Hi Everyone,
Just joined you (daughter persuaded me!) Been on Letrozole for 2years
Only mild general joint pains quite tolerable but I wake in the morning and both my handsfeel like a bunch of bananas. I am unable to fully clench my fists and sometimes my finger joints click or stick. After about an hour they loosen up.Does anyone out there have a similar problem?
Fanakapan
Hi Fanakapan
I have only been on Letrozole since last November but I don’t have those problems with my hands. Joint stiffness in knees and hips, plus various other low-oestrogen symptoms, though. I do take Cod Liver Oil and Evening Primrose Oil, so maybe that is helping, plus Glucosamine Sulphate/Chondroitin. Have you tried anything?
Ann
Hi Fanakapan,
Yes, I had this on Arimidex. It’s called trigger thumb or trigger finger. It is on the list of fairly uncommon side effects. It is actually swollen tendons which ‘click’ against the bone. There is a very simple operation you can have: the sheath of the tendon is cut open and it then grows together again slightly larger, so the problem is gone.
First I had the problem in the left thumb, then I went to orthopaedic surgeon (I’m in Germany so arrangements are different) who gave me a cortisone injection in the thumb. He said it might get better or not. It did get better, but the click didn’t go. Then it got worse and worse and more painful, and I got in in the right thumb and a finger of the right hand too (am not supposed to have operation on the right arm if at all possible because of lymph). I did a few times use a cold pack that I put in the freezer to alleviate the pain.
Eventually I changed back to Tamoxifen. It’s possible that Femara or Letrozole would not give me that problem, although I suspect they would. I stopped Arimidex at the end of May and the problems have almost completely disappeared now. I found on a US cancer forum more knowledge about this. My gynaecologist says a) it isn’t trigger thumb and b) it’s normal at my age - but no, it may be a result of reduced oestrogen, but it’s gone now.
If the clicking is not painful, you might live with it. And you could get cortisone injections. I was worried immediately because I type a lot for my living.
Zeppa
I woke up one morning about 3 months ago and found my hands were stiff and that my middle and ring finger on my right hand ‘jumped’ back into place. Gp did blood tests first and says there is nothing to indicate any reason for this trigger finger. He thinks it may be due medication (have been on femera since Jan)and told me to talk to consultant at my annual breast clinic appointment in a couple of weeks. Has also referred me to a hand specialist at the orthopaedic hospital.
Thankyou Timetraveller,
I too had injection into trigger finger shortly after starting Letrozole GP didn’t think there was a connection but I’m not convinced. Saw a different GP today. She has prescribed Glucosamine (didn’t know you could get it on prescription)
My oncologist suggested I discontinue Letrozole early- I’m due to come off it next year but I’d rather “put up and shut up” and stay the course.So, after I’ve been on Glucosamine for 3mths, WATCH THIS SPACE
Thanks to all who replied
Best wishes
Fanakapan
Fanakapan
I have been taking Letrozole for a year and my GP recommended Glucosamine for certain side effects. I did’nt know you could get them on prescription was told you couldn’t but that was 2 or 3 years ago.
I buy the extra strength ones and they do work.
Best wishes.
Jan
I’d just like to add to what I wrote earlier that even the package insert for Arimidex (which is a very similar aromatase inhibitor) mention trigger finger as a possible side effect, even though our doctors tell us it isn’t. I don’t know if Glucosamine helps that or not.
Zeppa