Anastrozole joint pain

Hi @Bravo
No the Curcumin capsules don't seem to affect my stomach. I was previously taking Krill Oil and Glucosomine tablets to try and help the joint pain but found they did not work for me. It can be different for each of us and as @Romla says, sometimes your oncologist may switch you to an alternative AI as this can improve things for some people too. My oncologist said that as my symptoms had improved (but not vanished unfortunately  :/) it was best to stick to Femara for me. Hope things improve for you. x

Gather from ladies on here that oncs have switched them to a different AI to reduce side effects as slightly different composition 

Am on Letrozole too and stocked up with curcumin , fish / krill oil ( recommended by medical onc) , panadol osteo ( not keen on but suggested by pharmacist buddy) . I currently take Caltrate bone health with Magnesium ( lots of ladies on here recommend magnesium) twice daily and have for some years . I do a stretch and balance class twice weekly and tomorrow hope to start a 630am walking regimen ( ugh! but was explained nothing at that time crops up to prevent a walk).Thus far after 4 weeks noted joint stiffness if I sit for a while but ok if I get moving .I take heart though that many have said their body adapted after a few months. I did not have chemo either  but as I am osteoporotic have Prolia injections 6 monthly  which builds bones which may be helping too.

I'm on letrozole and my ankle and wrists were teally stiff initially but improved. I still hiwever hobbled like an old lady after stopping still for too lobg. I've just started on fish oil capsules twice a day and the difference for me has been incredible. Certainly worth trying. 

Thanks for that Deanne. I will ask my doctor about the curcumin capsules. I don't like the taste and texture of turmeric but I put a little into a quarter cup of green tea and skull it while holding my nose. I just started taking it a few days ago. Today I shouted at no one in particular "can't somebody make this in a capsule?" 
Does turmeric or the capsules upset your stomach?

Hi @Bravo
I think that these issues are common to most of the AI drugs. I have been on Letrozole (Femara) for almost 2 years. Before that I was on Tamoxifen for 2 years. My pain started after about a month on Letrozole and was like the aches and pains you get with the flu at first. This then changed to joint stiffness and pain similar to what arthritis feels like.

Over the space of about 6 months, the pain became much less (maybe my body learnt to block it or I got used to it). I now find that it bothers me very little. 

Things I have done to try and improve my situation include eating an arthritis type diet or anti-inflammatory diet. I also take Curcumin capsules after checking this with my doctor. These really improved the pain and stiffness in my hands almost immediately. I also exercise everyday and have found this helpful, particularly exercise that improves strength and flexibility.

I have had two short breaks from Letrozole (with the guidance of my oncologist) and found that any pain vanished almost immediately. This leads me to believe that any pain effects will cease when I stop taking the medication.

At the moment I manage pretty well on Letrozole. I hope that things settle for you as they have for me. 
Deanne xxx