What to expect when starting letrozole for HR+ breast cancer?

Thank you

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Starting letrozole can feel overwhelming, but connecting with others who understand this journey can make such a difference. Many people in this community have navigated similar experiences and found helpful strategies for managing side effects like joint stiffness, temperature changes, and bone health concerns that sometimes come with aromatase inhibitors. Hopefully others will share their practical tips and insights about what made their transition smoother, so you can feel more prepared and supported as you begin this part of your treatment plan.

Hi I’m on letrozole for 5 year also get the phesgo shot every 3 weeks. Letrozole is like menopause on steroids lol it can be challenging with the hot flashes not much joint pain although I suffer with neuropathy from the chemo I received in the very beginning I try to focus on my faith and gratefulness in being able to manage my situation I have the same diagnosis as you ,, I believe if your mind is in a good place your body will follow God Bless🙏

Hi Lorena. I was a very active person/runner before starting Letrozole, so it was hard for me to get used to my joints cracking, the overall stiffness that comes from sitting too long, and the fatigue. I've learned that movement (ANY TYPE of movement) is key, so while running 5 miles straight is no longer something I can do with ease, walking, yoga getting out of my work chair even for a few minutes every hour cuts down on the feeling of being stiff and cracky.

I am on Letrozole, Kisqali, Calcium, vitamin D3 and more vitamins. Side effects: dry skin all over, dry eyes, thin hair (practically lost it). Use humidifier and moisturizers. It helps.

Hi:) Yes got hot flashes, thin bones, achy stiff joints, dry skin, thin hair. Walking daily, meditation, lots of lotion, vitamin D3K2, bone medicine, biotin shampoo all has been helping. Rest when you need to and try to keep your stress levels to a minimum. Find what works for you ;)

I share your diagnosis and have been on Anastrozole ( a different aromatase inhibitor for 1.5 yrs. I support everything in the previous comments. My worst side effect is joint pain, but movement make all the difference.

I am also HER2 triple positive, stage 4, right breast. My cancer journey started August of 2023. First petscan showed mets to lymphnodes right underarm, right hip, right rib and left collarbone. I started on docetaxel, Perjeta and Herceptin in September of 2023. I also take anastrozole daily. I only did docetaxel till Dec of 2023.(I lost my hair from the docetaxel, but it started growing back within 3 months of stopping it. )Then just Perjeta and Herceptin, March of 2024 I went into remission but it only lasted 8 months. It came back with two little lumps in my right breast.  DR started me on Enhertu in December of 2024. My petscan in june 2025 showed no active cancer. As of this month june 2026 I have now been in remission for 1 year. I manage my side effects pretty well. I have neuropathy in my hands and feet. It really only bothers me in the mornings and evenings. I try to stay pretty busy. I do have fatigue and some joint and bone pain, but they are mild. I still have chemo every 3 weeks, Chemo is forever.  There is no cure for stage 4, but it is treatable.  Chemo keeps the cancer dormant. We will always have cancer.  Good luck 🙏

I’m also taking 1600 mg of Kaqsali , 21 days on, 7 days off.