Hi, I’ve been on Letrozole for over 18 months and have bad pains in joints of my toes. I’d describe it as ‘stinging’ sensation, can’t sleep when it’s like that, Neurophen doesn’t help. It’s inflammation of the joints. Also sensitivities running down my legs and joining up with the joint pains in toes.
I’m now not taking letrozole for 6 weeks to see if it improves. Is the inflammation likely to be permanent?
Hello Bellas
I have just completed two weeks of abstinence from letrozole and the burning pains in fingers and toes have not diminished. I have been granted a twelve week trial to see if the peripheral neuropathy and increased tinnitus will subside. So far I have seen no improvement in all the side effects but I wonder if the abnormally low level of vitamin d found in my recent blood test could have a bearing on them. I have been prescribed 1,000 IU capsules to correct the deficiency and hope that they might help with my problems. Perhaps in a few weeks time we shall feel better. If not, we will know that this awful inflammation may be a permanent fixture thanks to having to take letrozole!
Hi, I have peripheral neuropathy (pn!) but it’s not related to breast cancer, I’ve actually got rid of most of it. I developed sharp stabbing and shooting pains, particularly at night. My feet are numb, think they’ll stay like that but I flex them to try to improve it.
Amitriptyline and then duloxetine didn’t work so after nearly a year I tried acupuncture. This is known to work and it did, took a few weeks as it’s not overnight but the effect was cumulative. It also helps me with general wellbeing and relaxation.
I massage my feet before bed and in the morning unless I’m in a rush, sweet almond oil (a carrier oil) with a few drops of frankincense essential oil, it really helps I find.
My joint pains in toes are related to the Letrozole I think, I’m on a 6 break to see what happens.
Please keep in touch if you’d like to! x
Hi, I forgot to say that if you’re thinking about acupuncture, ask your GP or Dr about getting it on NHS, as it’s cancer caused. I couldn’t as mine wasn’t. x
Hi Bellas
My situation is somewhat complicated as I have had neuropathy for many years due to fibromyalgia but recently I have experienced very painful neuropathy in both hands and feet which I think has been caused by letrozole. I asked for a blood test because I wondered if I had become diabetic or pre-diabetic. This was negative but an abnormally low level of vitamin d was dicovered despite the fact that nine montnths ago both my calcium and vit d levels were normal! I can only conclude that Letrozole is having an adverse effect on my 82 year old body and that is why I have been granted a 12 week reprieve. I also am experiencing a lot of pain in the pelvis and I am having an x-ray tomorrow to establish the cause. My GP wants to find out if I am now suffering from arthritis brought on by the tablet and hopes to discount a secondary cancer because my prognosis is classed as poor according to my NPI on the pathology report. I have been given co-codomol to help with the pain but the only effect so far is to make me sleepy!
I was given amitriptyline to moderate the fibro but had to discontinue because it was causing hair breakage (which is happening now thanks to Letrozole!)
I have been soaking my feet daily with moisturiser which seems to be dealing with the redness so I shall have to be patient and see what happens in the coming weeks. When things become clearer I shall ask about acupuncture but at present everything is a bit of a puzzle and as I am told I shall have to continue with the dreaded Letrozole I shall just have to wait and see!!
I hope your side effects resolve soon and please keep me posted when they do.
Best wishes and many thanks for your advice.