blocker Letrozole, which my oncologist strongly recommended. For about 3 years prior to the surgery, I had problems with back pain, lack of energy, depression and asthma which caused me to be very short winded. Since the radiation I find I'm more tired and the breathing is worse. I wake up tired, I go to bed tired. The Letrozole has caused sweats & hot flashes worse than ever before. I wake up with excruciating joint pain every day so bad that it feels as though my wrists, fingers or arms are broken. During the night my hips ache so that I have to turn on my back. Also causing hair loss. I'm on oxycodone so once I get up and take the pain killers the joint pain goes away. I was going to switch to tamoxifen until I read the side effects and the patient ratings...……..much worse than letrozole."

• faey
• October 1, 2016

"I'm 61 years of age. Approaching my 4th year of taking letrozole Accord. I am suffering with joint ache which attacks my knees, one ankle. Wrists, elbows but has now affected my hands, most particularly my middle fingers of each hand! I also get pins and needles in my hands. The morning stiffness is throughout my joints and takes a while to get going. I have calf pain and muscle weakness and blurry eyesight too sometimes. I don't complain as it's prevented the cancer returning. I do despair at my poor quality of life. I take calcium, magnesium, and pain relief. I walk every day and exercise. I've also gained weight. I'm glad to know there are others with similar side effects but even more glad that I'm here to share my story."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2009

Femara (letrozole) "I am 52 years old, and I too feel older than I am. I already have problems getting out of bed, and I suffered with sarcoidosis, which affects the organs and causes joint pain, sending me constantly to different specialists. Now I am taking Femara, and it's not only causing me more pain, but it's causing my hair to fall out or thinning! I also notice that my vision is impaired sometimes when I'm driving, and I only drive when I have to, but sometimes I find myself trying hard to focus. This is scary! I am calling my oncologist tomorrow morning first thing."

• minne...
• September 12, 2015

Femara (letrozole) "In 2011, I was diagnosed with stage 3A invasive ductal breast cancer. I went through chemo for 4 months and had a double mastectomy in March 2012, followed by 6 weeks of radiation. I was put on tamoxifen for a year and then Femara, which I currently take now. The biggest thing with Femara is feeling constantly tired and 'foggy'. I can handle the hot flashes (we live in Minnesota, where the winter lasts for 6 months) - I just walk around outside with a t-shirt on, and I'm good to go! Lately, I have been experiencing hair loss, and I don't know if it's due to the Femara. Anyone else have this problem? Please let me know. Hang in there, beautiful ladies (& men)."

• april
• March 21, 2016

Femara (letrozole) "I have been on this drug for about 3.5 months now. I was on Aromasin (exemestane) for 2.5 years prior to starting letrozole. I was so hopeful that some of the horrible side effects would not affect me like they did on the exemestane...and for a while, it was not too bad. Now, in month 3, the side effects of severe joint pain, brain fog, and shortness of breath are back with a vengeance, and the last 3 times my blood pressure was taken, it was inching back up even though I started BP meds after the exemestane raised my BP. I never had any issues with my BP prior to taking these aromatase inhibitors. I guess my PCP will have to raise my dose of BP meds. I am also peeing constantly on letrozole, and my hair is coming out more on my brush! UGH!"

• Cryst...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2015

Femara (letrozole) "I have been taking Letrozole for one year now after a diagnosis of hormone-related breast cancer. Initially, my consultant (UK) said I would need a right-sided mastectomy. However, two weeks later when the biopsy results were back, he said he did not think surgery was possible because the tumor appeared to be attached to the muscle. However, CT scan and MRI revealed a 1mm plane between the tumor and the muscle - phew! Letrozole was so effective that it shrank and softened the tumor, and by January 2015, I was able to have a bilateral mastectomy. Lymph glands and bone scan were clear. Side effects: persistent hot flashes, so I always wear blouses with buttons and carry an ordinary fan in my handbag; it is a life-saver."

• Hails
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2019

"I didn't take this medicine, but my grandma did. I lived with her and have seen how this medicine affected her. She started letrozole on a Friday and by Thursday she was in ICU. Before she was hospitalized, this medicine caused her extreme discomfort. She was in bed all day every day. She has fatigue, weakness(so bad she couldn't sit up by herself), hot flashes, throwing up, joint and muscle pain, fever and dizziness. Thursday she got so bad to the point she was struggling to breathe. In the hospital they discovered a blood clot, which is a side effect. 2 weeks before she started this medicine she went to the dr and had a MRI and a CAT scan. There was no clots. This medicine made her miserable. Now she is in ICU, and we was told she probably will not be coming home. She was fine until she started this medication."

• Caner...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2015

Femara (letrozole) "Diagnosed May 2014 with Stage 3 Breast cancer after chemo, removal of the tumor & lymph nodes, radiation. I started Femara, been on it almost 6 months and I have daily joint & muscle pain, fatigue, hot flashes, and most of all weight gain. I'm really trying to eat healthy and exercise, but working a full-time job, it's a tough routine to keep up with every day (55 and post-menopausal). But hey, I'm still here and hopeful the medication does a good job of keeping the cancer at bay. Doing my best with the symptoms."

• too...
• November 11, 2015

"The pain in my shoulder and right arm is so intense that I cannot function. I have problems taking care of my chores to the point that I just cannot do them. My arm has become immovable due to stiffness and the profound pain. I can't sleep at night unless I double on a sleeping aid. I can't live this way. My life is depressing."

• Cavam...
• March 30, 2015

"I'm not sure how to rate this drug. If it keeps cancer away, it might get a 10. Almost 4 years later, it appears to have done so. However, the jury is still out. I am literally counting the days until I can get off this drug. The joint pain has become almost unbearable and completely affects any quality of life. I find I don't want to do much of anything because of the pain, yet know I have to or be almost bedridden. It has become progressively worse in the last year. So I push myself daily and have tried almost everything to help the pain, but nothing really works. I am grateful to be cancer-free and really feel conflicted even complaining about it. But most days are just very hard. I am 63, yet feel like a 90-year-old."

• H For...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 27, 2016

"I've been on letrozole for a year. After doing preliminary research about it, I really didn't want to go on it, but felt I had to give it a try. The most serious SEs for me were severe joint pain and feeling frail; mood swings and strong hot flashes. The first 2 were bad enough that, after being on the drug for 8 months, I decided to take a break from it. I went off for 3 weeks, then started back, but now I take it at night before bed. I also started walking to keep weight gain at bay. Since making those 2 changes, I've had no more joint pain or mood swings, and I feel healthier than I have in a long time. Still have hot flashes, but they're tolerable. I'm not sure why those changes would make that much difference, but they do."

• Rocky...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 23, 2016

"Dec 2011 bilateral mastectomy stage 1 infiltrating lobular breast cancer rt breast 64 yrs old - no lymph node involvement I am in my 4th year of hormonal treatment with Letrozole. So far so good some joint and muscle pain but it could be my age. I exercise more - take more vitamins - eat more vegetables - shun all dairy products (cows are always pregnant and full of cow hormones) - eat very little meat (chicken or fish) - always shop organic - and get at least 7 hrs of sleep a night. Some people think I am crazy."

• Bren
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 2, 2018

"I had a mastectomy after finding a small lump (with precancerous cells) in breast tissue. No rounds of chemo needed. Lymph nodes clear. I have been on Letrozole and Anastrozole for a year and a half. Both gave me pain in my joints and muscles, mostly in my hip, legs, and hand. I couldn’t walk far as my legs were weak. It made me tired. I decided to stop them altogether as they were making me disabled and unable to do my job properly. I felt that eventually, I would be in a wheelchair and unemployed. My consultant looked at a graph and said because I was at low risk of cancer returning, I decided to stop taking them. I told him I prefer quality of life over quantity. Now, I'm hoping I get back to normal. It’s been a week now, and already the pain on waking is better."

• JojoUK
• October 30, 2015

"I just read the above comment about the lady feeling '90'. I am 45, and I too have had 6 rounds of chemo and a bi-lateral mastectomy in January 2014. I couldn't take tamoxifen, and monthly injections of Zoladex were too painful and caused me numerous side effects. In June this year, I had an oophorectomy, which obviously has now pushed me post-menopausal, and I am taking letrozole 2.5 mg. I feel like the lady above, like an old woman: short of breath, exhausted, weepy, achy, and with no energy! Yesterday, I was so exhausted after work at 4 pm that I was worried I wouldn't make it home; driving was scary, and I couldn't focus on the road! The tiredness has been so awful that I have no longer been going out socially. It's ruined me."

• Sexy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2020

"I have been using this drug letrozol for almost a month.. I have chills so bad I can't warm up. Headaches can't sleep and have diarrhea and dizziness.. I am also have muscle spasms and pain in my bones. Help"

• flginny
• January 9, 2016

"I would give a lot to have NEVER taken Femara! It aged me 20 years in a few months. I took it for more than six years before I told my oncologist I would not take it anymore. It was killing me! I was sleeping an average of two hours a night... a 'good' night was five hours every ten to fourteen days. The other side effects were awful! Femara did NOT keep the cancer from coming back! It is KNOWN to weaken the bones, and the cancer is now rampant in my bones!"

• cmmomof
• August 6, 2015

"I have stage 4 breast cancer and the looks at the hospital were not pretty. It did not look good for me. I have been on Letrozole for 6 months and it is working. The tumors are shrinking or disappearing and I feel so much better. My hands, feet, and legs are stiff but so what - I stretch them to loosen up. My hair is thinning but so what - there are other things I can use to cover my head. If God put this drug to cure me, I can take these small inconveniences. I am happy to know that this joint pain is caused by the medication. I would like to know if the medication actually heals and makes you cancer-free and if it can end or if medication is needed for my life. I am 54, almost 55, and if this pill can give me life, small side effects are ok."