Hi ladies,
I am posting this to find out, whether anyone else has had this side effect, too.
Ok, here I go.
On Letrozole since September 2016 and am tolerating it well. Some minor joint pains, but that is all.
I was also put onto bisphoshonates Benefos (sodium clondronate) a the same time. Initially taking 1600mg per day reduced to 800mg every two days over the past couple of months. Additionally, of course, Adcal.
I had an episode of severe joint pains a few months ago, when having been put onto a different brand of Letrozole, which was quickly addressed and all was back to normal.
From past sports injuries I am left with two dodgy disks in my lower back, which played up about a month ago. Oncologist sent me off to have a whole spine MRI done - we are still waiting on the results.
However, my joint pain shoulders joints, knee joints and the joints in my lower back became extremely painful. I could not put on a bra, a jacket or even get up from the sofa and had severe issues walking at all. I tried full dose paracetomol - no relief, tried some codeine - no relief. I did not take ibubrofen, as I took the bisphosphonates. As ibubrufen helped before - I stopped taking them - waited a few days - took some yesterday.And today, for the first time in weeks - I am nearly painfree.
Checking out the leaflet, which comes with the bisphosphonates it does state:
Other side effects - frequency unknown - severe bone, joint and/or muscle painthat can start days to several months after starting treatment
I have called my BC nurse and am due to speak to my oncologist.
It would be helpful to know, whether anyone else has experienced this. And if so, what was done to help, without losing the benefit of bisphosphonates.
Sue