Forum Discussion
Letrozole and soft tissue injuries
Hi all
Been 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.
Been 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.
33 Replies
- @Dory65 my aches at the start settled after 3 or so months. They tended to be worse in the morning or when too much sitting around.I think from observation on here chemo people may take a bit longer. I found walking an hour daily was a big help in that I could walk thru it after a bit . Re brand differences I guess you mean fillers and coatings . I have been for a year until lately on Sandoz brand from Chemist Warehouse. Sandoz manufactured the firs Letrozole under the name Femara. I know the Chemist King brand made me feel quite low. If you want to give it a go swap brands - there are 8 in Australia - maybe for a couple of months and see how you feel. Also there are other aromatase inhibitors that some members on here have changed to and found easier to live with but I’d wait 6 months before approaching your oncologist on that one.
- Getting an ultrasound on shoulder on Wednesday for rotator cuff problems with possible bursitis!
- Thanks for the advice @Romla. I've been on Zoladex and Letrozole for a few months now. The aching joints and lower back are getting worse. Will it improve given time? I try to keep active and flexible, but sometimes it's so bad it keeps me awake. My lower back is so stiff and seized up! Have you or anyone else out there discovered the brand differences and which one causes the least problems?
- Hi all. An update on my shoulders and forearms. I decided to arrange X-ray/ ultrasound and is yet another soft tissue injury - Bursitis.In the past 12 months in addition to my current injury I have had tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis.To my nonmedical brain it seems Letrozole’s stripping the body of estrogen may be causing susceptibility to these issues.
I am hoping my 6 week holiday and 6 weeks back on Letrozole may be enough to resolve this problem or prove that it is the cause .If it is the cause I’ll be talking to my oncologist about an alternative aromatase inhibitor.I accept hormone therapy is the best option to prevent recurrence and will continue but think I might need to be a bit more cautious in my activities.
I am glad my oncologist is on board as I gather aromatase inhibitors being relatively new have not had side effects fully explored and I have seen others on the blog with similar issues.I had no issues with Letrozole for the first 2 and half years but last 12 months have been eventful to say the least.
I am hoping to resume physio and leave a steroid injection as last resort. Thus far my issues have been assisted by 2 curcumin tablets daily and arnica cream topically twice daily. - @Romla wishing you all the best for your tests. I am having taxol chemo at the moment and yesterday oncologist told me Letrozole will be the drug I go onto after radiation. I haven't read flyer he gave me yet but thank you for your message. xxx
- Enjoy the break, @Romla - I hope it helps xx
- Good to hear @romla
- I did 6 months on Letrozole (Femara) and the bone and joint pain became too much. My Onc was happy to change.
Now I have bone pain only, which drives me nutty but with help of my Exercise Physiologist we are working on strengthening the area. - For newcomers to Letrozole in case I caused worries.Apart from a few aches in the early months which I managed by keeping moving esp daily walking I went pretty well on the drug until this year.If you get into trouble persist if you can and if you can’t check with you doctor there are alternatives . Also there is a change you can make yourself -change your brand of Letrozole as they all use different fillers and coatings - it may help.
Try to stay the course it’s the best shot er+ people like us have. - @Romla, YES YES YES, I’ve had huge problems with my knee, have had to have regular physio appointments and lots of exercises for it. Physiotherapist and Onco both think it is probably related to letrozole, as it sucks up your oestrogen which is needed to keep your joints well lubricated. I’ve just had to come of it anyway cos I’ve started oral chemo and was only 5% ER Positive. Glad to be off it, and knee is finally improving, but it was really frustrating.
Caz x
