Hand on radiated side keeps falling asleep?

Options
hmmelissa
hmmelissa Member Posts: 25
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi All:

I had a lumpectomy/SNB with a reduction/lift in Apr-13, and finished 3 weeks of radiation in Jul-13.  Over the past month or so, my right hand keeps falling asleep at night - and it seems to be getting progressively worse.   Is this a delayed side effect of radiation?  I've been done for over 6 mos.  Or could it be the SNB?  I can live with it, though it wakes me up through the night, but it's strange and a little scary.  Not to mention I'm going to need radiation to my right side given a new cancer - am i going to be like Gumby on both sides every night?!

Thanks!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited January 2014

    Not certain if this helps, but I have that happen frequently.  If you move your hand when it fall asleep, does it "wake back up?"  It can be due to a carpal tunnel sort of symptom.  Both my hands will do this and I just straighten them out and go back to sleep.  Never bothers me during the day and I have had this for at least a year or two.  Nothing to do with radiation for me as I have yet to have my radiation :)All of us on computers, etc are at risk for this developing in our wrists.   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited January 2014

    mellissa - This is NOT meant to scare you, but you might want to get in and see a PT who is certified in lymphedemea treatment - if for no other reason than to get a baseline. 

    My hand fell asleep more often than usual & I also seem to sleep with it wedged between things (under my belly, between my thighs, etc). Also during the day I would get some of the same type of 'tingling' in a very minor way in my shoulder and hand. I found out I have a very minor case of LD, but it needs to be watched & taken care of so that it doesn't get worse. I wouldn't discount any strange symptoms on your radiated side - they could be absolutely nothing & likely are - but if it is LD, it can be treated easily when caught early.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hmmelissa
    hmmelissa Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2014

    Thank you so much for the replies - I will check into it for sure.  Also - I realized I messed up in my original post - the issue is with my LEFT arm (the side that received radiation last year...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2014

    ziggypop - what's "LD"?  Could you be meaning LE - LymphEdema?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited January 2014

    Oh Kicks - you ALWAYS catch my pea brain mistakes. So glad you do that. Yes, of course, LE. I think my brain was on LD because my brother was talking endlessly about LD flashlights. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2014

    ziggypop - My 'fumble fingers' do lots of 'strange' things at times.

    LD/LED lights - Hubby orders all sorts of 'stuff' on line so I'm never surprized when get a package.  Yesterday, there was a package from  CHINA.  From CHINA (not something made in China and shipped in the States but SHIPPED directly from China) and he didn't give me a 'heads up'!  So as he was out of cell range (not unusual where we live) I left it sitting out in the frigid temps til he could call me.   It did turn out to be a 'head light' that he had ordered to help at work at nights (he's a tow driver)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories