Letrozole tender breasts side effect?

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hi I’m 59 and was diagnosed with small invasive ducal breast lump ER+ on 27 nov 2018 in right breast. Lumpectomy mid dec followed by 15 sessions of rads. No lymph node involvement and clear margins from surgery. Was on hrt for 4 years which I stopped immediately.been on Letrozole since 27 jan 2019 no side effects apart from hot flushes and tender boobs both sides (like I used to get pmt) has anyone else had this side effect? Oncologist thought it was due to stopping hrt and that it could be the Letrozole. At the same time as starting the Letrozole I started on 50 mg Sertraline  to deal with the anxiety of the diagnosis so not sure if it’s that or the letrazole - any ideas would be most helpful as have to take this letrazole for 10 years! 

Had dexa scan scan bones perfect not had any aches joints yet am pretty fit always cycled, swim and walk miles daily just the tender boobs are driving me mad 

  • Hello ,

    I have noticed no one has replied to you as yet.  So 'bumping' your post back up.  

    Emm, hmmmm - I've been taking letrozole for around 18 months, various mild side effects.  My main one has to be 'trigger thumbs' in both thumbs, thankfully this is behind me now, I can now bend and use my thumbs 'nearly' normally, clenching my thumb still plays my up 'a little bit', but, nothing to worry myself over.

    I can't say I have had the tender boobs on both sides to notice, I am getting various aches and pains around that area, but, is it the letrozole, I don't know.  

    I am not medically trained, so my thoughts are just this and my own..... I wonder if it could be due to the stopping of the HRT, maybe the HRT has kept your boobs, I can't think of the right word, in a good place and now the letrozole is taking the oestrogen out, you are noticing this??

    I also wonder could it be a side effect from the Sertraline, I notice it mentions side effects can be 'sexual dysfunction' - maybe it could be linked to the tender boobs ?? 

    Just a thought, hopefully, others may be along soon to share their experience.

    Sending best wishes xx

    I'm hoping this makes sense - only my mind says one thing and my fingers type whatever they like x
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to WhatHappened

    I have no expert opinion to offer - just good wishes and I'm sure the keeping fit is the best thing. I have taken Letrozole for two years with no side effects, but then I'm a lot more ancient!

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to WhatHappened

    Hi whathappened

    thanks for the reply. I started the sertraline same time as I stopped the hrt so difficult to say which is to blame for my tender boobs which feel like they did when I was pregnant. Have been thinking of going back to gp as I would like to come of the sertraline now it was to get me through the anxiety of the diagnosis! Tender boobs is listed as a SE of sertraline so maybe it’s that as the Letrozole gets rid of the oestrogen so they shouldn’t be sore. The bcn said it’s nothing to worry about it’s just uncomfortable. You have done well on the Letrozole and glad your trigger thumbs have resolved. Sexual dysfunction is when you can’t climax as easily so another reason to come off it.

    thank you for your reply nd for bumping my post 

    besr wishes to you too