One more thing, arthritis!

cekramer
cekramer Member Posts: 33
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hey, has anyone in their 30's had to deal with terrible arthritis from treatment? Having lots of pain in hands, fingers, wrists, ankles, some leg pain. My doc said it's post-chemo rheumatism, I guess after taxotere. Never had after Taxol.

THanks!

Comments

  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    I was diagnosed with Rhumatoid Arthritis when I was 39, and breast cancer at 41. My arthritis went into remission with chemo, but as soon as it ended it came back with a vengence. I went back on my medications for it within three weeks of being off chemo. See a rhumatologist and get some relief from your pain, there are many drugs out there to control it.

    Terry
  • marbleslab
    marbleslab Member Posts: 24
    I'm 54, but I have developed arthritis in my left wrist and right middle finger. Since I'm already taking Celebrex for joint pain because of the Arimidex that I take, my onc wanted me to go to my hand surgeon (doc who did my carpal tunnel surgery). He said it was not rheumatoid arthritis and that the only thing he could do is give me cortisone injections. I elected not to do that yet. The pain is not bad enough for me to want to get injections. Anyone else out there who has developed arthritis after chemo? What are some medications that you take?
    Marla
  • I_will_survive
    I_will_survive Member Posts: 31

    I'm 54, but I have developed arthritis in my left wrist and right middle finger. Since I'm already taking Celebrex for joint pain because of the Arimidex that I take, my onc wanted me to go to my hand surgeon (doc who did my carpal tunnel surgery). He said it was not rheumatoid arthritis and that the only thing he could do is give me cortisone injections. I elected not to do that yet. The pain is not bad enough for me to want to get injections. Anyone else out there who has developed arthritis after chemo? What are some medications that you take?
    Marla

    I had four rounds of a/c and 4 of taxotere. I read the side effects of the taxotere and one of them is bone pain, which I still have. My last chemo was Feb. 26th. I had the bone pain starting the 2nd treatment of taxotere, but it wasn't until after I was done with chemo and told my onco again that I was living off Vicadin that he suggested I see someone for acupuncture and physical therapy. I did the acupuncture and after the 1st treatment the pain in my legs disappeared. Its taken longer for the pain in my arms and hands to subside, but now at least it is liveable and I take the Vicadin only occasionally. Don't know if this helps you ladies out or not, but that's what I've experienced. Oh, I also take B-6, not sure how much its helping but figure it can't hurt and it was a vitamin recommended by the oncologist too.
    Joni
  • mc2001
    mc2001 Member Posts: 343
    Hi there,
    Michael here. I never had breast cancer. I had leukemia. And I had much bone pain during and after treatment. my joints hurt, and I had terrible muscle aches. I used to take tylenol and when the pain got real bad I took Darvocet. But it went away... thank goodness. How long has this pain lasted? Does in debilitate your normal living? Make sure your doctor knows exactly how you feel. Many people have pain and aches.... but if you are in terrible pain... let your Dr know. God bless.
    -Michael :)
  • isaiah4031
    isaiah4031 Member Posts: 240
    I only had 3 treatments of a/c and now am on Tamoxifen. I am 48 and have had terrible joint pains since chemo. I feel very old and feeble and I have been told it's related to the meds, so I guess it'll be with me for awhile. I've been on glucosamine and chondratin and it's helped a bit. Hope you find relief!
    Hugs, Jayne
  • michelle1125
    michelle1125 Member Posts: 13
    I also had 4 rounds of taxotere and my last treatment was May 5th. I can hardly get out of bed in the morning. I was told this was temporary, but it only seems to get worse. I'm 33 and feel like I'm 80, so I know how you feel. So, is this a life long thing? I've completed chemo and am not on any medication besides tylenol 3.