Letrozole and Hot Flashes: What Users Say

• Sja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2021

For Female Infertility "I was diagnosed with PCOS 3 months ago after going to a fertility clinic, although I thought I had it when I was admitted to a hospital 4 years ago with a cyst that popped and made me very sick! The doctors just shrugged it off, and this happened twice! I’ve just started taking letrozole 5mg/day 2-6 and just received my smiley face!! Side effects were bad headaches that I couldn’t shake off and hot sweats. Later on, before I ovulated, I felt like my ovaries were going to pop (googled this thinking it was going to happen), so fingers crossed my next cycle will be the one, and we will get our first BFP! For those TTC, I send lots of baby dust your way, and for those who are already there, I wish you a happy, wonderful pregnancy."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2019

For Breast Cancer "After mastectomy surgery, stage 2, cancer in 2 lymph nodes inside mammary tissue. No chemo/radiation. Began letrozole, experienced hot flashes and insomnia. After one year, no hot flashes but sleep disruption. As I entered the 1.5-year mark taking letrozole, I began to have joint pain, deep aching, and less strength in hips and knees. As a former therapist, I switched to exercise in the pool as I could no longer tolerate joint pain with land-based exercise. By the 2-year mark, decreased stability when walking, difficulty climbing steps, and getting up from a chair or toilet. Prior to surgery, I had been walking 3 miles a day. Now, pain limits walking to a block. X-rays prior to surgery showed no significant arthritis in any joints. Now unable to get out of a chair without 8/10 pain. Stopped taking the medication, and 3 days later pain decreased from 8/10 to 5/10. 3 weeks after stopping the pill, pain is at 3/10, with lingering weakness in hips and knees. Mind is now less foggy. Quality of life is more important than continuing to take this medication."

• ros...
• February 8, 2012

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I had many side effects, including hot flashes, confusion, stomach problems, vaginal dryness, tired easily, and bone weakening. On the bright side, I have had no recurrence, and it is now 12 years since my diagnosis with lymph node involvement."

• Smi...
• May 15, 2017

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I've been taking Femara for a little over 5 months and have yet to experience any side effects whatsoever. I'd been warned about hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, muscle pain, and so far nothing. I have two smallish tumors in one breast that we caught very early on, and at my 4-month ultrasound they've decreased by about 50%. I'll have a nipple-sparing mastectomy in about 2 weeks with DIEP flap reconstruction... the grossest part of this whole episode, in my opinion... followed by radiation. No chemo here, just a very healthy mostly vegetarian diet and tons of walking. I'm 69, 5'6'', 135 pounds, and so far consider myself about the luckiest cancer patient anywhere. Maybe I'll start feeling sick at some point, but not yet. Hang in there, ladies!!"

• Eri...
• February 9, 2013

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on Femara for almost a year. At first, I had nearly constant hot flashes and night sweats. I was started on Effexor with nearly immediate relief. I have had increasingly painful joint and muscle pain, especially in my knees. Nothing seems to be helping much with that, and it has been a major detriment to my quality of life. I have recently added Magnesium, Fish Oil, and Glucosamine/Chondroitin to the Calcium and D3 I had been taking. Hopefully, this will ease the joint stiffness and pain. I am 52, and some days I feel 92. Still, I am cancer-free so far, so I will continue to take Femara."

• tin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2023

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "Awful! I've been on Femara for about 8 months. And since I started, I seem to have every single side effect. My joint and muscle pain is excruciating. In no particular order, I suffer with body pain (fingers, hands, shoulders, chest, back, sides, hips, legs, feet - basically everything head to toe). Plus, weight loss, hot flashes, headaches, dizziness, thinning of hair, dry mouth, high BP, night sweats. Even my scalp is tender. Chest pain that radiates to upper arms, shortness of breath, overall depression. Chills, insomnia, intestinal pain - sharp pains, plus dull aching. Constant feelings of nausea, diarrhea, constipation. I'm afraid to eat but also have little appetite. Brain fog, shortness of breath. Feeling that I am just going to die. Sitting up in pain all night. I hurt everywhere - too sick to move; too sick to cry. Feels like I am going to have a heart attack. Can’t lie down, can’t stand up. Full body chills, hands shaking. Haven't slept through the night in months."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2009

Letrozole for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I have been using Femara for 8 months, and I have been having very few side effects. I get the hot flashes only once in a while now. I do have some joint pain, but that has been easy to tolerate. If that means I will have a longer life, only God knows that. There is always hope, just keep the faith and have no doubt in the medicine, doctors and mostly God."

• dog...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2014

Letrozole for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I was diagnosed in 2009, had lumpectomy, chemo, radiation. Managed to continue working through it all. Then took tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years... had horrible muscle cramping and hot flashes, switched to letrozole after determining I was postmenopausal. The major muscle cramps lessened considerably, as did the hot flashes. I took this for 2 1/2 years, just stopping 3 weeks ago. I have muscle, joint, bone achiness 24/7, no energy, tired always, feel like I'm in a fog, tinnitus, heartburn, slow metabolism with weight gain. How long will it take to reverse all of these side effects now that I no longer take it? I even quit taking ibuprofen because it doesn't do anything for the pains. I am now 2 months from being 50 years old."

• Sus...
• September 7, 2010

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "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!"

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 2, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Letrozole for a year now and the hip pain has progressively gotten worse. The hot flashes are manageable now, but the hip pain is debilitating. I can't take NSAIDs because thanks to chemo I now have ulcerative colitis. I am about ready to stop the Letrozole because my oncologist told me all the cancer drugs have the same bone and joint pain side effect. I feel like I am 90 years old and can barely walk at times. Her response is, 'at least you don't have cancer' - thanks Doc but I have other debilitating problems."

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

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "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!"

• Jil...
• November 30, 2015

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "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."

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2020

For Breast Cancer "In January 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, Stage 2. 58 years old. Left breast mastectomy with no radiation and no cancer in the lymph nodes. Given Letrozole 2.5 mg. Side effects of this medication: severe hot flashes, chills, severe pain in my hands, knees, feet, and legs, foggy head, muscle pain, insomnia, poor memory, extreme tiredness, canker sores, and occasional pain in my upper abdomen. During the first four months, I experienced hair loss and itchy hands. I quit my job as I was just too tired to continue. Now, I wish I would have quit Letrozole instead. I will see my cancer doctor in a few months, and this will be discussed. If I don’t quit before."

• Jen...
• August 8, 2019

For Breast Cancer "A mammogram found a lump in my breast and I had a 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 my breathing is worse. I wake up tired, I go to bed tired. The letrozole has caused sweats and 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 much that I have to turn on my back. It is also causing hair loss. I'm on oxycodone, so once I get up and take the painkillers, the joint pain goes away. I was going to switch to tamoxifen until I read the side effects and the patient ratings, which were much worse than letrozole."

• min...
• September 12, 2015

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "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)."

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

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "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."

• Hai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2019

For Breast Cancer "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. Two weeks before she started this medicine, she went to the doctor and had an MRI and a CAT scan. There were no clots. This medicine made her miserable. Now she is in ICU, and we were told she probably will not be coming home. She was fine until she started this medication."

• joa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 13, 2018

For Breast Cancer "I started taking letrozole in June. Side effects started almost immediately: fatigue, hot flashes, joint and muscle aches, and hair thinning. I have cut my hair very short to hopefully make the thinning less noticeable. I just realized that I cut my hair 5-6 weeks ago, and it does not seem to be growing at all. Has anyone else noticed this side effect? I would recommend yoga and acupuncture to help with the side effects. Without them, I would not be able to tolerate this medicine! Good luck to you all who are taking this drug!"

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I hate this drug. I hate everything it is doing to me. I was diagnosed with breast cancer, hormone - estrogen. Surgery was successful, lymph nodes clear. We caught it very early. I participated in a radiation study, 5 treatments of partial breast radiation. I want off, I wake up tired, I go to bed tired, I manage to function through my day. My sweats and hot flashes are worse than ever before. They were almost done. Joint pain every day, back, hips, fingers, shoulders, etc. I have no idea of how long they want me on it. I am researching foods to eliminate from my diet that promote the production of hormones and estrogen."

• Gon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 2, 2018

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "1.7 years, loss of hair, hot flashes, shoulder, elbow, hip pain, dry mouth, high cholesterol, high glucose, high BP... But if it keeps cancer from returning, the side effects, hopefully temporary, will have been worth it."

• Anonymous
• November 11, 2012

For Breast Cancer "I am 40 years old and I have been taking Letrozole for about a year. I found a lump shortly after my son was born 5 years ago. I had chemo, radiation, and was put on tamoxifen. I had a recurrence in the lymph node in Dec of 2011, and the oncologist took me off tamoxifen and put me on letrozole. I am suffering from joint pain, memory loss, very fatigued all the time, depression, hot flashes. I do very little for myself since my children are only 9 and 5 years old. I feel I need to take care of them first before I can do anything for myself. I am hoping the letrozole will give me more hope than tamoxifen. I'm preventing a recurrence. I need to be around a lot longer for my beautiful children."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2018

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "Daily hot flashes and night sweats seem to be my worst side effects, especially when I'm hit with intense anxiety every time. My scalp is tender, and I've had hair thinning. I also have pain in my joints. But I do not want the cancer to come back. Invasive lobular carcinoma. Bilateral mastectomy."

• sic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2014

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I was so pleased to read all of the reviews about Letrozole. Now I know that I'm not alone. Hot flashes worse than menopause. Always off balance. Won't do stairs without a railing or holding on to a person anymore after quite a few falls. Don't get dizzy, but never know when a stumble or fall is coming. Very dry mouth (other meds also cause dry mouth/thirst). This is extremely hard to deal with as chemo put my kidneys in failure and on dialysis I am limited to 1.5 liters of liquid a day. Headaches, bone pain, fatigued constantly, muscle pain especially in legs, lack of appetite, foods don't taste the same. Ran out about a week ago, starting to come out of the fog! Feel like I'm 100, not 57, sigh."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2018

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking this for two months, and my whole body aches. It is horrible. I don't know if I can do this for five years without the Lord's help. I had a mastectomy of my left breast-no chemo and no radiation-caught it early. The doctor said I have to take this pill for five years, and if the hot flashes, body aches, and memory issues do not get better, I may have to stop. When I see my doctor next, I will tell her my symptoms. She actually told me that the side effects are little, and I will tell her that she is wrong on all counts."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 5, 2013

For Breast Cancer "Some muscle and bone pain, but nothing unbearable. Weight gain... joining a gym. The closest thing to a hot flash is a pin prickly sensation. Overall happy with this so far... 9 months down, 51 more to go."