Should I be worried?

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fighting4mykids
fighting4mykids Member Posts: 69
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I know there is a surgery board but i figured I would try my Stage 3 sisters first.  I had a bilateral MX on 8/28/09 with ax. dissection and immediate TE's placed.  I have been just trying to suck it up and not complain but finally I thought i had better say something because if I didn't and something was wrong,I would never forgive myself.

I have been having hand weakness and finger tip numbness as well as a lot of pain in my shoulder, lat. muscle, underarm, breast area still and any use really hurts it. I do not have lymphadema (no swelling) but I thought by now some pain would be gone. I am very clumsy with my hand.  I saw the breast surgeon's nurse practioner yesterday would said there could be a few things going on that needs PT, maybe neuro and some work but most likely nerve related that may or may not get better (hand-wise) but she usually see's it get better with intervention and time.  So I left with a PT script with a woman at a major hospital that deals specficially with this.

then last night about 7pm I got a call from my oncologists office (nurse practioner) to inquire more about this.  The breast surgeon, the nurse practioner, and my oncologist had been having many emails back and forth after I left yesterday. So the oncologists office said I might need more scans but first she needed to get more info from me and then she would talk to all doctors involved and get back to me today.

Thoughts on this?? I was a bit caught off guard since I thought it was 'go to PT' and we will see you back in 3 months and then I get this call?

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    My immediate thought was that it was just nerve damage from Surgery - here are all sorts of things that can get damaged when they are poking about in there. It is not that long ago that you had Surgery, things do take a while to grow back.

    I would imagine they are just being careful, and try not to get too unduly worried at this point.  

    I haven't had any recon, so I am in a different situation, but it did take some time and a lot of exercise to get my full movement back. 

    Let us know when you hear anything! 

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2010

    have you been on chemo?

    i wouldn't worry.. I would think PT would be the route to recovery.  The oncs need to do their thing you know.. cover all the bases...you just had part of your body cut off and complications are to be expected.

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  • fighting4mykids
    fighting4mykids Member Posts: 69
    edited February 2010

    I did have chemo first then surgery and then radiation after. I was on AC/Taxol. They actually had to dose reduce the last 2 taxol because I was getting serious numbness in toes/feet/fingers. 

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited February 2010

    I had increasing nerve type pain and numbness when I had TEs - all docs pretty much told me it may get better, it may not - try arm circles and arm wall crawls, etc.  But it was not getting better it was getting worse.  I had a drastic improvement when TEs were switched for implants and I have almost no pain now - occasionally I will get a sharp pain in my arm pit and I do get shoulder blade pain if I do too much (but I had that before chemo too  - too much computer time). 

    My right breast (radiated) is firmer but not visably noticible and my range of motion is good but I certainly know it is there!

    Sounds like docs are being over cautious - their jobs! I hope you get relief after TEs are out.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2010

    that taxol can have a lasting effect.

    i find that ginger tea.. a couple inches of finely diced or grated ginger in hot water with honey helps.. it seems to get the blood flowing,   I think I am going back on B6 supplements.

    I've had carpal tunnel issues for years (probably from the percussive piano) and have had a lot of tingling this winter... even reynaud's syndrome.  my doctor yesterday said it was normal and usually resolves.

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  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited February 2010

    Could be lots of things going on here. I am wondering if you are taking an AI since you are er positive. They really mess with your hands. Also I notice you did dd Taxol. I did dd taxotere and learned later that dose densing the taxanes makes for more problems like the ones you describe. I also think like KerryMac there is some nerve damage, but suspect it could be a complex combinations of insults to that side of your body. Take care...

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  • Diana63
    Diana63 Member Posts: 773
    edited February 2010

    I have been having numbness and tingling my PS said its nerves trying to reconnect. He said it may get better or it may just stay this way. Also like the other ladies have said taxol and Tamoxifen can have the same effect. Just let them check you out and don't panic, they are just watching you very closely, and thats a good thing.

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