Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, I have been taking Letrozole since sept 2014 and suffer aches/pains which are very painful at times. Last year my wrist/forearms were very painful and wearing a wrist support, the type repetitive strain sufferers wear helped a lot. This lasted about a month. I also had trigger finger which also lasted a month, and cleared up. I didn't do or take anything. Now I am having problems with my feet and particularly Achilles Tendons. Walking after resting is painful but once I get going I am fine. I believe that our soft tissues need and are affected by our hormones and the Letrozole suppresses what our bodies make naturally. I have also been told that the pain migrates so it can make a surprise appearance anywhere! Exercise definitely helps along with massage and generally keeping the joints moving whilst resting..hope this is of some help. ... View more

I have been supported by this forum since diagnosis in April 2014 but never responded until now. I had FEC x 6, lumpectomy and 33 rads. Was always very active, keen runner but the aches and pains from hormone tablets has left me frustrated. I thought that after treatment, life would be more adjustment etc but was never prepared for the side effects. I have been on Letrozole since Sept 2014. I had horrendous pain/ neuropathy in hands/feet and found that wearing a support on my forearm designed for repetitive use sufferers helped. That cleared up after a month or so. Trigger finger was ok after a month. Now my feet/heels are tender and sore especially in the morning or after getting up from sitting. The pain seems to migrate, although it is getting easier. I have a very considerate pharmacist who is aware that different coatings of tablets can give different side effects and we try a new brand every few months. Have tried Teva, Accord, Actavisi and Cipla. We are planning to try Sandoz next. Most dispensing chemists just give you what they have in stock so its pot luck. I can empathise with you all and in a way it's good to know that we are not alone. The frustrating thing is that I appear perfectly normal and healthy on the outside so people think I am 'fixed'. Every day is a challenge which I am determined to overcome. The tiredness and fatigue are improving but I find that exercise is great, just be kind to ourselves. My local cancer hospital provided 6 acupuncture sessions for hot flushes which have been really successful. Still get numb fingers, tiredness especially if I try to do too much in one day. I have the odd melt down but they are getting fewer. I have been lucky with no hair loss or weight gain. I really didn't think that taking a tablet a day would be this hard! Am taking vitamin C with added vitamin D and cod liver oil. Good luck everyone ... View more