Hi everyone, a pal of mine is on Arimidex (also known as Anastrozole) she has been diagnosed with Carpel tunnel syndrome, and is having to have a small operation to relieve the symptons, she did not have this sympton before she started on the drug Arimidex and wondered if there was any connection, so i said i would ask you ladies. When i was diagnosed with B. Cancer in 2005 i found this site such a comfort thanks to you all for that.
Best love to all.
I also have carpal tunnel symptoms since starting on Arimidex. This is in my left hand only as I had the right one operated on years ago. I hadn’t thought of it being linked to Arimidex but perhaps it is.
All the best
Anne
Seems a strange coincidence and I have heard of others. I definitely get joint and muscle aches and pains on Arimidex, at first in my left leg and now in my back - very odd as they come and go. Am seeing my onc next week and have a long list of questions.
I have also been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the past 4 months and been on Arimidex for 2 years. It is on the same side as my op for lymph node removal Sandra
I started on Aromasin in September and developed Carpal Tunnel symptoms in November, in both hands. I’m waiting for a nerve conductivity test to confirm diagnosis. It is mentioned as a possible side effect in the leaflet which comes with the tablets. I’ve mentioned this to two GPs that i’ve seen but neither seemed interested.
Regards
Kelley
Thanks for that, think it has put my pals mind at rest that there might be a strong link between Arimidex and carpal tunnel syndrome, and she is not alone. Thanks to all of you for your input x
I don’t know if this helps but my OH was diagnosed with early stage carpal tunnel years ago, and I too have had to deal with a little cubital tunnel.
We’re both geeks so hammer away on our keyboards all day long.
Our doctor back then recommended exercises which seem to work an absolute treat. my RSI is gone and so is his CTS.
Here’s a link to them if it helps anyone. They’re actually harder than they look but don’t hurt.
eatonhand.com/hw/ctexercise.htm
Angie
Hi
I have been told it is a common side effect after chemo, by doctors at work.
Both of mine had to be operated on.
Ann
Hi everyone. A group of us are suffering from trigger thumb or trigger finger and we think it is too much of a coincidence.
Heidicat
I’ve developed trigger finger (and thumb) on both hands. But I’m on Tamoxifen.
Jacki x
Hi Jacki and everyone, I am on Arimadex, and as I said, had trigger thumb in both hands. I think there may well be a link to our medication even though we are not all on exactly the same drugs, they probably work in similar ways.
Heidicat x
I went to the Doctor’s this morning and she put me on diclofenac which has help relieve the pain a lot. I’m booked in for a blood test on Friday to see if I have arthritis. She said it could be the Tamoxifen or Zoladex injections (the latter I stopped having last month) that are causing the probs.
Will let you know results…
Jacki x
Hi Jacki and everyone, the first GP is saw diagnosed arthritis, but a physio advised me to go back and see a different GP. He diagnosed trigger thumb, and he seems to have totally cured it (for now at least) with an injection in each hand. It is great to get full use of my thumbs back.
Heidicat.x
Hi, I am on Arimdex, have been for about 6 months after being on Tamxofin for two and half years.
I developed weakness and loss the use in my left hand about 18 months ago, on my masctomy side (left) Left handed too! After PET and CTs they found it was a unlar nerve problem - which is similar to Carpel tunnel but its the nerve that controls the other side of the hand. Had extenstive and worrying tests but it is just a nerve problem, maybe caused by scar tissue from my surgery.
In relation to Arimdrex, my hand has improved to such an extent, that I have turned down surgery for the time being. I may be just a coincidence but I noticed the improvement within weeks of starting Arimdex.
Sorry about spelling, dyslexic and nervous as first time posting on this forum.
Paula xxx
Another ‘trigger finger’ patient, and I am about to finish nearly three years on Arimidex in December, after over two years on Tamoxifen. I am also having other problems with my hands. I treated the trigger finger with ibulieve gel after visiting the doctor,and it improved after two months.
I read in an American forum that Astra Zeneca the makers of Arimidex seem to have told one of their American patients that trigger finger can be a side-affect of the medication. When I first got trigger finger in September 2007, nobody at the hospital, nor the surgery suggested to me there was a connection. Now at least they tell me that Arimidex can affect the hands.
I also have developed a frozen shoulder. I presume I will find out next year that this is another symptom!
Pollyanna
Hi - I too am on Arimadex and over the last couple of weeks have developed excrutiating pain in both hands. Can’t get in to see GP until Friday, so went to NHS Walk in clinic the other day. They gave me some diclufenac and codeine just to control the pain until I get in to see GP. But I looked at the paper that comes with my Arimadex listing side effects and there, such enough, is ‘carpal tunnel syndrome’. But when I mentioned this at walk in clinic the nurse looked in what she called ‘the bible’ and said ‘well it doesn’t mention it in here’! Will keep you informed as to what GP says.
Jean x
Hello everyone, about 15 years ago i was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, and told there is a definite link between that and the pill, so i guess there must be a link between that and any other hormone product?