Letrozole, high cholesterol, body aches

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Meganmm
Meganmm Member Posts: 20
edited December 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi,

I have always had high cholesterol...it was in the upper 200's when i was in my 20's! It runs in my family. I have taken statins on and off for the past 10 years - I usually stop because they cause me joint pains.

I've been on Letrozole since September, and since I already have had high cholesterol, and that is also a side effect of Letrozole, I have been diligent about taking my cholesterol meds (Pravastatin). My joint pain gradually got worse and worse so I took a 2 week break from Letrozole per my oncologist in March. No difference. I had my bloodwork done - my cholesterol was 281! And that was with faithfully taking Pravastatin. Now I am on a 2 week break after a 2 week trial with Crestor...and still no relief with the joint pain. I'm wondering if both the statin medicine and the Letrozole were both giving me joint pain - so even with taking a break with one of the meds, I still get the pain from the one I am taking.

Has anyone else found a way to deal with the joint pain? I am 52, and I have always exercised 5x per week, plus walking my dog every day. It's really hard to do anything anymore besides walk, because I am in pain the rest of the day. The pain is mainly in my knees and hips. I also take Xarelto (blood thinner) so can't take ibuprofen.

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited May 2015

    Megan-

    I will be starting letrozole next week. I was on anastrozole and followed the thread below. I think the drugs are similar as I can't find a letrozole thread. You might want to drop in that thread and post your question. They complain of the same thing.


    "For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing"

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited May 2015

    the letrozole thread on this forum is under the old brand name Femara...

    Coenzyme Q - 10 has helped me tolerate pravastatin but my symptoms were more of the typical muscle ache variety as opposed to bone pain. 150mg daily seems to be sufficient. It's expensive so I try to stock up when there's a buy one, get one free sale

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  • Meganmm
    Meganmm Member Posts: 20
    edited May 2015

    Thank you ladies. I have been taking Coenzyme Q10, but it's not really making any noticeable difference.

    For now, my general practioner has had me stop taking the pravastatin, and wants me to go on a 1200 calorie a day diet and exercise. Ouch. I could stand to lose about 10 pounds, so will give it a shot.

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  • savgigi
    savgigi Member Posts: 376
    edited May 2015

    Make sure you do not take the statin and letrozole at the same time. I was having terrible muscle pain last year and realized I was taking them at the same time. Once I changed that and take one in the morning and the other in the evening, my muscle pain drastically decreased

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  • Meganmm
    Meganmm Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2015

    Hi, I was taking the Coenzyme 10 in the morning, along with my letrozole, and the statin at night.

    I've been off the statin for a few weeks now, and still have a lot of joint aches. It's hard to walk down the stairs in the morning, and I stiffen up everytime I sit down for a while. I think this is just something I will have to live with for a couple more years. It's really amazing how this stuff can affect your day to day life, isn't it?

    Thank you all for your replies.

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  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited June 2015

    I'd suggest a magnesium supplement. I am on Letrozole (after trying arimidex). Letrozole made my joints hurt, stilff upon wakening or getting up after sitting for a long time. Eventually that went away, the point where I wondered if I had forgotten my pill on several occaisions. About two weeks ago, I ran out of magnesium. Not only are my joints hurting again, buy my hot flashes (which never really went away), have come back often and strong. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to getting my mangesium that I ordered yesterday!

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited June 2015

    Hi ladies, I am currently taking Letrozole (Started with Aramidex last July, switched to Tamoxifen, then Letrozole, then one I can remember the name and now back on Letrozole) seems to be the best of the evils for me, I have gotten considerable joint swelling along with the bone and joint pain. I have rebelled at times and stopped taking it but with my Stage 3C ILC I fear that it is not wise for me to stop the AI'S. I am curious and the Magnesium so I will look into that, in addition to starting a walking progra, taking yoga back, keeping my fingers crossed that it helps.

    Shary.

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  • Meganmm
    Meganmm Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2015

    Jenwith4kids, thank you so much for that suggestion! That is exactly how I feel - pain everytime I get up from sitting or sleeping...I will try the magnesium.

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  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited June 2015

    Happy to help, Meganmm!! Let me know if it works! I got more today, can't wait to get it back into my body... ;)

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  • Meganmm
    Meganmm Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2015

    Jenwith4kids, just wanted to let you know I am feeling MUCH better! Maybe part of it is being off the statin, but the difference is remarkable! Thank you for the magnesium suggestion...I am taking it almost every day (if i remember) and I think that has made the difference. The only drawback is that it seems to have changed my bowel habits...is that normal? Sorry if TMI.

    Thanks again :)

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  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited June 2015

    so good to hear! Interestingly enough, I also recently stopped taking a statin. But I'm sure it's the magnesium that is making me feel better. Try magnesium glycinate instead of caltrate if you are having bowel issues. And, I'm told to take it at night.

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  • CAMommy
    CAMommy Member Posts: 437
    edited December 2015

    I know this is older, but I recently read that women with low levels of vitamin d get more joint and bone Bain while taking AIs. Have you had your vitamin d tested? I recently had mine tested and it is very low

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