Is this neuropathy?
I completed AC/T (dose dense) on 5/6/16. During that time, I felt only mild, intermittent tingling in maybe two toes and none that I recall in my hands. Then I underwent 3 weeks of radiation and it didn't seem to change (Not sure it would anyway). My biggest complaint in that regard was a sensation that I had on really thick socks, all the time. In the last few weeks though, things have gotten way worse, and I am not sure why. Other than getting my strength back and becoming more active, I don't think I have done anything to injure or increase the pain I am having in my hands. Every night and sometimes during the day as well, my hands fall asleep so severely that it hurts. At first, I thought it was from laying on my side, laying on my hand, but most of the time now I find myself waking on my back and both hands are stiff and numb. Now I have arthritis like pain in both hands and forearms too constantly. I started taking Tamoxifen in late July. Could that be the cause? And is it neuropathy or something else? I see my MO in a week, but they want to rule out a brain tumor first because of the severe headache I've had for over a month so I am just trying to see what else it hopefully could be to ease my mind and maybe find treatment options other than medications if possible.
Comments
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This thread regarding Tamoxifen may answer many of your questions. I cannot speak from experience because I was too afraid of the side effects to take it or AIs.
Here are women who have experience with Tamoxifen; hope this helps:
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I had this too. I had neuropathy in my fingers on my fingertips on both hands, it was worse during chemo and got better after, but it took some time. Now 2.5 years out from chemo (I did Taxotere/Cytoxan, 4 treatments) and I don't have that issue anymore. I also would experience some numbness when I was sleeping and when I would wake up, it freaked me out. I don't have that anymore either, but I DO have joint pain from the Tamoxifen in my legs, ankles and feet - joint pain is one of the prominent side effects of the Tamoxifen, and other AI's. I've been on Tamox for 2.5 years and it has become worse it seems. My onc says low estrogen levels can cause joint pain, since I'm in chemopause still, my estrogen levels have been low and my onc is going through menopause right now and says she is having very bad joint pain/stiffness too, so this is why she can relate to the low estrogen/joint pain, but she is not on Tamox or AI's, etc. When I sit and go to get up, my legs are stiff until I walk a few steps and get warmed up. It's crazy, but one of the many things we have to learn to live with in this journey. I would avoid sleeping on your arm/hands, etc. It could be circulation issue? Definitely ask your onc at your upcoming visit and report back.
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I have had diabetes for over 25 years, and that is a good description of the symptoms, numbness between tow fingers or toes, usually in middle of hand or foot, progresses to continuous feeling of numbness in hands, and feeling of hot cheese grater scraping feet. one help for feet is palmers cocoa butter cream. numb hands kept me from finding my lump till stage 4, when it hurt. Guys get breast cancer too.
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