Letrozole and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Fem...
• October 8, 2013

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on Femara for 9 months. First few months were tolerable, as time progresses, I am miserable. In the beginning, I experienced nausea and diarrhea. As this went away, the bone and joint pain began. I would be awakened from my sleep in tears as my hips would ache just from lying in bed. My hands and fingers hurt to make a fist or do any type of extended writing. My knees ache horribly. When I get out of bed in the morning, I need to stand still for at least 2 or 3 minutes until I can get my legs to work. The same thing happens when sitting for any length of time. I am 45 and feel like I am 85."

• noo...
• April 11, 2012

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I am 65 and have been on Femara for 2 years. Side effects quite severe. Joint pain, lost libido, dry vagina. However, it is what it is and we must continue to take. So, I decided to fight the effect, dry vagina improved with a non-hormonal lubricant. For joint pain, fish oil, magnesium, zinc, and calcium twice a day, big improvement. Also, each morning no matter how stiff you are, go walking, it warms up the joints and gets you going for the rest of the day. I also do weights 3 times a week to increase muscle to protect bones. All have made a big difference. No weight gain. Vitamins have certainly helped keep hair and skin in good condition. Three more years of it so it's best to just keep trying to counteract the negative effects."

• Lov...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 9, 2013

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "After a lumpectomy for stage 1 breast cancer, I was prescribed two other aromatase inhibitors prior to Femara. I had occasional head pain in one spot from all of them. I also had trigger finger and terrible knee pain from Arimidex. My doctor then put me on brand name Femara and the joint pain, head pain, and trigger finger all went away. What is bothering me now is the hair loss (can see my scalp!), memory loss-constantly groping for words. Sometimes I do feel like I'm 'foggy' but mostly I just can't remember words. I feel it is getting worse as time goes on and I do not understand why others report the same but there is no mention of this in the patient information leaflet."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2019

For Breast Cancer "After mastectomy surgery, stage 2, cancer in 2 lymph nodes inside mammary tissue. No chemo/radiation. Began letrozole, experienced hot flashes and insomnia. After one year, no hot flashes but sleep disruption. As I entered the 1.5-year mark taking letrozole, I began to have joint pain, deep aching, and less strength in hips and knees. As a former therapist, I switched to exercise in the pool as I could no longer tolerate joint pain with land-based exercise. By the 2-year mark, decreased stability when walking, difficulty climbing steps, and getting up from a chair or toilet. Prior to surgery, I had been walking 3 miles a day. Now, pain limits walking to a block. X-rays prior to surgery showed no significant arthritis in any joints. Now unable to get out of a chair without 8/10 pain. Stopped taking the medication, and 3 days later pain decreased from 8/10 to 5/10. 3 weeks after stopping the pill, pain is at 3/10, with lingering weakness in hips and knees. Mind is now less foggy. Quality of life is more important than continuing to take this medication."

• NJg...
• August 2, 2019

For Breast Cancer "Was on Letrozole for 7 weeks. Had debilitating side effects which included nausea, vomiting, appetite loss and weight loss, chronic fatigue syndrome type pain, bilateral swollen glands, joint pain, inflammation in any prior injury area, pain radiating from shoulders down to hands, anxiety including body tremors, agitation, depression, uncontrollable crying, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, feeling of being hit by a truck, the flu, laundry kicked down three flights of stairs, no energy, need to sleep during the day, inability to sleep at night, hair loss and hair thinning just to name the top side effects. Voluntarily went off drug. Oncologist confirmed that some women just can't handle this drug and I am one of them. A month later I am back to normal. I am cleaning house, I am sewing, I am reading and swimming."

• Kes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 29, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Letrozole for just about a year now. My comment is this. Not all generics are the same. When I first started, I had no side effects whatsoever. My oncologist couldn't believe it. Then after six months, my pharmacy switched brands and I began getting hives and severe joint pain; the new brand they were giving me was from Teva. I recently asked them if they could still get the brand (Breckenridge) that they had originally given me and they said yes. I'm now taking that one again. No hives, although I do still have some lingering joint pain. I've had the same experience on a couple other meds I take, i.e., when my pharmacy switches brands I've had problems. So I'm just saying that sometimes it's not the medication, but the manufacturer."

• Smi...
• May 15, 2017

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I've been taking Femara for a little over 5 months and have yet to experience any side effects whatsoever. I'd been warned about hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, muscle pain, and so far nothing. I have two smallish tumors in one breast that we caught very early on, and at my 4-month ultrasound they've decreased by about 50%. I'll have a nipple-sparing mastectomy in about 2 weeks with DIEP flap reconstruction... the grossest part of this whole episode, in my opinion... followed by radiation. No chemo here, just a very healthy mostly vegetarian diet and tons of walking. I'm 69, 5'6'', 135 pounds, and so far consider myself about the luckiest cancer patient anywhere. Maybe I'll start feeling sick at some point, but not yet. Hang in there, ladies!!"

• Lit...
• July 9, 2009

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on Femara for 3 months. After taking Tamoxifen for approximately 2 years, which I could not tolerate any longer, my oncologist put me on Femara. While my hot flashes have pretty much disappeared, the joint and bone pain I am suffering is unbearable. My elbows, hands, fingers, knees, ankles, and feet are the worst. In the mornings, I cannot get out of bed. I take thyroid medicine in the morning and cannot open the bottle. It takes about 20 minutes before I can close my fingers or bend my toes. Nighttime is also bad. After sitting for short periods, I cannot get up. I have never felt better in my life except for the constant agonizing pain. I am a very active 49-year-old but feel like I am 90. This pain gets worse every day. I can only imagine what it will be like in 3 more months. I am seeing my oncologist this week and am going to tell him I am stopping this drug. I believe the quality of my life is more important than the quantity."

• Bil...
• October 11, 2013

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on Femara for 3 years now, following 5 years on Tamoxifen as part of the Tango treatment for breast cancer. I have experienced severe joint pain, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, etc. But thought it was worth the effects in order to keep me 'cancer-free'. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. I have also had issues with bone problems i.e. broke my foot 4 years ago & chipped my knee joint. But hey, I'm still here. Keep persevering, girls!"

• Eri...
• February 9, 2013

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on Femara for almost a year. At first, I had nearly constant hot flashes and night sweats. I was started on Effexor with nearly immediate relief. I have had increasingly painful joint and muscle pain, especially in my knees. Nothing seems to be helping much with that, and it has been a major detriment to my quality of life. I have recently added Magnesium, Fish Oil, and Glucosamine/Chondroitin to the Calcium and D3 I had been taking. Hopefully, this will ease the joint stiffness and pain. I am 52, and some days I feel 92. Still, I am cancer-free so far, so I will continue to take Femara."

• Sta...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2020

For Breast Cancer "Started on Anastrozole for 4 months. It was debilitating to me. Could hardly move, could not sleep, could not focus, had serious brain fog. Oncologist switched me to Letrozole. Started off good, then about 4 months into it, I noticed my hands and feet were so sore, could hardly move them. Swelling, weight gain, intense hand, knee, and foot pain, foggy brain, sweating all the time. The knee pain got so bad, I could hardly walk. Took myself off them, seeing the oncologist in a couple of months. She said I had to have a bone scan and possible transfusion because Letrozole was known to cause issues with bones. I am 54 years old and was feeling like I was 80. I want a quality of life, decided to take the risk at this point. They all have the same side effects, not worth it to me."

• Sta...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2020

For Breast Cancer "Started on Anastrozole for 4 months. It was debilitating to me. Could hardly move, could not sleep, could not focus, had serious brain fog. Oncologist switched me to Letrozole. Started off good, then about 4 months into it, I noticed my hands and feet were so sore, could hardly move them. Swelling, weight gain, intense hand, knee, and foot pain, foggy brain, sweating all the time. The knee pain got so bad, I could hardly walk. Took myself off them, seeing the oncologist in a couple of months. She said I had to have a bone scan and possible transfusion because Letrozole was known to cause issues with bones. I am 54 years old and was feeling like I was 80. I want a quality of life, decided to take the risk at this point. They all have the same side effects, not worth it to me."

• Alm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2020

For Breast Cancer "I was on Letrozole for one year. Stage 1 breast cancer, no lymph node involvement. ER/PR+ HER2- Why I was put on this drug is beyond me. I now need hip replacement. I have stress fractures in my shin. Every joint in my body aches. I stopped taking the drug after one year. When I see my oncologist, I will tell him I stopped taking it. Although I stopped the drug in November, I am still having bone pain and joint pain. I use a walker because of my hip and stress fractures. I did not have any problems before taking this medication. I hope the FDA changes its use for breast cancer patients."

• tin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2023

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "Awful! I've been on Femara for about 8 months. And since I started, I seem to have every single side effect. My joint and muscle pain is excruciating. In no particular order, I suffer with body pain (fingers, hands, shoulders, chest, back, sides, hips, legs, feet - basically everything head to toe). Plus, weight loss, hot flashes, headaches, dizziness, thinning of hair, dry mouth, high BP, night sweats. Even my scalp is tender. Chest pain that radiates to upper arms, shortness of breath, overall depression. Chills, insomnia, intestinal pain - sharp pains, plus dull aching. Constant feelings of nausea, diarrhea, constipation. I'm afraid to eat but also have little appetite. Brain fog, shortness of breath. Feeling that I am just going to die. Sitting up in pain all night. I hurt everywhere - too sick to move; too sick to cry. Feels like I am going to have a heart attack. Can’t lie down, can’t stand up. Full body chills, hands shaking. Haven't slept through the night in months."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2009

Letrozole for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I have been using Femara for 8 months, and I have been having very few side effects. I get the hot flashes only once in a while now. I do have some joint pain, but that has been easy to tolerate. If that means I will have a longer life, only God knows that. There is always hope, just keep the faith and have no doubt in the medicine, doctors and mostly God."

• ram...
• June 5, 2013

Letrozole for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Femara for 18 months, no side effects for first 6 months, then joint and muscle pain, physical fatigue, bone density loss. Will continue for as long as it works, at the moment looking clear, I want to live."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2014

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Letrozole for 9 months. I have dry mouth, extremely dry skin, vaginal dryness, reduced libido, weight gain, and hair loss. My joints are increasingly stiff and painful. I wake in the night from pain and can scarcely walk first thing in the morning. My breast cancer was stage one and I had both breasts removed. I am considering stopping taking it."

• Sho...
• September 21, 2016

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I've been taking letrozole (Femara) for 9 months, after a right-side mastectomy for stage IIA breast cancer. I'm ER & PR positive. No radiation or chemo. I'm 58 & this is the only drug I take, besides vitamins. The first 6 weeks I had trouble sleeping, occasional dizziness, some joint pain, & mild headaches. Around 4 months in, I started losing hair. I'd guess approximately 25% of my hair has fallen out. Besides the hair loss, I have dry eyes, genitals, & skin. There's some stiffness & joint pain in my hips. These side effects are tolerable, especially knowing that the drug is preventing a cancer recurrence. None of these side effects are enough for me to stop taking letrozole!"

• dog...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2014

Letrozole for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I was diagnosed in 2009, had lumpectomy, chemo, radiation. Managed to continue working through it all. Then took tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years... had horrible muscle cramping and hot flashes, switched to letrozole after determining I was postmenopausal. The major muscle cramps lessened considerably, as did the hot flashes. I took this for 2 1/2 years, just stopping 3 weeks ago. I have muscle, joint, bone achiness 24/7, no energy, tired always, feel like I'm in a fog, tinnitus, heartburn, slow metabolism with weight gain. How long will it take to reverse all of these side effects now that I no longer take it? I even quit taking ibuprofen because it doesn't do anything for the pains. I am now 2 months from being 50 years old."

• Sus...
• September 7, 2010

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I'm 4 years status post breast CA and doing well... no recurrence for my Stage IIIA. I started taking tamoxifen, then my oncologist switched me to Femara. I do have frequent hot flashes (whew!) and joint and bone pain that worsens with being tired. Overall, I am able to tolerate the medication, and my oncologist believes it is the treatment of choice for me. The side effects of being without estrogen are worse than the Femara side effects. I know the drug is working as having no estrogen produced results in atrophic vaginitis, decreased sex drive, and other female issues that are bothersome. But, in the big picture of life, it's a small price to pay to be, and hopefully stay, cancer free. I will continue to use Femara!"

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 2, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Letrozole for a year now and the hip pain has progressively gotten worse. The hot flashes are manageable now, but the hip pain is debilitating. I can't take NSAIDs because thanks to chemo I now have ulcerative colitis. I am about ready to stop the Letrozole because my oncologist told me all the cancer drugs have the same bone and joint pain side effect. I feel like I am 90 years old and can barely walk at times. Her response is, 'at least you don't have cancer' - thanks Doc but I have other debilitating problems."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2013

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 2) - underwent 6 months of chemo and 6 weeks radiation. My hair regrowth was pretty quick but began thinning significantly after about a year of Tamoxifen usage (could see my scalp pretty clearly in the front and on top of my head). My doctor switched me to Femara about 2 months ago - side effects include lots of hot flashes (about 6-10 daily) and weight gain which I am combating by working out every day and cutting my calories. I am prayerful that I don't experience any more hair loss or the joint pain that I keep reading about. Everyone, hang in there!"

• Anonymous
• May 23, 2010

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "I was on Tamoxifen for 2 years following breast cancer and doing fine. My oncologist wanted to try Femara because it could be a little better. I was on it for about 3 months when I awoke in the middle of the night with horrible joint pain. It had been coming on slowly, but I thought it was carpal tunnel, maybe arthritis. Then I realized that my doctor had said that joint pain was a possible side effect of Femara. I was also gaining approximately 2 pounds a month! I have been off of it for a month now, but am still having pain. It is worse in the mornings and evenings. Trying to grip with my hands is very difficult some mornings. My doctor said it could take a few months to get this out of my system."

• Pos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2014

For Breast Cancer "I have been on letrozole for 5 months. I experience pretty strong joint pain in hands, fingers, and feet, especially upon rising in the morning. I look like Walter Brennan going to the bathroom. I am 54 and previously felt like 25, now I often feel 85. I have found something great to prevent weight gain and help with the energy issue. Still working on vaginal dryness and libido. Have found an anti-inflammatory diet improves pain, energy, and mental clarity."

• Jil...
• November 30, 2015

Letrozole for Breast Cancer "Stage 4 HER2-positive breast cancer was found in 2011. After a double mastectomy (additionally, 6 other surgeries due to Staph infection and failed reconstruction attempts), 6 months of 2 types of chemotherapy, including Neulasta booster shots after each infusion, a total of 1 year of Herceptin chemo infusions, 6 weeks of daily radiation, then 8 years of Femara. Been taking this medication daily since August 2012. Hot flashes and night sweats are awful. Anxiety occasionally. Easily out of breath after any activity. Difficulty maintaining focus and frequent forgetfulness. 3 years with this medication and chest, bone, and joint pain is intensifying. 5 more years to go. CANCER FREE STILL."