Has anyone stopped anatrozole because of carpal tunnel symptoms??

I think I have a similar diagnosis. Have taken anastrozole for 8 months now, 4+ more years at least. I did notice more joint pain with anastrozole plus taking fosamax for bones for two years. Heard an oncologist recommend turmeric for the joint pain. Now taking 1000 mg/ day turmeric and it helps especially with arthritis in hands. Also am mindful of not doing any handwork for too long a time. Maybe a different AI might help. Good luck.

My medical oncologist for breast cancer gave me a list of herbs not to take and turmeric was on that list as there were some indications that it “triggered” HR+ breast cancer which is what I have. I find it very confusing that doctors give such different advice. On another note, I am sending you a big virtual hug.

I have looked on the National Cancer Institute (NCI) website and there have been no adverse effects noted there. I only take 1000 mg which is a relatively low dose. Larger doses can cause GI issues. Also looked on
breastcancer.org website and nothing negative noted. But bottom line, we have to mostly trust our doctors. It would be interesting to know what your doctor knows about turmeric and any negative issues. Stay well and live each day!

I stopped at 4.8 years. My tendons started having problems and I have read that it can be a long term side effect. Going off the meds didn’t improve anything but maybe it was already too far along. I think it is wise to monitor it. There are soft wrist braces that don’t interfere much (except then people start asking about it) but I did end up with tenosynovitis at my wrist (other side of carpal) and needed release surgery. I couldn’t put my finger on any repetitive use of my hands. However! It could have been the Prolia for my bones. My hand surgeon also recommended turmeric with ginger. Check with your doctor. I have read in this forum that many of us are going off intermittently in order to get through whatever number of years are necessary. Be well.

I have been taking anastrozole for about 3 and a half years. Side effects have only occurred lately. I had a period of time were I couldn’t write or play the guitar without pain. After doing weights it improved greatly. Also had painful sciatica. A trainer at the gym gave me exercises for it and after a month or so it was gone. I am not saying it would work for everyone but it did in my case. I find if I miss a day of exercise I feel sore and uncomfortable. I also had a week off the drug which I think helped too. I also take once a month Boniva. It might be helping along with exercise.

You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Aromatase Inhibitors & carpal tunnel and trigger finger: Anyone? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/aromatase-inhibitors-carpal-tunnel-triggers-finger/

Same here. Ssoooo painful with de quervain on the left too. Surgery scheduled but not sure if I can continue with anastrozole. I have at least another 4 years😫

I hated anastrozole so much I quit taking
and fired the Dr. that encouraged me to take.

4 fingers affected.
Had surgery to fix pointer finger on RIGHT HAND! --hand PT in 2 states.
weakness -miserable, lost hair with anastrozole
Now I'm taking Tamoxifen 5 mg a day. Weak,

I was diagnosed with Stage 1a Invasive ductal ER+, HER2- in late 2022. I did bilateral mastectomy in early 2023 and then started Anastrozole shortly after. After about 16 months I started to get severe tendonitis- Dequervain's in my left arm as well as carpal tunnel in both arms. I went to an orthopedic doctor to get treated and stopped the Anastrozole. My oncologist suggested trying Letrozole after a couple weeks break from Anastrozole which made things even worse. So, I took a couple months break from the meds. In the meantime, I got cortisone shot for Dequervain's and wore arm braces for carpal tunnel. The pains went away during the 2-3 months break. The oncologist said we could try Tamoxifen but after 5 months on this I got the worse calf cramps such that I could barely walk at times so I have now stopped all endocrine therapy and hoping for the best. I was on the Endocrine therapy for 2.5 years, so short of the 5 recommended. My Breast Cancer Index showed I would not benefit from an additional 5 years of Endocrine therapy and my risk of distant recurrence was 3.2% so I can only pray recurrence will stay away and do other things like eat healthy, exercise regularly and watch stress. I felt that if I suffered through this pain it would do irreversible damage to my muscles and bones, let alone have a bad quality of life as I could not do my daily activities.

I can connect with you on this. I pray that this works for you. I had stage one, estrogen fed, caught early. Lumpectomy and 15 rounds of radiation. Symptom of fatigue and muscle pain but certainly bearable. At 20 month, I started getting pain in my toes and the ball of my foot. Had many tests and ended up with a diagnosis of neuropathy which is pretty grim. I decided to try and find the cause which brought me here. My oncologist said I could stop Anastrozole for 3o days. The thought of that made me nervous. After 30 days, I told her I didn't feel much difference. I started back and realized it was a major difference. Fatigue and foot pain came back even worse. I have a visit scheduled. I assume it's going to be a choice of a different medicine or rolling the dice and not taking any. Then I will be anxious every day. I really relate with your last couple of sentences. Did your doctor make you feel good about your decision? Thank you!