Letrozole side effects? stage 1A

Hi - I appreciate the quick response and link to the study. Also for the question to ask about ER/PR results - this is very new to me and knowing what questions to ask is very helpful. I've seen references to breast and ovarian cancer, just not a whole lot referencing endometrial stage I. I'm not looking to take something just to take it . I know there are no guarantees but I want to do what I can to avoid having a recurrence and then wondering if I should have done something different. I have some time to decide a path and will be conferring with other members of my care team as well as continuing my research. Will look to hear from some others, even if it is just about the side effects. Hope you are well...

To all that provided responses and feed back -- Thank you! After consulting with some of my key doctors, cardiologist, hematologist, primary care, and breast oncologist (I see her due to family history of breast cancer), and confirming my tumor was ER positive, I decided to move forward and just started taking the Letrozole (2.5 mg). Projected course of treatment, assuming no major side effects, is 1 -2 years. I'm going for a bone density baseline scan this week and will be monitored on an on-going basis by both the hematologist and surgeon that performed my hysterectomy. My decision was made after weighing the side effects vs potential benefits (and doctor input). I will post periodic updates to let others know how things are going.

SURGERY/LETROZOLE UPDATE: It's been 6 months since my diagnosis/hysterectomy and thought I'd post an update in the event it might help somebody. (cancer details are in earlier post) To give some personal background - I just turned 60, am quite over-weight and have controlled high blood pressure. There is also a history of heart issues and breast cancer in my family. I had pulmonary embolisms about 5 years ago - reason unknown and am taking low dose Xarelto as a precaution.

I had what I feel is a fairly easy recovery based on what I've read online. Took a few months to get my energy back and even longer for internal scar tissue to not feel so hard (was difficult to wear anything other than yoga/sweat pants). I think what helped is that I walked about 30 minutes every day and was doing some basic stretching exercise prior to the surgery - and also followed instructions and walked immediately after (first weeks were just up and down the block but I built up to my normal distance so important not to get discouraged). I also had weight gain immediately after the surgery and that took about two months before it started to go down (this was very disheartening). I'm now taking an 8 week tai chi class and started doing online zumba to help firm up.

As previously reported, after consulting with my doctors, I started Letrozole in mid October. Had a bone density test about a week in. Overall I'm tolerating the medication well but did have some side effect ( I can't say with absolute certainty that it was the cause but they started soon after). The most severe started within the first week or so - I had an increase in night sweats (almost every night) accompanied by heart palpitations (could 'sense' my heart beating') and some spikes in heart rate. I am staying in contact with my cardiologist and after seeing results of a heart monitor I was diagnosed with atrial tachycardia. He put me on a low dose of metoprolol and this seems to have resolved the palpitations (at certainly dramatically decreased them). He ordered a scan of my legs a month after starting letrozole to check for any blood clots (all clear). I'll be seeing him again in another two months. The night sweats have also leveled off to maybe once a week. About 3 months in I started to feel some twinges in my hip - fairly minor (the tai chi class helps with stretching). I have not experienced the severe joint pain that others report.

I just had my 6 month CT scan and all looks good - except I have a small hiatal hernia (may be contributing to and increase in reflux/heartburn). I'm seeing a hematologist every 3 months for monitoring and blood work. She is also adding an annual chest xray. Current plan is to continue scans and 3 month monitoring, as well as taking letrozole, through year 2. I see the surgeon next month and later this year will go back to my regular gynecologist.

Hope all reading this are doing well....

I certainly had some concerns about starting but my deciding factor was feedback from my doctors and discussion with loved ones. I've been on Letrozole about 7 months and believe I've seen some hair thinning (more hair in the brush and drain) but nothing major and not noticeable to others. I've struggled with weight all my life and find it is harder to keep it off, but I don't believe letrozole is the only factor (ie, diet, age, activity level). Best wishes with whatever treatment option you decide. Feel free to reach out with any questions.