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Letrozole later onset side effects
I had chemo, surgery and radiation for HER2 stage 2 breast cancer. In March 2024 I was placed in anastrazole, and taken off it in May 2025 due to side effects which I now can’t completely remember. In July 2025 I was then placed on Letrozole and am still taking it. I have suffered from most of the side effects others mention including dry eyes, tendon issues in my wrist, exhaustion, mood changes, a very sore shoulder, etc. I was managing all of this ok, but last week I developed a severe pain in my lower back and it has not gone away. It hurts so much to stand up from sitting, bend over to tie my shoes, pet the dogs, etc. I would like to know if anyone else has experienced this as a late onset side effects others mention and if so, what did you do? I see my oncologist April 8 and would like to provide her with suggestions. Thank you!
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@charlesgreenberg I was on Verzenio but could not keep it down. At $8,400 a month throwing it up was not acceptable. Now on Kisqali and still getting use to it. I was on Anastrozole and had wild mental swings. Now on Letrozole. Trying to manage and get the right mix is a full time job. I am very honest with my care team - which are wonderful. I find that the medication can be more difficult than active treatment. Best wishes.
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3 Reactions@ccc1965 I was initially on anastrazole, and switched to letrozole. I agree 100% about the medications being more difficult than active treatment. It is unrelenting with side effects and last for so many years. Stay strong!
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3 ReactionsJust recently diagnosed with an Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, small, Stage 1, ER+/PR+ and HER-2 negative.
I also was just recently diagnosed, and have a Carotid Body Tumor/Paraganglioma (welcome to the PARA Club)
in my right neck, that is under constant surveillance. My H&N Surgeon let my Breast Team know that it is fine
for me to undergo General Anesthesia to have a lumpectomy, as that was their concern with this option on the tumor, 7mm. Other options are cryoablation, with radiation and Letrozole for 5 years! or just Radiation with the Letrozole for five years. Two previous lumpectomies, atypical ductal hyperplasia and papilloma, and recent basal cell Mohs Surgery. Anyone with Paraganglioma or breast cancer with a mutation in our TP53 gene? Thank you!
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2 Reactions@ccc1965
Oh my how true that the aromatase inhibitors can be more difficult than actual treatment! I hope what you have now will work for you!!!
After double lumpectomy, chemo and radiation I then started Letrizol. Oh my body aches, joint pain so difficult. So I switched to exemestane…. getting off of that! Gastrointestinal problems galore! I’m going back to Letrizol. I will take joint pain over joint pain and constant diarrhea anytime!
But I have another 8.5 years on hormone blocking drugs so we shall see. You take good care, thinking of you!! xoxo
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