I can tell you this is not uncommon for a lot of drugs. The way it was explained to me was keeping everything regular prevents the see-saw effect of constipation and then diarrhea, for me it is Mira lax, every night. For my husband it is dulcolax every afternoon. Please talk to your doctor, no one should have to live this way. I went through what I refer to as death cramps. Have you talked to your doctor about this?
I have not. I was not suspecting the Letrozole as the culprit when I saw him in August and I was not cramping. That started just days after the visit and just as I was leaving to go on a work trip to Omaha. I was so constipated that I vomited after that nights dinner and did not eat for the remainder of the conference I was attending. I was fearful of becoming ill again, so stuck mostly to liquids. I have an appointment at the end of the month to see him again and have lab work. In the interim, I will try the Miralax to see if it improves. Thank you for the advice.
That's the one side effect that I seem to have. In spite of more exercise (stationary bike, because I need to use a walker) and strict attention to diet. But I feel the same as you - if that's the worst side effect, I can live with it.
I believe there is. As others have said, it is a side effect that I have experienced up close and personal. And it seems to be belly fat,predominantly. My activity levels are higher than a year ago but no weight loss is happening. Of course, I look at it as,”if weight gain is the most serious side effect I am experiencing,I can live with it (unhappily).
Here is what my pcp and new oncologist told me …they don’t necessarily make you gain weight but they DO make it VERY difficult to lose weight. I dad ER/PR Positive breast cancer so the new wonder drugs. Wegovy, etc, are HORMONE based and a big NO for me. There were two older weight loss meds that were not hormone based, Phentermine was the one my PCP prescribed. For the first time ever I was able to love about 20 pounds. I did not have any bad side effects (nervousness, etc) and plan to start another course this year as well. HTH!
I was on Anastrazole and maintained weight but other side effects, primarily constant muscle and joint pain, caused him to change me to exemestane. It’s better but as soon as I started the 3rd month, I started to gain weight with no other changes to eating or exercise. They just said same as above, doesn’t make you gain weight, just makes it harder to loose and causes redistribution of fat. Yet I gained 10# in 1 week after being the same average weight for over 2 years through all this. So I don’t know if I’ve just done enough to damage my metabolism or what. Can’t stop ai because I’m 100% ER with positive oncotype. So I guess just stick with it and do my best to try to maintain but it is really depressing.
I gained weight over the five years I was on anastrozole. I consumed less, because my appetite wasn’t very good, I practised yoga, and still gained. It’s coming off now that I’m finished my course of anastrozole.
No major weight changes for me. I’ve been on Letrozole for 18 months and still struggle now and then with the same 5 lbs I’ve always battled, though it might take a bit longer to get it off with diet & exercise. My major complaint is joint and back pain!
I gained weight over the five years I was on anastrozole. I consumed less, because my appetite wasn’t very good, I practised yoga, and still gained. It’s coming off now that I’m finished my course of anastrozole.
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I have not. I was not suspecting the Letrozole as the culprit when I saw him in August and I was not cramping. That started just days after the visit and just as I was leaving to go on a work trip to Omaha. I was so constipated that I vomited after that nights dinner and did not eat for the remainder of the conference I was attending. I was fearful of becoming ill again, so stuck mostly to liquids. I have an appointment at the end of the month to see him again and have lab work. In the interim, I will try the Miralax to see if it improves. Thank you for the advice.
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1 ReactionAgreed SISTER.... that is 1 side effect I can deal with.
Me too....gained alot of weight and my food and beverage selections are strict also.
I have gained 20 pounds in less than a year. Trying to exercise through the neuropathy and pain in back and knees.
Here is what my pcp and new oncologist told me …they don’t necessarily make you gain weight but they DO make it VERY difficult to lose weight. I dad ER/PR Positive breast cancer so the new wonder drugs. Wegovy, etc, are HORMONE based and a big NO for me. There were two older weight loss meds that were not hormone based, Phentermine was the one my PCP prescribed. For the first time ever I was able to love about 20 pounds. I did not have any bad side effects (nervousness, etc) and plan to start another course this year as well. HTH!
I was on Anastrazole and maintained weight but other side effects, primarily constant muscle and joint pain, caused him to change me to exemestane. It’s better but as soon as I started the 3rd month, I started to gain weight with no other changes to eating or exercise. They just said same as above, doesn’t make you gain weight, just makes it harder to loose and causes redistribution of fat. Yet I gained 10# in 1 week after being the same average weight for over 2 years through all this. So I don’t know if I’ve just done enough to damage my metabolism or what. Can’t stop ai because I’m 100% ER with positive oncotype. So I guess just stick with it and do my best to try to maintain but it is really depressing.
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3 ReactionsI gained weight over the five years I was on anastrozole. I consumed less, because my appetite wasn’t very good, I practised yoga, and still gained. It’s coming off now that I’m finished my course of anastrozole.
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2 ReactionsNo major weight changes for me. I’ve been on Letrozole for 18 months and still struggle now and then with the same 5 lbs I’ve always battled, though it might take a bit longer to get it off with diet & exercise. My major complaint is joint and back pain!
has anyone experienced weight loss after they have finished the meds? I just wonder if I will ever return to "normal".
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