MBC, my treatment is Ibrance and Letrozole going on 9 months. About a month ago my right knee started giving me excruciating pain at times. Got a knee brace, stops my circulation a bit, got creams and over the counter pain killers.
I am open to suggestions, need to fix it, otherwise I have a hard time driving and working. I have CT scans and whole body scan scheduled on September 8th.
I remember reading somewhere about Claritin, as an option for bone pain.
Can anyone help, please.
Thank you
Rux
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Cenaiba
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I had a very similar experience on that combo but as I la-la-la'd my way through life, never associated the issue with the Letrozole! That is until I switched to Faslo and it went away!
At the time, I assumed I just had bad knees (mid-50's), like my Dad (mid-80's). Couldn't walk up/down stairs, e.g. It hurt like hell...And I never took anything to address it (again, not sure why not...), but I would imagine that claritan and/or motrin or similar would help...
I switched due to "progression", but I do question that decision, too long a story to share here... I know of at least one other person who has switched from Letrozole to Anastrazole (sp?), which is a very similar med and their joint issues (fingers, for her) resolved, I believe. But my basic philosophy is to ride each pony as long as she'll go...unless the side effects are truly intolerable (as they were with the person noted above). Each med is a step down a pathway, once you switch you can't generally go back, so no need to rush that process! Good luck with it!
I am also on Ibrance/Letrozole and often have searing pain in my knees. Sometimes it goes away for weeks, then comes back. I take Claritin every day, but it only helps a little.
Walking makes mine feel better. Heating pads, too. Others have had success by switching their hormone therapy. Hope you find something that brings you relief soon!
Oh, I have had sore and stiff knees too (although much milder than what you described) but I thought it was the denosumab and that I used to run alot so my knees are shot. Interesting to know it might be an Ibrance thing.
I find my knees and all joints do so much better when I walk and move. The Walk at Home videos by Leslie Sansone on YouTube have helped me to do that during lockdown. Kinda cheesy but it's enough to get the joints a bit lubricated.
Love the Walk,Walk,Walk videos. Used them all the time, stopped because of this knee and the fact that I went back to work and am exhausted. I will try this morning see how it goes.
Mine is from sever Osteoarthritis also. Both knees and down the legs to the feet. I take a prescription pain killer because of the breast cancer in my hip and that helps with the Osteo as well. I also use Voltaren and stretcher wraps for support. My doctor also suggested physio and injections. That wouldn't help if the pain is caused by the drugs.
Cycling is also good as it is less weight bearing (and more fun - in my opinion!) I am told by an expert that this pain (arthralgia) is not due to joint damage, so there is no problem with exercise. I found after cycling for a couple of weeks, I could walk much better. I was on letrazole and now on fulvustrant.. exercise also helps with injection site pain.
I have very painful knees also, my onc said it was the Letrozole causing the joint pain which has been intensified by Ibrance. She suggested I lose some weight to ease pressure on the knee joints, which has helped, but what has been even better is taking up yoga during lockdown! I have just completed the Fightmaster Yoga 30 day beginners challenge on Youtube, which has made me quite a bit more flexible- good for my back too. I have mets in the chest wall, sternum and spine.
Wow! What a great effort to relieve your pain. Congratulations on working so hard to get better. Inspirational for sure. I think Yoga is wonderful for so many things.
Cheers, June S.
Hi when I was on ibrance & letrozole I had terrible knee pain and hip pain . I could hardly go up and down stairs or bend over I was 54 and still working . I had some progression so I was taken off the letrozole and switched to faslodex. It was a total game changer for me I have about 80% of my pain gone and after Physio I can now move .so for me it was definitely the Letrozole .
Hello Cenaiba: I too have severe knee pain, but it is because I need a knee replacement. Is it possible this could be causing your pain? I had a knee replacement on my other knee 10 years ago because of a ski injury. I was told I would probably have arthritis as I aged. Yep, it happened. Now my other knee is giving me fits. It comes and goes but can be severe at times. My
Oncologist does not think it is due to my MBC or Ibrance. I hope this helps and that you can get relief. Knee pain is miserable. Please keep us posted. I will be interested in how you are doing. -Madlyn
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I know of at least one other person who has switched from Letrozole to Anastrazole (sp?), which is a very similar med and their joint issues (fingers, for her) resolved, I believe. But my basic philosophy is to ride each pony as long as she'll go...unless the side effects are truly intolerable (as they were with the person noted above). Each med is a step down a pathway, once you switch you can't generally go back, so no need to rush that process! Good luck with it!
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