Letrazole

Hi, I didn't have the arthritis to start with, but I did develop tenosinovitis in the wrist, at the base of both thumbs.  My medical oncologist changed me to exemestane with a slight improvement in these symptoms. I have also, at different times, developed trigger fingers,  which sounds a bit like what you're getting. All this can be aided by steroid injections, and splinting to rest the joints. When do you see your med onc next? Don't let anyone tell you it's not related, but there are good management strategies around. My med onc wanted to change me to Tamoxifen this year, but I said no, prefer the devil I know!! I have another 2&1/2 years to go, to my 5 years of AI. That is doable. Longer? Don't think so. 
Talk to your med onc. Sometimes you'll get side effects with one AI, not with another, so it's worth a conversation.
Oh, and I didn't start getting any side effects until the 4-6 month mark.
Take care

Hello AT404
Yes I had very similar problems with my hands after a couple of months on Letrozole. I had no grip especially in the mornings! Could not wind up my deodorant stick or get the lid off the toothpaste! I would also wake in the night with painful, stiff, swollen hands. 

My GP thought it was Carpal Tunnel and gave me a referral for nerve testing. But before I did that I tried Curcumin capsules. I checked first that it would not interfere with any other medications. My GP said it would not hurt to try but was very pessimistic that it would help.

The result was almost instant with a big reduction in symptoms. I also notice that certain foods seem to make it flare up, so I avoid them! I now have very little trouble with it. I have been on Letrozole (Femara) for 2 1/2 years now. It might be worth a try but please do check that is ok and won’t interact with any other medications you may be on. 

This is a particular issue and you need to speak with your breast surgeon or oncologist soon about this. It's not a common  one but the snapping feeling is significant and needs urgent review in case an alternative is appropriate for you.

Hi AT404, I have similar issues in that the thumb joint base on both hands is really tender and it doesn't take much for it to grab and then a few choice swear words erupt, simple everyday movements that normally you wouldn't think twice about. And yes my fingers crack and crunch sounding like a bowl of cocoa pops. Occasionally it hurts, most times it doesn't. My oncologist has seen how swollen my right fingers can get. There is the start of arthritis in them but before BC i had little trouble. One of the other AI drugs is steroid based (exemestane) but i don't know that you'd want to go down that track or whether it would be effective. Definitely a question for your ocno. 2 hours in the garden doing what i would consider simple things, nothing heavy and my hands are screaming at me the next day. Warm water, gentle stretching and funnily enough, free weights work (lying on your back on a foam roller, holding up a pair of 1-2 kg weights in your hands and doing some shoulder protraction retraction work) This at least works for me in easing the swelling which then mobilizes my fingers and hands and loosens my shoulders at the same time. Bonus! Does all this stop me from doing what i want? Nope! I just have to pace myself and recognize my limitations. Hmmm recognizing my limitations, i might need to work on that particularly after my work in the garden last weekend!. Ah well, if you don't use it, you'll lose it! Oh and i've been on letrozole for 9 months and for me it's gradually got worse. I'm hoping it'll ease with time. Let us know if your onco comes up with any useful pearls of wisdom. Cheers Cath

Hi everyone

Many thanks for the encouraging messages. Good to know that I'm not the only one. Not seeing my income till September. May drop my breascancer nurse a line. She is very good . I also just discovered an underactive thyroid and the tablets for that has restrictions but will check out the cucumin.

I've been on letrozole for 7 months and definitely developed trigger finger in one joint The had sight degenerative arthritis before BC. Also wake with stiff, sore hand - lots of stretching them helps. Tend to have to concentrate on grip or will drop things.  Hmmmmmm......

I have ordered curcumin and will try that to see if it helps.  Doesn't seem to interfere with any other meds I am taking.