Numbness & tingling in arm, hand, & fingers after biopsy

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nitelite
nitelite Member Posts: 9
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hello everyone.  I was diagnosed with DCIS, stage 0, grade 3 w/necrosis, <1cm on September 16th.  I had a stereotactic biopsy of the left breast on Sep 12th and an MRI on Sep 18th.  Immediately (within a day or two) following the MRI I began having pain, numbness, and tingling in my left arm, hand, and fingers.  The pain has decreased considerably and isn't always present.  However, the numbness and tingling in my arm, hand, and fingertips is present 24/7.  Never lets up.  I did a week of oral steroid treatment with muscle relaxers.... didn't change a thing.  Also got a few really good back and neck massages... didn't change a thing.  Had a cervical spine MRI last week.... didn't show anything abnormal that could be causing this.  Next the doctor is saying physical therapy and an EMG (electromyogram).  He believes it is just nerve compression from tense muscles.  I don't feel like my muscles are that tense, especially since the massages, and it just never ever goes away.  I will be having a mastectomy w/ recon but not scheduled yet.  Has anyone else experienced this??  I'm wondering if it will ever go away and especially what in the world has caused this??  I am also very frustrated to think that I will be dealing with this secondary issue with my left arm at the same time I am trying to recover from mastectomy & recon.  Any thoughts or info???  Thanks!

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  • nitelite
    nitelite Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2011

    ok so i guess i'm all alone in this... nobody else has experienced it

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  • PhyllisCC
    PhyllisCC Member Posts: 397
    edited November 2008

    Nitelite,

     You are not alone.  Maybe in specific symptons, but there are lots of women here that have lots of experiences.  I'm sorry, I don't have the same problems as you.  But I had DCIS grade 3 and had a rit mast last Nov 07.  I was lucky (???) no chemo, rads.  Am still undergoing reconstruction but am healthy...so far.  Please hang in.  This is a great site.  Check out some other threads...you'l'l find lots of support.  Take care, nitelite.  Phyllis

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  • earthmonkey
    earthmonkey Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2009

    I have had numbness and tingling in my right arm and recently have noticed that it's cold. I had a right breast bx done yesterday but my numbness, tingling and coldness were present before the bx. I'm wondering if it's lymph involvement? 

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  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited September 2009

    I had tingling and numbness in both my arms about 3 days after the stereotactic biopsy, with symptoms in the pinky finger and the ring finger, typical for the ulnar nerve damage. I tried to put it on the position I had to lay on the table (I do have two messed up discs in my neck) but of course the thought of "what if it is from lymph nodes" was in the back of my mind. Tingling and numbness is gone now - lasted for about 3 days.

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  • socbamom
    socbamom Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2011

    Did things work out for you? I'm having the same trouble with numbness in the ulnar nerve distribution. I had a biopsy about 2 wks ago and am scheduled for my MRI in a couple of days. The numbness has been gradually increasing in frequency. I was diagnosed with a grade 3 invasive ductile carcinoma and the tumor is 4 cm. I'm worried it's spreading to involve the brachial plexus.

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  • nitelite
    nitelite Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2011

    Hello socbamom

    yes, eventually the numbness & tingling went completely away.  I'm trying to remember... it seems like it took months... maybe 4 - 6 ...?  And then it just seemed to clear up on it's own.  Never really knew what caused it... and haven't had any residual problems from that issue. Did your symptom start after your biopsy?

    Let me know how it goes for you. Best wishes.

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited October 2011

    I get this after a number of different kinds of events such as heavier exercise. From what I'm told, the channel in which the nerves run from the arm to the hand is quite narrow, and a small amount of inflammation can cause tingling and numbness in some people. In my case it sometimes takes more than a month for it to subside.

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  • socbamom
    socbamom Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2011

    Thank you both for your answers! It helps to know there could be other reasons for these symptoms.

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