Numb toes...creeping up foot....

[Montana]

I finished 4 dd A/C back in March '05 (almost 2 years ago). I'm on Arimidex since June '05 and didn't have Herceptin. In the last couple of months, my right foot started itching terribly on the insole, then the big toe went numb. Now the toes are all numb and the left foot toes are getting numb -- actually it feels like someone is squeezing my toes really hard. Is this neuropathy and has anyone else had this from Arimidex?

Thanks so much...

Sue

[AlaskaAngel]

Hello fellow member of our lost regiment of HER2's. I am posting primarily to keep this toward the top in case someone who had both a taxane and Arimidex can comment, but of all the posts I've read I have not seen any comments about this being due to Arimidex. It is more likely something from the taxane but if you happen to be diabetic and don't know it, that too could be a reason for it. Best see your docs about it, Montana...

A.A.

[mts]

Are you having any "twitching" in the muscles following the path of your numbness...?

Sometimes a "pinched" spinal nerve can cause your symptoms too.

Either way, get to see the doc to figure it out! Keep us posted.

Maria (MTS)

[Jackie]

I have neuropathy in my feet and lower legs. My was from taking Taxotere. I am on Tamoxifen not Arimedix.

[Montana]

Thanks all for your comments. I didn't have a taxane, just the A/C. No muscle twitching, just the itching and numbness. My father has Type II diabetes so I hope that's not it! Some days I feel like a hypochondriac.

"fellow member of our lost regiment of HER2's"

Sue

[heblaj01]

Sue,
You probably have not to worry about diabetic neuropathy: it normally affects both feet equally which is not your case.
If it is not the result from previous chemo, there is the possibility of a fungus infection which sometimes gets complicated with a bacterial infection if there are small skin breaks where the bugs can penetrate (Never walk barefeet in a hospital even to go on a weight scale).
A neurologist can determine if you have neuropathy & your family MD can visually diagnosticate a fungus infection & prescribe topical (such as Nystatin) or sytemic treatments (such as Diflucan).This MD or an infection specialist can prescribe a swab culture of skin particles to find out if there is a bacterial infection & which antibiotic is best to cure it.

In the case of a chemo induced neuropathy some members of the Forum have reported good improvement after taking Cymbalta or neurocontin.

[AlaskaAngel]

Hi Montana. Just want to check in with you and see if the problem is continuing or not?

AlaskaAngel

[Montana]

Thanks for asking, AA. The toes and balls of feet get progressively more numb with a tingling/squeezing sensation as the day goes on. I have an appointment tomorrow a.m. with my PCP. I'm hoping it's something relatively simple ~ will let you know.

[Bev]

Hi Sue,

My toes have been feeling weird, well after finishing AC and TH. I have this urge to keep curling them downward. If I flex my foot to put on a shoe I get spasms where all my toes point out. I try not to do that.

I have read articles that say the muscle on the bottom of your foot can go bad independent of BC. A function of getting old. BB