Femara (letrozole)

I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I am scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction on October 13. My oncologist put me on letrozole before my surgery because my surgery was so far out. She did not say anything about sexual side effects. She only talked about joint pain, hot flashes, osteoporosis, etc.. I have…

Hi I had her2 neg er+ breast cancer in 2018. In 2022 i had recurrence in my bones (all over with 3 collapsed vertebrae) and liver. I was on ribociclib and letrozole that worked really well, pet was negative and most metastasis disappear. In August I had liver recurrence. Blood test and markers are ok and i feel well so i…

I am starting this new forum for all those who are on this newly approved drug combo. I started on Kisqali/Letrozole combo 6 weeks ago and so far it has been tolerable. Letrozole gives me joint pain and low back pain. My oncologist has asked me to take this on alternate days. Would love to hear from others about their…

Hi All, I have been prescribed Letrozole for almost a year now, My hot flushes are affecting my sleep, is there anyone in the forum who can suggest a natural remedy to reduce the Hot flushes?

Wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with Early Stage Breast Cancer and on AI/Ribociclib regimen? I’m going to start after radiation and wondering how your treatment is going and if there are any tips out there! Thanks in advance!

Hi - I have been on Letrozole for 2 years (invasive ductal carcinoma, node positive, did chemo and radiation, double mastectomy and oophorectomy...was diagnosed right after my 46th bday). Recently I've had neuropathy for the first time (it moves around/switches which limbs it affects...strangest thing). Ruled out…

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer with a high oncogene score. I finished chemo and surgery and am now on letrozole and Kisquali (been about 6 weeks). I wonder how many others feel like "their body is dealing with something" but don't know how to put it into words. I do have some digestive issues, some joint pain,…

I read a suggestion that someone should start a topic for women who are NOT experiencing severe SEs while taking Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin. I'm about to start taking Arimidex and when I read about the potential SEs I get discouraged. Maybe others would also like to hear about positive experiences. We would love to hear…

Hi, I have been taking letrozole for 1.5 years and have decided to stop. I had stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. Treatment involved partial mastectomy, 20 treatments of radiation and letrozole 10 mg daily for 5 years. The hot flashes, insomnia and fatigue is really affecting my quality of life. I’m curious how many of you…

AIMSS: How Aromatase Inhibitors Can Affect Hands and Wrists January 13, 2026 If you’re taking an aromatase inhibitor, you may have pain in your hands and wrists. Dr. David Bozentka explains the syndrome. Float RightMediumAccessibilityDelete Bone and joint pain are some of the most common side effects of aromatase…

Hello all! I am coming up on 6 years of AIs with Letrozole being the most recent one. I had been on Arimidex but developed trigger thumb and fatigue over time so I switched to Letrozole. I have been okay for the most part but I now have tenosynovitis in my left wrist which won't go away and a new tendon issue on the top of…

Has anyone used these? what were your experiences as far as side effects? cardio-muscular-bone damage?

Giredestrant Reduces Recurrence Risk More Than Tamoxifen, Aromatase Inhibitors Dec 22, 2025 Results from the lidERA trial suggest that giredestrant could be a new standard of care for early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Read more…

hello! I was diagnosed with Stage 2 ER/PR+ HER2- lobular breast cancer late last year and have completed surgery and preventative chemo as there was no sign of spread post-surgery. I started hormone therapy consisting of monthly injections (Zoladex) and daily Letrozole in July and will add Kisqali this month. My hair is…

I have diagnosed with ER/PR + HER2 negative on April 21st 2025. Bilateral mastectomy done with reconstruction ,tissue expanders in place . I will start radiation soon my left side . DXoncotype 16 Worried for the side effects of radiation .On Letrozole and lupron since May 2025

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…

I am curious if anyone has taken a break from hormone inhibitors for a month. I had surgery in January 2023 for invasive lobular cancer of the left breast and had a mastectomy. My oncotype was 13% and I had radiation therapy for 5 weeks. One lymph node was positive. I have been on and off hormone inhibitors since last…

Hi everyone. Looking for some advice from all you wise, brave folks. I had IDC 18 years ago; ER+, PR+, HER2 neg/double mastectomy/chemo/tamox/negative sentinel nodes. A year ago was diagnosed with an aggressive axillary node recurrence; surgery to remove 8 nodes, 4 pos, 4 neg. Went on letrozole, had radiation, now 9 months…

Hi, I just met with a new oncologist after the retirement of my previous one. I have been on an Aromatase Inhibitor for six years with worsening bone loss. Taking Fosamax. The new oncologist suggests switching to Tamoxifen. Total treatment time would be 8 years vs. target of 7 if I stay on AI. Has anyone had or considered…

I had a bilateral salpingo oophorectomy (BSO/ovary removal) on March 4th. I had not begun menopause (based on MO ordered hormone tests). The side effects I've had since that surgery are debilitating. I'm supposed to start taking Letrozole tomorrow. I'm trying to find out (no response from SO or MO) if the symptoms will…

Hi everyone. I'm starting this topic because I haven't found a similar one to help answer questions and offer me advice. I know I'm a rare case managing my own palliative care, in Asia, while under the care of a great doctor who's using both eastern and western medical traditions. I'm on hormone therapy (Tamoxifen then…

I will be going back on letrazole after a break after 2 1/2 months due to sudden onset of constant palpitations and one short episode of a/fib. I had to get a cardiac work up and getting that done has taken time. Getting in to see a cardiologist, wearing a zio patch for two weeks, waiting for the results and then scheduled…

I'm supposed to start Letrozole. I just got over chemo and RT and just waiting to get back on my feet before starting this poison. Trying to talk myself into it. I can't seem to get straight answers that satisfy me. Get tired of the Standard of Care or One Size Fits All. Why isn't a hormone test done at the beginning and…

Have been taking letrozole for about 4 months after DCIS (w/clear margins), and preventative radiation treatment. Seem to be free of noticeable side effects except it appears to cause a cough and a 'drippy' feeling in the back of my throat. I confirmed this by going off it for 2 weeks, when these symptoms disappeared. Has…

I'm sure this has been discussed on other pages but I want to start a thread specifically for this discussion. For the second time, I have had a severe neurological response to Aromatase inhibitors. The first time I was told there is nothing that would help so I quit taking the meds That was 6.5 years ago. I recently had a…

Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer? Dec 6, 2024 Dr. Donald McDonnell discusses his research on estrogen, eosinophils, and triple-negative breast cancer. New research suggests that estrogen plays a role in allowing hormone receptor-negative breast cancer to grow. This is because estrogen limits…

It has been many years since I checked in but it’s so wonderful to see how much this thread has grown! I remember clinging to the hope here when I was first diagnosed, and now am myself more than 13 years out from my stage 3 diagnosis! My question for this wise group is how many of you have remained on an AI for more than…

Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Women Sep 9, 2024 Protection varied by race and decreased with age. Read more…

Hi I am post lumpectomy, micro metastasis in 1 removed lymph node and now faced with the far more daunting ( to me) prospect of taking letrazole oestrogen inhibitor. Does anyone have anything positive to say about them? All I hear is the negative side effects. Others experience would be very welcome. I’m 61, normal weight,…

I STARTED TAKING FEMARA ABOUT 2 WKS AGO. WHEN DOES THE SIDE EFFECTS START TO KICK IN Edited by Mods to add content from the main Breastcancer.org site on Femara: Benefits, Side Effects and More