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Left hand muscle fatigue after 4 years of TNBC treatment

Posted by SABITHA @sabithamayo, Jun 18 12:22am

I had TNBC treated with left breast lumpectomy/chemo/radiation and auxiliary lymph node removed in 2019 ...now a days frequently i am experiencing muscle fatigue and pain in left full hand..Earlier it used to go away in some home remedies , but nowadays it is causing full time trouble to me..There is no visible swelling anywhere.Does any one have the same issues.. is there any preventive measures

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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Jun 18 8:00pm

Maybe peripheral neuropathy? It seems it can show up a very long time after chemotherapy. Damage to the nerves that enervate the muscles can cause weakness. The pain may be from the nerve.
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2017/peripheral-neuropathy-chemotherapy-breast-cancer

But there may be other reasons you’re having those symptoms. Overuse can sometimes make the tendons or fascia hurt and limit motion. Other things to consider: a pinched nerve, carpal tunnel syndrome. Or, peripheral neuropathy from other causes like metabolic or disease (although these would probably cause problems in both arms not just one).

When I have issues my survivorship provider always wants me to check with my regular PCP or GP first to rule out everyday health issues before going to the cancer center. You may want to check with your doctor to find out who they want you to go see. There’s a whole group of people on here discussing peripheral neuropathy- they might have something helpful.

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1 reply
SABITHA | @sabithamayo | Jun 18 9:42pm
In reply to @triciaot "Maybe peripheral neuropathy? It seems it can show up a very long time after chemotherapy. Damage..." + (show)
@triciaot

Maybe peripheral neuropathy? It seems it can show up a very long time after chemotherapy. Damage to the nerves that enervate the muscles can cause weakness. The pain may be from the nerve.
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2017/peripheral-neuropathy-chemotherapy-breast-cancer

But there may be other reasons you’re having those symptoms. Overuse can sometimes make the tendons or fascia hurt and limit motion. Other things to consider: a pinched nerve, carpal tunnel syndrome. Or, peripheral neuropathy from other causes like metabolic or disease (although these would probably cause problems in both arms not just one).

When I have issues my survivorship provider always wants me to check with my regular PCP or GP first to rule out everyday health issues before going to the cancer center. You may want to check with your doctor to find out who they want you to go see. There’s a whole group of people on here discussing peripheral neuropathy- they might have something helpful.

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Thank you for the valuable feedback

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seathink | @seathink | 6 days ago

After checking out the causes above (hopefully pinched nerve, etc) please get some MRIs or nerve tests done to make sure it's not tied to your radiation. It's very rare, but can still happen.

I had radiation for TNBC in 2021 on the right and subsequently got radiation induced brachial plexus neuropathy on my right hand and arm - definitely get it checked out, if it's from the radiation it will progress, and you want to get started on treating it.

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