Knee problems????

Punkindo
Punkindo Member Posts: 113
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all!!!

Has anyone had problems with their knees after chemo??? My right knee does the snap crackel pop thing everytime I bend it. It is also hard to get up if I am sitting on the floor. I sometimes have to get help if there isn't anything I can use to brace myself with nearby. I guess I thought it might be one of those things that would go away over time, but it hasn't. I am a year out from my last chemo and besides my memory it is my biggest gripe. I keep forgetting to ask my oncologist about it. Well to be honest, the last couple of times I asked my oncologist any medical question she has started refering my to my primary care physician. My primary care physician likes to refer me back to my oncologist to make sure it isn't related to my treatment. It is kind of funny in a weird way, but anoying if I really would like an answer. I am 42, but before the BC diagnosis I was in good health. I have 2 small children 11 and 7 so not bending it is out of the question :) It just worries me that I am damaging something with all of the popping going on.....

Comments

  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #2
    Go for a referral
    I had joint( knee, hip) pain while on chemo and after treatment ended as well. It took a while for the pain to go away, but it did. I am 46, diagnosed at 44. If you are still having pain after a year out of treatment, it might be in your best interest to get checked by a specialist( therapist, rheumatologist... ect.). See if your PCP can make a referral for you. Sorry to hear your doctors are passing the buck with this one. You shouldn't have to be in pain. As it is, you have gone through enough.

    Best of luck to you.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #3
    This may or may not have a
    This may or may not have a thing to do with chemo. Many health occurrences can happen around the same time as chemo that don't have anything to do with it. Remember that we are all aging as we go through treatment.

    I would ask for a referral to an orthopedist and then try and get some physical therapy. You may just need to learn to do joint strengthening and joint lubricating exercies. Good luck!
  • Punkindo
    Punkindo Member Posts: 113
    #4
    Thanks!
    But I like to blame everything on chemo :) lol

    I guess I have just been putting things off. The last year and 1/2 I have been to so many doctors, I just want a break. I am so tired of surgeries and doctor appointments and bills and scans and bloodwork....... I just would so LOVE to be low maintence again... A girl can dream cant she:)

    I am 42, but before my diagnosis I felt like I was 25, now I feel like I am 42, but with a bum knee......I still need to keep up with my two kids though. Their nicknames are Choas and Mayhem:) I guess I should quit procrastinating and get it checked out.

    THANKS!!!
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #5
    Punkindo
    Not sure what's causing your knee pain. I would have it checked out with a rheumatologist or orthopedic to see if it's arthritis. I'm 62 and have had arthritis since I was 50. My knees are bone on bone and I will eventually need new knees. I also have degenerative disc disease in my spine. Are you on Tamoxifen or Arimidex? They can have side effects of joint pain. I'm on Arimidex so it's hard for me to differentiate between side effects and my arthritis. Hope you get some answers soon so you can get relief.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • Punkindo
    Punkindo Member Posts: 113
    #6
    Tamoxifen
    I am on tamoxifen (about 9 months now). It will be my new best friend for about 7 years:) It is joining my other best friend Lexapro.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #7
    Punkindo said:

    Tamoxifen
    I am on tamoxifen (about 9 months now). It will be my new best friend for about 7 years:) It is joining my other best friend Lexapro.

    I have the same best
    I have the same best friends. My doc says the joint pain is from the withdrawl of estrogen, my knees really do hurt too.
  • QuiltingMama123
    QuiltingMama123 Member Posts: 124
    #8
    carkris said:

    I have the same best
    I have the same best friends. My doc says the joint pain is from the withdrawl of estrogen, my knees really do hurt too.

    What a club we make!
    My buds are Arimidex (cousin to Tamoxifen) and Lexapro. Joint problems go with the loss of estrogen. My middle finger on my right hand won't straighten up after I close my hand. I have to open it with my left hand. I guess I shouldn't have overused that finger for so many years! :)
  • Punkindo
    Punkindo Member Posts: 113
    #9
    QuiltingMama123 said:

    What a club we make!
    My buds are Arimidex (cousin to Tamoxifen) and Lexapro. Joint problems go with the loss of estrogen. My middle finger on my right hand won't straighten up after I close my hand. I have to open it with my left hand. I guess I shouldn't have overused that finger for so many years! :)

    Another best friend....
    I forgot to mention my bestest friend- CHOCOLATE!!!

    Chocolate has been with my thru the good times and the bad :)

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