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Tasneem's avatar
Tasneem
Member
5 years ago

Side effects of Letrozole

Hi everyone, I haven’t been on this forum for a long time. I was first diagnosed with breast cancer NST in 2017 and underwent mastectomy of the left breast. I didn’t have to go through any treatment but was advised endocrine therapy but after reading through all the side effects decided to go without it. In 2019 another tumour was detected in the chest wall of the same previously operated breast and had to under surgery again. After that I had to undergo radiation therapy and was prescribed Letrozol. Since March 2020 I have been on Letrozol. From the last month I have noticed pain in my left shoulder and difficulty in doing my bra strap. I exercise everyday and also walk 3-4kms daily and, had no difficulties before that. Gradually the pain has become more severe and now it is in my right shoulder too. I am also having a number of other symptoms such as itching, occasional dizziness, dry lips etc which are all tolerable, but not the pain in my shoulders, which is bad. I am finding it difficult to carry any shopping bags too as it aggravates the pain. I am thinking of stopping letrozole as quality of life is more important to me than this life of pain.

 I would love to hear from anyone who have been taking letrozole and your experience with it. 
letrozole
pain

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  • FLClover's avatar
    FLClover
    Member
    5 years ago
    I really doubt you’ll need shoulder surgery @Tasneem and I hope I’m right 🤞. I had excruciating shoulder pain for about a month after I finished radiation. It hurt to even sit still, let alone move in any way. Thankfully it passed. I’m sure yours will too 🍀😊
  • Tasneem's avatar
    Tasneem
    Member
    5 years ago
    @FLClover,  I too take Magnesium with Vit D3. But despite all this I don’t understand why I am getting this pain in my shoulders. Just don’t want to go through any shoulder surgery etc. I think you should consider Magnesium and Vit D3, but check with your doctor. 
  • FLClover's avatar
    FLClover
    Member
    5 years ago
    @Tasneem I was taking Magnesium with vit D before this whole bc thing started. I stopped a couple months ago when I ran out. Need to ask onc if I should continue. Kidney stones don’t sound fun 😐
  • Tasneem's avatar
    Tasneem
    Member
    5 years ago
    @FLClover keep positive. Hopefully, it may be something insignificant. Just wanted to mention that when the oncologist first prescribed the Letrozol which was after a bone density test, he told me to take Caltrate. But the next oncologist with whom I had a Telehealth consultation advised that Caltrate is likely to cause kidney stones, so I wasn’t taking Caltrate. Recently, I have commenced it and I also take glucosamine with chondroitin.

  • FLClover's avatar
    FLClover
    Member
    5 years ago
    Thanks @Tasneem ☺️. I hope it’s nothing serious. My GP suspects a protruding disc. I also thought side effects should start a bit later. I’ve always been a knuckle cracker and been told hundreds of times by everyone to stop doing it so I don’t get arthritis later. I told them it won’t happen. Well!!! Look who might be regretting it now!! 🤦🏼‍♀️. I just really hope it’s not that. It’s actually my right hand, I made a mistake, and I use it for everything, so I’m feeling quite literally like my hands are tied! 
    Anyway, I’m glad you stopped taking the aspirin and also hoping that your shoulder pain ends up not being anything serious 🍀❤️
  • Tasneem's avatar
    Tasneem
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @Afraser, It’s amazing to hear that you have been on Letrozole for 8 years without joint pains. That’s very encouraging to hear. I am looking forward to my next appointment, and if it is delayed I might give my GP a call as FLClover has suggested.

    @FLClover, I hope all goes well for you, with the MRI. I was also reading up on another forum about the side effects of Letrozole for ladies who were on it. Most started experiencing much later like after 8-10 months after commencing Letrozole. I too occasionally experience numbness in my hands but this was also before going on Letrozole. I used to take aspirin 100mg earlier but after hearing all the negativity about aspirin I stopped that.
  • FLClover's avatar
    FLClover
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hello @Tasneem, I’ve been on Letrozole for two months, and recently got a numb left hand with weakness and pain. The right is starting to join in too. I asked the McGrath nurse that works with my onc and she said to stick it out till next appointment this month. I told my GP and she gave me a referral for an MRI on the spine cos she said it could be something preexisting, triggered by Letrozole. Give your GP a call
    and see what they say 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    Dear @Tasneem

    Best to get it checked out. Aches and pain can be caused by Letrozole but as well to make sure it’s nothing else. I am in my eighth year of Letrozole with some side effects but no pain or joint aches. Best wishes. 
  • Tasneem's avatar
    Tasneem
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi Dory65, Thankyou for your response. Yes, I’ve just had my mammogram and ultrasound which is usually followed by an Oncologist appointment. Hope to see them soon. 
  • Dory65's avatar
    Dory65
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @Tasneem,
    Please see your oncologist ASAP and get it checked out, just in case. It probably is a side effect of Letrozole. I have aches and paint too, especially in places that showed degenerative arthritis on the bone scans. Evenso, I'm not going to stop treatment. Instead, going to write a list of my various complaints and give it to my various doctors :)! Let them figure it out and make adjustments or whatever.. In the meantime, Panadol Osteo helps a lot. All the best. Don't give up.