Back pain on Letrozole

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Hi ladies.  I've been on Letrozole for ten months and I've read that side effects can include upper back pain.   During a recent period of anxiety, my muscles became pretty tense.  My upper back muscles have been pretty uncomfortable these past few days.   Today I got really cold while waiting for a bus and tonight I've had to take an ibuprofen to soothe my aching back.   It varies which side it's on.  Does anyone else get this lovely side effect from Letrozole?  

Thanks, Dulciana x

  • Update:  this morning, the back pain and stiffness have transferred from the left side to the right.  I've just wrapped up my sister's birthday present and that was sore and uncomfortable.   And now I'm wondering how on earth I'm going to practise today (I'm a musician).  If only I could find some gentle exercises to ease things a bit.   I was going to do some gentle swimming this afternoon but as I'm bound to start shivering after I get out of the pool, I'd just end up back at square one.   It's a bit like a trifle, really  - Letrozole as the base, anxiety as the sponge filling and finished off with a nice cold-weather topping!      It's just as well I've got a sense of humour Grin     Thanks for reading, ladies!

  • Morning Dulciana

    At least you can laugh! I'm getting used to the aching now - yesterday randomly in my shoulder then gone again.  Hope you got that swim and it's eased a bit x

  • Hi

    I have been taking Letrazole since last June,about 8 months. I came here today because I have been experiencing pain and stiffness across my shoulders and wondered if it is due to radiotherapy side effects. Now I'm wondering if it is the Letrazole after reading your post. I have also found it takes a long time to get warm once my temp has dropped.

    Thanks for your post it has made me think. I have been having reflexology which I have found helps to relief the tightness in the muscles between my shoulders.

  • Hi Lullabelle.

    I've got exactly what you're describing, tonight.   It's a real joy, isn't it?   Laughing does take my mind off things quite a bit, I have to say.   And thanks for asking about the swim.  No, I didn't go because I didn't want to shivver myself painful (taking her cue from Colour Me Beautiful! Grin) hopping between the pool and the changing room.  I haven't been able to get to my fitness things this week, so I'm hoping that when I go next week, they'll have their usual effect of easing things a bit.

    How's your shoulder now?  

    Have a great week.

    Dulciana x

  • Hi Casnewydd,

    I hope your shoulders are a bit more comfortable tonight.   Maybe it just could be because of the Letrozole......It's interesting what you say about radiotherapy - I'd forgotten about its side effects and "late" effects.   Hmmm....Thinking   And yes, I take ages to warm up too, after getting cold.  That happened to me big-time earlier this week, when I froze over at the bus stop!

    Reflexology - there's one I hadn't thought about...Thanks for mentioning it!

    Take care,

    Dulciana x 

  • Hi. 

    I started Letrozole in June last year and I've been having awful side effects from it - knee and back pain, most of the list on the leaflet that comes with the tablets. I had right side pain too so the oncologist arranged a CT scan to check my liver. Hopefully I'll get the results in a few weeks. I find that when I'm really cold that's when the fatigue is at its worst and just have to sleep for a bit. When I see him next he's going to change the meds, I hope. 

    It's worth a chat with your team and they'll be able to help you more than likely. xx