Could anyone give me any advice about aching and very weak knees. I have been on letrozole for 3 years and in the last month,
my knees have become so weak, I feel they are going to give way when I walk anywhere . I feel it has affected my balance too
Grateful for anything that helps
I am trying to build up muscle which I feel I have lost in and around my knees
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@LottyS so sorry to read you are feeling so uncomfortable, this is quite common with Letrozole, sometime your team may suggest you have a short break from taking the medication or changing the brand. I think you should check in with you oncologist telling how your feeling.
Wishing you well, with love and strength going forward
Hugs Tili 
I’ve struggled with my knees since chemo. I’m only 6 weeks into letrozole but when discussing it with the exercise medicine lead at my clinic he said concentrate on exercise to strengthen the quads. Apparently that’s the go to now for knee pain. Hope it helps x
Letrozole is a beast that affects a lot of people with aching joints. I switched to Anastrozole which was about 20% better. However, after 18mths I gave up with both of them as my quality of life was very poor. Worth a try, anyway. Wishing you luck
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I have had a few injuries to and around my knees and they were also very stiff and painful when I was on Anastrozole . If you have handrails and feel you can do so safely try walking backwards downstairs . I know it sounds daft but you use different muscles which can help with strength and if your stairs are steep like mine are it’s more comfortable on painful knees. One of my Yoga teachers sometimes has us walk backwards in a straight line in class as well for the same reason and the concentration helps with balance . So sorry that you’re struggling with this. Xx
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@LottyS
I have aching legs too (for the last 2 yrs) but have found the more exercise/walking I do, the easier it gets!! But every time I stand up after sitting for any length of time, they feel weak and painful but once I “get going” then they’re ok again!! I find it annoying more than anything! Think it’s definitely a good idea to strengthen your quads-I do Pilates every week and feel it’s helped massively! Don’t give up and hit the sofa all day-they’ll just get worse!
Hope this helps xxx
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Thankyou for all your advice. I am trying to do some exercises and force myself to go for a short walk every day.
Has any one found this problem affects their balance at all - I sometimes feel I am off balance when walking and yet when I have tried balance exercises I have seen online, I seem to be able to do them ok !
V strange !
I have had trouble with my neck too , having physio for that as causing headaches so maybe it is that !
Letrozole ?!,
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Yes, I lose my balance quite easily- it’s become a bit of a family joke as I seem to wobble off fairly regularly and I’m quite clumsy! If I’m in the gym I can do the balance exercises pretty well too. Very strange
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This is my first time posting.
I have taken a lot of comfort from reading posts at each stage of treatment and this topic has really helped. I have been taking Letrozole since ending my radiotherapy in March.
My knees feel like they’ve aged considerably more than the rest of my body. They ache in the morning and improve over the course of the day at work but begin to deteriorate during the evening. They stiffen when I’m sat still for any length of time.
I know that there’s lots of ways the medication can affect the body but I certainly didn’t expect this. It’s a gift that keeps on giving!
Thank you all for sharing your stories - it certainly helps to know that I’m not the only one.
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