Letrozole: When will I start feeling/seeing side effects?

Posted by francine6829 @francine6829, Mar 8, 2019

I started taking Letrozole (Femura) about a month ago. When will I start feeling/seeing side effects? what are the main side effects you have? Does anyone not have any side effects?

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@sparklegram

@trixie1313- I'll let you know, Trixie. It might take awhile to get an appointment at the spine clinic. For now, I'm taking Norco which I don't like to do!

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What is the purpose of Norco? BTW, I have herniated discs in my back which are not bothered by the letrozole at all. I do Yoga and exercise a lot and my back is fine.

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@francine6829

What is the purpose of Norco? BTW, I have herniated discs in my back which are not bothered by the letrozole at all. I do Yoga and exercise a lot and my back is fine.

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@francine6829 - Norco is Hydrocodone and Tylenol and was prescribed as a pain killer. It isn't a great one I'm afraid!

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@sparklegram

@francine6829 - Norco is Hydrocodone and Tylenol and was prescribed as a pain killer. It isn't a great one I'm afraid!

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Pain Killers are tricky. I don't even take motrin and just deal with the pain. It really sucks. I really want to get my estrogen levels tested

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@francine6829

Cindy, I love your post and AGREE about the levels. How do the docs know if we are taking too much or too little. This is ridiculous. Interesting fact, my oncologist says for prostrate cancer, they do take and monitor progesterone levels. Cindy, where do you live and was it your oncologist who took the estrogen levels or a different doctor?

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Hello francine6829 - I live in Colorado. I have had two different oncologists (due to health insurance changes).......both agreed to check my estrogen levels. I had my levels checked during menopause well before breast cancer and I was heavily estrogen dominant. In fact, most of my life I must have had huge amounts of estrogen and virtually no progesterone to keep it in check. I have even less progesterone than I have estrogen, even now. There was my problem through the years. A dominance of estrogen not checked by the progesterone. That is a very simple explanation (hormones are complicated) but logically........too much estrogen, hence estrogen positive breast cancer. I also had my testosterone levels checked because it can convert into estrogen they told me (on a much smaller scale).
I suppose the hormone link is strong but not the only reason for breast cancer because there are hormone negative breast cancers....it's just one element.
I have tried to naturally reduce my estrogen by losing weight and body fat (fat converts to estrogen), eating better, exercising and reducing stress (ha ha ha ......that last one is the real trick).
Hormone blood tests aren't as accurate as urine tests but they can give you a guideline. There are much more sensitive hormone tests that you can get at homeopathic doctors. I did that once and really did find out a lot about my body chemistry, what to eat, supplements etc. If we're willing to put up with all the chemical and invasive treatments for cancer I think it's worthwhile to do as much naturally as possible as well. It's harder to find a reputable doctor and there isn't as much oversight....but.....I don't do anything 'crazy'. All the changes I made were considered 'healthy' by my oncology docs as well.
Hugs!

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@sparklegram

@trixie1313- I'll let you know, Trixie. It might take awhile to get an appointment at the spine clinic. For now, I'm taking Norco which I don't like to do!

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@sparklegram I use turmeric capsules which are anti-inflammatories and take my pain down a notch for my stenosis and other spine problems. I will also use extra-strength blue emu cream on my hips, lower back, and shoulders as I've figured out some of the pain I think is back really is from tight muscles. I don't do pills very well so I've had to find alternatives. I'm trying to start up walking again as all the posts do mention exercise in helping alleviate pain. We just have to think out of the box and be persistent.

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@sparklegram - Which tumeric brand do you use, how often do you take it, and what is the dosage?

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@francine6829 - Francine, it wasn't me who posted about turmeric.

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@trixie1313

@sparklegram I use turmeric capsules which are anti-inflammatories and take my pain down a notch for my stenosis and other spine problems. I will also use extra-strength blue emu cream on my hips, lower back, and shoulders as I've figured out some of the pain I think is back really is from tight muscles. I don't do pills very well so I've had to find alternatives. I'm trying to start up walking again as all the posts do mention exercise in helping alleviate pain. We just have to think out of the box and be persistent.

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Trixie - Which tumeric brand do you use, how often do you take it, and what is the dosage?

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@francine6829

@sparklegram - Which tumeric brand do you use, how often do you take it, and what is the dosage?

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@francine6829 It was me that posted about it as an anti-inflammatory. I've tried different brands, the last being Dr. Mercola fermented turmeric, but need to just read up on this prior to starting. There are many brands out there. If you do take it, drink lots of water as it can come back in burpies. Again, read up on this prior and check with your physician to make sure that it does not interfere with anything you're being given. Also, as I mentioned earlier, some of my pain is caused by stress of pain in muscles. Stretching will help alleviate that and as I mentioned I use extra-strength blue emu cream to help. I also do mindfulness meditation which helps relax the body.

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Thank you! I have found the stretching and strengthening in Yoga has helped tons.

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