Pins & Needles in hand

Hi,

I have finished EC-T chemo the end of July & radiotherapy in August, during this time I had a tiny bit of pins & needles in my right foot but nothing to shout about. I am on tamoxifen & also monthly zoladex injections (this month I move onto the 3 month injection).

I’ve now had my 1st Zoledronic acid infusion a month ago & finished the Vitamin D tablets on Wednesday & since then I have experienced pins & needles in my hands (its mostly my left hand which is the side chemo was given in & I have cording off my veins now), the pins & needles are worse during the night & have woke me up a few times last night, there is no pain just the pins & needles sensation, but strangely the pins & needles have disappeared from my foot.

I have also started a phased return to work (I work in a bar) I am working Monday & Friday & I am concerned that this will effect my ability to work.

Is this a side effect from the infusion ??
Should I be concerned about this ??
Is there anything that can help with this ??

Has anyone else experienced this ?

Thanks Laura

Re the pins and needles keep an eye on this, maybe consult getting a referral from your doctor to orthotics and get shoe insert for being on your feet all day.
I regularly massage my hands and feet and apply E45 or softening cream to avoid any negativity or further numbness.
The symptons on the same side as chemo are normal, but i also use magnetic therapy, you can buy wrist band, or a booster pack, i’m lucky because i borrow the magnetic band used for horses. Try and get a Vitamin D3 with 5000 iu, higher than you get prescribed. I also use Cacium magnesium tablets, they need to be a ratio of 2:1 and work in balance with each other. If in the UK Look up Hellenia for quality supplies.
i’ve had to crtail Zolendric infusions due to awaiting further surgery Tooth out done, now waiting on shoulder impingement surgery.
I do have another friend that warned me against because her teeth fell out, but she had Chrons which might have influenced her case.
Its always worth looking back at previous entries by those like myself who have been through chemo and radiotherapy and are 2 years down the line, i found much useful information by looking at those who started 6 to 12 months before me ie september starter me and march starters had the answers i needed.
Good luck, you are doing well addressing this forum, but check out Macmillans as well. Love and light
Moonsox xxx

1 Like

Thank you. I will look into all off this xx

Hi Laura

Thanks for posting on our forum

We hope to be able to respond to you tomorrow.

In the meantime our helpline is open from 9am tomorrow.

If you do phone our helpline please let us know that you have asked a question on our forum so that we know your query has been answered. Thank you

With best wishes.

Lisa

Ask Our Nurses service co-ordinator

Please read the disclaimer Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy

Hi ivegotthis01

Thank you for your post.

It is understandable you are asking what is the cause of the pins and needles you are experiencing in your hands, you also mention you have noticed some other changes in your veins since your zoledronic acid infusion for primary breast cancer . It sounds like a difficult time for you at the moment as the pins and needles are affecting your sleep as well. It makes sense you have some concerns as you are now back at work following treatment and are wondering whether these symptoms will affect your work. It is difficult to say what the symptoms are you are experiencing and whether they are due to the intravenous infusion you recently had or other treatments. It would be best to contact your breast care nurse and talk it through with them and ask for advice.

Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen to how you are feeling.

You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0800 138 6551 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org, so they can then match you to your volunteer.

For many people, it’s not always ‘back to normal’ when they finish hospital treatment for primary breast cancer. For some, it can mean leaving behind the routine and support they’ve become used to. Adapting to life after treatment can be difficult and often the need for information and support continues. Coping with the shock of a diagnosis, treatment and side effects, and worries about recurrence can make it difficult to readjust to everyday life again.

You may be interested in our Moving Forward resources that are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment within the last 2 years. They include our Moving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses.

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.

If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. To do this, please complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.

Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am - 1pm on Saturday.

Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.

Best wishes

Helen

Breast Care Nurse

Please read the disclaimer
Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy

As we are unable to monitor for further replies, this thread will now be closed. If you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback, please start a new thread, call our helpline, email us or request a call back.