joint pains?

dorion
dorion Member Posts: 183
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello ladies, good to be back again. For those of you who know me, I've been doing pretty good. My last chemo was in July, although the cancer is still there, it's not doing anything, as he puts it "they're just winking at us". I go back Feb. 5th for my third ct check up. Weight gain, oh boy! I don't really recognise myself anymore, I've gained 30 lbs. But the doctor isn't concerned, I wouldn't even know if I was bloated, I'm too fat! LOL However the concern I have is the constant nagging joint pains, especially in my hands and right elbow, it's so painful, then I have back problems etc.....is this normal, has any of you ladies suffered from all these joint pains. I started to get a little scared yesterday because I'm feeling those familiar pains in my stomach, but won't dwell on it til my next ct scan. Also, my last ct result he said that there is some "streaking" image showing in my lower abdomen, what the heck? He didn't seem so concerned, however I've been getting cramps.

Linda

Comments

  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    Dorion
    Congrats on having a good check up and time off chemo. It's really important to allow the body to gain strength after surgery and chemo. My Onc told me that he did not believe the oain was from any ovca side effects. He sent me to a pain manangement DR. There they did a buncg of tests and treatments to try to help the pain but nothing helped me. However they give me Percocet while they waited for the results from all the tests. The pain was caused by ovca,but not active ovca. While the disease ate it's way through my insides it also damaged and crushed many nerve endings. There is nothing to be done for that... so I'm on permenent percocet and ms contin. I would talk to your Onc and ask about the pain again and also the other question you had about streaking. Not sure what that is!! Good luck on your next visit.
  • dorion
    dorion Member Posts: 183
    floridajo said:

    Dorion
    Congrats on having a good check up and time off chemo. It's really important to allow the body to gain strength after surgery and chemo. My Onc told me that he did not believe the oain was from any ovca side effects. He sent me to a pain manangement DR. There they did a buncg of tests and treatments to try to help the pain but nothing helped me. However they give me Percocet while they waited for the results from all the tests. The pain was caused by ovca,but not active ovca. While the disease ate it's way through my insides it also damaged and crushed many nerve endings. There is nothing to be done for that... so I'm on permenent percocet and ms contin. I would talk to your Onc and ask about the pain again and also the other question you had about streaking. Not sure what that is!! Good luck on your next visit.

    Thanks for your input and
    Thanks for your input and well wishes...yes I have an appointment on Monday to follow up on all the blood work they took, my god they took more blood to check for this pain then for the cancer...lol....so we'll see what he says, I'll let you know. Yes I need more pain meds because the pain in my elbow really makes me angry, it's very difficult to reach and just have my day to day chores not cause me discomfort. I'll keep you posted.. thanks again for your feedback.
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    Hello
    Yes, me too! I have gained about 30 lbs too! Out grown all my clothes and now go to only elastic waist stuff. Guess you have been reading that we all are suffering from joint pain in one joint or another. Now mine is in left hip and right shoulder in spite of taking an arthritis anti inflamation pill. I also have periodic abdominal pain but so far the CT is clear. I have another one next month. My oncologist reminded me that the major debulking surgery I had left lots of scar tissue and adhesions and that these do hurt now and then. Add to that the previous appedectomy and gall bladder excision no wonder i have some pain now and then. Love your smile... Saundra
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    Pain
    Yes, we all seem to suffer from "the pain". I have lower back pain about every day. Had pain down my left arm along bone. Have shoulder pain, knee pain, etc. Had total body bone scan. Been told my problem is skeletal/muscular. Take tylenol. I believe it is from chemo, as I never had these joint pains in these areas before.

    The left arm had hurt so bad there for awhile that I could not put pressure on it to get up. It has since subsided. I have talked to other women who have had other cancers and have been in remission for several years and all of their pains have stopped over time.

    Maybe for us it will, too??

    In His Grip,
    Libby
  • dorion
    dorion Member Posts: 183
    LPack said:

    Pain
    Yes, we all seem to suffer from "the pain". I have lower back pain about every day. Had pain down my left arm along bone. Have shoulder pain, knee pain, etc. Had total body bone scan. Been told my problem is skeletal/muscular. Take tylenol. I believe it is from chemo, as I never had these joint pains in these areas before.

    The left arm had hurt so bad there for awhile that I could not put pressure on it to get up. It has since subsided. I have talked to other women who have had other cancers and have been in remission for several years and all of their pains have stopped over time.

    Maybe for us it will, too??

    In His Grip,
    Libby

    Denial
    Hello Ladies
    Well I'm blown away! There has to be something to this whole joint pain issue and what amazes me is that the doctors are in total denial. My oncologist claims that he's never heard of any patients complaining of our symptoms, at least not after chemo, certainly during. They know more than they are letting on and that scares me more than the pain. I've heard the same that within the year these pains will subside. My elbow is the most painful, I can't even grab things out of the fridge or open a bottle of soda without cringing in pain. Well I go and see him tomorrow and do some more complaining I guess. Thanks for all your feedback, much appreciate it. Hugs to all of you!
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231
    dorion said:

    Denial
    Hello Ladies
    Well I'm blown away! There has to be something to this whole joint pain issue and what amazes me is that the doctors are in total denial. My oncologist claims that he's never heard of any patients complaining of our symptoms, at least not after chemo, certainly during. They know more than they are letting on and that scares me more than the pain. I've heard the same that within the year these pains will subside. My elbow is the most painful, I can't even grab things out of the fridge or open a bottle of soda without cringing in pain. Well I go and see him tomorrow and do some more complaining I guess. Thanks for all your feedback, much appreciate it. Hugs to all of you!

    Pains
    I just read this article in the CURE Magazine.....here is part of it.
    "Diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 1997, Pam Cofer, now 54, developed arthritic nodules in her hands within six months of completing chemotherapy. She also underwent four back surgeries and a hip replacement because of arthritis during 2005 and 2006, and in 2008."
    I have been having pain in my left shoulder to the point I can't reach up or out....Dr says it could be arthritis...take tylenol. i think you are right there is something to this joint pain. You sure have pretty smile
    ~JoanC
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    JoanC said:

    Pains
    I just read this article in the CURE Magazine.....here is part of it.
    "Diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 1997, Pam Cofer, now 54, developed arthritic nodules in her hands within six months of completing chemotherapy. She also underwent four back surgeries and a hip replacement because of arthritis during 2005 and 2006, and in 2008."
    I have been having pain in my left shoulder to the point I can't reach up or out....Dr says it could be arthritis...take tylenol. i think you are right there is something to this joint pain. You sure have pretty smile
    ~JoanC

    Impingment or rotator too
    Hi Joan, if you can't reach up already you need to see ortho doc and have an mri to see what is happening. I have had both impingments and rotator tears before and with them you can't lift your arm. I have arthritis an dang it does hurt but I don't lose motion just have pain when it moves. In fact I use a lidocain patch at night a lot so I can sleep.

    It is very interesting to read how many of us hurt so bad, and you wouldn't think with all the steroids we would. :-) Hugs Bonnie
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231
    BonnieR said:

    Impingment or rotator too
    Hi Joan, if you can't reach up already you need to see ortho doc and have an mri to see what is happening. I have had both impingments and rotator tears before and with them you can't lift your arm. I have arthritis an dang it does hurt but I don't lose motion just have pain when it moves. In fact I use a lidocain patch at night a lot so I can sleep.

    It is very interesting to read how many of us hurt so bad, and you wouldn't think with all the steroids we would. :-) Hugs Bonnie

    Pain in Shoulder
    Thank you Bonnie for the info....I will get it checked out.
    :) Hugs back to you ~JoanC
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    Start a new post
    You are new to us. Start a new message and let us know about you...where you are in treatment, stage, etc. This thread is getting a little long. I am sure glad to hear that others are having joint pain. I thought it was because I am the oldest one (70). now I know that it is the chemo. LOL Saundra