Aches and Pains after Chemo

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plv1973
plv1973 Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had surgery for breast cancer in Oct 2002, immediate reconstruction and 6 months of a/c and taxol. Radiation followed. I did well during the treatment and was glad to finish up and get back to life. All was well until about a month after I finished everything. I was hit with alot of joint pain, which still continues. I feel like a little old lady, however, once I get moving I am fine. Doctor says it is post chemo pain. While I am a patient person, and I am thrilled to have beat this horrible disease, I am also anxious to start feeling normal again. I have a very active lifestyle. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? Thank you! Patti

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  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #2
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    Keep searching for an answer and don't just settle for your docs assessment.
    Do you exercise?
    Also consider if you are on tamoxifen, arimidex or femara, all can cause joint pain.
    Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and have a diet high in fresh fruits and veggies (raw or steamed). Also good idea to not cook in microwave as may destroy vitamins. If steamed use water as stock in cassaroles, that's where the nutrients are highest. Hope this helps. Oh, and no carbonated beverages, carbonic acid makes body acidic.
    God bless.
    hummingbyrd
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #3
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    At least you have a doctor who validates the fact that it is post-chemo pain! Nearly all of us have doctors who say that chemo does not cause joint pain.
    Hugs,
    Denise
  • I_will_survive
    I_will_survive Member Posts: 31
    #4
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    I too am fortunate to have a doctor that acknowledges pain from the chemo. I finished 4 rounds of a/c and 4 of taxotere the end of February and now am almost done with radiation (one week to go!), but I was getting tired of dealing with the pain in the bones and muscles. My doctor suggested physical therapy and acupuncture. I saw a therapist and she prescribed light exercises to do in a warm water pool. I haven't tried that yet, but I have seen an acupuncturist once a week for 3 weeks now and after my first session, the pain in my legs was gone. The aches in my arms and hands still remain, but its not as prominent as it was 3 weeks ago. So, for now, I am a firm believer in acupuncture. Its a bit expensive as my insurance doesn't pick up any of the tab (altho I know some of them do), but I was to the point, I'd try about anything for relief and to me the money is well spent. I'm not to the normal point yet, but I do feel better than I have in 5 months or so!
    Hugs, Joni
  • martyzl
    martyzl Member Posts: 196
    #5
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    Hello Patti!

    I had Epirubicin (a next-generation Adriamycin), Cytoxan and 5FU for 6 months.

    I agree that diet is very, very important.
    There are also many "alternatives" out there to explore.
    In conjunction with a very healthy diet, I used loads of vitamins, herbs, homeopathy and other supplements during and after chemo.
    I started Yoga in conjunction with chemo and still practice once a week. I also walk 30-40 minutes at least 3x a week. During the latter part of my chemo, I could barely walk to the bathroom!
    My aches and joint pains eased up within a year and now, 2yrs after diagnosis, I feel great.

    Does radiation cause aches? Perhaps that is lingering a bit?

    All my best to you and may you find what works for you! I know, it's no fun to feel much older than you are! I remember it well!

    Be well Patti!
    Marty
  • billandpatty
    billandpatty Member Posts: 86
    #6
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    You are fortunate that your doctor validated your aches and pains ... like Dee said, most of our doctors have told us that they never heard of "joints aching" from treatments. I had surgery, A/C and radiation (no tamoxifen) and had pretty severe joint pain -- felt like an "old" 80 year old at 48. It was my primary care physcian that told me to be patient with myself and let my body heal. I also had a bone density scan, had early signs of osteoporosis and was put on Evista for that. About a year+ after my last treatments I started to feel some relief and am now only having trouble with my thumb joints (I'm a 4 year survivor).

    Hope you're knowing that others have gone through this and gotten better helps you on your journey. Take care.

    Patty.
  • Glow
    Glow Member Posts: 41
    #7
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    DeeNY711 said:

    At least you have a doctor who validates the fact that it is post-chemo pain! Nearly all of us have doctors who say that chemo does not cause joint pain.
    Hugs,
    Denise

    Denise...you hit the nail right on the head. If Docs would only validate our pain and angst it would be so much more tolerable. It infuriates me when they give you the impression that you can control this and it has nothing to do with the chemo. Sometimes I really feel that they should have to go a few rounds with chemo before they judge.
  • Debbyann
    Debbyann Member Posts: 1
    #8
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    billandpatty said:

    You are fortunate that your doctor validated your aches and pains ... like Dee said, most of our doctors have told us that they never heard of "joints aching" from treatments. I had surgery, A/C and radiation (no tamoxifen) and had pretty severe joint pain -- felt like an "old" 80 year old at 48. It was my primary care physcian that told me to be patient with myself and let my body heal. I also had a bone density scan, had early signs of osteoporosis and was put on Evista for that. About a year+ after my last treatments I started to feel some relief and am now only having trouble with my thumb joints (I'm a 4 year survivor).

    Hope you're knowing that others have gone through this and gotten better helps you on your journey. Take care.

    Patty.

    I have to thank you all for writting about this! I thought I was being a whimp! After 8 rounds of two kinds of chemo, surgery, re-hosp for a very bad infection, and finally 28 rads treatment I am finally done. I was (am) so looking forward to doing so much that I haven't been able to do....but some mornings I wake up and I barely can move do to the pain! I thought that I shouldn't still be having it since the treatments are done. Thanks for makeing me feel "normal" I find that drastic weather changes really will send me for a loop! And of course I live in NY where if you don't like the weather....wait five minutes and it'll change!!! Thanks again for shareing ... you really helped!
    Debbyann

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