Letrazole side effects - painful hands

Hello, I too am on Letrozole.  I have had painful fingers - some days worse than others and mainly in the morning on waking up when first moving fingers.  I have recently started taking Vitamin D and have to be honest I have noticed my fingers ache less .... now I'm not sure if its the Vitamin D or a change in the weather even.

A year or so back I also suffered with 'trigger finger' - although it was with my thumbs - so trigger thumb I guess..... one doctor I spoke with told me not to bend my thumbs (so crazy) and my Consultant said if they didn't correct themselves and where too troublesome I could have an operation. ..... Thankfully with the help of certain types of exercise and rubbing the joint areas hard (I would rub/push/guide thumb up and down on the side 'edge' of the table - this was painful however not that long afterwards my thumbs go better and although better still felt 'swollen' (I can't think of the right word) and gripping or opening things was extra hard....... thankfully this seems to of eased off a lot now.

I hope this helps xxx

Do you both take statins as well? My husband had painful and deformed fingers from arthritis. The pain got better when he stopped statins. He did have surgery on his little finger that stuck out and was getting in the way of his golf. I'm just 3 wks into Letrozole, I'm waiting for 3  mths to decide about statins. I want to have a blood test first. It's getting more complicated this being human by the year. 

That’s interesting about statins. I have been in Anestrozole since  September and my cholesterol has gone up and now started Statins just after Christmas. My wrists hurt,sometimes  I am worried I will drop something. Just assumed it was HT but could it be  Statins?  I am already on Ibandronic Acid, calcium and Vit D supplemant for osteoporosis. I am so fed up of these medications.

What choice do you have, my meds are increasing. It's just getting to the 5 yr mark. Just want to beat this dam thing, the invader. I'm only just beginning. My Mother got to 86, I was hoping I would too. Xx️

I am sure you will! My sister is 85 next month and is amazing. I am ten years younger but sometimes feel ten years older!

This makes one feel older, no more hiding or pretending. Dancing makes me feel younger. I think it's the endorphins. I haven't coloured my hair for 3 months. Doesn't seem as important anymore. When I have been in carer mode for 4 days I feel empty of energy. Wouldn't have it any other way though. Xx

Hi

I’ve been on letrozole for 9 months and abemaciclib for about 4 months. I get really painful joints in my thumbs - I’ve recent started taking hyaluronic acid supplements in the hope they’ll help. I haven’t taken them for long enough yet to know if they make a big difference but thought it may help to share with you as a potential option. 

Hope you find some relief x

Hi Sabrina22 , 

I don't take statins yet.  Statins are a very good drug for numerous conditions - I know if they don't suit you it normally shows up in blood tests that cholesterol has not gone down and also very bad leg and back pain.....

I personally believe (I am not medically trained), I personally believe the joint pain in hands, fingers etc is a 'side effect' - a side effect from having less oestrogen in our bodies (I suppose we could also say its a side effect from the letrozole doing its job - reducing the oestrogen).  

The oestrogen we have in our bodies is our lubricant, our very own WD40 - it is also what BC likes to eat (I know it also can be found in our fat cells - hence why it would be good to loose weight.... something I am really struggling with) - hence why we take the medication (letrozole) to reduce the oestrogen.

A lot take an antihistamine to ease a lot of pains, for some reason this medication seems to help - the main brand name is 'Claritin' or the generic name Loratadine (the same just a lot cheaper) - of course if anyone was to consider this, then always consult with your Doctor first.

I hope this helps xxx

Currently awake due to severe pain in my right wrist. This has come on in last 24 hours. Pretty sure it is due to Anestrozole. I have started taking Statins since Christmas so could be either. Will phone GP in the morning. I am on a high dose of Vitamin D and calcium for osteoporosis. My oncologist said my Vitamin D levels were excellent so it can’t be low vitamin D causing it.Your explanation ties in with what I feel.Our bodies need oestrogen, like a car engine needs oil. So fed up with this and just want to go back to how I felt before BC diagnosis. I know I am so, so lucky to have early diagnosis and only Stage 1 but the medication is really impacting on my life. Mentally I struggle with how my body feels and at times I just want to stop Anestrozole. At nearly 75 do I really want another five years of feeling like this?  My daughter feels I should continue no matter what as she is so worried the cancer will return. Will see what GP says but I know he will want me to continue on HT.

I had very painful wrists on exemestane a few months in that lasted for about 6 months and then disappeared. I sometimes get sore fingers but not enough to bother me.

I do have the fingerless arthritis gloves you can get that keep them warm and offer slight support.

My thinking is whether you've noticed a particular brand makes them worse. My wrist pain stopped when I settled on the brand that I found I cope with the best, and now I always get that brand.