Forum Discussion
Trigger finger / thumb and Tamoxifin
Hi All,
I've had trigger finger in my left thumb for at least 6 weeks. It started prior to that with severe pain at the base of my thumb. That subsided and moved to trigger finger. I've had x-rays and scans and finally I wear a splint day and night.
I've read here of ladies getting this while taking letrozole but has anyone developed trigger finger while taking tamoxifen? Will it subside while still taking the drug or am I stuck with it for as long as I am on tamoxifen?
I'm definitely not keen on having a cortisone shot which is the next step suggested by the hand therapist at RNSH
I had it in my ring finger on my right hand but that settled down and was much milder.
Any help or advise appreciated. Thank you.
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3 Replies
Hi arpie, thanks so much for the above info and how you've coped with trigger finger . I also suffer from Dupuytren's contracture (in my other hand) which became aggressive when taking Aromasin. My onc change me to Tamoxifen and now I have trigger finger also!
I've spoken with friends who have had surgery and the recovery procedure and time is harder and longer than what they were advised by their surgeon. I think I'll just keep using the splint for now. The cortisone shot doesn't sound like much fun either!
Thanks again. Take care xx
nicmaree - The actual cortisone shot was more painful than the condition, as there isn't enough flesh in there for it to really penetrate - I guess that they have to get it in between the metatarsals for it to 'work' and there is only non existent cartilage in there! The shot was supposed to last for 3 months - it didn't even give a week of relief! :(
A couple of friends have had very successful surgery for Dupuytrens .... one at Newcastle, the other at Port Macquarie. It is such a nasty 'contracture' .... so that one is well worth getting looked at & done.
Yep, surgeons are very good at telling you what you want to hear - not what actually WILL happen! I had shoulder surgery 15 years ago - and was told I'd be functioning 95% within 6 months! Bullsh*t! It was 12 months before I could achieve full rotation ... and 2 years before I wasn't 'aware' of the discomfort and restriction - and I'd done the exercises/physio religiously! grrr I had to cancel a kayak fishing trip I'd booked in WA due to his 'incorrect recovery' information! I only booked the surgery in then, so that I COULD get to WA & take part in the trip! grrrYep - You've always got to talk to someone who's had the 'lived experience' of it. They usually have no reason to lie! Cos the surgeons have really only ever been lectured about it, performed the surgery & heard other patients talking about it!
Unless they'e had the procedure done on themselves - they have absolutely NO IDEA just how bad it is, to recover from that particular surgery!
So - my message is, it DOES come & go - it is manageable MOST of the time & when it hurts, use appropriate measures to stop the pain. I've just ordered some Medicinal Cannabis Balm to use on the thumb that is just playing up on me now! It had been fine for 3-5 years up til now! Those thumb braces/splints are brilliant. I've cut mine back so it isn't so bulky on my hand (it had a lot of neoprene just covering my skin that didn't really 'do anything') so I cut it back to the bare essentials & it works perfectly for me!
This is the one I use ... it has 2 metal splints (on both sides of the thumb.) I cut away the 'extra' neoprene that wasn't needed as it just got in the way when doing veges & dirty when doing gardening & stuff!
https://shop.app/products/4818528239702
Hi nicmaree I've had trigger finger in my ring & middle fingers (both hands) on & off since 2010 (8 years before my BC diagnosis.) It continues to this day, on & off. So it may be caused by your meds - or it may just be age related degeneration.
My THUMB pain was definitely made WORSE by my AI meds ... and I was taking medicinal cannabis oil to reduce the pain - and it worked! I was on Letrozole initially then Exemestane, then Anastrozole (for 6 years.)
I also have the extreme thumb pain (both hands) on & off, with my left hand being recommended for surgery way back in 2010 (where they remove metatarsals from the bottom of the thumb & replace them with tendons (that are 'tied into knots') removed from further up the arm, and put into the holes left from the bone removals! (that is very much my layman's interpretation of what I was told.)Like you, I wear a thumb brace when they 'play up' (and my left one was extremely sore last week, playing my ukulele!) grrr .... but the good news for the thumb is - that altho it was really bad at the start back in 2010, (and I had a cortisone shot but it didn't work! Not enough flesh there, I reckon!) it came good for many years & only 'plays up' now & then! But I DO have it in both thumbs now (see pic below of my right thumb.)
This pic below shows the degeneration of the 'thumb pad muscle' (that should be rounded & firm .... not 'sunken and hollow' as in the pic. ) This is where the area has 'collapsed' due to the lost cartilage in between those metatarsals! ...
But ... to be totally honest, I am highly unlikely to ever have the surgery done (both my thumbs have the same degeneration & the on/off pain & discomfort - but they take turns at 'activating' - I've never had BOTH hurting at the same time!)
A friend had the surgery done a while back & it was extremely painful afterwards & it took nearly 3 years for the numbness & strength to come back in the thumb, if ever - and having the surgery would also interfere too much with my 2 x preferred hobbies (playing Ukulele and kayak fishing!). So I'll just put up with it!HOWEVER ... IF you have a good surgeon who recommends the surgery - make sure they tell the truth - about the 'REAL' recovery time - maybe even put you in touch with someone who's had the surgery - see what THEY say! You could ask on a local community page too!
The trigger finger isn't really painful - just annoying & it still happens now & then (or I can intentionally 'bring it on' if I want to 'play with it'! LOLtake care & all the best xx
