Question

BettyJoM
BettyJoM Member Posts: 82
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am weeks post chemo. I am still having bad joint pain. the only other med I take is lyrica. Do you think its still related to the chemo? It started then

Comments

  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #2
    minerals
    Hi Betty Jo,

    It's hard to know for sure if your joint pain is related to the chemo, as people who don't take chemo certainly also sometimes get joint pain. But, can chemo cause joint pain? Oh, yeah. I had it really bad for a while myself. I have since learned from going to a naturopathic doctor (in addition to my oncologist) that chemo depletes your body of minerals and often people who have chemo and joint pain are low in minerals. My naturopath put me on extra potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Literally, within 3 days my joint pain had greatly lessened and in a few more days it was gone. I couldn't believe it! I had suffered terribly and my oncologist and primary care doctor knew about it, as I had complained numerous times. I had been tested for rheumatoid arthritis and gout & both tests came up negative, so they didn't have any answers for me.
    After I had been on the minerals awhile, I happened to run out and didn't take them for a couple of weeks. I went in to seem my naturopath again and mentioned it as a side note at the end of my appt- "oh, my joint pain has returned and it's pretty bad". He answered, "well, are you taking your minerals?" Bam- how could have I forgotten the connection there?? "Well, not in the past couple of weeks because I ran out. Guess I need to get more". His answer: "Well there you go- it's directly related!". I got the minerals again that day- 2 more days passed- joint pain gone again. Amazing!

    Now, for my dosage: potassium orotate (two 175 mg capsules 3x/day, before meals- absorbs better on an empty stomach), calcium orotate (two-three tablets 3x/day- my pills are 740 mg calcium orotate & 85 mg elemental calcium), Reacted Multimin (2 tablets, 2x/day)- tablets consist of: 300 mg, magnesium 150 mg, zinc 25 mg, selenium 190 mg (I also take additional selenium), copper 950 mcg, managanese 5 mg, chromiunm 190 mcg, molybdenum 45 mcg, potassium 90 mg.

    I take a bunch of other supplements, as well, but those are the minerals. I used to take a magnesium glycinate tablet 2x/day, but my naturopath temporarily took it away to help my diarrhea problem (magnesia is often in laxatives & I don't need that right now).
    So far as the calcium orotate- I have found it is about impossible to find in health food stores or online. My naturopath orders it because he says it is the most highly absorbable form of calcium there is. I looked on the bottle & it says "manufactured & distributed exclusively by: General Research Laboratories 8900 Winnetka Avenue, Northridge, CA 91324" No phone # or website for them. If you can't find calcium orotate, then get calcium citrate, which is the next most absorbable and is readily found in stores. Don't bother taking calcium carbonate- it is the least absorbable. My naturopath says most forms of that only absorb enough to get about 30% of what's in the pill. My potassium is also potassium "orotate", but from a different company. They are small little capsules- so more absorbable than caplet form. There is a phone number on that bottle- 1-800-222-7157 It's from Santa Teresa, NM.

    I would most definitely try adding minerals- if you do, let me know if it helps! I was amazed that it did for me. Also, prior to adding the minerals, I went and got acupuncture for it. That actually did help too- didn't make it go totally away, but cut the pain a lot (maybe if I had combined that with the minerals at the same time, I would have had great results). I just didn't keep the acupuncture up due to time constraints (my cancer center's, sister office offered it for free for the patients which was great, but it was a far drive for me).

    Take care,
    Lisa
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #3
    Interesting.....
    A timely post. I just read about a condition called AVASCULAR NECROSIS.

    You're right, it is a menacing sounding name. It affects most hip joints but can be in the arms and shoulders as well.

    There were several causes, such as cortisteroid medication, excessive alcohol consumption.....and to nobody's surprise.....radiation treatments and chemotherapy.

    Usually hits in the 30's and 40's....again no surprise that many of us are in our 40's when we are dx'd and getting those treatments.

    I took radiation in both hip bones when my fight first started and have felt pain in there for seven years. The article mentioned that you would get 2 years and need hip replacement, and that might be on the table for me at some point.

    I've found with most things in life, it's never the event itself, it's always the fallout and the collateral damage that we are forced to contend with when we think the event is behind us. We tend to pick up the pieces from there.

    Lisa - the next time you are at your naturopath, please ask him if the minerals or anything would allieve Avascular Necrosis - I did not see any mention of that in the literature. I can't afford to see one right now, so if you get the chance to run this by him, I'd certainly be obliged to see what you find out.

    -Craig
  • BettyJoM
    BettyJoM Member Posts: 82
    #4
    lisa42 said:

    minerals
    Hi Betty Jo,

    It's hard to know for sure if your joint pain is related to the chemo, as people who don't take chemo certainly also sometimes get joint pain. But, can chemo cause joint pain? Oh, yeah. I had it really bad for a while myself. I have since learned from going to a naturopathic doctor (in addition to my oncologist) that chemo depletes your body of minerals and often people who have chemo and joint pain are low in minerals. My naturopath put me on extra potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Literally, within 3 days my joint pain had greatly lessened and in a few more days it was gone. I couldn't believe it! I had suffered terribly and my oncologist and primary care doctor knew about it, as I had complained numerous times. I had been tested for rheumatoid arthritis and gout & both tests came up negative, so they didn't have any answers for me.
    After I had been on the minerals awhile, I happened to run out and didn't take them for a couple of weeks. I went in to seem my naturopath again and mentioned it as a side note at the end of my appt- "oh, my joint pain has returned and it's pretty bad". He answered, "well, are you taking your minerals?" Bam- how could have I forgotten the connection there?? "Well, not in the past couple of weeks because I ran out. Guess I need to get more". His answer: "Well there you go- it's directly related!". I got the minerals again that day- 2 more days passed- joint pain gone again. Amazing!

    Now, for my dosage: potassium orotate (two 175 mg capsules 3x/day, before meals- absorbs better on an empty stomach), calcium orotate (two-three tablets 3x/day- my pills are 740 mg calcium orotate & 85 mg elemental calcium), Reacted Multimin (2 tablets, 2x/day)- tablets consist of: 300 mg, magnesium 150 mg, zinc 25 mg, selenium 190 mg (I also take additional selenium), copper 950 mcg, managanese 5 mg, chromiunm 190 mcg, molybdenum 45 mcg, potassium 90 mg.

    I take a bunch of other supplements, as well, but those are the minerals. I used to take a magnesium glycinate tablet 2x/day, but my naturopath temporarily took it away to help my diarrhea problem (magnesia is often in laxatives & I don't need that right now).
    So far as the calcium orotate- I have found it is about impossible to find in health food stores or online. My naturopath orders it because he says it is the most highly absorbable form of calcium there is. I looked on the bottle & it says "manufactured & distributed exclusively by: General Research Laboratories 8900 Winnetka Avenue, Northridge, CA 91324" No phone # or website for them. If you can't find calcium orotate, then get calcium citrate, which is the next most absorbable and is readily found in stores. Don't bother taking calcium carbonate- it is the least absorbable. My naturopath says most forms of that only absorb enough to get about 30% of what's in the pill. My potassium is also potassium "orotate", but from a different company. They are small little capsules- so more absorbable than caplet form. There is a phone number on that bottle- 1-800-222-7157 It's from Santa Teresa, NM.

    I would most definitely try adding minerals- if you do, let me know if it helps! I was amazed that it did for me. Also, prior to adding the minerals, I went and got acupuncture for it. That actually did help too- didn't make it go totally away, but cut the pain a lot (maybe if I had combined that with the minerals at the same time, I would have had great results). I just didn't keep the acupuncture up due to time constraints (my cancer center's, sister office offered it for free for the patients which was great, but it was a far drive for me).

    Take care,
    Lisa

    Thank you so much for the
    Thank you so much for the information. I do take 2 Caltrate daily as per my oncologist. I also have CREST syndrome and the doctor I see for that has told me not to take calcium. I actually have calcium deposits that stick out on the boes of my forearm
    I have an appt soon with him so Ill ask.
    do you know if it will just go away in time?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    Sundanceh said:

    Interesting.....
    A timely post. I just read about a condition called AVASCULAR NECROSIS.

    You're right, it is a menacing sounding name. It affects most hip joints but can be in the arms and shoulders as well.

    There were several causes, such as cortisteroid medication, excessive alcohol consumption.....and to nobody's surprise.....radiation treatments and chemotherapy.

    Usually hits in the 30's and 40's....again no surprise that many of us are in our 40's when we are dx'd and getting those treatments.

    I took radiation in both hip bones when my fight first started and have felt pain in there for seven years. The article mentioned that you would get 2 years and need hip replacement, and that might be on the table for me at some point.

    I've found with most things in life, it's never the event itself, it's always the fallout and the collateral damage that we are forced to contend with when we think the event is behind us. We tend to pick up the pieces from there.

    Lisa - the next time you are at your naturopath, please ask him if the minerals or anything would allieve Avascular Necrosis - I did not see any mention of that in the literature. I can't afford to see one right now, so if you get the chance to run this by him, I'd certainly be obliged to see what you find out.

    -Craig

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • BettyJoM
    BettyJoM Member Posts: 82
    #6
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank you
    I am so awful with these sites, I just pushed the wrong thing and lost my whole reply.

    I wanted to thank you guys for all your research. Lisa I found the supplements you suggested but finances are a problem right now so as per Graci I am dissolving my caltrate.

    I am lactose intolerant since my gastric bypass 10 years ago.. It all makes perfect sense.. I have been going to specialists for so many years and learn more from you all.

    I am afraid to say it OUT LOUD. I have been feeling so much better. I worked at the telethon yesterday with 3 of my granddaughters and then took them all home, showered and went to the movies. I felt normal for the first time in ages.

    I am having my CEA repeated on wednesday when I get my port flushed and getting my foot surgery on the 30th. Then Im done, good to go..thats my plan and I am sticking to it
    CRC go to hell already
  • BettyJoM
    BettyJoM Member Posts: 82
    #7
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank you
    I am so awful with these sites, I just pushed the wrong thing and lost my whole reply.

    I wanted to thank you guys for all your research. Lisa I found the supplements you suggested but finances are a problem right now so as per Graci I am dissolving my caltrate.

    I am lactose intolerant since my gastric bypass 10 years ago.. It all makes perfect sense.. I have been going to specialists for so many years and learn more from you all.

    I am afraid to say it OUT LOUD. I have been feeling so much better. I worked at the telethon yesterday with 3 of my granddaughters and then took them all home, showered and went to the movies. I felt normal for the first time in ages.

    I am having my CEA repeated on wednesday when I get my port flushed and getting my foot surgery on the 30th. Then Im done, good to go..thats my plan and I am sticking to it
    CRC go to hell already
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #8
    BettyJoM said:

    Thank you
    I am so awful with these sites, I just pushed the wrong thing and lost my whole reply.

    I wanted to thank you guys for all your research. Lisa I found the supplements you suggested but finances are a problem right now so as per Graci I am dissolving my caltrate.

    I am lactose intolerant since my gastric bypass 10 years ago.. It all makes perfect sense.. I have been going to specialists for so many years and learn more from you all.

    I am afraid to say it OUT LOUD. I have been feeling so much better. I worked at the telethon yesterday with 3 of my granddaughters and then took them all home, showered and went to the movies. I felt normal for the first time in ages.

    I am having my CEA repeated on wednesday when I get my port flushed and getting my foot surgery on the 30th. Then Im done, good to go..thats my plan and I am sticking to it
    CRC go to hell already

    first year as well
    dear bettyjo,

    chimming in late.

    i am reading eat to live, its all about vegan low protien lifestyle. it may help,
    its really cost effective and you'll get your nutrients from plant foods.

    its better than supplements, its natural, its what our bodies ate for 1 million years brfore big mac and kfc.

    hugs,
    pete

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