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

Breast Cancer | Last Active: May 19 10:48pm | Replies (145)

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@ssalget

I took Letrozole for 18 weeks. I had body and muscle aches, developed carpel tunnel in both hands, trigger finger and thumbs in both hands. I can't remember how quickly the side effects came on. My oncologist was not convinced it was the medication. I took a break suggested by my oncologist. I have been off any AI's since May 2022 and the last symptom, the trigger thumbs are finally going away. I have decided not to go back on any AI's for now. My oncologist would like me to take exemestane, but I am going to put my energy toward diet, supplements and exercise. I am 70 this December and quality of life is important to me. I had a double mastectomy, no reconstruction and no lymph involvement.

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Replies to "I took Letrozole for 18 weeks. I had body and muscle aches, developed carpel tunnel in..."

Thanks so much. I am now going to a doctor at an integrative health institute who specializes in cancer. She says many of her patients have pretty immediate reactions from the AIs and their doctors all say no it can't be the medication which definitely reassured me. I too am not going to take any more AIs and am trying to become a vegan, walk every day, do weights, and will probably try acupuncture for the pain. I do not like "zen" type medication but practice musical instrument now right before bed (at suggestion of Dr) which puts me in a similar alpha-wave state and helps with the pain at night. I am 81, had lumpectomy on each side (1 was triple negative on 1) and do have lymph involvement.