Hi, last year I went through bilateral bc. I had a mastectomy one side, as this was a recurrence after 11 years. This side was lobular cancer. The other side was ductal cancer, and I had a lumpectomy, one lymph node was involved, and a course of radiotherapy in September 2019. I started taking letrozole the same month so have been on it over a year. Both cancers were strongly oestrogen receptors. 11 years ago I had been on tamoxifen, but stopped taking it after 2 years, with the agreement of my consultant, as I started having persistent post menopausal bleeding.
I have had occasional twinges in my left knee, which has always been a problem since breaking my femur nearly 50 years ago. About 3 months after starting letrozole, the pain in that knee suddenly became severe and I struggled to walk. I saw a consultant privately, as the NHS wait was so long (and this was just before the first lockdown) and severe osteoarthritis was diagnosed and I should have had a knee replacement in April, but the pandemic means that I am still waiting, even privately. In August this year I suddenly started getting pain in my right hip. X-ray has revealed ‘mild osteoarthritis’ but apart from a telephone consultation, and being put on a list for a guided steroid injection, I will probably have to wait months to sort that out, and anyway I want to get my knee surgery first.
But I am now in constant pain, especially in the middle of the night. In the space of a year, I’ve gone from being someone who enjoyed brisk 5 mile walks, to struggling to walk a mile or do the shopping.
I’ve only just started to wonder if letrozole has anything to do with it, so has anyone else had experience like this? As far as can be known, I have no secondaries. I’m 67 and quality of life is more important to me than quantity, but having had a recurrence, I’m reluctant to stop letrozole. Any thoughts most welcome!