1. < Breast Cancer

Decision about Letrozole

Posted by coldia @coldia, Apr 27, 2023

I met with my oncologist today and he suggested I start Letrozole. Over a 20 year period I have had 3 surgeries and a total of 4 DCIS stage 0 breast cancers. I asked what are the percentages this drug would do to protect me from recurrence and he said 5 - 10 %. I was surprised at this. This percentage seemed so low to risk all of the side effects I have read about here and heard about from other sources. I took tamoxifen for about 3 years until my joints started to bother me and went 16 years before my next diagnosis so it probably should be an easy decision but I am worried about the many side effects so many are dealing with. I am wondering if anyone who started AI’s and had to quit due to joint pain or other effects if the issues you had went away after stopping. My pain went away after I stopped tamoxifen but I was 20 years younger and it was a different drug.

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jnorki | @jnorki | Dec 13 2:36pm
In reply to @mcgeehin "What was your reaction to coming off Letrozole? Did you have any side effects? Also. Anyone..." + (show)
@mcgeehin

What was your reaction to coming off Letrozole? Did you have any side effects?
Also. Anyone know how long it takes for hair loss to stop and for bone loss to stop?

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About two 1/2 weeks off Letrozole at this point and still have the same debilitating joint and muscle pain - too soon to speak about getting my hair back. Very thin - so it will take some time.

No side effects - it's hard to say, but felt like my pain ramped up a bit. It definitely has not lessened yet. I pray it changes soon.

Good luck...keep posting your progress 🙂

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roberta75 | @roberta75 | Dec 14 10:04am

In 2017 I was diagnosed with breast cancer in two sites in my left breast. I had a mastectomy on the one breast with reconstruction. I did not have to have chemo or radiation since my onco test score was low enough. I took Letrozole for 5 years 2017-2022. I took Zyrtec and Glucosamine/ Chondroitin that helped my joint pain . A breast cancer follow up test said I wouldn’t benefit to continue on the Letrozole. I did lose some bone density, and have been walking and doing strength training exercises and taking calcium. I do have some residual effects in one hand and hammer toes, but I am 77 and I don’t know if these are just aging issues. I really can’t complain and have been cancer free. I know the medication affects everyone differently, but I was able to tolerate it. I pray for all of you strong warriors.

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blessedmayo1111 | @blessedmayo1111 | Dec 14 10:32am
In reply to @roberta75 "In 2017 I was diagnosed with breast cancer in two sites in my left breast. I..." + (show)
@roberta75

In 2017 I was diagnosed with breast cancer in two sites in my left breast. I had a mastectomy on the one breast with reconstruction. I did not have to have chemo or radiation since my onco test score was low enough. I took Letrozole for 5 years 2017-2022. I took Zyrtec and Glucosamine/ Chondroitin that helped my joint pain . A breast cancer follow up test said I wouldn’t benefit to continue on the Letrozole. I did lose some bone density, and have been walking and doing strength training exercises and taking calcium. I do have some residual effects in one hand and hammer toes, but I am 77 and I don’t know if these are just aging issues. I really can’t complain and have been cancer free. I know the medication affects everyone differently, but I was able to tolerate it. I pray for all of you strong warriors.

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Bless you 😇🙏🌠✨️💖✨️🎀✨️🪷✨️
For sharing your story... you have faced some really difficult life challenges yet look at how positive 🌠 you are!

Perhaps you can ask Mayo amazing medical pioneer + real life heroine Dr. Dawn Mussalem for an Integrative Medicine Consult of your unique breast cancer diagnose + customized treatment plan?

She truly is REMARKABLE in every sense... as a devoted + dedicated physician who understands a HOLISTIC approach to breast cancer patients on their healing journey...and her high level of professional respect by other Mayo physicians who know she guides her patients to optimal human health + regenerative healing through the principles of the "Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine"...

Check out the videos of amazing Dawm Mussalem D.O. who shares her own inspiring life story of overcoming a serious cancer challenge WHILE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL + then a heart transplant (!) YET SHE RISES + THRIVES DESPITE THE OBSTACLES PRESENTED IN HER LIFE PATH = this exceptional real life good energy healer runs MARATHONS + shows all of us how to remain upbeat, hopeful + focused as blessed with finest medical care globally at world leader Mayo 😇🙏🌠

Dr. Dawn sees patients remotely by video + is very much in demand obviously with her real leadership - contact Jacoby Breast Clinic at Mayo Jacksonville to schedule a date + time. You will rexeive excellent pre appointment surveys to complete prior to a video call with this lovely lady + this helps het undertand your unique needs + case for a precision + science based customized treatment approach = Mayo's legendary Standard of Care Always + Always ✨️🌠✨️

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