Letrozole muscle pain

Muscle and joint pain or stiffness are definitely things I regularly experience as a result of Letrozole. I find ensuring hydration is a must as well as trying not to over exercise or rush movement especially first thing in the morning. Sometimes there's just an 'ache-y' feeling either throughout my body or in specific areas. A friend gave me a wonderful cushion from 'Comfort Station' and I use this often to relieve a sense of weightiness in my legs & arms. Overall though increasing my hydration has really helped.

@Glynnis. It all gets confusing  doesn't it.

@Blondy I was taken of the anastzole and put on to the letrozole and Kisqali when I was diagnosed with Mets. 

@Glynnis  Glad to hear your symptoms are settling down why did you stop the Anastrozle.?

@Blondy was on anastozole for 3 years had minimal side effects the most being achy bones at night and the stiffness. So the letrozole was a real eye opener for me but in saying that I now seem to have settled down and getting muscle soreness but no achy bones, so I am able to cope with it now, panadol osteo I’ve been taking at night time and helps and am sleeping better too, been on it 3 weeks now so will preserver and see how I go, my oncologist did say when I mentioned the muscle soreness that it was a side effect and if got any worse let her know well it hasn’t got any worse it’s got better 😃 

@"Patti J" yes I was on Arimidex for about 13 months before switching to Aromasin. Before that was on tamoxifen for 4yrs but had a recurrence . Theyve got a long way to go with AI's for less side effects. I find panadol osteo on a bad day takes the edge off still hard though im in pain e everyday. Could be lack of oestrogen adds to that too.  

@melclarity. After 5 years of Tamoxifen, I  was put on Arimidex. I lasted one cycle. It gave me migraine headaches. 

Having been on most of them except letrozole, I honestly think they really are much of a muchness. My oncologist said there may be slight differences in them, what suits one doesn't suit another. I feel there is zero difference between Arimidex/Anastrozole and Aromasin. I'm thinking maybe Arimidex might be better than switching to letrozole which I dont know about really. Plus Arimidex is a non steroid whereas Aromasin is steroid uuuugh which is NOT helpful! grrrr.

@Glynnis    I was only on Letrozole for 6 weeks and had massive joint pain, particularly the hands and thumb, but everywhere generally.  (I already had ‘some’ arthritis, but it was nowhere near as debilitating as this.)

 I swapped to Exemestane and have been on that for 6 months, and just now, like @Blondy - my main problem now is the trigger/stiff/painful thumb (although I also hobble around like an 80 year old.)  I cant even squeeze the tube of toothpaste!  Grrr

I am currently having a break from meds for 4 weeks, then will discuss with my Onc whether to go on Anastrozole.   As Blondy says ... finding one that has the least side effects could be the way to go and you can only do that by trying the others over time.  My surgeon said he would even understand it if I stopped it altogether!  My benefit is only 1% reduction in recurrence over 5 years. 

Definitely, use it or lose it .... but If it is impacting your life badly 24/7 ... chat with your Onc.

@Glynnis. I had Letrozole for 6 months and got terrible migraines lasting 10 hours and nothing would touch them  also they exasperated my lower back  like bursitis. Lethargy was a corker. My oncologist changed me to Anastrozle. I now only have a few headaches, and a very sore thumb with a trigger joint. On the whole, feel heaps better. It's a case of which of the symptoms can you live with as they all have their varieties of symptoms. Rather than live with such quickly acquired symptoms so soon after starting, maybe an early appointment with your oncologist could see your meds changed  They all basically do the same job but some suit others better. Oncologists come in all shapes and sizes and mines a real sweetie and she always says I can have an   unscheduled appointment   whenever I want if I have concerns. Regardless, a change might suit you better.