Question for chemo grads

Glad to be done
Glad to be done Member Posts: 569
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I finished my chemo 1 month ago today. I am doing very well and have gotten alot of my energy back. When I am tired I rest but I have noticed I don't need naps anymore...

I have also noticed that my legs hurt once in a while. I have a mild case of neuropathy in my feet only. The left is worse than the right. I have noticed when I do alot of walking that by night time my feet ache. Sometimes the pain goes into my legs.

Being my first time out of chemo I was just wondering - Are the aches and pains I feel occasionly (legs, arms, etc.) normal? I find myself thinking "oh god the cancer is still there" when I am fairly certain it is not. My doc is not concerned. She said at my last appt. she is not expecting anything on my scan. My bloodwork says it all. It has been normal all throughout chemo. I started chemo with a CA level of 19 (It was high 200's) right before surgery. Second treatment showed CA at 13. 3rd treatment was 12 and then down to 10 for the remainder and as of last week it is at 10 still.

I am probably just driving myself crazy. I figured you guys would be able to help.....

Thank you for any advice you can give.....

Comments

  • kansasgal
    kansasgal Member Posts: 122 Member
    #2
    Peripheral Neuropathy
    My peripheral neuropathy actually peaked two or three months AFTER my chemo ended. I was quite surprised! Almost three years later, I still have a slight bit. I guess that will stay with me.

    Be well!

    Sally
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #3
    See how it goes
    I had a lot of pains after I completed chemo. My knees hurt so bad that it was really hard to stand up from sitting. I later learned that I had developed autoimmune conditions. From the complaints I hear from women post chemo, I think chemo can trigger these conditions. It may just be side effects, or you may have developed something new. Only time will tell.
  • Sara2011
    Sara2011 Member Posts: 78 Member
    #4
    Feet and Knee Pain
    I too, about 1-2 months post chemo (chemo ended in mid Feb), started having painful feet and knees. I go back to see the oncologist in a couple of weeks and want to address this issue, because it is not getting better. I have chosen to get going and exercise...riding a bike, stair climbing and treadmill...I probably keep whatever is going on stirred up, but I just want to keep moving and not give up. It's possible with time some of your issues will dissipate...let's hope so! I have read posts from many women who complain about the same thing post chemo.
  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #5
    Remember it has just been a month since stopping chemo. Your body is still in repair mode and your bone marrow is trying to get your cell lines back in order. So some aching is still possible even with out continued chemo. It should get better with time!! Kim
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #6
    Sara2011 said:

    Feet and Knee Pain
    I too, about 1-2 months post chemo (chemo ended in mid Feb), started having painful feet and knees. I go back to see the oncologist in a couple of weeks and want to address this issue, because it is not getting better. I have chosen to get going and exercise...riding a bike, stair climbing and treadmill...I probably keep whatever is going on stirred up, but I just want to keep moving and not give up. It's possible with time some of your issues will dissipate...let's hope so! I have read posts from many women who complain about the same thing post chemo.

    I had last chemo
    in September of 2010. I had pain in my arms and legs for the better part of a year. It killed my knees when I went to the bathroom. I went through the Living Strong/Living Well program and I think the strength training I did really helped. The aches and pains I have now are ones I already had before I was diagnosed.

    I never had much of a problem with nueropathy but I still feel a very minimal numbness in my fingers and toes.

    It does get better.


    Karen

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