I’ve finally taken the plunge today and taken my first letrozole tablet. I was prescribed it in March after having ILC, mastectomy with DIEP flap surgery in Feb, and radiotherapy in April. I’m 64. I’ve been delaying letrozole until after RT to let the fatigue pass, and after my holiday as I didn’t want side effects spoiling my hol! I’m very anxious about it especially all the reports of joint pain. I have arthritis in my hips and knees, and have had a knee replacement already. In spite of that I’m very active, pre-surgery I was playing golf 2-3 times a week, walking, swimming and doing workouts. I’m back to swimming and workouts but desperate to get on the golf course now. I have always just pushed through the arthritis pain and it usually passes. I’d be interested to hear about anyone in a similar position and how you’ve got on with letrozole, if it’s increased the stiffness and pain in the joints and how you manage to keep moving! Thank you x
Hi jaxre
I arthritis in my hips, knees & spine and also hypermobility.
Up until 6 weeks ago I’d been taking Letrozole for just over a year.
Like you I just push through my arthritis pain normally, however the amount of pain I was in due to SE was horrendous. Oncologist took me off for 6 weeks to see if pain would lessen. It has considerable and I’m able to manage it again.
I’m going to give the letrozole another try for 3 months and then reassess pain.
Maybe I’ve just been unlucky 
Good luck and I hope the pain stays away x
Hi. Like you, I’ve been delaying Letrozole. I was prescribed it a few weeks ago but I wanted to wait until after the result of a Dexa scan (which is taking place tomorrow) as I already have osteoporosis and want to see what my bones are like at the moment before I start.
I also have occipital neuralgia due to osteoarthritis in my neck and that causes headaches most days. I’m worried that Letrozole might make that worse and don’t think I could cope with that. I’ve received every treatment and drug going for that over the years but nothing has helped.
I start 15 sessions of radiotherapy this week so will need to decide what to do after that, by which time the Dexa result should be back. I may need to ask for another appointment with oncologist to discuss.
Good luck and let us know how you get on. x
Good luck to you too! I just had my Dexa scan results and fortunately am all clear for osteoporosis.
Hi, I have arthritis in my hips and I am hypermobile. After a dexa scan I am told I have osteopenia. I have been on Letrozole for a year now. The odd thing is that the symptoms wax and wane in severity and effect different parts of the body over time. But there’s no getting away from the fact that they are horrible and debilitating. I can’t do everything I used to or want to. They say exercise keeps the cancer away and then give you a drug that prevents you from exercising!! It started effecting my hands a couple of months ago and that is scary. My fingers feel like they are popping out of the joints! Everyone is different and not everyone gets the joint pains so I’d say give it a go and see how you feel. I am hoping to change to a different drug as this is really getting me down but my oncology appointment is over 2 months late due to the lack of an oncologist.
I hope you can manage it ok, certainly worth a try. It takes time to settle in so you won’t feel immediate effects.
Good luck x
Hi. Im on Letrozole and I have Lupus, which slightly overlaps arthritis. I also have Osteoarthritis.
I have had problems with my knees even as a child (im almost 50) so I’ve had a DEXA scan as the Letrozole put me on the borderline to have bone infusions.
As for painful joints with the Letrozole, I am fortunate not to have that, although there are quite a few people who have experienced pain in their joints.
I was told the first two years on Letrozole are the ones likely to weaken your bones.
If you haven’t already had one, you might have a DEXA scan arranged because of this and treatment according to your results.
I go to Aqua fit once a week. It’s the only exercise I enjoy really and the easiest on your joints and equally keeping fit.