Letrazole and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

@Kazmar - I know I'm a bit behind on this thread but I had carpal tunnel syndrome pre-cancer and am also a rider. Luckily I would only get it on one side at a time but the pain was unbearable. I was told that it could come back after the operation. My acupuncturist guaranteed to get rid of it forever. It took him six weeks of twice weekly sessions. That was 10 years ago, I'm on Arimidex and every joint hurts except for my wrists, lol.

Hi @Deanne,
Thanks for your advice, l will definitely look into Curcumin. A friend gave me some turmeric powder and told me to add it to my meals but l keep forgetting. I guess that the tablets will be more effective.  I will ask my Oncologist. I finished chemo 3 months ago so l guess that it would be okay.
Cheers,
Karen xx

@lrb_03,  These hormone tablets can really cause some awful side affects, the Oncologists really don't give the full story.
I would be nervous to change too, l guess that they all have some side affects and we are all different too.
It would be nice to be better prepared. I hope that after 2 1/2 months on Letrozole l don't get any more nasty surprises.
Maybe you should look into Curcumin too.
Good Luck,
Karen xx

@LMK74, Sounds as if you are having a terrible time, l had to look up trigger thumb/fingers as l had not heard of it.
43 is way too young to be feeling like an 80yo, but l understand, l am 54 and feel like an 80yo some days.
As @Romla has mentioned, l do believe that the more you move the better the stiffness feels.
Good luck with your treatment, maybe you too could look into the tumeric or Curcumin or krill tablets.
Cheers,
Karen x

@HarleyB, It is good to hear that you had great success with your Carpal Tunnel operations.
I had to look up De Quevains, l had not heard of it or Trigger finger, are they caused by the hormone therapy as well? 
I hope that it all works out for you.
Cheers,
Karen

@Kazmar here is a site I was given that I have found very useful as like many I am a fan of supplements. I gather BCNA recommends the site too.It provides a very thorough review of supplements their usage , contraindications etc for both patients and medical staff.

 www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/herbal-remedies-and-treatment

It is a hospital in US that only deals in cancer research and treatment. But above all check with your medical team always before 
taking a supplement .

@Romla, Thanks for your advice,  Luckily l have always been pretty active, l have horses and compete in Dressage, I also go to a personal trainer a couple of times a week and l am now looking at training to be a Pilates teacher. I have a dodgy knee from a horse riding accident a few years ago so expected to have more pain in that joint as l ruptured my ACL (Anterior Crucial Ligament), l do feel a bit creaky in the joints, especially my knee but did not expect to get Carpal Tunnel.
Walking a bit more does sound like a good plan, l can't jog because of my knee, l do suffer sometimes with down days where apart from feeding my horses, l can't motivate myself to do anything. Walking my dog would start the day off positively.
I take Caltrate and magnesium occasionally, I don't worry about Vitamin D as l get plenty of time outside. l will look into krill tablets and will also look into the Curcumin tablets. I finished my chemo 3 months ago.   
Your advice has been very helpful. 
Karen xx

Thanks @NolaJS,  I will certainly think about surgery if it comes to that. I will wear my splint a lot more for now, hopefully that will give me a bit of relief.

Just a wild card - have been hearing lots of good reports about Curcumin a refined version of turmeric - the latter is an ingredient in curry powder.It is supposed to be a good anti- inflammatory.I told a friend who suffers from a pinched nerve and she swears it helps a lot.You can’t take it during chemo though and should always check with your oncologist before taking supplements.There is a lot on line about Letrozole/ Femara and Carpal Tunnel plus the benefit of Curcumin with Carpal Tunnel.

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