1. < Breast Cancer

Aromatase Inhibitors & carpal tunnel and trigger finger: Anyone?

Posted by shenriq @shenriq, Feb 27, 2018

14 mos of “AI” meds, I’m coping with daily hand-wrist-finger pain. I’m on my 3rd drug, having taken Anastrozole & Aromasin-each for 6 mos and now on Letrezol since January. Any advice to deal with this, besides using hand braces&finger splints and daily exercise? I need to be on this for 5 yrs total and can’t take Tamoxifin. Help!

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schullin572 | @schullin572 | May 10, 2023

I saw a local podiatrist. It did not dawn on me that this could have happened because of the anastrozole. I went a whole year with pain and having to wear clunky tennis shoes before I started to question how this was happening. My podiatrist didn't think there was a link but after I talked to my oncologist she said there definitely was a link. She changed my medication to Exemestane. Unfortunately there are areas in my foot that have now started to calcify and I am seeing a foot surgeon in 2 weeks. I'll let you know how it goes. Lesson learned is to discuss any change in any part of your body with your oncologist. I didn't want to bother her with my foot problem and that was a big mistake.

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jlynne89 | @jlynne89 | May 9, 2023
In reply to @schullin572 "I am aware of the link between anastrozole and carpal tunnel syndrome. Four months after I..." + (show)
@schullin572

I am aware of the link between anastrozole and carpal tunnel syndrome. Four months after I started anastrozole, I had severe pain in my feet which was initially diagnosed as plantar fasciitis but became more severe and now is diagnosed as tarpal tunnel syndrome which is the same type of inflammation but in the tendons of the feet. Has anyone else had this happen? What did you do?

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Yes, was thinking I had a case of painful plantar fasciitis in my left foot.

Now I’m wondering if it’s not more likely what described as tarpal tunnel syndrome, same type of inflammation, but in the tendons of the feet!
Have been taking anastrozole for ten months now.

Also have varying frequency and degrees of pain my thumbs, hands, and wrist.

What medical specialist did you see for your foot problem diagnosis snd treatment? Thank you.

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jlynne89 | @jlynne89 | May 9, 2023

Thank you for your concern. I find that when I use my hands for longer periods of time such as computer work or sewing the pain level not only increases, it also remains for longer periods of time post hand use.

Someone in one of the posts on this site, mentioned doing hand exercises that they said helped them reduce pain. Unfortunately, I’m unable to locate the instructions for those exercises. Does anyone know who posted the hand exercises? Thank you.

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1 reply
schullin572 | @schullin572 | May 8, 2023

I am aware of the link between anastrozole and carpal tunnel syndrome. Four months after I started anastrozole, I had severe pain in my feet which was initially diagnosed as plantar fasciitis but became more severe and now is diagnosed as tarpal tunnel syndrome which is the same type of inflammation but in the tendons of the feet. Has anyone else had this happen? What did you do?

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1 reply
Gini Pariseau | @ginip | May 8, 2023
In reply to @ginip "Off Anastrozole for a month now. I am excited that I am experiencing hints of what..." + (show)
@ginip

Off Anastrozole for a month now. I am excited that I am experiencing hints of what I remember as a quality life but the return seems slow and incremental. My deal with with my oncologist was a three month hiatus. I hope by then I have the return to something of value to report.

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Thank you very much!

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Gini Pariseau | @ginip | May 8, 2023
In reply to @debbie2721 "Well said!" + (show)
@debbie2721

Well said!

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Appreciate that!

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lcr2017 | @lcr2017 | May 8, 2023
In reply to @donga "I had DeQuervain syndrome in both wrists. Like carpal tunnel except wrists. Surgery in both and..." + (show)
@donga

I had DeQuervain syndrome in both wrists. Like carpal tunnel except wrists. Surgery in both and that took care of it. Asked surgeon if he thought it was connected to taking aromatase inhibitors. His response “wouldn’t surprise me. That changes all the fluids in your body “.

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Same here. Tendon release surgery. He didn’t know anything but then I needed gel injections in my knee because I had no synovial (?) fluid…but I did a full 5 years and this all came down on me in the 4th to 5th year.

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debbie2721 | @debbie2721 | May 8, 2023
In reply to @ginip "At first I chose to believe that the medical profession was trying to help us focus..." + (show)
@ginip

At first I chose to believe that the medical profession was trying to help us focus on the war rather than the side effect battles. Fair enough!
As an understanding soldier you get this and focus on the goal line. But!

Time and side effects mentally begs for a dialogue with the prescribers that folds in the need to persevere with the understanding of how these battles keeps its purpose with some sort of quality of life.

I am definitely grateful for the crumbs of understanding that only people who have never walked our walk can offer.
Hence here we are together trying to share and hopefully help with our individual efforts to figure out this pursuit that I refer to as an intricate Sophie’s Choice.

This is hard. I am always looking for evidence that can blend with faith. I value this space that allows my questions to have a voice. We can always hope someone is listening with a better choice of weapon for these battles we fight ❤️ 🤷🏼‍♀️🙏

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Well said!

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1 reply
Gini Pariseau | @ginip | May 7, 2023
In reply to @debbie2721 "How wonderful for you. Wishes for better health." + (show)
@debbie2721

How wonderful for you. Wishes for better health.

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👍🏻❤️

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debbie2721 | @debbie2721 | May 7, 2023
In reply to @ginip "Off Anastrozole for a month now. I am excited that I am experiencing hints of what..." + (show)
@ginip

Off Anastrozole for a month now. I am excited that I am experiencing hints of what I remember as a quality life but the return seems slow and incremental. My deal with with my oncologist was a three month hiatus. I hope by then I have the return to something of value to report.

Jump to this post

How wonderful for you. Wishes for better health.

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