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← Return to Letrozole and TMJ?
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An oncologist told me that one third of breast cancer patients can’t tolerate aromatase inhibitors. Another third can stay on it, but need more drugs to treat the side effects. The remaining third have few or no side effects. I’m so sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time on Letrozole. I had planned to take anastrozole for 5 years, as prescribed, but I had a number of the side effects that you are experiencing and also felt like I had aged in a short time. I was told that AIs reduce your chance of recurrence by 40 to 50%, but it is never 0%. I decided to stop after 3 months at age 70. The decision to continue or stop taking an AI is difficult, but no one else can make for us. I am not suggesting that you stop taking Letrozole. I just want you to know that you are not alone.
I wish you well.
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Thanks so much, bloncape…I so appreciate your message! Not sure what I’ll do, but definitely share your frustration with oncologists not acknowledging many side effects as a result of these AIs. I’m afraid to stop taking it, because in addition to the invasive carcinoma cells that were removed from my right breast, I have a bigger mass of non-invasive carcinoma that was not recommended for removal from my left breast (“unlikely” to become invasive). < sigh> Whether or not Letrozole can alter that recurrence risk is unclear, alas.
In any case, I’m sticking with this awful medication for now and hoping for the best!