Its been 13 months since I finished chemo & radiotherapy treatment & in the past 6 - 8 months the pain in my hands & wrists have become quite debilitating - I am not experiencing any pain in my feet, sometimes my hips & knees just ache for no reason causing me to limp badly. I get a tingling/numb/pins & needles feeling in my fingers, loss of power in wrists & grip, I have been getting & swelling around my wrist joints & knuckles. I am losing sleep the pain waking me numerous times during the night I was thinking I had carpel tunnel symdrome or RSI. Has anyone else had symptoms like this? Any suggestions???? I am almost at wits end! Some suggest Vitamin B & Fish oil are good for the nervous system, am living off Neurofen, panadol on good days & bad days Neuofen plus & sometimes Endone.

I finished chemo and rads 12 months ago, and also had tingling and stiff joints. It sounds almost too simple, but I found that slices of freshly cut ginger steeped in boiling water for a few minutes - then add some cold water and green tea and steep a few more - really had amazing effects. Quite a lot of our pink sisters also had good results. I still start the day with it, and my husband found it eased his stiff shoulder. Apparently ginger is a good anti-inflammatory spice and has been used forever as a natural treatment. It can't hurt to try it. Best of luck - hope it works for you - Michelle x

Do you take Femara or Arimadex? I know these drugs can cause terrible joint pains,Also the chemo drug taxotere(docitaxel, taxol) can leave you with the sort of ailments you mention. Vitamin B6 and Magnesium can sometimes help with muscle and nerve pain.But I don't think you should be putting up with that much pain-what does your oncologist think?Tell him if you haven't already.I'm on Tamoxifen and it's sort of tolerable- I get abit of joint pain here and there but it doesn't wake me and I don't need to take anything.Best wishes, Tonya xx

I read your post with dread, 1stly I am so sorry that you are in pain and hope that someone can assist you with a way to manage it. I have just finished my treatments and am about to start hormone suppressents, no idea which one yet but I know they all come with side effects. I suppose I was just hoping that after this amount of time things would settle, I so want my life back and am doing what I can to reclaim it, I just never had constant pain on my agenda for the future. Donna

Yes, Leanne....I know where you're at.....After masectomy, chemo and radiation Sept '12 to Feb '13 and now being on Arimidex since March '13, the last few weeks have been nearly intolerable. I've got trigger finger in the little finger on my right hand, burning sensations in both hands and I can hardly make a fist with both hands, especially my left.......the knuckles are sore and swollen. I saw my oncologist about 2 weeks ago, told him my hands seemed to be getting stiffer and sorer but didn't change any meds for me - see you in 6 months...... After seeing my GP and physio within the next couple of days they both couldn't believe how bad my hands were. My GP started me on an anti-inflammatory but I don't like taking it....doesn't seem to be doing any good anyway. I walk around like an old lady (I know I'm getting there but....) hip and knee pain, yes!!! - getting out of a car, walking for any length of time and stairs in the morning are a no no...........I am presently staying with my daughter and 6yo grand-daughter on the Sunshine Coast - which I should be enjoying but I am in so much discomfort it is taking all the joy out of my trip. I will definately be making an appointment with my oncologist when I get back to Townsville - I can't go on like this..........P.S in the mean time I'm going to try the ginger tea recipe you suggested Michelle...thanks.

Hand, wrist & finger pain post treatment

21 Replies

leanneh
Member
12 years ago
Did you also get Vitamin B to go with the krill oil? Its the Vitamin B that helps to regenerate/maintain the nervous system. Hope you get as much relief from the pain as I have Sandy, fingers & toes crossed (now that I can!) Leanne
sandyst
Member
12 years ago
Have got my fresh ginger and green tea and went to the chemist today and got the krill oil.....here's hoping...Off to the Gold Coast with daughter and G daughter tomoro. Will be taking my pantry with me....Hopefully will be feeling a bit better...will let you know.........Sandy
leanneh
Member
12 years ago
All good still, just have a little tightness when making a fist & some tingling at times but so far, so good. Much better than just a few days ago and I am sleeping thru the night not being woken by pain. I cant believe the difference in such a short period of time!
sandyst
Member
12 years ago
ok....haven't left yet....lol
leanneh
Member
12 years ago
Before you go to the chemist I wrote the wrong thing I got a Mega multi vitamin B complex not just B12 on its own sorry!
leanneh
Member
12 years ago
Before you go to the chemist I wrote the wrong thing I got a Mega multi vitamin B complex not just B12 on its own sorry!
leanneh
Member
12 years ago
It's nice to know there is help & advice available out there thank you girls, lets hope we get to the bottom of this & soon.

I have taken Mega Multi B Vitamin Complex & Wild Krill oil the last couple of days, woke this morning & the pain is markedly reduced, am holding my breath but maybe, just maybe I am onto something! :-) Yippee. Leanne
leanneh
Member
12 years ago
It's nice to know there is help & advice available out there thank you girls, lets hope we get to the bottom of this & soon.

I have taken Mega Multi B Vitamin Complex & Wild Krill oil the last couple of days, woke this morning & the pain is markedly reduced, am holding my breath but maybe, just maybe I am onto something! :-) Yippee. Leanne
sandyst
Member
12 years ago
I'm going straight to the chemist for all of the above.....lol
sandyst
Member
12 years ago
I'm going straight to the chemist for all of the above.....lol