tendonitis?

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sumomo
sumomo Member Posts: 49
edited February 2019 in Lymphedema

I have a tendonitis-like symptom in my arm, wrist to thumb. I hope it's not Lymphedema. Not sure if this kind of pain is an after-effect of chemo, or side effect of Tamoxifen, or early symptom of Lymphedema, or maybe just an ordinary tendonitis. Does anyone experience the same?

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited January 2019

    I had a couple runs of that, forearm (unaffected side) and outside of wrist (affected side). I fully believe the tamoxifen has made my body more susceptible to injury, so since these incidents I try to be super careful with everything I do. The tendinitis on my affected side eventually went away with rest but I was in touch with my lymphedema person about it.

    Hope you feel better soon!!

  • Amyreds
    Amyreds Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2019

    It didn't even occur to me that this could be a possibility why my hand, wrist ,and elbow have been hurting. My hand feels difficult to squeeze into a fist. Feels like swelling, but there is no appearance of swelling. I work in a pizza shop and constantly injuring that hand. I was tested for rheumatoid factors and was negative. 3 nodes removed from that side 2 years ago, as well as bilateral mastectomy. Who do I go to in order to follow up?

  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited January 2019

    Do you mean to get evaluated for lymphedema? I would think any of your medical team could write the order and send you. My surgeon did it for me. Or...you could reach out to a local lymphedema therapist...they might obtain the order for you over the phone. Maybe, not sure.

  • KayaRose
    KayaRose Member Posts: 183
    edited January 2019

    sumomo, if you're still reading this, I had the exact problem. I saw my orthopedic surgeon since it lasted over a month and showed no signs of improving. I was told it is a form of tendinitis called de Quervain. It's usually caused by repetitive motions but that would not be the cause of mine. He said it is likely a side effect from the AI I'm taking, anastrozole.

    I've been wearing a wrist brace that stabilizes the thumb. It's helped but it hasn't gone away completely. It is much better with the brace on. The only other option is a surgical procedure. I've had enough of those so I'll keep wearing the brace and hope for the best

    Hope this helps.

    Kay

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited January 2019

    welcome all. go check out site called stepup-speakout.org a website our girls here made. Very good informative site for lymphedema educatio

  • sumomo
    sumomo Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2019

    Thank you very much, everyone, for your comments. My wrist is better now, without any special treatment but with some rest. The pain sometimes comes back, sometimes gone. At least, my doctor confirmed I had no sign of lymphedema.

  • MCBaker
    MCBaker Member Posts: 1,555
    edited February 2019

    Kaya, I have had de Quervain's several times. I quilt, and I had to quit crocheting, although knitting is a good backup.

    There are two other treatments available, other than NASIDS. A cortisone shot will take care of it quickly, although with that kind of pain, if you will have to wait for an orthopedist any significant amount of time, your occupational therapist can get a prescription from your PCP for a cortisone patch. DO NOT get the strongest one-- cortisone jitters without immediate relief.

    Make sure to regularly touch the tip of your thumb to the base of your little finger, and back of of whatever you are doing if there is any sensation of a re-occurrence. The longer you go without a re-orrurrance, the less likely you will have another.

  • codeyee
    codeyee Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2019

    I also have pain/minor swelling in my hand (middle finger and ring finger mostly impacted). It is on my surgery/radiation side. I take tamoxifen. I have not had radiation treatment since the end of September. The pain seems to be getting worse. Should I go see a doctor? I am going in March -- is it worth an appointment or call before that?


  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited February 2019

    I crochet too and have to be super careful to not overdo it or I will get tendon pain or scar tissue aching, but discovered that loom knitting doesn't bother any body part at all!!

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