Femara and Tendonitis

S3K5

Hello,

I have tendonitis in both the elbows, wrists and my fingers are swollen. The ortho put me on pain medication (ibuprofen) and told me the swelling was due to inflammation.

I have read somewhere that Femara can cause swelling in the hands (wrist and fingers). I have been taking it since two years. Does anyone have similar experience ? Could it be Femara? Did anyone discontinue Femara due to SEs?

Desi.

Husband11

Yes, it could be the Femera.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/notices-avis/conditions/femara_fs_fd_100323-eng.php

wenweb

Desi I can tell you that while on Arimidex I developed tendinitis in one elbow.  It seemed believable enough that I had over used it from working in my garden, but the interesting part is that I saw an ortho doc who sent me to have PT, and the PT totally exacerbated it.  Long story short, I went off of the Arimidex due to bone loss and low and behold the pain went almost completely away on it's own.  To answer your question, I most definitely think that the Femera could be the cause of your tendinitis.

Husband11

Don't discontinue the Femera without discussing alternatives with your oncologist.  I wouldn't rule out tamoxifen either, just because you are post-menopausal.  Hormonal therapy has a good track record for reducing recurrance rates, so if the Femera become intolerable, look at options.

starbeauty

Not so sure tam is the answer either... I'm 50... And have been on tam 1 year... I have major joint pain in fingers,hip knee, shoulder. I hurt... And I know it is the tam...and there isn't a darn thing I can do about it except supplement myself. I didn't hurt 1 year ago.

lwd

Hi, all,

I've had what I believe to be tendinitis in my left wrist, and now it's moving into my right.  I think it's due to the Femara, which I've been taking for almost 2 1/2 years.  I asked my onc about it and he doesn't think it's the Femara.  Everything I've read points to it.  I've never had joint/ muscle/nerve problems until my mets diagnosis and treatment with Femara.  My onc suggested I see a neurologist.  I think I'll ask him about taking a 2-3 week break from Femara and see if I get any relief.  I had no SE's for the first 8 months, then started experiencing joint and muscle pain in various areas which would subside after a few weeks, then move to a different site.  But the wrist thing (outside, stinging, burning, and up into my forearms) has continued now for several months.  Any twisting or weight causes pain.  Anti-inflammatories don't help much, if at all.

Thanks for any opinions.  Just found this thread.  I do have a wonderful onc, but, has he not heard these complaints before???

Lane 

wenweb

Lane See my note above.  I would have no doubt that the Femara could be causing the pain in your left wrist.  There is an interesting twist to my story.  My elbow was almost completely better off of the Arimidex, but in the mean time, I've started Tamoxifen and the pain has come back.  It's not as bad as it was while I was on the Arimidex though.

 For some reason, it seems that most of the oncs don't think that the BC medications are responsible for anything other than reducing recurrence rates.  They seem to be dismissive about most of the complaints we have 

karen1956

Desi....I didn't read the other posts, so if I'm repeating what others wrote, I apologize....I developed CTS bilaterally on Arimidex and my knuckles were always swollen in the mornings...knees always hurt.....Surgery on one hand....switched to Femara and no better and then Tamox and low and behold CTS in remaining hand went away....Bit in between the surgery on right hand and tamox found out that CTS is a side effect of Arimidex....Then lastly tried Aromasin and developed bilateral deQuervanes tendonitis in both wrists....ended up with surgery on both as they did not respond to cortisone shots.....I finally quit AI's after enduring 3 1/2 years....most side effects lessened or went away, but not back to the preBC me and don't think I'll ever be, but I'm much happier off the darn stuff!!!!

hrf

I have tendonitis in my Achilles heels. Could it be the Arimidex?

karen1956

possible....

Resting

Glad to have found this thread. I have been on Tamoxifen for 8 months and just in the last month have had tendinitis in both thumbs. Makes it impossible to open a jar at times.Or is it inflammatory arthritis? Don't know. I talked to a PA who works at my cancer center and she recommends stopping the Tamoxifen for a few weeks to see if that is what is causing it. I think I'll wait a while before I go down that road as the alternative meds have side effects too. And from what I'm reading here some tendinitis.

May I ask too --  are any of you having body aches - almost flu like? Thx, Carolyn

Sherbear

I have been on Tamox for almost 3 months now and have suddenly, without warning, had tendonitis come back in my right arm (had one problem with it during chemo and a few cycles of cipro that I think weakened it).  Have been totally fine since late fall (had physio and acupuncture which really helped).  Am now back to physio with acupuncture *sigh*

lwd

It's frustrating to have to deal with this pain.  I think I'll see a neurologist and get his opinion.  I don't know if my onc will suggest I take a break; but I'd really like another doc's opinion.  I keep hoping this pain will go away, or at least move to another spot!  The thought of surgery or steroid shots is not appealing.  My monthly doc visits are enough for me.

I'll let you know what I find out.  Guess I'll wait until Aug. when I'll be on Medicare.  No use spending my own money to find out what I already know!  LOL.  Here I am hoping to prove my onc wrong when, in fact, the drug is saving my life!  Go figure!  I've been 28 months with no evidence of disease after taking Femara, at Stage IV.  Love it but hate it!

Lane

Calico

I am taking high dose fish oil omega three and turmeric (at least 3000 mg/day), both anti inflammatories, plus the usual Vit D with Calcium and Magnesium. Besides the morning stiffness I am doing really well....but when I am out of supplements and therefore take a break, I really feel it.

Been on Femara 5 yrs and I don't want to discontinue. Remember, Estrogen is our feel well and beauty hormone, so of course we miss it....and hopefully any floating cancer cells will do as well  

idcKaty

I have taken Arimidex for a year and then Femara for a year. I have had many aches and pains that feel like tendinitis to me. My shoulders and upper arms are most affected. Aleve gives some relief just like it used to when I had tennis elbow (which is tendinitis). My onc just calls it body pain but what does he know.

Moderators

Idckaty-

Welcome to BCO! Thank you for sharing your experience, it's so helpful to hear from other members who've had the same things happen. Makes everyone feel a little less alone.

The Mods