Letrazole and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
I finished my chemo late Oct. I have been on Aromatase Inhibitor almost 3 months. I have developed severe Carpal Tunnel in my left hand. I have pain at times right up my arm, sleeping is unbearable...
Forum Discussion
I have been on Letrozole for 6 months or so. Have had lots of different niggly side effects including lately numb fingers in the morning which awaken with vigorous movement.I also had some arm problems put down to cellulitis as a side effect of radiotherapy.
Overall I seem to be managing ok and can only help by telling you what I do and take which may be mitigating side effects to date. I walk for an hour daily which helps with joint pain as I can seem to walk thru it plus the endorphin release helps with a tendency to the blues and also helps with fluid retention and maybe even preventing lymphoedema.I take daily 1 krill oil tablet for joint pain on advice of medical oncologist and 2 Caltrate Bone nd Muscle Health as Letrozole damages bone density and I already have osteoporosis and have had a fracture prior to breast cancer.The dosage of Calcium/vitamin d I take is recommended by Osteoporosis Australia as appropriate for my circumstances .The Caltrate also contains other things like magnesium which help but dosage is smaller than many people on here take in powdered form - have heard many good reports about the latter. I also have 6monthly Prolia injections to counter the effect on my bone density of Letrozole. I have not had Carpal Tunnel . The other side effect I have experienced is headaches.
Finally I also do a gentle stretch and balance class twice weekly.I have noticed it has helped with joint stiffness as it was in recess over Christmas/New Year and the difference was noticeable.Also our recent bouts of hot weather plus school holidays have sometimes prevented my daily walk and the impact of its absence of my joints was also noticeable. I also did the 8 week free YWCA Encore hydrotherapy course at the end of 2017 which also helped considerably.For me physical activity has been very helpful and I might add I have not previously been as active - I have music on my mobile when I walk tbh as a distraction.
Hoping something I have said might be helpful. xo
Overall I seem to be managing ok and can only help by telling you what I do and take which may be mitigating side effects to date. I walk for an hour daily which helps with joint pain as I can seem to walk thru it plus the endorphin release helps with a tendency to the blues and also helps with fluid retention and maybe even preventing lymphoedema.I take daily 1 krill oil tablet for joint pain on advice of medical oncologist and 2 Caltrate Bone nd Muscle Health as Letrozole damages bone density and I already have osteoporosis and have had a fracture prior to breast cancer.The dosage of Calcium/vitamin d I take is recommended by Osteoporosis Australia as appropriate for my circumstances .The Caltrate also contains other things like magnesium which help but dosage is smaller than many people on here take in powdered form - have heard many good reports about the latter. I also have 6monthly Prolia injections to counter the effect on my bone density of Letrozole. I have not had Carpal Tunnel . The other side effect I have experienced is headaches.
Finally I also do a gentle stretch and balance class twice weekly.I have noticed it has helped with joint stiffness as it was in recess over Christmas/New Year and the difference was noticeable.Also our recent bouts of hot weather plus school holidays have sometimes prevented my daily walk and the impact of its absence of my joints was also noticeable. I also did the 8 week free YWCA Encore hydrotherapy course at the end of 2017 which also helped considerably.For me physical activity has been very helpful and I might add I have not previously been as active - I have music on my mobile when I walk tbh as a distraction.
Hoping something I have said might be helpful. xo