Coping with Letrozole Side Effects in Breast Cancer Treatment

Can you seek out help from your PCP? It's ok to take a mild antidepressant, some also help with pain.

I’m taking Letrozole and Ebrance and I taking depresion pills

As a cancer patient,or a patient trying to prevent recurrence you can have your oncologist write a referral to see a Palative Care doctor. This is very appropriate and helpful. They can be helpful in using natural and prescription methods. Some antidepressants can be gotten in very small doses

Because I have the depression before I was diagnosed with BC now I m taking Letrozole I don’t know if the Letrozole make that worse because is been 6 month i m going to therapist because I m so depressed

I find I am pretty depressed upon awakening in the morning. What seems to help me is chugging a bottle or two of mildly alkaline water. And it works quickly with no side effects, except maybe an extra trip to the bathroom. However, I am not someone who is easily depressed, or has a preexisting depression problem, and I think mine is largely a hydration issue.

I am 67 years old, stage 4, and initially diagnosed Stage 1 when I was 41. I started taking Letrozole in January 2024, for its convenience, to replace Faslodex injections. (Even after 25 years of treatments, I'm still needle phobic!) After the first month on the Letrozole, I noticed subtle changes in my mood and energy level: weepy, tired, cloudy thinking. The symptoms became progressively worse in terms of intensityandduration. This continued for another six months before my oncologist suggested I go back on the Faslodex. The change back to myself was almost instantaneous! Please consider discussing alternatives to the Letrozole with your oncologist.

Thank you all. My Dr has me off of letrozole for a couple of weeks and I already feel better. We’ll talk about alternatives soon.

I had weaned off ALL Rx until my cancer diagnosis. Post surgery I opted for only medicine. My onc prescribed letrozole as first line of treatment for 5 years. That was 2.5 years ago. Within the first month I experienced: extreme nausea, headaches, dehydration, severe unintentional weight loss, major depression, anxiety and hated letrozole. I had to add Ca K D3 to protect anticipated bone loss … my world was upside down and so much was happening (relocation, IBD -microscopic, caretaking elderly TBI mom, early retirement) … my PCP started me on bupropion losartan trazodone (last two after a month on bupropion) for the severe depression (I still don’t want to leave the house) anxiety high blood pressure and insomnia. All of this exacerbated the side effects to the point I told my sister I’m done I’m quitting all Rx… but I’m still on Rx with one Rx at maximum : bupropion at 300 mg a day… I’m still depressed I still cry at commercials and movies 😂 and my bp is still elevated my heart rate rises over 100 if I interact with my TBI deaf stubborn mom 😂 … viscous cycle… so that’s a peek into my life… it’s my thought that you could talk with your oncology team, PCP too see if they think CBT, talk therapy, one on one or group therapy IN PERSON would help your depression. Even though I engage in cancer forums, I actually have lessened symptoms when my sister is visiting. I’m still depressed but since I’ve added my sisters support for some reason it means a lot to me. Hope this helps (that I get very depressed since letrozole), but I’ll pray for you

Oh, Anna, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Due to my hormonal issues during menopause and loss of an ovary I knew immediately my depression et al was due to the letrozole. I pray you’ll begin to get back to a new normal. I really sucks to not be yourself! I’m glad your sister is there to support you. I’ll say a prayer for His support and healing.

I may try this alkaline water.. is it a little baking soda in water?

I take letrozole and kasqali and a depressant that i hv to cut in half cus it interacts with kisqali

I’m on letrozole for the past 7 months now she wants me to do the infusions for bone protection. Little Leary about that. See her the 24 of April. Not happy with side effects of the infusions.

I did the Reclast once a year infusion for the first time in January. Unfortunately my cancer diagnosis came at the same time that my dentist caught some major issues requiring two big extractions. The Reclast doesn’t seem to be creating any noticeable side effects, but kind of rules out doing a sinus lift and four implants. So, bridges it is!

Helene: what side effects did you experience on the infusions?

I start them April 24

I just started the Letrozole a couple of weeks ago The Tamoxifen gave me a blood clot in my foot and I am on blood thinners. I thought I was getting moody because my 3rd surgery didn't go well, trying to fix what my first plastic surgeon messed up. It is the drug ,have the crying to.

🙏🙏

Many people in this community have shared similar experiences with letrozole and the emotional challenges that come with hormone suppression therapy. The sudden mood changes and tearfulness are common side effects that deserve attention and support from your healthcare team. Consider discussing these symptoms with your oncologist, as they may be able to suggest strategies or adjustments to help manage these difficult effects while maintaining your treatment plan. The community here understands how tough this journey can be, and sharing your experience helps others feel less alone in facing similar challenges.