Swolen Joints

Yolie
Yolie Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am in my recovery period after receiving 6 months of chemo for stage 2 colon cancer. My question is has anyone experienced swolen joints either during or after treatment? and if so, is there anything you did to relieve the pain? My joints feel so bad sometimes, it's difficult to walk. I sometimes take Naproxin which is for inflamation, but the side effect is constipation. Am I alone in this? Your comments will be appreciated.

Comments

  • nbalantac
    nbalantac Member Posts: 29
    #2
    Hi Yolie,
    I am also recovering from Stage 3 cc. Had chemo and radiation Jan 2003, surgery in April, and more chemo and radiation after the surgery. Had my last treatment last September. I am 48 years old and still recovering and getting better. Had a colonoscopy procedure last month (one year after the surgery) and now considered CURED!. Beginning of the year, started feeling minor join pain on both of my thumbs. Saw my primary doctor about it but did not seem to think that the join problem is assosiated with the previous treatments. He can only recommend taking some OTC drug like Aleve. It seem to alleviate the pain but will not cure it. On the personal level, I incorporate some exercise like walking/light jogging on my busy schedule to keep the blood flowing and it seem to help. I've been taking good multivitamins daily as far as I can remember and now just started taking Glucosamine HCl and Bone joint supplements in addition. Hopefully this may help. For the mean time stay as positive as you can, eat good and enjoy life one day at a time.

    We are survivors!,
    noel
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #3
    Hi, Yolie -

    I had chemo for CC and developed arthritis afterward. It might be hereditary, but, I'm only 39! Anyway, my doctor perscribed Celebrex whic helps reduce the swelling and also helps the ache. An interesting side-effect of Celebrex is that it has been clinically shown to inhibit colo-rectal cancer! (Where was Celebrex a few years ago when I could have benefitted from that?!)

    Be well!

    - SpongeBob
  • vcavanagh
    vcavanagh Member Posts: 79
    #4
    Hello Yolie,
    You should not be getting joint trouble with Chemo. I don't think it is a recognised side-effect but I suppose, anything goes. Naproxen is a good drug and has been around for a long time. However, could I suggest that you ask your doctor to consider prescribing one of the newer drugs for your joint problems, specifically Celebrex; (a "Cox 2 Inhibitor.") This is a safer drug. Also, and wait for this, It is also causing some excitement in that one drug of this type has been found to help prevent colon Cancer and also is starting to be used to TREAT metastases (secondary tumours) in combination with other drugs. Lots of us will be interested in this. Could I suggest to anyone else interested to go to www.healthtalk.com/coloncancer/index.html
    This seems a very reputable site - (University of Texas - M.D.Anderson centre)and they will send a regular newsletter. Like all new treatments, this needs to be proven in trials but it seems promising. There are trials going on at the moment. There is also a new Medical Textbook (for doctors) on it's chemistry and possible effects coming out. I think SpongeBob (below) will be interested. The chemical name of the tablet is "celexicob" and they are starting to give it with Xeloda (capecitabine)and radiotherapy. Xeloda is the new "Pro-drug" of 5FU (the standard Chemo drug) which can be given orally instead of intravenously and with (it seems) less side effects. I have no idea of the cost.Blessings on us all. V.C.
    Maybe you would let me know what you (and any others) think.
  • vcavanagh
    vcavanagh Member Posts: 79
    #5
    Hello Yolie,
    You should not be getting joint trouble with Chemo. I don't think it is a recognised side-effect but I suppose, anything goes. Naproxen is a good drug and has been around for a long time. However, could I suggest that you ask your doctor to consider prescribing one of the newer drugs for your joint problems, specifically Celebrex; (a "Cox 2 Inhibitor.") This is a safer drug. Also, and wait for this, It is also causing some excitement in that one drug of this type has been found to help prevent colon Cancer and also is starting to be used to TREAT metastases (secondary tumours) in combination with other drugs. Lots of us will be interested in this. Could I suggest to anyone else interested to go to www.healthtalk.com/coloncancer/index.html
    This seems a very reputable site - (University of Texas - M.D.Anderson centre)and they will send a regular newsletter. Like all new treatments, this needs to be proven in trials but it seems promising. There are trials going on at the moment. There is also a new Medical Textbook (for doctors) on it's chemistry and possible effects coming out. I think SpongeBob (below) will be interested. The chemical name of the tablet is "celexicob" and they are starting try giving it with Xeloda (capecitabine)and radiotherapy. Xeloda is the new "Pro-drug" of 5FU (the standard Chemo drug) which can be given orally instead of intravenously and with (it seems) less side effects. I have no idea of the cost.Blessings on us all. V.C.
    Maybe you would let me know what you (and any others) think.
  • pumps2fix
    pumps2fix Member Posts: 5
    #6
    During chemo and rads had major swelling of left
    knee....Vioxx was the answer for that one..Pumps

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