Letrozole for Cancer. Lots and lots of aches and pains.

[Yoohoo778611]

Over 2 years ago I started on letrozole after having breast Cancer.
Since I started my aches, pains and general stiffness is now getting worse.
Does anyone else get this.
Thinking of asking if I could stop as I feel older than I should I'm only 63
but feel older than my mum. I have tried different makes.

I came off letrazole because it caused awful fatigue. I am now on tamoxifen which does have its own set of side effects but nothing like you describe.

I was 56 when I started taking Letrozole. I felt like I was 86. I had to virtually crawl to the bathroom in the morning. I took it for several years and then switched to tamoxifen. No difference at all for me. I then checked the benefit in terms of life expectancy on the NHS Predict tool and found the drug gave me only a one percent extra benefit of living 10 years. I stopped taking it and have no regrets.

I switched to letrozole last year as couldn’t cope with arimidex (astrozole?). Am on a specific brand (agreed with oncologist) but it’s very difficult to fill this prescription! I was told taking it might make about 5% difference- but am 3 years cancer free now and understand the % diminishes. I also have been looking at side effects and am worried about osteoporosis getting worse than already is - I’m so tempted at the moment to stop.

I’m supposed to take sun pharma - but it doesn’t seem to be available at the moment according to the pharmacist and given previous issues (not just aches but thought was going mad!) I’m not inclined to try any other make!

There’s currently a discussion on the Cancer board about the problems people are having with Letrozole.

Took it for a year after being on Tamoxifen for 5 years. By the end of the year I struggled to walk getting out of bed, was receiving physio for shoulder joint problems, felt I was in a depression, horrendous insomnia and generally felt awful.
Decided to come off it, within weeks I was sleeping properly, running regularly and all joint pains had stopped. Oncologist said to go back to Tamoxifen after I told her I had stopped Letrozole. Diagnosed 10 years ago now.

@PollyThePixie Is there a cancer thread discussing just letrozole? I know there is one about cancer generally but wouldn’t want to post on that thread (though it was a great support during my treatment) - if you can point me to the thread you mean that would be great or any where the specifics on letrozole as I’d be interested to hear the experience of others - I’m still feeling a bit lost as to what to do (though remain grateful I am told I’ve been told I’m currently cancer free)