I started Letrozole in August 2023 & stopped after 8 months due to severe joint pain (mostly knees) and carpal tunnel syndrome. I then tried Anastrozole but also stopped after 8 months - the carpal tunnel syndrome had stopped, but I developed excruciating plantar fasciitis instead, & the knee & hip pains were so bad that I had to use a cane & couldn’t get up the stairs. (Previously I had been a power-walker 
). I stopped Anastrozole in January 2025 & have been on Aromasin (the generic brand Exemestane gave me a severe rash) since 10th March 2025. I’ve noticed that the hot flashes are less intense which is great, but I’m still waiting for the joint pain to reduce. Anyone else found that it took a few months for the joint pain to get better, & if so, how long?
Good morning Fran,
I’m sorry to read you are in so much discomfort, I think you will find so many are suffering with pain due to A1 medication.
Please contract your team, to see if they can help you, as this is pulling you down, pain and suffering is not acceptable, I managed Letrazole for 3.5 years I was extremely unhappy after speaking with my oncologist we decided to call it a day.
Wishing you well, going forward, hopefully you will get so help very soon. Also our nurses on this site are very caring and supportive you could also call for a chat.
(0808 800 8000)
Hugs Tili 
Thank you for your reply @Tili.
I have been in contact with my team throughout and they have been very helpful in moving me to a different medication when I have been unable to tolerate the previous one any longer.
I am interested in other’s experiences in how long the side effects take to reduce as it has now been 3 months since I stopped taking Anastrozole.
Wishing you well.
I think everyone will be different in terms of time to improve after stopping meds. But it is the lack of oestrogen that causes the pain. So if you are post menopausal then your lack of oestrogen may cause the pain without the meds. I thought the same about severe hot flushes, mine came back when I stopped HRT, well before I started AI meds. So I can’t blame it on the meds.
Thank you for replying @laneycass.
Yes, the joint pain can be caused by lack of oestrogen, but also we can be affected by the specific medications themselves, and the binding agents used in them.
According to my Oncologist, I seem to react with a severe inflammation - Letrozole & Anastrozole caused the inflammation to appear in my joints whereas when I tried generic Extemestane, it went to my skin & caused a severe rash & hives all over my body.
I very much hope that branded Aromasin will help & I would love to know others experiences of how long it took for the joint pain to reduce after they changed AI.
I hope you’re doing well.