Endocrine treatment

Hi Bobble

Sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with breast cancer.  While I don't have the experience you are looking for I noticed that you haven't had any answers so I thought I'd reply to you to move you to the top of the discussion. Hopefully someone will be along soon to give you the benefit of their experience.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi , I have been taking letrozole since April and have had terrible joint pain , experiencing tiredness and weight gain . I have just been changed to Anastrazole but today seen my oncologist and as I will be getting Chemotherapy very soon not to start them . I was told all side effects quite normal but it can be very draining and I wish you all the best and hope you can cope with it xx

• Hi I am not in your situation but I relate to the foot pain. Mine is the result of arthritis in the subtar joint from an injury going back 25 years, chemo therapy contributing neuropathy, damaged nails plus letrozole (now replaced by exemestane) contributing to increased stiffness and arthritis. My feet are v flat and have increased from an 8 pre chemo to a 10. I don't have zoladex. 
• I wear an ankle elastic support and do foot stretch exercises 
•  Ask for a referral to a physiotherapist, then ask for aqua physio(you have to ask it is rarely offered). When that finishes look for an aqua fit class. I now go 4-5 times a week. It is great because I can exercise without enduring painful feet.
• I think you sound quite young but if your feet are making walking difficult (not impossible but uncomfortable) Apply for a disabled. Parking badge. A diagnosis of arthritis in your feet will help your chances of getting this. The blue disables parking badge has so helped me

You are in a horrible situation but hopefully all will be successfully treated. A very big hug xxx

Thank you

Gurn thank you wishing you all the best too x

I hadn’t thought about an ankle support and I will ask about physio for my feet thank you for your kind words

Hi Bobble. 

I'm on Letrozole too, since June and the joint pain, mainly my knees and feet, and tiredness have been the worst symptoms for me. I take regular painkillers and try to exercise my legs every day to help. Also I use an infrared light to help with the aches. Speak to your nurse as they're great for advice. Mine suggested a Letrozole holiday of 4 weeks to see if it improves, if there's no improvement by Christmas as they said at the start it might be 3-6 months before things settle down. 

All the best for your treatment. 

Tawe. 

Hi Bobble 

I took Letrozole for six months. It gave me muscle and joint pain and tiredness. I was switched to Exemestane and feel better. 

You can ask your breast care nurse to try you on a different brand of Letrozole, or to switch you to a different aromatase inhibitor, such as Exemestane. 

Good luck xx