I finished my chemo on jan 22, then had 4 weeks of rads which I’ve just finished. I started getting pains in my hands a couple of weeks after the chemo and they are still really bad, start as tingling then just a really painful burning feeling which stops me sleeping. One onc said it was nothing to do with the cancer or the treatment, another said it was because the veins in my chemo arms had hardened. Has anyone had a constant problem with this type of pain? Is there anything that helps?
Hi Mazg
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Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Mazg, I had exactly the same problem! I noticed during my rads that if I turned my head slightly, my fingers tingled on my left hand and it began to wake me during the night and I definitely recognise the burning sensation! I have been to my GP this afternoon and he confirmed that I have been unlucky enough to trap and fray a nerve because of the way I was laying during rads with arms above my head. I also have some pain at the base of my neck and in my shoulder when it has been particularly bad at night. He has given me a specific exercise to do 3 times a day to stretch the nerve back out and it will mend in a few weeks although could go on for up to 3 months. At least I know what it is now and that I have not done any lasting damage. Perhaps worth going back to your Onc or GP mentioning the rads position as being the possible culprit and not chemo? I hope you get it resolved as it’s certainly painful.