Forum Discussion

Afraser's avatar
Afraser
Member
4 years ago

Letrozole and trigger finger

Trigger finger (or, in my case, trigger thumb) may be a Letrozole side effect. Seems some evidence in that regard and my trusty lymphoedema therapist (who has lots of post cancer patients) thinks it’s likely too. So far (three days!) no pain at all, just mildly annoying - I’ll try exercise, maybe a thumb splint and cortisone, in that order!  

I’ll be relieved if it’s nothing genetic - my mother had several trigger fingers (again no pain) and they annoyed the hell out of her! 

18 months to my ten years - we’ll see! 
letrozole
lymphoedema
side-effects
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    4 years ago
    One of the many reasons that my Oncologist took me off Letrozole.  Trigger finger is certainly a weird sensation when unexpected 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    4 years ago
    Thanks @KatyJoy

    Glad to hear it has been resolved, I’m hoping for the same. 
  • KatyJoy's avatar
    KatyJoy
    Member
    4 years ago
    I had trigger finger in both my pinky fingers on Letrozole, oncologist said it was due to joint changes on letrozole. I have been on letrozole 4 years now, and trigger finger resolved after a few months. Good luck with yours
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    4 years ago
    Thanks @arpie
    No weakness, I can use my hand normally but then that slight hesitancy and little click when I bend the top
    joint! I am hoping it will clear, it was a little better today but will definitely get measured for a splint if it doesn’t. 
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    4 years ago
    Definitely a side effect of some of the AIs, not just Letrozole @Afraser ..... I still get it now & then  - but it seems to 'cycle' - bad for a few days to a week & then 'fixes up' for many months.  I used a thumb splint too - I am sure it helped.  It was the weakness in the hand that really annoyed me tho, not being able to hold things (even light ones!)  Prednisone helped when mine was at it's worst too - but mine was very painful too.  You are lucky if there is no pain attached to it.

    Mind you -  I WAS taking the magic oil a while back ..... I had a break from it in recent months & will be getting back onto it again, as the hands went achy/tingly & the general body aches returned too ....