Painful/stiff hands and feet post chemo

I have Peripheral Neuropathy, the only tests given to me by the Oncologist were trying to pick up things off the desks, which I failed miserably and they also got me to close my eyes while standing up and I almost fell over.
  
I stopped chemo four weeks ago due to the sudden and extreme onset of my symptoms.  I got through four AC and then six weekly Paclitaxol before this happened.
 
My symptoms included:

- numbness in all fingers, toes, palms and soles of my feet even up my right leg,
- I had no tingling or pins and needles but I did have alternate burning or cold sensations, and bad cramps. 
- excrutiating pain (like arthritis ) in my hands and feet
- a burning pain in my right hip, stabbing pains in my right underarm
- I could not close my eyes while standing or I'd fall over

The Oncologist told me it's different for everyone.  I have been doing exercises for my hands and feet, they were given to me by the hospital physio and they have helped.

The GOOD news is that when I woke up today my hands feel almost normal, the numbness has almost gone and they are not painful, so hang in there.  You are so brave going back to work :)

@Blossom1961 did you have any tests to show you have peripheral neuropathy, do they even do tests? 

@Silba all the best with starting back at work. You are so very right i feel very stuffed up since chemo but I'm still here!

Hi Trussy

I have finished my chemo Sept 2018 and still have trouble with my hands and feet, I'm on Tamoxifen and Xgeva , Onc says side effects from Chemo can last up to 2 years or longer , to keep exercising .

Best answer I can share, what keeps us alive stuffs everything else up.

I start back at work in a week , so I'm concern how I am going to cope too since my job is standing all day .......

Best of luck 

I have peripheral neuropathy but have no numbness at all. Just painful, stiff legs, ankles, feet, wrists and hands. Occasionally the arms. 

What @zoffiel says about exercise is a good idea.  It does help.  If you can, try to find some sort of oncolgy rehab class (Encore from YWCA is a free one if it's available near you).  If you can't find one, then an exercise physiologist who specialises in bc - you can get a referral on a plan from your GP.  At the very least it will set you up with some good exercises to go on with.

Taxol is really hard on your ligaments. Lots of us have had similar foot and hand issues that can't be described as neuropathy. Some win the major prize and get both. It's really sucky but mine improved very, very slowly. 
I ended up going to a podiatrist who, predictably, wanted me to buy orthotics. They weren't helpful--$260 for inner soles? Really?
In despair I went and saw a different podiatrist who, predictably, told me the orthotics  werent the right ones and wanted to sell me another pair. No.  She did give me some basic exercises which helped. Really simple stuff, hang onto a chair and raise yourself up onto your toes. Do it in sets of 10 when ever you think of it. Stand on one leg and balance.
I don't know if that's what turned my issues around or if it was just a matter of time, but it's worth a go. Mxx

Yes..I'm currently on Tamoxifen and Zoladex but these pains were present before commencing but i guess its hard to know for sure.

I'm sorry to hear you're having this trouble. I've just finished typing on another thread that my hands have never really recovered from chemo. Though now Letrozole is affecting them as well.

Initially I had no trouble with my feet but in the last few months my big toe joints in particular have been quite painful, sometimes making it difficult to walk. But I put this down to the AI.

Chemo is strong stuff. My oncologist said I'd be back to 60 - 70% three months after, and back to 100% after a year. Many people I've spoken to who have actually had it say it's more like two - three years. Give yourself time.

You can also try some of the complimentary medicines. I'm currently giving acupuncture a try. Hang in there, K xox

Are you taking any hormone treatments?  I have very stiff/painful hands and feet and I’m on Exemestane and Zoladex.