Hand numbness at night using Femara?

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gailpet
gailpet Member Posts: 20
edited March 2017 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I just started Femara a couple of weeks ago after having my ovaries removed in late December to put me into menopause. I have noticed that over the past few weeks, nearly every night, my hands fall asleep when I am sleeping. This isn't something I've had issues with in the past. I did a Google search and sounds like hand numbness is a menopause symptom and maybe on some of the AI? Just wondering if anyone has had this happen themselves? I don't know what I can do about it but may call my oncologist as I don't have my next appointment with her for another 2 months and don't know if it is a major issue or just an annoyance? Thanks for any feedback!

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  • Laniem
    Laniem Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2017

    I am experiencing the exact same thing. I had my ovaries out in mid November and I'm on Femara (Letrozole) too. I wake up several times a night with my hands numb. It really interferes with my quality of sleep. I have an appointment with my oncologist today and will ask her about this...it's so annoying.

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2017

    I had that on Femara and started wearing a wrist splint at night based on advice from these boards. Seems like those nerves just need a break. It helped a lot. I'm no longer on Femara but I still wear the brace. It just feels better. Best wishes.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited March 2017

    I have been on Arimidex for just over 4 years.  The first 2 years, my hands would constantly be falling asleep at night.

    Several people on these boards had the same thing happening, so I don't even think I told my MO about it. 

    All of a sudden it got better and it rarely happens now. 

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  • Laniem
    Laniem Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2017

    OK, so I went to my oncology appointment today. Everything was fine, but I did tell her about the numbness in my hands and how it wakes me up at night. She said this isn't a side effect of Letrozole. Strange because I'm hearing different things here. She is concerned that it could be something neurological. She asked me if I had neck pain, and I said no. She's going to speak to her neurologist friend to see if he recommends a EMG or an MRI of my neck. Now I'm a little worried.

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  • AmyBeader
    AmyBeader Member Posts: 90
    edited March 2017

    I started on Aromasin, and lasted 5 months until the bone and joint pain was unbearable. When I switched to Arimidex I started having more intense hot flashes and problems with numbness in both hands every night! I thought it was due to my sleeping position. It will be interesting to hear what your doctor says.

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  • Luckynumber47
    Luckynumber47 Member Posts: 397
    edited March 2017

    I've had numbness in my right hand for 10 years. Although I've never gone to the dr for it I'm pretty sure it's carpel tunnel. Wearing a brace at night when it flares up makes a big difference. Springtime is the worst for me because I spend so much time gardening/weeding. It's murder on the wrists. For some reason having a softer bed helps too. I have a memory foam pad on the bed.

    Don't let your dr scare you. I'm sure it's nothing.

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  • starwoman
    starwoman Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2017

    I experienced intermittent hand numbness while sleeping in the first year on anastrozole (arimidex) - on it 3 years now and this SE disappeared after the first year. I had never experienced it before, including during natural menopause.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited March 2017

    I get it all the time, and have for years--I have c-spine OA, sleep on too many pillows, and like to tuck one arm beneath my pillow. Only thing that's worsened is right shoulder pain referred from the cervical radiculopathy, and that goes away if I lie still in the right position for awhile. I know it's my neck because I get shoulder pain and hand tingling when I tilt my head to the right.

    Nobody said aging would be easy, and shutting down the auxiliary estrogen factories accelerates it. C'est la vie.

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  • gailpet
    gailpet Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2017

    Laniem -- interesting how they said it isn't a side effect from Letrozole -- I was looking online and it does list hand numbness as a possible side effect! My oncologist's office told me the same thing that it wasn't due to the Letrozole. I'm not convinced! And now I am starting to feel that my fingers and toes are cold now too -- I've never had that issue before??? I did start on a new blood pressure medicine in the past week too so not sure if that's an issue from that or related to the numbness? I just know I've never had issues with either before. I have my next MO appointment in a month. Hoping I can hold out until then to find out but may have to call the nurse's line again???

    And holy hot flashes -- ugh! :(

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