Stopped Letrozole this week, how long before side effects go away?

@cat168
I’ve run out of AIs and Tamoxifen side effects are just as bad. I will try a reduced dosage of Tamoxifen before totally giving up. My oncologist said 50% of women Refuse to take AIs. He forgot to mention they can’t take them due to the side effects.
I asked him about DIM and I got the feeling he only supports medications created and tested by large drug companies. I guess that’s his job. He couldn’t tell me about DIM even though I’m sure he’s heard of it.
I haven’t seen sites that discuss DIM, can you send a link please?

@jesussister
You raise a question I've also wondered about, namely, what are my estrogen levels on letrozole. When I asked my oncology PA about testing my estrogen levels, she said they didn't do this, especially for post-menopausal women like me. I don't remember her exact explanation, but think it included something about the testing of estrogen levels being unreliable.

If anyone has actually worked with their oncologist or another doctor to test estrogen while on letrozole or another aromatase inhibitor, that would be helpful to hear. I think women who are using hormone replacement therapy may have their hormones tested for treatment recommendations, but many of us who have estrogen-positive breast cancer have been discouraged from using natural hormone replacement therapy.

@cat168
I took DIM intermittently before my breast cancer diagnosis and wish I'd been more disciplined about taking it. Regardless, though, it didn't prevent my breast cancer. Still, it's a supplement I'd like to look into more but have so many other issues to research before that one!

I think most oncologists will not be very knowledgeable about DIM or if they are, they will be cautious about recommending it. I found a study that did look at DIM and breast cancer and tamoxifen:
https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/26/3/435/71367/Effect-of-Diindolylmethane-on-Estrogen-related

Lumpectomy, then letrozole, then radiation in December 2025. Fatigue was major side effect so I thought I had dodged a bullet. Then trigger fingers on both hands erupted the same day about a month ago. Then all fingers hurt. Then left thigh felt like it would collapse under me a few times a day. Oncologist changed me to Anastrozole yesterday. Should I expect 4-6 weeks before improvement?

@joannebt, welcome. Have you noticed any changes in the couple weeks since you've switched medications?

@keywestsj
I'm 81 years old I had surgery in June they put me on letrozole within the first 6 weeks I was walking slowly for the very first time and there was a big pop and explosion in my knee of pain that I never had before in my life. Now, my shoulders are affected. Can't move my arms without excutiating pain. I called my doctor. I got off the letrozole. I don't see the need to be on any of those drugs as it was a mastectomy.noyca lumpectomy. I had a onco DX score of 17!!
I was told it is a slow growing cancer I have less than 10% of having the cancer return and it has really taken away quality of life being on this drug. I couldn't walk for literally one full week and the pain subsided, but it took almost another 4 weeks to be able to walk normally, so I cannot foresee ever taking one of these drugs again and I think it's an intelligent quality of life decision not to take any of them. I called my oncologist about it & spoke to her nurse. That was 2 weeks ago and I haven't heard back yet.

@bebrinkman302
I'm so happy you made that decision, I wish that they had discussed the option to not take the medication in the first place. I pray that your health continues to improve.