Hand stiffness and pain- post treatment ?

tlgio17

Hi fellow warriors. I am 3 years out from the completion of treatment as far as mastectomy, chemo and rads. I also tried the AI's for a year, but did not have much luck w side effects and am now on Tamoxifen for 10 years (ugh). I have a lot of issues w my right hand (Cancer side) being stiff, trigger finger and aching along that arm as well. In the morning, my hand is so stiff I have to move it around for quite some time to be able to grab things like making bed, etc. This all began to be noticeable when I was on the AI's, and I thought that is what was causing it. After switching to Tamoxifen, i have realized this seems to be more permanent. My PCP had me see orthopedic doctor back when it started, who has given me steroid shots in my palm (ouch) and trigger finger area (ouch again). While this helps, its temporary, and I am worried that I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life. Its challenging because my job entails typing at a desk most of the day and this aching also wakes me up, which I am already not a great sleeper, so lots of fatigue. I am 46 but most days feel older. Anyways, I wanted to reach out to see if anyone has similar issues and what type of doctor do you see for this?

Thanks much!

Traci

hapa

Are you right handed? If so, it could be from holding your phone or using your mouse with that hand, and switching (easier said than done, I know) for a while will either confirm or disprove this theory.

buttonsmachine

tlgio, I had a similar problem (trigger thumbs), due to Aromatase inhibitors, and I've still been trying to heal from it a year later, even though I stopped AIs and switched to Faslodex. Besides stopping AIs, this is what helped me:

1.) I saw a hand specialist Dr, which I highly recommend if you haven't already.

2.) I wear Spica braces on both hands, all night, every night, for the last year.

3.) I have greatly reduced the amount of time I spend on the computer and driving. These are the two main things that aggravate it. However, as you pointed out, that can be difficult depending on life circumstances. If I must do these things for longer than is comfortable, I wear hand braces then too.

4.) I got a series of cortisone shots. With each shot it improves more than before, but after shot #3 to my right side, the Dr said we may need to consider surgery next. I'm hoping the third time will be the charm, and I will not need surgery, but we'll see.

Anyway, it's been a very difficult problem for me. My left side got mostly better with bracing alone, my right side is not fully better despite the cortisone - but the cortisone and bracing have helped A TON! I hope you get better, keep us posted. This thread was very helpful to me, it seems you've already posted on it, but I'll repost it here in case it helps others: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics/872097?page=1

MinusTwo

tigio - I went to a orthopedic hand surgeon/specialist. There is a surgery (like for carpal tunnel) but I was in cancer treatment & didn't want to add anything else. He injected steroids into the area around the thumb - and even with the freezing you are right, owwie. I had to go back 3 or 4 times for another injection during the year, but I have had NO problems now for 5 years. Those shots take some repetitions to build up, so don't quit yet.

tlgio17

Thank you all for the suggestions and sharing your experiences and treatment, I will definitely look into a specialist, and see if continued shots, switching hands if able, gloves, etc may help.

Appreciate it!

LillyIsHere

tlgio17, some of our BC sisters have recommended to take magnesium to help with joint pains. I also take turmeric as anti-inflammatory. Glucosamine also helps. In case you want to start with supplements first, give a month or so to see if they work for you.

MinusTwo

Oh yes Lilly, thanks. I do take 250 mg of Magnesium Oxide every day. That's tapered down from 500 mg when the problems were more severe.

BlueGirlRedState

tigio17 - I definitely experienced joint stiffness and locking fingers with generic Anastrozole. Effects almost immediate. So I quit. It took several months for fingers to clear up. Started Tamoxifen after fingers cleared up. A third BC attacked me since then. I'm now on Ibrance and brand name Arimidex. SEs less with brand name, but started noticing them after several months. Acupuncture seems to help, also exploring electrostim with acupuncture. I think acupuncture and turmeric help. You might want to check the forums ( I think there are at least 2) for anastrozole and managing SEs.

MicheleH57

I've started wearing compression gloves at night to bed.

They help a bit. But only a bit. At least more than Aspercreme or Voltaren or Advil or Tylenol or CBD balm.

When I get up and peel off the gloves, I run my hands under warm/warmer-than-warm water and that helps. Once I get downstairs and start using my hands - to make coffee and get breakfast - they loosen up.

The most pain and stiffness is in my left hand, same side as the lumpectomy.

At least the compression provides a "psychological" benefit, in that my hands in the gloves feel wrapped and secure, sort of like a swaddled baby or a sprained ankle wrapped up firmly.

But 6.5 more years of this? BLECH.