Verzenio & Letrozole
Second bout with breast cancer: I am a 61 Year Old woman diagnosed February 2025 Her 2 Positive 8 cm x 6 cm (large) breast tumor with metastatic skin cancer on ribs (considered stage 4) being treated with Letrozole and Vernizio
I was first diagnosed in 2021 with a similar tumor but no metastases at that time. I received chemo, radiation and breast conserving surgery only to return a few years later. I'm currently being treated with vernizio & letrazole. It's hard to find others who are experiencing the same type of breast cancer and treatment to talk to & I'm finding this to be a lonely road, as no one seems to understand. I can't figure out how much of my symptoms have to do with depression and anxiety vs the symptoms of these two medications. I have joint, bone and muscle pain but I don't have the common symptom of diarrhea - quite the opposite. Anyone out there going through the same treatment.
Please share your experience
vonnievonnie
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Hi @vonnievonnie and welcome to Breastcancer.org.
We're so very sorry to hear of the reasons that bring you here, but we're really glad you've found us. You're sure to find our incredible community a wonderful source of advice, information, encouragement, and support — we're all here for you!
We know you'll meet others here who can weigh in with their experiences. While you wait for them to welcome you, we encourage you to check out these threads in the Stage IV forum:
In addition to those threads, we encourage you to check out our free, weekly Metastatic Virtual Support Groups where you can meet others over zoom and get lots of great tips for managing life with MBC.
Please let us know how else we can support you, and welcome again!
—The Mods
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@vonnievonnie Welcome to the club none of us wanted to join. I can’t speak to your particular cancer but I was on letrozole and Verzenio. I’m taking a break from Verzenio for surgery and radiation right now but plan on resuming it soon. My side effects have been fairly minimal, a few bouts of D probably from Verzenio, and some joint pain & thinning hair probably from letrozole. I think depression and anxiety are common whether just from the diagnosis or meds. Does your care team have access to any counseling? Someone familiar with breast cancer?
Please take care of yourself.0 -
Like Orknitter, I can not speak to your specific type of cancer, but I did take Letrozole when I was stage 3 (became metastatic while taking it), and had lots of joint and muscle aches and depression. Now that I am stage 4, I take Verzenio and I too never had the "D". I do get it sometimes from diet, stress, and other "here and there" things, but it has never been a complication from the Verzenio. All of these drugs can cause joint and muscle aches along with lots of fatigue and depression. The depression can come with the drugs and it can also be part of just being in this situation. I try to get out for daily walks and they really help. I also take sam-e as it helps both joints and mood, and I use a "happy light" every morning. I did not want to do the prescription anti-depressants. I've been fairly good with what I do, but unfortunately with being stage 4, there's always something of a cloud hanging over. I can make it better, but can't make it go away altogether. I'm really sorry that you have found yourself in this situation, but want you to know that you will find some good support and understanding here, with the other people here who have breast cancer. Wishing you all the luck in the world.
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