Hand, wrist & finger pain post treatment

Thanks for all the support and info from you Michelle, Leanne, Tonya, Pink66 and Chris....I would rather not take anti-inflammatories (don't want stomach problems too) so haven't taken any today. Why do we have to go thru things like this when we've been thru so much already - physically and emotionally.....I will definately trying some of the "natural" things you all have suggested. Thanks again....take gentle care, Sandy

Hi Sandy, sounds like you & I have the exactly same symptoms, why don't doctors listen to their patients.  The only reason I thought this was more than just RSI or Carpel Tunnel Syndrome was that I did a Questionnaire with Cancer Council Australia before, during & after treatment.  I have just received the after treatment questionnaire it was asking various questions about returning to work, relationships, day to day stuff & then asked do you have any hand, wrist or shoulder pain.  If so do you think it is related to your cancer treatment?   I thought there has to be more to this so I got on Google & found a plethora of people experiencing the same symptoms as you & I, we are not alone, I am going to make sure the Oncologist hears what I have to say & wont leave until she does.  I wont get blown off again (see the above comment about my GP).  I hope this eventually settles down but until then I am giving the Vitamin B, the Ginger Tea & Fish Oil a crack, I also dont want to be on anti inflammatories for the rest of my life & I dont want to be in pain either,  I have a great Naturopath who I have great confidence in so that will also be my next step if you were in Melbourne I would give you her details.  Let me know how you go when you see the Oncologist &what they had to say.  Leanne

Hi Donna, yes I know what you are saying, I want things back to normal, treatment is finished, I am back working full time but this peripheral neuropathy I get is NOT helping!  I will defintely try the above suggestions I just hope you dont get what I am experiencing but if you do you will know what to try to help.  You would think that with the technology these days they could come up with a better way to treat cancer???? With less side effects.  Good luck with the hormone treatment I hope you can back on track really soon.  Leanne

Hi Tonya, I am not taking any ongoing medications but I did have Taxotere & was injecting myself with Neulasta to boost my white cell count in the 2nd half of chemo which caused god awful joint pain for a few days.  I am due to see the Oncologist soon but would rather try more natural methods first after being bombarded last year with toxic sludge.  Thanks for your support & helpful suggestions I did get Vitamin B & will see how that goes.  I have made an appointment with my Naturopath to see what she thinks I know she has treated many people with cancer of varying forms. 

Thanks Michelle I forgot about ginger being a natural anti inflammatory, I will definitely give it a go.  I lived on ginger beer whilst on chemo as I couldnt drink or tolerate anything else. When I went to my GP he blew me off & just said your ligaments look inflamed, well no shit sherlock & suggested anti inflammatories.  Not much help. Off to the market for giner!

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.

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.

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.

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

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