Fao Sqad

[Jordyboy9]

SQAD can you please give me your opinion on the drug Letrosole,the reason I am asking is the side affects seem horrendous and frightening especially for someone who already has osteoporosis hope you are well,cheers jordyboy9

[rowanwitch]

While you are waiting for Sqad, most hospitals that do cancer treatments have a specialist oncology pharmacist. The medical team may be able to put you in touch as they are often able to give a more accurate picture of the likelihood of side effects. It is likely that supporting bone health with supplements and exercise of some kind will be recommended.

The most common side effect is the return of hot flushes, and they are usually less severe than during menopause.

The reduction in the risk of the cancer coming back is well documented but it is a balancing act. If it is any help my mother is in her eighties and has taken letrozole for two years with no problems apart from brief visits to the tropics as she calls it

[Peter Pedant]

you are doing the autonomy bit
if you want to take the drug - take it
and if you dont - dont
make sure you get opinions from your treating team as well ( as they have your notes)

have you tried what it is like on yoursself?
or have you stopped at the point where the internet has said you might grow an extra head ?

it boils down to - the choice is yours

[Peter Pedant]

oh, being under the Christie myself
i wouldnt dream of bucking the advice of my oncologists

just an opinion - they arent going to send the police in...

[Old_Geezer]

I wonder if, if folk read side effects of the drug they're about to use, anyone would ever take anything. Maybe they ought to add %risk figures next to each side effect on the list.

[woofgang]

OG I think they kind of do....the drug lit I read says something like common side effects, unusual side effects, rare side effects, very rare side effects.

[woofgang]

yup here's the letrasole leaflet...it breaks down the side effects in the way I described and defines the terms rare common and so on by percentages of people who experience them
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6054.pdf

[Sqad]

Jordy....the above contributors have said it all.
Are you taking the drug?

I really have nothing more to add.

I am fine thanks.

[rowanwitch]

I think it might be prescribed for Mrs jordy boy

[woofgang]

jordy, she needs to talk to the prescribing team about this....they will be able to tell her what her risk is and precautions.

[rowanwitch]

Get advice about supplementing with calcium and vitamin d. If she doesn't already, there might be other options the specialists might consider.

[237SJ]

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/hormone-therapy/osteoporosis Here's some info about calcium

[rowanwitch]

Oh yes I forgot about biphosphonates, usually given in hospital over about half a hour, can help slow down calcium loss from bones.
One you often hear about is Zometa.

[Peter Pedant]

god you are telling someone ELSE whether to take her onc drugs ?
oh well.....

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback jordy.