Potential Rx Help for Chronic Body Pain after Chemo

kacee999

I am 5 months post-chemo. Overwhelming body pain started my second chemo round in February and continued unabated until I finally saw a rheumatologist several weeks ago (it is now October). From what I understand, you can have this reaction to the chemo itself (TAC was my protocol), from Levoquin (antibiotic give for 7 days when the WBC plummets about 5 days after chemo session), from the Neulasta (shot to boost WBC right after chemo session). At any rate, I have suffered with horrible body aches...neuromuscular though, NOT joints! It was affecting my quality of life greatly. I was on constant pain meds (vicodin and norco) all day which barely helped. In the mornings it was all I could do to get out of bed. I hurt in my shoulders, upper and forearms, hands, thighs, calves, and feet (pretty well encompasses everything I guess). The Oncologist shrugged and no one seemed to have any ideas. Finally I sought out a rheumatologist who discounted Arthritis, Lupus and Fibromyalgia, but suggested we try LYRICA, which affects chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system. I had immense relief within 24 hours. LYRICA is a drug that is used to treat Fibromyalgia (among other things) and it is not a narcotic. I take 2 75mg capsules a day. Two weeks into it and I am nearly pain free. Just thought I would pass this along, because when I googled pain post-chemo I found TONS of people who were suffering debilitating body pains with no relief...some for several YEARS after chemo. Anyway, if anyone out there has this problem, it's worth checking into this. It was a life saver for me after 8 months of pure agony. Just thought I'd share.