Femara & Hip Pain

ck55 · August 2008

I have been on Femara for a year now and have been experiencing the stiff/achy hands and feet (the old lady shuffle in the morning and after sitting for a while). Also the terrible hot flashes & sweats night and day. Have somewhat learned to deal with these issues

Just within the last couple of weeks I have been experiencing hip pain and aching hip joints. Has anyone else experienced this? I really hoped after a year on this stuff that perhaps some of the SEs would diminish or at the very least not increase!

Of course, the underlying fear is that it is not the Femara but something worse. Any information/opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Cyndi

TenderIsOurMight · August 2008

Hi Cyndi,

On Femara, I have experienced hip and shoulder aching, pain. I notice it particularly after strenuous activity: the next day is a tough pay back. This is in addition to the a.m. swelling and joint aches, particularly fingers for me. Sometimes though the pain is bad even at night, and awakens me when I turn over in my sleep. Seems like a bad combination of muscle, tendons, joints and bone aches.

I did report this to my oncologist about three weeks after it started really bad and went through bone scans, markers, chemistry etc..with all returning normal. Still at times it unsettles me, but I have come to realize these non-steroidal AI's (Femara and Arimidex) can cause these symptoms. It appears they affect our collagen, bone, etc, at least to me.

I'd still encourage you to let your oncologist know and assist you medically. I do understand your concern though, and hope my sharing helps in some way.

All the best to you,

Tender

ck55 · August 2008

Tender, Thank you for the response. I actually had my 3 month visit with the onc today. Also had my yearly dexa scan that showed I had lost some bone density in my back and hips. I wondered if this could be part of the problem.

When I told her about the new hip/joint pain she thought it was more likely due to Femara, but that if it gets worse I should call her and then we can consider doing some scans. She will also check the results of my lab work that they drew today. Not really wanting to go through all that again! Hoping it clams down or just goes away!

As has always been my mantra - it is what it is. We will see.

Thanks again, Cyndi

ravenslaughterfan · August 2008

Hi Cyndi: I'm writing in hope you will see this. I have hip pain too...I awoke last night with my hip hurting. It hurts still. I also get pain in my legs,the back of my neck,and my wrists. I hate the muscle,and joint pain. I also gained weight. I also heave terrible night and day sweats...( LOL ) I could be sitting,and doing nothing.when i boil over. But I'm living,and I'm greatful for that. I was diagnosed in 2005,stage 4. I would love to hear more of your story. LoveYa,Gail

TenderIsOurMight · August 2008

Hi Rabenslaugh,

Sorry for your pains. They are similar to what I have experienced on an aromatase inhibitor (AI), both arimidex and now femara. My hip pain resolved, but shoulder pain is more constant, and yes the sweats and muscle aches are tough.

I see you are new here at bc.org. Do you know about the general two week rule on pain? I've always followed if a specific spot pain lasts longer than two weeks, it's time to let my oncologist know about it. That takes the decision off of me, and make sure he/she is in the loop.

Sorry about your breast cancer diagnosis. I hope you find bc.org as helpful as I have. Lots of supportive sisters and brothers here to help.

All the best to you,

Tender

EWB · August 2008

I am also on Femara--for past 1 1/2 yrs. Hoped I would adjust but have not. Aches/pain in muscle, joints and occasionaly bone (but that might be the Zometa). After too much (or not enough) activity I really feel it and always pay dearly for too much activity. Anyone have success with OTC remedies? Other than warm baths and hot tubs I have not found much. Any ideas?

Elaine

caaclark · August 2008

I am on Femara and have been for the last 4 months or so. I feel the same when getting up in the morning and also after sitting for a long time in one position. I guess it would help if I stopped sitting on the floor but I have 3 little kids so am on the floor regularly.

I have also just started having hip soreness. It is not really hip but closer to groin. Of course, I am running 3-4 miles every other day and it seems like it hurts the most the day after a good run. I ran it by my onc. a few days ago and she said it is a combo of Femara and running. She also said as long as it is not "persistent, consistent and worsening" that I should not worry about it. It seems to come and go for me but if I get concerned about it I know I can always call her or my rad onc. and they will check it out.

As far as taking OTC stuff I take Excedrine and that seems to help. I am sure Motrin would work also but have not gone to that since the Excedrine helps.

sdg605 · August 2008

Hi Cyndi - I was staged at 3a a little over 3 years ago, with 4 postive nodes a little, er(3+), pr(3+), HER2(-), and had been experiencing pain like you've described. It was on again, off again so I blamed it on the femara. The pain wasn't constant, and I didn't mention it to my oncologist. Fast forward, last tumor markers were up and he ordered a full set of scans. The cancer has moved to my hips and femurs - the current plan of treatment is faslodex and zometa, plus radiation for the femurs to prevent possible fracture. I would encourage you to discuss the pain that you've been having with your oncologist. No way of knowing until you have scans, and the sooner a recurrence is detected the less damage the cancer will do.

I sure do hope that it's general aches and pains. Scans will either give you peace of mind, or allow your doctor to adjust treatment to something that is more effective.

Wishing you the best,

Sandy

ceebee1907 · July 2012

I have been tqaking Femara 21/2 years now and every six months it seems like the pain moves to another joint. Now its my left shoulder joint and the pain meds do not help... yes I have the morning and the after- sitting-stiffness like an old lady. Its crazy. The night sweats are horrible. I hope it gets better as i go through the second half of this Femara journey.

jacee · August 2012

Have been on Femara 2 1/2 yrs now. I am on half a tablet as the joint pain I experienced from the get go was severe. However, the last 3 months, I've had horrible pain in my right hip. Had an X-ray....was normal. Had an MRI....it was normal. If there was cancer, would the MRI detect it, or do I now need a bone or pet scan?? And if there is no cancer in the hip, then can Femara cause pain without there being any bone or soft tissue damage. The pain is about a 6 out of 10.... Just need to know what is causing it. I was hoping the MRI would be all I need, but now wondering.....any thoughts???

Joni

EWB · August 2012

Hi all, I have been on Femara for 5 1/2 yrs and have aches and pains in most of the joints during that time. It seems to shift from one area to another over time but basically always there. Down side to Femara (all AIs), but it works, for me.

Yvonne2104 · August 2013

Yes, I too started having hip pain when starting Femara. Eleven months later, my hips still hurt when sitting, driving but not when walking or laying down. I will have another bone scan at my 13 month mark. I want to know if it is the bones hurting, the bursa, the ligaments, the tendons, - what! You would think if it were the bones then walking or standing would hurt, but it does not. Most of all, in 4 more years - when I stop the Femara, what condition will I be in. I do not want hip replacements. Some of the posts here go back to 2008 - five years ago. I wish some of you would come back and tell me and newbies like me what is happening to you now.

I find lots of forums for discussing the effects of Femara, but I cannot find any medical sites that discuss how Femara affects the bones so quickly.

2FUN · May 2017

anyone have any updates?

jacee · May 2017

I barely remember the hip pain I wrote about in the above post. It did resolve, but I can't remember how long it took. The only remaining issue I have after 5 years of Femara is a trigger finger I will need to have surgically repaired. Hang in there ladies

ChiSandy · May 2017

A burning ache along the lateral side of the quad can be a type of neuropathy called “meralgia paresthetica,” in which the nerve is compressed (usually by adjacent fat or swollen soft tissue). AIs--or more precisely, the estrogen deprivation which they cause (and for which effect they’re taken)--can cause soft tissue inflammation and nerve root irritation. Weight loss can help, but good luck with that if you hurt too much for exercise. Sometimes a topical NSAID gel (Voltaren, Voltadol) or patch (Flector) can provide temporary relief, as can lidocaine patches (now available OTC in 4% strength, just a little weaker than the 5% in the prescription version). If it’s a neurogenic pain, you might ask your doctor about drugs like gabapentin or Lyrica (though the latter causes both drowsiness and weight gain). As long as it doesn’t feel deep, intense and persistent it’s probably not bone pain. But an EMG could confirm whether the nerve is being compressed. It could even be referred pain from compression of the nerves that radiate down & out from the lower spine.

Chelsea5 · October 2018

Thank you for this update last year on this topic ChiSandy. I have been on Letrolzole for about seven months and am having joint pain, especially in my hip. I appreciate the info here. I’ve also gained twenty pounds.

Femara & Hip Pain

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