Joint pain, muscle stiffness

Hi i will start taking it at bedtime. Hopefully may help.its not nice to be having these side effects but good to hear there is someone going through it the same as me. Sorry you are. I will stay positive and try some different things to help. The joint and muscle pain is annoying. But i keep doing things as normal. Cant sit around feeling sorry for myself just get on with life. Nice of you to answer my  questions. Take care hope you have a nice xmas.

Which of the Aromatase Inhibitors suits best, is different for everyone.
I started on Letrazole and changed to Exemestane. I'm only on one tablet a day. I take it at bedtime.
I've been on that for 3 1/2 yrs.
I think I have gotten used to it. The side effects seem less.
I had muscle tightness, particularly in the upper legs, front and back. It was painful and difficult to pick something off of the floor. This seems better now.
Poor tolerance to heat, is continuing, and also hot flushes.
I always carry a little fan. (from Temu)
I don't think Radiotherapy can cause heat sensitivity. Probably it is the tablets.
 I'm also on infusions (Zometa), to increase my bone density, 6 monthly.

Hi I was taken off letrozole monrh ago by medical oncologist. Am now on exempting. Just started. 25mg two daily. Not sure when to rake them. Anyone else give me advice. I am on bone infusions every 6 months for next three yrs and vit days two tabs daily for ever. Did your hot flushes get worse or better on new hormone. I also have become over sensitive to heat since radiation. Ughh tough business this breast cancer. Take care all.

hi @OTISMYCAT
Your situation sounds very tough 🌸🌻 and it’s great you can talk it over with your oncologist. I experienced aching joints (mainly ankles) and calves after initial chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.  I went on to have additional immunotherapy and chemo after radiation therapy and these aches started just before I started taking Letrozole, so it was hard to pin the ongoing aches on Letrozole.
I finished all other treatments in April and until about a month ago I was taking Letrozole. I started a 4 week break and have noticed the evening joint ankle aches have almost disappeared. 

That is really Weird that the aches & pains started before you started Letrozole!  Were there any lifestyle changes before that?   You didn't take up going to the gym?  Chopping wood? (only kidding!)   It's just weird! 

Hot flushes are a real pain - but there are a few meds that can help there too!   A patch called Oxybutynin can help & there are other tablets too I believe ...

Here's one recent discussion on hot flushes ...
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/224193#Comment_224193

take care

Hi arpie thank you. The aches started before the letrizole. I very been on it for nearly a month. I started on osteoeze helps a bit. The worst side effect from letrizole is hot flushes. I was on hot for yrs when I stopped them the flushes started but oh boy these ones on letrizole are big. I end up wet. I'm seeing my oncologist next week so I ll mention it.

Sorry to hear this @OTISMYCAT .... How long have you been on the Letrozole?

Sadly, many of us do get aches & pains from the hormone suppressing tablets, but with gentle exercise & over the counter meds, it can be reduced ... I'd suggest chatting with your Medical Oncologist about it (and/or your breast care nurse, if you have one.)   

Your Onc may also suggest changing you to Anastrozole or Exemestane (after 3-4 weeks off Letrozole), to see if they have less side effects.   I started on Letrozole, then tried Exemestane & finally went to Anastrazole - and was on Anastrazole for 5 years (stopping shortly!)  it had the least side effects for me xx

take care & all the best xx