Joint pain in fingers and shoulder issues

I went through several years of pain in the toes and fingers.  Also pain that 'pinged' literally from foot, to elbow, to forearm, knees, hips.  My ribs were very sore.  I thought fibromyalgia, arthritis, nerve damage with chemo.........  it kept coming and going and after 3/4 years I rarely get it now.  Menopause did come on full blast, I had hot flashes all day and night constantly.  Some said, menopause, some said cancer treatment drug side effects, some said I do have arthritis shown on x-rays, and also my body was reacting to loosing estrogen.  I think it's a bit of all of them, you never can pin it down.  Sometimes I could barely move nor get out of a chair.  Very scared but it did pass.  I fought it by increasing exercise (gentler types, Yoga, Pilates, Tia Chi) at 60 now strong and can even do Zumba.  But it took time, keep moving, walk, swim.  I don't recommend the more trendy keep fit fads, I leave the youngsters to that, and be careful of step aerobics, heavy on the knees.  You will get doctors giving you blank stares...........  I knew something was wrong, even though the cancer was happily spreading all over the place but wasn't the case at all.  any doubts go talk to your cancer support group at the hospital if it will help relieve your mind.  Even a MRI, if you think that would help also.  Then you can get on trying to cope with it.

I finished chemo, surgery, and rads in July and am now taking Femara (switched in Jan from Armidex).  I still experience twinges in my fingers and feet.  Onco keeps telling me it takes time, but like you, I don't see why if I am not in active treatment.  We have been through so much with our bodies, and once hair and some energy return, it is hard to see how side effects can still haunt us.  They are real, not just a symptom. . . Keep moving and finding healthy ways to heal.  Just saying you are not alone in your experience.

Kathy

I am having joint pain in my hands, feet and knees since taking Armidex.   I am trying to keep moving and taking an ibuprofern when things get really bad.  Another wonderful side effect!!