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

elsie - have you tried Tomoxifen?

Francine6829, I’ve had some pretty bad joint pain that I thought was just my arthritis kicking up again. I’ve been on Anastrozole, that gave me some nasty cognitive issues, and switched to Tomoxifin early last spring. Both cause me not to be able to think straight. Mostly forgetfulness. I truly felt like I was loosing my mind! At my last visit with the oncologist, she gave me a 3 month break from meds to see how I’d feel without them. it’s been a GodSend to feel like my old self again! I also read every scholarly article I find scholarly about the cognitive effects of estrogen blocking medications that can find. There was one earlier the year about cognitive effects and estrogen lowering meds that was excellent. I should have book marked it, so I could post it here... but of course I forgot... I’ll keep looking for it, and post if I find it again. I’ve read so much in my search to understand breast cancer, and various treatments, that my brain in completely on over load. I have given it rest for a while, and just rely on my doctor, Dr. Saundra Buys, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute; I know she is highly regarded nationally and I have every confidence in her judgement. One thing I’ve had reinforced through this journey is, that even with as much as we know about medicine, and in particular breast cancer, it’s often still a crap shoot for even the most experienced and educated physicians there could possibly be. We don’t as of yet, have a real ‘cure’ to this dreaded disease. I’m grateful for what we do have, and try to stay as optimistic as possible. After all I’m not dead yet... and this afternoon, I’m heading outside to do some gardening— My favorite, pastime, and I’m gonna enjoy every second of it!!!! ‘Today’, my hobby rules, tomorrow maybe I’ll think about my challenges with cancer—or maybe not!

lisman, what are you going to do next after your 3 month break?

@lisman1408 I was quite fuzzy brained on the anastrozole, not to mention many side effects and have found that, so far, (Femara) hasn't caused the cognition problems. I do have joint aches and some bone aches, but not as bad on the anastrozole...that stuff was rough.

My three month break is up next week.. damn, I wish I had more time! I have no idea what to do next. I see my oncologist next week, I have every confidence in her expertise and her judgement. She is an excellent physician. I’m sure she will include me in the decision of where to go next with medication. I’ll talk with her and together we will put a plan of action in place.

Thanks Trixie for the info about Femara. I’ll ask my doc. about it next week when I see her! I appreciate your info.!

If your goal is to be protected and not have joint pain, try Tomoxifen. Femura gave me terrible joint pain

I only took Letrazole for a few weeks. The side effects I got were lack of sleep, severe bone and joint pain in my legs,depression. Oncologist took me off of them

Geronimo- except same for me regarding side effects. I went off after a month. Did you switch to something else? I am on tamoxifen now

Yes, I did try Tamoxifen--the low dose of 5 mg per day. I was quite hopeful about this minimal dosage. I lasted just 10 days. Felt like a war going on in my body that was contained only by my skin. If it were a street drug, I would be on a very bad trip. Evista/Raloxifene has, for me, none of the unbearable side effects of the other endocrine drugs I have taken. But I must be awakened by my husband in the middle of the night to stretch or risk severe leg cramps that can leave me hobbled for days. He is up in the night a couple of times, serving as an alarm wakeup.

Despite the various side effects of the different drugs, I think it is worthwhile to try them. Some people do just fine.