Chemotherapy and “New” Muscle Weakness  

Original Post: I was wondering if you had any info about the metastatic breast cancer drugs: Faslodex (fulvestrant inj.) and Ibrance (palbociclib PO). I have been taking them for 9 months. More recently I have noticed a marked increase in pain and weakness in my legs, arms & back. I saw my post-polio doctor (I have been seeing him for many years). He did muscle strength testing and I have gone from 4 down to 3+ in 5 months. The weakness was so wide spread that he feels it is from the chemo not the polio.

I have numbness in my hands and feet - my finger tips are especially numb. I also have a shaking in my hands when I try to do something, like writing or using the mouse with my computer.

Dr. Bruno’s Response: You need to talk to your oncologist and describe all of your symptoms. You probably need a nerve conduction velocity study to see if the chemo is affecting the covering of your nerves, which likely would be associated with changes in sensation, numbness tingling.

He/She may introduce the possibility of changing the dose, type or timing of the chemo.

Richard L. Bruno, HD, PhD

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