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
- Best wishes @Romla
Hopefully the break will be of benefit
Take care and stay safe - Good news and good luck, hope the break does the trick.
- 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. - 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 - 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.
- 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.
- Good luck @Romla. For what it’s worth, I’ve been on Femara throughout.
- 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 - 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.
- 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.
