Letrozol (Femara) side effects. Thank you.

I started Femara 6+ years ago when it was only available as name brand. I went to letrozole when it became available in the generic form.

Have only taken Femara/letrozole.

I was already osteopenia years before starting on Femara and have progressed to osteoporosis but that was to be expected as I have a huge family HX on both sides of family. It is being kept under control on Fosamax/alendronate. Also I had gone through natural menopause when I was 44.

My cholesterol levels have not changed since long before IBC DX/TX. My total levels is and has been high but this is because my HDL ('good' cholesterol) is very high but LDL ('bad' cholesterol) is well within 'normal' level.

Ya Betcha! I do have 'aches and pains'. I had arthritis in my upper back for many years thanks to a lot of injuries from years as a jumper rider (and just generally being very active in sports) prior to taking Femara/letrozole. Again, it has gotten worse in the years (I was 63 when DX - am now 69l so would have anyway. Have some other 'aches and pains' but again nothing new - just feeling the old injuries from throughout my life and getting older.

I started with tamoxifen in 2011, had a hysterectomy due to its side effects in 2013, and moved to Arimidex once recovered from the hysterectomy.  My side effects from that drug were more than I could handle, so oncologist moved me to Femara.  I have joint/bone pain that is difficult to deal with.  I do not like to take medications, even OTC, but about once a month I take Aleve for a week to reduce the pain.  I also do yoga and walk in an effort to reduce the stiffness.  I've not noticed a change in my cholesterol.  Last year's DEXA showed a 20% loss in the density of my forearms from the scan I had in 2013.  Even with this loss, my readings were still in the normal range.  Doc suggested I get hand weights to use while doing arm exercises while walking. I have trouble sleeping - something that never was an issue for me before this medication.  Fatigue, hot flashes, mild nausea, and a general feeling of illness are with me most days.  Interestingly, the side effects are not the same all the time - except for the joint pain, they come and go, sometimes better/sometimes worse.  This year is my 5-year anniversary from diagnosis.  I'll get to stop taking Femara sometime this year.  I don't know if it will be in May or November - I see him every 6 months. 

I wish you the best with this medication.  I've talked to others who have none of the side effects that I do.  We are all different and react differently to all sorts of drugs.