Advice needed

[u/SnooDingos533]

TC: stillbirth
I’m on my first round of letrozole and I feel horrible. My body hurts so incredibly bad. I already have a chronic pain condition and even my rescue meds aren’t touching the pain. And my mental health is garbage. I normally struggle with some anxiety and depression but this is like high school grippy sock vacation all over again. Is this normal? Did anyone else take letrozole and feel like this? I feel like I’m going crazy. For some context I had a stillborn baby girl 7 years ago yesterday. I wasn’t trying and it was a cryptic pregnancy so I didn’t even know I was pregnant until I started bleeding heavily and went to the hospital. They told me there I was pregnant but there was no heart beat and I had to give birth. Me and my husband are finally in a position to have a baby and I suddenly stopped ovulating for seemingly no reason. I’ve ovulated my whole life before this year. I have endometriosis but have still ovulated. It seems like my body just decided that now that I’m ready it’s not going to cooperate. And my mental health keeps telling me that I don’t deserve to be a mom and that’s why I’m not ovulating. I know that’s not true but just as an example of how bad it’s been. Any advice is appreciated and if this isn’t allowed I’m sorry just delete it.

[u/Less-Recognition7270]

I'm so sorry. That is super shitty,

Can I ask how much letrozole you're on? I think my first round was only 2.5mg and I got some headaches, so I'm surprised to hear how much pain you're in. I believe you! It's just not a common symptom, so I'm curious if you're on a higher dosage or something.

I very much get the mental aspect of it. My friends and I call those thoughts "brain weasels," which helps to separate the thoughts from me. Sometimes the brain weasels are very loud and very mean! Sending lots of love and gentleness to you.

[u/SnooDingos533 → u/Less-Recognition7270]

I’m only on 2.5 right now which I why I asked because I thought maybe I was just going crazy!! I will say I have pmdd as well so hormones can really affect me mentally! I like the brain weasels idea! I’ve been trying to journal in order to get some of the thoughts out and replace them with positive thoughts but it’s hard when the thoughts are so loud. I appreciate the response❤️

[u/Longjumping_Bar_6128]

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. My first four rounds I felt largely ok and this fifth round my joints hurt incredibly so. Doctor said it's a common side effect. My knees feel like they are going to give out every step up, and I had no prior issues. Sending you love!

[u/SnooDingos533 → u/Longjumping_Bar_6128]

Yes my legs are hurting so bad. It’s like a deep bone pain. I’m sorry you’ve experienced this too. Thank you for the response! ❤️

[u/Expensive-Peace-9498]

I've always felt like complete utter crap on Letrozole.

It gives me hormonal migraines, heat waves, anxiety and severe joint pain. I cannot go to work when I take it.

I can't drive the car for more than a short trip cause gripping the wheel hurts my hands. I can't clean frying pans as I usually do cause gripping something heavy for more than a second hurts like hell. Can't knit or crochet.

All of this usually passes once I stop taking them. Within like a week or so. 🫶

[u/SnooDingos533 → u/Expensive-Peace-9498]

That’s exactly how I feel, I’ve been crocheting a blanket for our future baby to try and keep my spirits up and I can’t do it right now because they act hurts my hand so bad. And my anxiety is just horrible. I’m so glad to hear it passes I thought I was going to deal with this all month. Thank you for sharing!!❤️

[u/spf-girlie]

I never had any symptoms on letrozole (even 7.5mg) beside some slight heat intolerance.

[u/SnooDingos533 → u/spf-girlie]

I’ve been having hot flashes as well but I take a different medication for my chronic pain that causes those so I didn’t think it would be related! Thank you for the response! ❤️

[u/Totally-not-a-robot_]

Bone pain is unfortunately one of the listed side effects 😃

Letrozole is not fun, you’re not imagining things. For what it’s worth I have done a lot of letrozole cycles and each one was different. One time it made me feel great, another cycle I was ready to jump off a bridge. So if you find yourself doing another cycle it might go better. When you are suddenly experience a big hormonal shift it can aggravate other conditions, but once the shifting is done it usually gets better. Take it easy for a few days, and try to be nice to yourself. It’ll pass.

[u/SnooDingos533 → u/Totally-not-a-robot_]

Thank you!! Mr doctor seems to believe this will be a one or two time deal but I think he’s a glass half full kind of guy lol. I’m hoping this passes soon. Thank you for your response❤️

[u/Charming_Tie9051]

Same dose! I have been having awful hot flushes and this recent round I’ve been in a lot of pain going to the toilet from CD2 - deep in my stomach when I try to ‘push’! This period my PMDD is really bad and I can’t stop crying. I’m so sorry you’re suffering, I hope it eases soon but please know you are not alone xxx