Pain..So much pain

lp1025

I would like to know if anyone else is suffering from aches all over their body. My hips hurt when I try to walk..the feel like they are in a vice grip. My knees hurt all the time. When I wake in the morning my hands are stiff and hurt. I never had this before I went through cancer treatment. I am currently taking Anastrozole.  Does anyone else have this problem? Do you think its the meds? Is there anything that will relieve this? I take a pain pill but that only helps for a small amount of time. I know when I go back to the Dr. he will say its Rheumatisim or Arthritis, Isn't that the go to diagnoise? I never had anything like this before and am wondering if this is for the rest of my live. Comments or suggestions are so welcome.

tufi000

It's [rpbably the Anastrasole

Don't worry about that diagnosis though I am not going to play doctor. But I DO know that anastrosole the equivalent of Arimidex commonly causes this type of pain you have. Though it disipates in time the time varies by person. For me it was months.  Some people do not want to tolerate it and stop the med which I knew I cannot do.  I have been on it for 15 years with no side affects EXCEPT it leaches your bones so take that calcium and have bone scans as doc says to.

I would rather deal with that discomfort than have the anvil of recurrance hanging over my head. So far so good. The best to you

Apaugh

Anastrasole

I too have to take it and yes, it causes the same pain.  I too wonder if it is worth it.  I look at my kids and my beautiful grands and I know, for another day to keep fighting.  Aleeve when it is not too bad.  Warm epson salt baths.  Walk a little, lay in your bed and stretch your legs out as far as you can.  Cold packs sometimes feel better than heat.  Massages.  Meditation and light soft yoga. 

Be kind to yourself,  Hug

Rague

I've been on Femara/letrozole

I've been on Femara/letrozole only, for 7+yrs with no negative SE's that I can point to from/with it.  So I have no experience with other AI's but from what I've read/heard, joint/bone pain is not unusual with any of them.

A couple of ideas that I have heard have helped others.  Claritin that is used for allergies helps some - just as it helps some who experience pain from their Neulasta shot.  Changing to a different manufacturer as there are differences in the inert substances that different manufacturers use and these differences can (for some) cause issues.

You didn't say what chemo and/or rads TX, how long since chemo or how long on AI.  Didn't say your age, physical activity level before any TX and now or other known health issues per TX.   All of these come into play.

As time goes on, we do all develope 'new issues', even if BC never raised it's ugly head.   

Winyan - The Power Within

 

lp1025

Thank You

  Thank all of you for your comments. I just have always been healthy and active so when I was diagnosed, I had no clue what I was facing. It has been 1 year since my surgery and I feel terrible. I try to walk but even my hip bones ache. I go back to the cancer Dr. Wednesday and am going to discuss the meds. He gave me hydrocodon but it only works for about an hour. I have been taking Ibprofin this week. I did have to take a sinus pill before Chemo. I had forgotten that. I wll try to see if that helps. 

 

 

Beepositive

lp1025 said:

Thank You

  Thank all of you for your comments. I just have always been healthy and active so when I was diagnosed, I had no clue what I was facing. It has been 1 year since my surgery and I feel terrible. I try to walk but even my hip bones ache. I go back to the cancer Dr. Wednesday and am going to discuss the meds. He gave me hydrocodon but it only works for about an hour. I have been taking Ibprofin this week. I did have to take a sinus pill before Chemo. I had forgotten that. I wll try to see if that helps. 

 

 

Hello lp1025 ..Sorry you are in sooo much pain!  hopefully your doctor can give you something else to help with that or ideas to try and fight thru it with some type of physical Therapy! KEEP ASKING QUESTION TO YOUR DR ON IDEAS.. Either way you much keep going and fighting thru it !!! Im new to all of this myself (just had my surgery little over month ago and currently going to therapy lemphedema  for pain and swelling due to large amt of lymph nodes removed (not trying to compare this to the great deal of pain sounds like you are experience) but my message is I have always been positive, healthy always the go to person etc. but life throws you a curve ball sometimes and we have to find our "new Normal" for now..there is always somebody going thru a lot worse than we are!  im trying to do preventive measures( will be starting radiatiion soon)  such as slow walking each day on my treadmill..listening to music and seeing my grandbabies growing and changing ..find something positive and keep focus on that! (try taking focus off your pain..know its hard but keep pushing yourself ..you can do it you come this far..KEEP PUSHING THRU YOU SOUND LIKE A FIGHTER..  Blessing and prayers to you...   BEEPositive             

disneyfan2008

Sorry to hear..

Sorry to hear..

 

hugs

 

Denise

Rague

I just had a thought - never

I just had a thought - never heard of it being used with pain associated with AIs.  A TENS Unit.

Can't hurt to ask about trying one.  20 yrs ago when I was dealing with FM (FibroMyalgia) a TENS was very helpful with my ankle and knee pain.

Might not be an option or help but better to ask than not.

You might also request an appt. with a pain specialist.

 

Winyan - The Power Within

Apaugh

A Tens

I think that is a great idea!  I am going to ask my doc about one. 

Thanks,

Annie

HapB

Alternatives

Hi, I am sorry to hear you are hurting so much. I am new to all this and I did not know BC patients would have to be on meds for that length of time. I just wonder whether there are alternative meds that might not have the same  side effects?  It is worth asking, now that you might know what is causing the pain. maybe you don't have to suffer like this. Quality of life matters and it sure doesn't help anyone to hear that somebody somewhere has it worse than you. Your pain might be able to be addresssed with an alternative med. it's worth discussing with your doctor and if Dr. insists that it is arthritis tell her that before you accept that diagnosis and more meds you would like to see what happens if you switch meds.  Sending you prayers for comfort!!! 

Teach76

Armidex and Femara

I was on Armidex for 5 months following chemo- surgery- rads.  E+ and told 10 years on AI.  I had an unusual reaction to Armidex (severe sore throat; felt like strep). Switched now to femara (Letrizole).  Many SE now regarding muscle pain and neuropathy has made a comeback.  

Considering Claritin since several posts keep bringing this up.  Femara has also boosted cholesterol, so now on a statin for that.  PCP and Onco both spoke about Lyrica to help with some SE . . . I think we are keeping the pharmaceutical industries in business - one drug leads to another!

Thank you to all for sharing your posts - hope we can all find some relief!

 

Kathy

RozHopkins

I have to say that I came off

I have to say that I came off meds early due to side effects.  But I still am very stiff getting up from a chair, fingers and toes can be painful, feet, upper arms and hips, knees awful.  All of this is new to me.  My ribs are tender and feel tight.  I tire easily especially after walking and exercise.  it is now six years after chemo and bilateral.  I think it's a mixture of age, lack of estrogen (aged 60), arthritis, possible nerve damage and pre existing conditions i.e. One leg is shorter than the other which causes spinal problems, on and on. Also have bone density loss.  I think for me, exercise that suits me, good food, ignor caffeine and kind of being more accepting has worked.  Hate it but can live with it, otherwize doctors think you are a hypercondriac honestly...... they haven't a clue.  Keep strong.

Apaugh

RozHopkins said:

I have to say that I came off

I have to say that I came off meds early due to side effects.  But I still am very stiff getting up from a chair, fingers and toes can be painful, feet, upper arms and hips, knees awful.  All of this is new to me.  My ribs are tender and feel tight.  I tire easily especially after walking and exercise.  it is now six years after chemo and bilateral.  I think it's a mixture of age, lack of estrogen (aged 60), arthritis, possible nerve damage and pre existing conditions i.e. One leg is shorter than the other which causes spinal problems, on and on. Also have bone density loss.  I think for me, exercise that suits me, good food, ignor caffeine and kind of being more accepting has worked.  Hate it but can live with it, otherwize doctors think you are a hypercondriac honestly...... they haven't a clue.  Keep strong.

So glad to hear I am not the only one

ROZ,

I hear you sister.  I went into this knowing it would be a crapper of a time or so I thought.  HA! 

 I went into it with pre-existing conditions such as diabeties, osteo arthritis in my hip, fibromyalgia, neuropothy to my legs from the diabeties, 2 broken disc in my back,ect.  .  And oh it just enhanced all that stuff.   I like you had to learn to slow it down.  I am 55.  Last week the doc ordered me a walker to be able to get around the block.  You know the ones with the seat so when you get tired you can sit down.  I was horrified.  I will use it to take my walks.  I know that walking is good for you.  Even if it is slow and I will look funny, I am going to do it.  And one day when I am better, I will donate it to the American Cancer Society for someone else who will need it.   And I have lymphedema in both arms and wear the sleeves and gloves so everyone who dont know me will say, OH my God!  Did you get burnt? 

I have cried over my house not as clean as I kept it, over my yard not as nice as it had once been.  Last month, I went on a pity party and thought I would be a rebel and drink that coke and eat those cupcakes.  oh not so good for a diabetic.  Wont be doing that again.  LOL  

I am still on the meds and I just want to try to keep using them.  My hopes is that I adapt better, I have some, so I am still holding out for it to get better.

Oh yeah, your right, these docs dont have a clue.  Mine told me the other day I was his troubled case.  I said, well hon, if you dont think you can handle me any longer, why dont you send me to your partner.  Or better yet doc, get on over in that chair and take a dose of that Herceptin and call me in about a week and let me know how you feel.  He shushed.  His nurse had to turn her head and you could see her shoulders going up and down.  She thought that was a hoot. 

Hugs,

Annie