Stopped Letrozole this week, how long before side effects go away?

Posted by lsouth56 @lsouth56, May 25 11:54am

With support from my oncologist, I stopped Letrozole this week after 2 1/2 years. I literally could feel my vitality being sucked out of my body and the pain in my joints and bones are no joke. I have had two knee injuries in the last 6 months that feel caused by weak muscles/tendons/ligaments.

I know there are similar stories, my question is if you experienced this type of side effect and stopped taking Letrozole, how long did it take (if ever!) for them to stop? Did you regain strength afterwards?

Thanks for feedback, folks. Hang in there!

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 7 8:44pm

For my cousin, side effects started to wane after 3-4 weeks.

@lsouth56, it's been a couple of weeks since you stopped letrozole. How are you doing? Have the side effects started to improve?

minkky | @minkky | Jun 8 10:14am

I've been on letrozole for 3 months. I'm tolerating it fine so far. I'm supposed to be on this for 10 years. Seems side effects that become intolerable happen to people after months and years on letrozole and other drugs like it. Does anyone ever tolerate this for as long as 10 years? Would love to hear of success on letrozole long term.

flowergal | @flowergal | Jun 8 12:07pm

I stopped in December. I finally have almost all my joints back to normal.

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Oct 20 9:35am

@lsouth56, I've been taking letrozole for just over three months, and I'm considering stopping due to joint pain. I had tried exemestane previously but that one didn't work for me. How are you doing now? Did you change to another AI? Did your side effects diminish, and how long did it take?

buckokey | @buckokey | Oct 21 12:41pm

In reply to @flowergal "I stopped in December. I finally have almost all my joints back to normal." + (show)

@flowergal
How long were you on letrozole following surgery?

flowergal | @flowergal | Oct 22 8:46am

In reply to @buckokey "@flowergal How long were you on letrozole following surgery?" + (show)

@buckokey I was on Letrozole for 5 months and anastrozole for six months. So a year total.

cat168 | @cat168 | Oct 22 10:02am

I took anastrozole for 7 months and had to stop the side effects were so bad. I waited a month and started exemestane which I took for a month and now I’m taking a break before starting Tamoxifen. Hopefully that works.
If it doesn’t I’ll look into DIM. My oncologist said it could supplement an AI or amoxicillin, but not to use it alone.

buckokey | @buckokey | Oct 22 12:54pm

In reply to @flowergal "@buckokey I was on Letrozole for 5 months and anastrozole for six months. So a year..." + (show)

@flowergal
I’m having some strange things happen and hard to know if it’s the letrozole or the fact this BC/lump started over two years ago but doctors failed me by not pursuing (taking biopsy) until May this year. I’m 78 and sometimes feel no one cares after you hit a “certain” age.

keywestsj | @keywestsj | Oct 22 12:55pm

I'll be 80 in 2 months and supposed to start taking Letrozole after radiation. I'm thinking about refusing to take it. I have other issues(Afib for one) from what I've been reading about side effects I thinking I'll just take my chances and pray. Does anyone here wishes they had never taken this drug? Any imput or advice would be deeply appreciated.

flowergal | @flowergal | Oct 22 2:43pm

In reply to @buckokey "@flowergal I’m having some strange things happen and hard to know if it’s the letrozole or..." + (show)

@buckokey I am sorry you are experiencing this too. Ageism is a real thing. I'm 70 but having other health issues right now. Yet I'm surrounded by many older healthy people. I guess it's our genes/ environment.
I hope the symptoms you are experiencing go away soon.