I am 48. Does numbness and tingling indicate breast cancer?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am finishing the last part of my treatment for breast cancer. About a month ago, I started having numbness and tingling in my arms and hands. It wakes me up through the night.

I just recently started working in a grocery store, which is very physically demanding. It leaves me with endless knots in my back, neck, and shoulders. I was rubbing the knots out of my neck tonight, and I got a little dizzy. It went away, but now three of my fingers on my right hand feel numb and painful.

I am wondering if I should go to the emergency room. My oncologist is about two hours away. I am a 48-year-old female. I had a lumpectomy two months ago with a partial node biopsy.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

If you are on a weekly regimen of Paclitaxel chemotherapy, the numb feeling you are experiencing could be a side effect of the treatment. Kindly inform us if you are undergoing any other chemotherapy as well. If the numbness significantly affects your daily life, I recommend considering Pregabalin to alleviate the discomfort.

Additionally, it is essential to bring this symptom to the attention of your oncologist, as we may need to adjust the medication or discontinue it if the severity surpasses a certain grade.

Vitamin B12 supplementation is suggested to address potential deficiencies. While some of these side effects may only be partially reversible, it is crucial not to neglect them and prioritize appropriate management with your healthcare team.

I hope this helps.

Feel free to reach out in case of any further queries.

Thank you.