Arthritis after chemo

CherylHutch said:

Count me in!!
Wow... it's amazing how many of us have the same joint pain complaints after all having experienced chemo! They "say" chemo doesn't cause joint pain, yet look how many of us are suffering these pains?

I forget who described it as worse in the morning when waking up, then walking for any length of time and pain in the shoulders, lower back, and larger joints. That describes me to a tee! I did go to a rheumatologist and there's no sign of rheumatoid arthritis (phew!) but my bone scan did show severe osteoarthritis in the knees and moderate OA in the lower back and feet. That doesn't explain the joint pain everywhere else as well. They have monitored it for some time and since it has been well over 6 months, I have been dx'd with CPS (Chronic Pain Syndrome), which is a known syndrome that can be caused by a severe injury (not in my case) or cancer treatments.

I did have OA in my knees prior to starting chemo, but the chemo has definitely aggravated it and no, Celebrex does not touch the pain (anywhere). I'm now trying Tramadol, which seems to be helping in the knees but not helping with the lower back. I also take 2 prescription Tylenol #3 with codiene three times/day.

Heat helps...well is relaxing. Unfortunately, nice hot soaks in the tub are out because of the pain in the knees... getting in/out of the tub is impossible. But hot showers are heavenly

Phil.. like you, I put it down to "aging is not for sissies" and as we get older, aches and pains are a part of life. But severe joint pain? I look at others in their early 50s and they are definitely not in the kind of pain I'm in, or have restrictions as to what I can do. So I definitely think if the chemo did not actually cause these problems, it brought out and aggravated weaknesses that may have caused the problems 30 years from now.

Just my .02 worth

Cheryl

i had breast cancer 2 years ago and had chemo since then ive been feeling like im falling apart. When I go to my oncologist he says no connection. I got diagnoised with ra yesterday. I feel it was the chemo that helped with that. But everyone says its not but reading what you and others wrote I feel better knowing others feel the same.

had lukemia-hodgekins lymphoma-large B-cell lymphoma and was stage 4 in 2009.  Had 3 separate rounds of chemo 6 each.  Them bone marrow transplant with homologous blood stem cell transplant preceded by a very strong chemo.  I also have arthritis in my lower knuckles of my thumbs.  Sometimes low back.  Chemo doctor at first said yes we did that to you.  Now he says its just part of old age and the chemo had nothing to do with it.  INTERESTING-YES?  After reading many articles on the web have concluded that the severe muscle cramps and lack of muscle comming back to strength has something to do with the damage the chemo has caused with liver function.  Have started taking k2 and curcumin to help clean the liver and calcium build up in muscles.  K2 is a natural transporter of calcium and other functions as well.  To early to tell if it will help.  Use heating pad on muscle cramps.  have also increased calcium and magnesium and postasium intake since it seems absortion of certian things has been interfered with.  Chemo brain is slowly going away.  I thank everyones comments to know that I am not crazy.  thought there was always a connection of some sort known or unkown or hidden from public knowledge.

Bless your all.

KathiM said:

Me, too....
But, I was 'lucky' to get diagnosed with breast cancer 6 months after the rectal, and had a bone scan, which showed bone degeneration...so I started on Actonel (an osteoporosis drug). My density has improved, my joint pain decreased.

I still have trouble putting on my left sock (my hip joint won't bend that way anymore...probably from the rads), and I have my right shoulder with pain that, after 4 months, I'm going to have checked. BUT, I'm an old lady of 53...it could be worse...lol!

Hugs, Kathi

" an old lady of 53 "  Wait till you try it at 81!!!

debgil said:

ARTHRITIS AFTER CHEMO

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 2 COLON CANCER JUNE 2014. HAD SURGERY THEN 12 CHEMO TREATMENTS 3 DAYS EVERY OTHER WEEK.

FINISHED END OF JAN 2015. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HAVING INCREASED JOINT PAIN ESPECIALLY IN MY HANDS. I AM A NURSE THAT NEEDS USE OF HER HANDS.

LAST WEEK I HAD POST CHEMO CT SCAN AND IT SHOWED DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS IN SPINE AND HIPS WHICH I DID NOT HAVE A YEAR AGO, BUT LUCKILY NO MORE CANCER.

I AM ALMOST 58 BUT PRIOR TO CHEMO I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH JOINT PAIN. I AM ALSO TIRED A LOT MORE THAN YEAR AGO BUT IT HAS GOTTEN BETTER SINCE FINISHING CHEMO.

I FINALLY WENT BACK TO WORK PART TIME SINCE LAST JUNE. I NEED TO FIND A PAIN RELIEVER THAT I CAN TAKE EVERY DAY TO HELP WITH THE PAIN. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS.

 I use otc Equate Arthritis Pain Relief  from Walmart.when pain is really bad I take hydrocodone 325 mg.they help me. I am glad you are cancer free. I was diagnosed  with ra in 2013.  After 6 months was put on Enbril then was diagnosed with lung cancer.Surgery and 16 weeks of chemo if I was well enough. The chemo slowed down the ra but I have been having low back pain. It would start during treatment. Also my eye sight has gotten real bad, can't see good enough to drive even with glasses.

VickiCO said:

YES!
I am having such problems with my hip joints. It hurts to lie on my side (which is how I sleep, of course!) Nurses told me chemo can settle in large joints, such as hips, shoulders, knees. Also, I had 28 radiation zaps right through both hips, so that had to have some effect. Unfortunately, I am allergic to n-saids, aspirin, ibuprfin, ect and Vicodin doesn't touch it. They told me that over time, as the chemo leaves my body, it will get better. I sure hope so...

Many hugs, Vicki

Hi Vicki! I am three years post TX for anal cancer. Concurrent wih chemo, I had pelvic radiation. Since almost three years I see a physical therapist (two months every spring, two months every fall) once a week and do daily exercises at home. When I'm in treatment with the P.T., I also see a physiatrist every three weeks or monthly for osteopathic manipulations. It took me a while to find the right people (three p.t. groups, etc.).       I walk as often as I can and teach chair yoga, tai chi and healthy bones and balance classes. The ache in my right hip goes away when I am still, but kicks in as soon as I move, get into the car, start a walk. But I can still do everything I do, knowing also that the discomfort will leave as soon as I sit.         I hope this helps. 

The post Danker is referring to has been removed. 

Just letting you all know, because Dan's post sounds out of place now. 

TRU

This is the link that takes you to the colorectal forum home page.  

csn.cancer.org/forum/128  - copy and paste.  sorry I can't paste the direct link from my iPad -

look forward to seeing you there. 

TRU