Letrozole and Goserelin

[Temporarynameforthisone]

Hello everyone.

I had an oncologist appt today my oncologist informed me she plans to prescribe me Letrozole and Goserelin instead of Tamoxifan. The appointment was a bit of a blur because it’ was my post surgery appt and I’m shocked at how much treatment I still have infront of me, it wasn’t until I was driving home that I started thinking of all the questions I wanted to ask.

Has anyone else been prescribed these drugs instead of Tamoxifan?

thank you x

Hi, sorry you’re going through this. Not an easy time.

I was given tamoxifen , not letrozole.. It could depends on the type of cancer you had.

I also had goserelin injections (zoladex). I didn’t have chemo. If I recall, they said the zoladex mimics the chemo . Ie. Chemo helps to suppress something (can’t recall what as I write,) and they think zoadex has the same effect. Sorry if that sounds vague. Was over ten years ago now.

Thank you so much for replying, your answer is helpful and it’s really good to read that your experience was over 10 years ago.

I was prescribed Letrozole for 10 years, which was over 8 years ago now. I’ve found it absolutely fine. In my experience it’s worth trying different brands as although the active ingredient is consistent across brands, the binding agents differ and can cause a variation in side effects. I volunteer for a cancer charity and many others have found this too, however I have no medical knowledge at all so this is anecdotal . I’ve no experience of the other medication but hope someone comes along soon who does.

Tamoxifen and Letrozole work differently. Tamoxifen blocks oestrogen in all women but letrozole only works in post menopausal women as it doesn’t block oestrogen from the ovaries. If oncologists want to give Letrozole to premenopausal women they add Zoladex which stops the ovaries producing oestrogen.

Hi, I started on letrazole and zoladex(gosrelin) in January this year after lumpectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. I am pre menopausal but due to a previous serious blood clot I was wary of taking tamoxifen so my oncologist suggested this combination instead.
So far it's been fine, the only side effect has been stiff and achey joints which could be from the medication or could be because all the treatment has put me into early menopause.
The zoladex has to be injected by a nurse as it's a tiny implant that sits under your skin in your stomach. I asked if I could administer myself but they said best not too. I get it done monthly at my GPs, it's not painful.
I found the meeting where they laid out the years of drugs overwhelming too, it all feels never ending but it's actually been fine, much better than all the previous treatments anyway!