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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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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@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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In reply to @debbie2721 "Well said!" + (show)
@debbie2721

Well said!

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Appreciate that!

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@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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@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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@debbie2721

How wonderful for you. Wishes for better health.

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👍🏻❤️

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@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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How wonderful for you. Wishes for better health.

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@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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Yes it takes a while to get back to normal but my experience has been you notice small improvements almost immediately.

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@sequoia

@ginip How long we’re you on Anastrozole? I’m 70 snd pretty active so quality of life is important. My oncologist didn’t say much one way or another if me quitting Anastrozole. He did recommend an Onco test, which at time of surgery I knew nothing about (Thank MCC!). He told me they keep the tissue for 7 years. So a few months back - 3 1/2 year’s following my surgery he requested the test. It’s just the company doing it. Nothing in my part. My numbers came back very low for reoccurrence & I did take Anastrozole for 2 1/2 years. When asked how much that counted , he couldn’t tell me. Please come on back & let us know how you’re doing. I pray some of your side effects lessen or go away completely. Remember, everyone is different. Some Folks here stay on meds for 5 years without any problems.

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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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@christie73

I do not have cancer. I had a lumpectomy a year and a half ago for LCIS, ALH, and FEA. I am going to be 50 in September. I took Tamoxifen for 10 months with no real issues but after a total hysterectomy (to include ovaries) was switched to Letrozole. I stayed on for 4 1/2 months hoping the joint pain in my wrists, elbows, and knees would get better but to no avail. Afterwords I tried Exemestane for 6 weeks and then Anastrozole. Both continued to cause extreme joint pain. I am now going back to Tamoxifen. Although it’s not as strong of a drug it’s the only one I can livd with. I’m very active with weightlifting and running but all the AIs were debilitating for me. I’m too young not to enjoy my life. Additionally, I have a very extensive plan for detection. I see my oncologist every 3 months, my breast surgeon every 6 months, 20 mg Tamoxifen and have a breast MRI and mammogram every year 6 months apart.

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You rock!!! ❤️

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