Hi allBeen a while since I’ve been on and hoping someone can help.Have been on Letrozole 3 years and this past year seem to be having a few soft tissue injuries not justified by my activities.First tennis elbow followed by plantar fasciitis and now have torn muscles in both upper arms , the left shoulder is also effected.I’m wondering if it’s related to Letrozole ? I see my oncologist for annual check up next week and will be bringing it up with him.

Well been to oncologist and explained my soft tissue injuries this past year.He has said to try a 6 week holiday from Letrozole to see if it improves then 6 weeks back on to see if problems re-emerge. He thinks it’s possible they may not re- emerge but if they do there are alternative aromatase inhibitors to try. Also despite Letrozole for 3 years 2 months my bone density has improved markedly with the assistance of 6 monthly Prolia injections.Thankyou again for your support and will let you all know how things go.

I have recently been diagnosed with Dupuytren's Contracture. My Oncologist suggested they would normally see it in someone who does jackhammering.Goodness knows why and I'm none too pleased about it. My hands are constantly busy......I asked the Plastic surgeon if there was any correlation with BC and ongoing treatment.....No!I have been on various Aromatose Inhibitors. Letrozole was unpleasant. Now I am back on Tamoxifen and although the bone pain is still there it's manageable.@Romla, sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your post Reading your troubles and the bursitis thought I would share in case someone else has it!Take care

Hi @Romla That sounds like a lot but after nearly eight years, I don’t seem to have had any problems. A bit of lingering issues around one knee but that was caused by a fall (hotel staff leaving a power lead unmarked at a gig!) so not Letrozole. I hope your oncologist can clarify things. Best wishes.

@iserbrown you haven’t hijacked my post. I was trying to raise the issue of soft tissue injuries and hormone therapy so was interesting to hear that there are others with similar. I hope that something can be done to assist your issues so that life becomes more manageable. I think we all need to think about this stuff and share so maybe the medical community will listen and something is done. xo

Wouldn't surprise me @romla I seem to be able to injure myself in my sleep. And if I do something that would normally hurt, it's so much worse than it should be.

Letrozole and soft tissue injuries

Afraser
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Romla
That sounds like a lot but after nearly eight years, I don’t seem to have had any problems. A bit of lingering issues around one knee but that was caused by a fall (hotel staff leaving a power lead unmarked at a gig!) so not Letrozole. I hope your oncologist can clarify things. Best wishes.
Sister
Member
5 years ago
Wouldn't surprise me @romla I seem to be able to injure myself in my sleep. And if I do something that would normally hurt, it's so much worse than it should be.
arpie
Member
5 years ago
Both my shoulders have been playing up in recent months, had X-ray and US on the right and i5 showed bursitis. Also got a hip/pelvis ache that I want properly checked out ... will be in touch with my Onc on Mon re that!

i hope your shoulders settle down @Romla ... tho torn bits are problematic. :(
primek
Member
5 years ago
I had bilateral bursitis which did not improve with standard treatment. 2 weeks off letrozole and had full movement. My oncologist does not think it a coincidence. Anastrazole was a better option for me.
Romla
Member
5 years ago
Thankyou all - really appreciate the support .Guess you all know my worry. If all clear will request a Letrozole free break to see if things improve and then maybe a change of AI as intend to get to 5 years.Might even think about a change of Letrozole brand for a bit in case it’s fillers and coatings. Haven’t actually tried Femara the original brand yet.Anyway annual mammogram tomorrow and oncologist Tuesday - will let you know the outcome.
arpie
Member
5 years ago
Forgot to mention I've been on Anastrozole for nearly 12 months now - still happened to me, after starting on Letrozole then going to Exemestane!

All the best with your checks on Tues, @Romla xx
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
Good luck @Romla. For what it’s worth, I’ve been on Femara throughout.
Romla
Member
5 years ago
Thankyou @Afraser. If it’s the Letrozole first step will be a change of brand for 3 months as I do believe the “fillers and coatings “ make a difference and Femara was the original so top of my list . Also helps to know you have successfully negotiated the hormone therapy path with it.
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
It’s not to say I haven’t had side effects. Vaginal dryness and bone thinning. The latter has stabilised, the former is alleviated by oestrogen cream and both are possibly compounded by age to a degree but both started within six months of starting letrozole and were not in evidence at all beforehand, so Femara certainly hurried both along. But no aches, joint pain or soft tissue problems. Cataracts were diagnosed either just before or soon after starting Femara (can’t remember precisely) but as my mother had the same problem at almost exactly the same age, I am not inclined to blame that on Femara.
Romla
Member
5 years ago
Yes @Afraser me too.

I fractured a rib earlier this year as I started hormone therapy already osteoporotic for several years.I have Prolia injections 6 monthly to provide some protection from bone thinning but think 10 years of hormone therapy may not be possible for me because of this.

I also have vaginal atrophy exacerbated by hormone therapy which now makes annual Pap smears etc v. difficult without a week of oestrogen pessaries beforehand .An early menopause initiated it however.

My eyesight is problematical too with glaucoma in right eye due to medical negligence some years ago . However all the above are manageable and life goes on with the guidance of some wonderful medical people and some resilience on my part.

I just want to know why all the soft tissue injuries and find a way to mitigate them if I can as been a limiting at times. And yes recurrence/ Mets always a background thought though I recognise I have been fortunate as 3 and half years since surgery and mammogram today ok - oncologist tomorrow.

Thankyou for your kindness xo