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Letrozole joints, bone loss, low platelets, high cholesterol

Posted by flowergal @flowergal, Oct 23 8:04pm

Hi DCIS stage 0 grade 3 ER+ low % lumpectomy/radiation, clean margins no lymph involved.
Was on Anastrozole, could hardly walk, hair loss, increased chin hair, brain fog, memory issues. Now Letrozole -joint pain (tolerable), hair loss, dry vagina, increasing back pain, bone loss, (need Prolia soon, after dental work) . Blood work by GP shows high cholesterol, very low platelets. Extreme fatigue has been an issue with both. Been on AIs since December '23. Do I really need them? Should I try another one? Go off? I'm 69 and have calcifications in the other breast Dr is watching and fatty Necrosis in lumpectomy breast. Help.

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dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | Nov 1 11:42am
In reply to @katrii "I totally hear you! Letrozole caused crippling hip and lower back pain. Switched to Amestezole (sp?)…but..." + (show)
@katrii

I totally hear you! Letrozole caused crippling hip and lower back pain. Switched to Amestezole (sp?)…but my thumb Joints, esp my R thumb are 24/7 hurting.
Ortho wants to replace the joint.
Dentist today…I’m so scared. Some tooth pain.
I want NO AI drugs, am 70, and am truly wondering if I will have a better life with no pain, and no cancer recurrence. Hard to get a clear answer.

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Just a suggestion. I went through crippling knee pain and periods of bad hip pain after about 9 months on both Anastrozole and Prolia. Which to blame? I switched to Letrozole and started taking collagen supplements. I get the capsules on Amazon as they're easier than gummies or powder. My crippling knee pain quickly resolved. I started sleeping with a knee pillow to keep hips level. I found out the hard (but definitive) way that it was the collagen that made the difference rather than the drug switch. While still on the gummies, (biotin with collagen) I accidentally purchased some with only the biotin. My knee pain started to return until I started the capsules which ive been on since. I have mild osteoarthritis in my left knee, so I have occasional mild reminders, and my hips sometimes give me fits but eventually self-resolve.

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2 replies
flowergal | @flowergal | Nov 1 12:27pm
In reply to @dlmdinia "Just a suggestion. I went through crippling knee pain and periods of bad hip pain after..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

Just a suggestion. I went through crippling knee pain and periods of bad hip pain after about 9 months on both Anastrozole and Prolia. Which to blame? I switched to Letrozole and started taking collagen supplements. I get the capsules on Amazon as they're easier than gummies or powder. My crippling knee pain quickly resolved. I started sleeping with a knee pillow to keep hips level. I found out the hard (but definitive) way that it was the collagen that made the difference rather than the drug switch. While still on the gummies, (biotin with collagen) I accidentally purchased some with only the biotin. My knee pain started to return until I started the capsules which ive been on since. I have mild osteoarthritis in my left knee, so I have occasional mild reminders, and my hips sometimes give me fits but eventually self-resolve.

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Thank you. I definitely need a knee pillow! My lower back also hurts most of the time.
I have always taken collagen powder but probably need to be more consistent with it. I will look for the capsules - that way I don't have to have something to put the powder in.
I'm glad you resolved this problem. It seems like when I think one thing is better, something else pops up. Good thing we women are resilient!

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flowergal | @flowergal | Nov 1 12:43pm
In reply to @dlmdinia "Just a suggestion. I went through crippling knee pain and periods of bad hip pain after..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

Just a suggestion. I went through crippling knee pain and periods of bad hip pain after about 9 months on both Anastrozole and Prolia. Which to blame? I switched to Letrozole and started taking collagen supplements. I get the capsules on Amazon as they're easier than gummies or powder. My crippling knee pain quickly resolved. I started sleeping with a knee pillow to keep hips level. I found out the hard (but definitive) way that it was the collagen that made the difference rather than the drug switch. While still on the gummies, (biotin with collagen) I accidentally purchased some with only the biotin. My knee pain started to return until I started the capsules which ive been on since. I have mild osteoarthritis in my left knee, so I have occasional mild reminders, and my hips sometimes give me fits but eventually self-resolve.

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Can you share the name of the collagen capsules? I just looked at Amazon and there are so many that include biotin.

Thank you so much!

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dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | Nov 1 2:08pm

I don't believe there is any evidence that biotin is effective, and it was coincidence that I first tried a supplement which contained it. I was looking for collagen, and found these close to home at Target. I tried powders, but didn't like having to mix them. The capsules I order through Amazon call for 3 per day, but I only take two. Here is the link.
Collagen Peptides for Women & Men, Type I, II, III, V, X Hydrolyzed Collagen Pills, Grass Fed Non-GMO Multi Collagen Peptides Supplements, Hair, Skin, Nail, Bones, Joint Health Support - 180 Capsules https://a.co/d/3NiSSom

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1 reply
flowergal | @flowergal | Nov 1 6:54pm
In reply to @dlmdinia "I don't believe there is any evidence that biotin is effective, and it was coincidence that..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

I don't believe there is any evidence that biotin is effective, and it was coincidence that I first tried a supplement which contained it. I was looking for collagen, and found these close to home at Target. I tried powders, but didn't like having to mix them. The capsules I order through Amazon call for 3 per day, but I only take two. Here is the link.
Collagen Peptides for Women & Men, Type I, II, III, V, X Hydrolyzed Collagen Pills, Grass Fed Non-GMO Multi Collagen Peptides Supplements, Hair, Skin, Nail, Bones, Joint Health Support - 180 Capsules https://a.co/d/3NiSSom

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Thanks so much! I have learned so much from this group!

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