I am really struggling at the moment. I had a lumpectomy in January 2025 followed by radiotherapy for a ER+ lump. I am on my second year of taking letrozole and know that joint pain is one of the most common side effects, but I’m finding it difficult to bear in the evenings and during the night. I wondered, after I have finished my course of 5 years, whether things get any better? I’m looking for a light at the end of the tunnel I guess.
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I had the same issue with letrozole. Could hardly get out of the car. My oncologist changed me to tamoxifen and I’m almost finished that after about 9 years. It was muc easier for me. Might be worth a conversation?
Hi @sra ,
Thank you for your post.
It sounds like you are having a difficult time with joint pain as a result of taking letrozole. Joint aches and pains are a very common side effect of aromatase inhibitor (AI) drugs.
The cause of AI-related joint symptoms is not known for certain, but it is thought that they are linked to a fall in oestrogen levels.
We hear from many women like yourself who experience joint symptoms such as pain and stiffness. Symptoms may affect the hands, arms, knees, feet, pelvic and hip bones, or back. They often affect daily life, and some people consider stopping their treatment early. So, it’s always important to talk to your treatment team or GP as soon as you can if you experience joint symptoms which have an affect your daily life which it sounds like it is for you.
Regular pain relief and regular exercise such as walking, yoga or swimming may help to relieve pain and joint stiffness for some people. Physiotherapy can be helpful in some cases, and you can discuss this with your GP or treatment team who can refer you if appropriate. Others find that complementary therapies such as acupuncture can help. If you are overweight this can put extra pressure on your joints, so it may help to lose any excess weight. Our information about healthy eating after breast cancer may be useful.
As your pain is severe, your treatment team may ask you to stop taking the letrozole for a short period of time to see if your symptoms improve. You and your oncologist can then discuss your treatment options. Some people find switching the brand of the medication helps or the time of day you take the tablet you could discuss this too.
Understandably you want to know if things will improve and if there is light at the end of the tunnel after you finish taking the medication, but you can as @Bloom says who had the same problem with letrozole talk to your treatment team and a change to a different medication such as tamoxifen or a different aromatase inhibitor. Hopefully this was reassuring to read that @Bloom switched to another hormone treatment and is almost finished with that after about 9 years and it was much easier for her, as she says, worth a conversation.
Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to help answer your questions, offer support and listen to how you are feeling.
You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0800 138 6551 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org, so they can then match you to your volunteer.
You may be interested in our Speakers Live events. They are an opportunity to learn more from experts about relevant topics like hormone treatments and there is a session coming up mid-May with an oncologist.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
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Best wishes,
Helen
Breast Care Nurse
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