Letrozole side effects

Following  breast surgery on 24/8/21  I then started letrozole on 17/9/21. The only side effect was  a mild but manageable,  although continuous headache, I then completed a course of radiotherapy with the normal early  side effects which have settled,  however the headaches have now got increasingly  worse and are accompanied by neck and shoulder pain.

my CNS has suggested that I  stop the letrozole until I see my oncologist at the end of the month. I know this is still early days but has anyone experienced this and if so did how long did it take for these debilitating headaches to reduce to being manageable. 

  • A very warm welcome to the Cancer Chat community Sandra57 although I'm very sorry about the headaches you've been having and that they've got worse.

    Hopefully some of our members who have contended with this side effect will share their experiences and advice on how to make this more manageable soon but in the meantime it may be worth following your CNS's advice until you see your oncologist.

    If you'd like to discuss this with our team of cancer nurses, they're just a phone call away on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • I have been on letrozole for over 5 y. I do not think I experienced headaches . It has caused a lot of muscle aches though-  especially initially . Could it be that the neck pain is giving you the headaches?? When do you see the oncologist?

    Sorry that I cannot be of more help