Hello MaryT19

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling with some side effects from letrozole. Joint and muscle pain are a recognised side effect of the medication and I think lots of our ladies here will have dealt with similar problems. 

It's possible that the treatment the GP is offering may help manage the knee pain but I'd recommend getting in touch with the Consultant's team for some advice about things. 

Alternatively, you can give our team of nurses a call on 0808 800 4040. I'm sure they will be able to offer some advice and support. 

I do hope that things settle and improve for you soon. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Hi there Jenn thank you for your lovely reply. I have a follow up phone call with the breast nurse this coming Thursday so will have a chat with her generally about things. My GP is adamant that the joint pains are nothing to do with the medication which is very frustrating as the Consultant said it's well known to have these side effects. The Letrozole has definitely made the discomfort much worse so feeling quite fed up at the moment.

Hoping to hear other people's thoughts about this.

Very best wishes and thank you.

Mary 

Hello Mary sorry but it is the medication ,I am in agony every single day , don't have steroid injections in your knee  because it won't help  my knees are bad at the moment .it won't help you ,,all you can do is take pain relief ,The pain gets so bad sometimes in my hands and my shoulders and my knees I feel like I wanna stop taking Letrozole  but you can't you need to take it  (sorry) ...... i've been on it for two years ..Gina 

Hi Gina thanks for your reply. I don't know why my GP says it's not the Anastrazole or Letrozole causing the joint pains, it's very frustrating. Have been taking this since September 2019 so another four years to go The Consultant said it's the meds that are doing it.

Have you tried steroid injections? Am unsure whether to have it or not but the GP is quite keen. Problem is it is both knees and both ankles.

What do you find best for pain relief? I bought a tube of Voltaire but didn't notice any difference.

You take care of yourself

Best wishes from Mary

Hi Mary I suffer with arthritis anyway I've had a knee replacement on the left leg and on the right leg is the one it's killing me so I know what the pain is like but it's 20 times worse now I've had this medication I had arthritis but not as bad as what I've got it now I don't advise you to have the injections because it didn't work for me the pain is  excruciating with the injection going in the knee I don't know why he is making you have it he must be on the commission for the injections  ... my mum had the injections and we both said we've never have injections ever again ...the pain you have to live with I am sorry to say....  I'm using Voltarol 3 for back and muscle pain relief 1.16 Gel i'll rub it on my knee once every four hours And paracetamol is which are pretty good to every four hours but I don't know if it's the weather but my knee is really bad today can't walk on it that Letrozole definitely brings on arthritis hope you keep safe and trying get rid of the pain all the best.   Gina     ps resting with your legs up does help I've been doing a lot the last couple of days and I think that's why I'm in trouble with the pain