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Letrozole paused until July (3 months). Anyone else experience this?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Winter Haven, FL
April 28
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Answer Summary

Members shared their difficult experiences with pausing or switching aromatase inhibitors (AIs) like Letrozole due to severe side effects,... Read more

Members shared their difficult experiences with pausing or switching aromatase inhibitors (AIs) like Letrozole due to severe side effects, including extreme joint pain, muscle weakness, tendon damage, and insomnia. Several members described trying all three AIs with little relief, with one member making the tough decision to stop treatment altogether rather than risk becoming immobile, and another experiencing a dangerous drug interaction between Tramadol and Tamoxifen. A recurring theme was the frustration of managing serious side effects with limited support, and the importance of advocating for yourself and checking medication interactions carefully.

A MyBCTeam Member

Extreme hand arthritis with tendon damage and nose sore developing. Not able to grip steering wheel to drive or cane to walk daily outside. I had been on 4 months. Had already tried Anastrozole and Aromasin with bad side effects.
Blessings for you using. I didn't want to stop Letrozole but not many options.
Oncologist did have me use Claratin with Letrozole and begin turmeric daily. Continuing turmeric for inflammation; hopefully it helps.

April 28
A MyBCTeam Member

@A MyBCTeam Member Onco took me off Letrozole due to extreme side effects. July started me on low dose (10mg) Tramadol. Tried all 3 AIs. See hand surgeon this week. Week 1 Tramadol only hot flushes, manageable.
👀 Thay failed to tell me Tramadol ( for hand pain) and Tamoxifen could NOT be used at the same time. Bad reaction.

August 3
A MyBCTeam Member

TY, Sue. Don't know what doc will suggest in July since I have already tried the 3 AIs. Hope pause gives some relief. Yes, I have had Letrozole muscle give way in my right leg. At 82+ yo, they sometimes give up on us. I won't.

April 28
A MyBCTeam Member

Maybe Drs. think that people will recognize the turmeric name.

April 28
MyBCTeam

Has letrozole been paused for 3 months until July, and is it something others have experienced too?

It's not uncommon for oncologists to temporarily pause letrozole. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as managing difficult side effects, allowing the body to recover, or addressing other health concerns. Every Show Full Answer

Has letrozole been paused for 3 months until July, and is it something others have experienced too?

It's not uncommon for oncologists to temporarily pause letrozole. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as managing difficult side effects, allowing the body to recover, or addressing other health concerns. Every treatment journey is unique. Some MyBCTeam members have shared that side effects from letrozole can be tough to manage, including:

- Joint and bone pain
- Sleep problems and insomnia
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Anxiety or mood changes

A MyBCTeam member shared that after struggling with pain and insomnia, their oncologist switched them to anastrozole with much better results — showing that doctors do adjust treatment plans when needed. It's really important to stay in close contact with the oncology team during this pause. They can explain the reasoning behind the break and what to expect when restarting.

The MyBCTeam community is a great place to connect with others who may have had a similar experience — there's comfort in knowing you're not alone in this. 💙

April 28

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