Any experience with significant back pain on Letrozole?

Posted by slanepac2024 @slanepac2024, Oct 2, 2024

I just started Letrizole 2+weeks ago and have started experiencing low back pain that is a constant, aching sensation up and down my spine from the upper mid back down. It gets worse as the day goes on, and, although I was able to get a good long (several mile) walk in over the weekend on my days off, by the afternoon I was on a heating pad and counting the hours until I could take another Ibuprofen 800, which I have been taking up to 3/day..research says this may subside, or it may not..if it is in fact a SE~

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Oct 3, 2024

@slanepac2024 Did the rest of your post get cut off?

I have never taken Letrizole so I cannot provide you with any personal experience. I can share that I have osteoarthritis in my lower back that has become worse over the past year or two and so I know how much that pain affects daily life. I wonder if back pain is a side effect of Letrizole? Also, as your body adjusts to this medication will your back pain subside? These are questions to ask your prescribing oncologist.

I also want to share that on occasion I taken up to 800 mg of ibuprofen for my osteoarthritis. Ibuprofen helps and I always take it with food as ibuprofen is "hard" on your digestive system.

It's great that you continue your walks even when you have back pain and know that the walk could increase that pain. I've been told that movement is usually good for back pain however your walks are affecting your back so I'd want to check that out with your doctor.

alibee | @alibee | Jan 23 11:30am

Hi, curious if you’ve explored your back pain further? I’m also on Letrozole and have been experiencing back pain for the past year or so. It mainly occurs when I’m standing for long periods of time and working with my hands, so anything in the kitchen eventually leads to excruciating pain. The only relief I get is when I lay down. Tylenol and Aleve don’t touch it. Since I’ve been on Letrozole for over a year and a half, my practitioner is suggesting we start with a new DEXA scan and go from there as my symptoms resemble osteopenia.

janejax | @janejax | Jan 27 10:15pm

Yes, my back pain increased. So sorry you are also experiencing this symptom!

pat2628 | @pat2628 | Jan 28 1:55pm

I was diagnosed with peritoneal carsanomatosis had 8 rounds of chemo and Hipec surgery. All went well for 3 months then extreme neuropathy hit and I have been fighting than for almost 2 years . I now took a Prolia injection the first of Nov. Three weeks later I had skin reaction on face, arms and legs. It also has greatly increased my neuropathy. My question is has anyone had reaction to Prolia. Thank you. Pat

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 8 3:12pm

In reply to @janejax "Yes, my back pain increased. So sorry you are also experiencing this symptom!" + (show)

@janejax, what helped you manage the back pain? May I ask what type of cancer you're treating?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 8 3:15pm

In reply to @pat2628 "I was diagnosed with peritoneal carsanomatosis had 8 rounds of chemo and Hipec surgery. All went..." + (show)

@pat2628, sorry to hear about the reaction to Prolia (denosumab). Was this prescribed to you to help osteoporosis and bone health? Were you switched to a different medication?

pat2628 | @pat2628 | Feb 8 7:42pm

Yes. It was prescribed for osteoporosis due to age and chemo. I have not been prescribed anything else as of yet. April will be my 6 months time to start a new medication. I am asking what others have used if they had a reaction.