Osteoporosis

How long do you expect to take Letrozole Growstuff? I have been told 5 years.
Unlike you I do not read up on my chances as every case is unique and these percentages are based on generalisations.

dragonfly46

How long do you expect to take Letrozole Growstuff? I have been told 5 years.
Unlike you I do not read up on my chances as every case is unique and these percentages are based on generalisations.

Five years.

My consultant showed me my results using the Predict tool, which allows for variables. I'm also taking part in a trial for genome testing, so they know what's been "feeding" my cancer and which meds are most appropriate. It's highly sensitive to oestrogen.

I do accept that my cancer is less likely to return with letrozole, but at the moment I'm struggling with the side effects. I already have pains in my legs and feet from diabetic neuropathy and my balance is poor, so I'm concerned about more pain, which can be a side effect of letrozole. I have other side effects too. Osteoporosis is one of my biggest worries.

At the moment, I'm carrying on taking it, but I think I'm going to have to make a decision in the New Year. Quality of life or a couple of extra years cancer free?

My daughter had quite bad bone pain with letrozole for the first few months, but it seemed to get better with time.

I'm not being picky, but... how can exercise help with the pain when medics tell us osteoporosis doesn't cause pain?

I received notification I had osteopenia following Dexa scan last week. I’ve been asked to make a gp appointment. It’s in my lower back which is perhaps the only part of my body which isn’t currently painful. I requested the scan as my younger sister, has quite severe osteoporosis and is already already hunched over. Every time I stand from a sitting position it sounds like I’m in a shooting range.

MissAdventure

I'm not being picky, but... how can exercise help with the pain when medics tell us osteoporosis doesn't cause pain?

I asked about the pain in my hip while I had the GP on the phone. She told me it wasn't related (as you say). However, it's a problem because I already have diabetic neuropathy in my feet and lower legs and (after a referral to a physio) I now know I have gluteal tendinopathy in my hip/buttock, which has caused muscle wastage. The reason they're connected is that both the latter cause me to have poor balance, pain and numbness, which mean I have a higher risk of falling, which is a problem with osteoporosis. The exercise is supposed to build up muscle and make falling less likely.

It's an example of the NHS/GP service working in a co-ordinated way, combining a history of diabetes, cancer and physio.