joint pain and stiffness

spok5
spok5 Member Posts: 18
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I finished chemo the end of May 06 (oxy and xeloda). Although I am healing well and getting my energy back I find that my ankle, wrist and finger joints are sore and sometimes stiff. I am 42 years old and walk 3-4 miles about 5 times a week, I try to eat healthy and had no health problems before my dx. Do you think this could be from the chemo ( I don't remember experiencing this while actually on the chemo)? Maybe toxins working their way out? Damage from the chemo? If any of you have had the same experience I'd like to know how it went and what you did. Thank you!

Comments

  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #2
    Ahoy, spok -

    We just had a discussion here about arthritis - check back a couple of pages. I got arthritis from my chemo - my onc said it is a fairly common side-effect. I am currently taking "Clinoril" for it. Clinoril is similar to Celebrex in its relief of the arthritis pain and swelling and has a great side benefit of inhibiting recurrence of colon cancer both in the colon and the liver. You might ask your doc about it.

    BTW, I'm 42 also.

    Live long and prosper, Spok (sorry, I couldn't resist)

    - SpongeBob
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    Try upping your calcium intake. I ended up winning 'the extra prize' of osteoporosis after my treatments....even tho I need more that just the calcium now, I still notice a difference when I don't get enough....Viactive calcium chews taste yummy...chocolate and carmel flavors...mmmmmm

    Hugs for FINISHING CHEMO!!!!!!YEA (naked happy dance!)
    Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    spongebob said:

    Ahoy, spok -

    We just had a discussion here about arthritis - check back a couple of pages. I got arthritis from my chemo - my onc said it is a fairly common side-effect. I am currently taking "Clinoril" for it. Clinoril is similar to Celebrex in its relief of the arthritis pain and swelling and has a great side benefit of inhibiting recurrence of colon cancer both in the colon and the liver. You might ask your doc about it.

    BTW, I'm 42 also.

    Live long and prosper, Spok (sorry, I couldn't resist)

    - SpongeBob

    Oh, dad...42/51 thing???? I think it was a sperm bank switch....(ROFL)
    Your loving daughter....
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #5
    KathiM said:

    Oh, dad...42/51 thing???? I think it was a sperm bank switch....(ROFL)
    Your loving daughter....

    "SUBSTANTIAL penalty for early withdrawl"
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #6
    Hi spok,

    There are also some natural supplements you could use. Chondroiton (spelling) is one for bones and joints. And also congrats on getting through chemo!!! I just stopped about 2 weeks ago. Tell us if something works for you since I'm sure there will be others with this. Take care!

    Lisa
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #7
    Hello Spok,
    I just finished round 1 Oxaliplatin and Xeloda and I'm gathering up the good vibes to start round 2 on Wednesday. I had horrible soreness, painful actually, at the injection site that radiated up my arm to my elbow (it started during the infusion). After that subsided I had joint paint in my hand, wrist and elbow and wasn't sure if it was just an old water ski injury acting up or the chemo, now I'm guessing its just one more side effect. Sigh.... I'm also sporting a new ganglion cyst on the other hand.

    I see my onc on Wednesday so I'll ask her about relief from joint pain and let you know. By the way, I'm 42 too.

    Katie
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #8
    spongebob said:

    Ahoy, spok -

    We just had a discussion here about arthritis - check back a couple of pages. I got arthritis from my chemo - my onc said it is a fairly common side-effect. I am currently taking "Clinoril" for it. Clinoril is similar to Celebrex in its relief of the arthritis pain and swelling and has a great side benefit of inhibiting recurrence of colon cancer both in the colon and the liver. You might ask your doc about it.

    BTW, I'm 42 also.

    Live long and prosper, Spok (sorry, I couldn't resist)

    - SpongeBob

    Bob -

    I have heard about the Celebrex - colon cancer prevention connection. My oncologist was actually very interested in that. Then when all the COX-2 inhibitor / heart attack stuff came out, it made me wonder. I read some interesting stuff about Clinoril and CRC. Did you and your oncologist discuss the cancer vs cardiac tradeoffs of using a COX-2 NSAID? I'd be curious to hear that discussion. I have mild arthritis in my feet and am on Naprosyn (prescription Aleve) and it is quite effective. I wonder if a switch to Clinoril would be a good thing because of the cancer connection. On the other hand the reasons they withdrew VIOXX from the market still cause me concern about this class of drugs.

    Interested in your thoughts.
    Betsy
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #9
    usakat said:

    Hello Spok,
    I just finished round 1 Oxaliplatin and Xeloda and I'm gathering up the good vibes to start round 2 on Wednesday. I had horrible soreness, painful actually, at the injection site that radiated up my arm to my elbow (it started during the infusion). After that subsided I had joint paint in my hand, wrist and elbow and wasn't sure if it was just an old water ski injury acting up or the chemo, now I'm guessing its just one more side effect. Sigh.... I'm also sporting a new ganglion cyst on the other hand.

    I see my onc on Wednesday so I'll ask her about relief from joint pain and let you know. By the way, I'm 42 too.

    Katie

    Hi Katie -

    Maybe your reaction to oxaliplatin is actually a good omen. I had during treatments 2 - 6, numbness and tingling and stiffness that began midway thru the infusion and took about 2+ weeks to resolve. The first three days were bad - accidentally banging my arm or even touching it was painful. Then it gradually improved. But, this was relatively transcient and I have no residual neuropathy since ending chemo. Others have had significant peripheral neuropathy long after chemo ended, but they didn't always have the acute reaction that you and I had. So, perhaps, while annoying, this acute reaction may actually mean a milder long term reaction.

    Take care,
    Betsy
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    #10
    I was blaming my morning stiffness on a fairly new exercise routines (lots of cardio and weights) and read that magnesium is great for muscle stiffness and that you must have it along with calcium for the body to be able to metabolize the calcium otherwise, you just pee out the calcium.

    I got a calcium/mag supplement from the vitamin shoppe (very very reasonable and trusted source) that helped me immediately. After chemo and having my ovaries removed, the ole menopause had me needed it for my bones too!!!!!

    If you are interested in other natural ways to help you, let me know. I have a few really good books (and fairly expensive ones) that list all sorts of things like foods to avoid, foods to eat and other good info on everything from acne to varicose veins.

    FYI, I have completely controlled my elevated blood pressure (a side effect from 8 months of Avastin) with diet and exercise. I also know from experience that it took 6 weeks for my body to get out a 10 day dose of antibiotics, so no telling how long it takes to get chemo completely out of our systems. I did a slow detox type of alternative approach after I stopped chemo and am guessing that it took almost a year for me to get it all out.

    Lisa P.
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #11
    scouty said:

    I was blaming my morning stiffness on a fairly new exercise routines (lots of cardio and weights) and read that magnesium is great for muscle stiffness and that you must have it along with calcium for the body to be able to metabolize the calcium otherwise, you just pee out the calcium.

    I got a calcium/mag supplement from the vitamin shoppe (very very reasonable and trusted source) that helped me immediately. After chemo and having my ovaries removed, the ole menopause had me needed it for my bones too!!!!!

    If you are interested in other natural ways to help you, let me know. I have a few really good books (and fairly expensive ones) that list all sorts of things like foods to avoid, foods to eat and other good info on everything from acne to varicose veins.

    FYI, I have completely controlled my elevated blood pressure (a side effect from 8 months of Avastin) with diet and exercise. I also know from experience that it took 6 weeks for my body to get out a 10 day dose of antibiotics, so no telling how long it takes to get chemo completely out of our systems. I did a slow detox type of alternative approach after I stopped chemo and am guessing that it took almost a year for me to get it all out.

    Lisa P.

    My oncologist said that it would take a year for the chemo to exit your body and for you to get your energy back. Also, my medical doctor said even though I had stopped chemo 2 months earlier that I was still on chemo. For joint pain I was put on a generic for lodine. I had been taking Celebrex but my insurance changed and it was no longer covered. jams
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #12
    Betsydoglover said:

    Bob -

    I have heard about the Celebrex - colon cancer prevention connection. My oncologist was actually very interested in that. Then when all the COX-2 inhibitor / heart attack stuff came out, it made me wonder. I read some interesting stuff about Clinoril and CRC. Did you and your oncologist discuss the cancer vs cardiac tradeoffs of using a COX-2 NSAID? I'd be curious to hear that discussion. I have mild arthritis in my feet and am on Naprosyn (prescription Aleve) and it is quite effective. I wonder if a switch to Clinoril would be a good thing because of the cancer connection. On the other hand the reasons they withdrew VIOXX from the market still cause me concern about this class of drugs.

    Interested in your thoughts.
    Betsy

    I now learn that Clinoril is a non-selective COX inhibitor and not a COX-2 inhibitor like Celebrex. So, more like ibuprophen. Still I'd like to hear your thoughts. I was on Daypro once when I broke my foot and after a couple of weeks it really bothered my stomach. Naprosyn is not bothering me at all, but if Clinoril would also not cause issues and might possibly have anti-cancer benefits, I would be all for it!

    Let me know what you think.
    Betsy
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #13
    Betsydoglover said:

    Bob -

    I have heard about the Celebrex - colon cancer prevention connection. My oncologist was actually very interested in that. Then when all the COX-2 inhibitor / heart attack stuff came out, it made me wonder. I read some interesting stuff about Clinoril and CRC. Did you and your oncologist discuss the cancer vs cardiac tradeoffs of using a COX-2 NSAID? I'd be curious to hear that discussion. I have mild arthritis in my feet and am on Naprosyn (prescription Aleve) and it is quite effective. I wonder if a switch to Clinoril would be a good thing because of the cancer connection. On the other hand the reasons they withdrew VIOXX from the market still cause me concern about this class of drugs.

    Interested in your thoughts.
    Betsy

    Betsy -

    My gastro doc (whom I share on occassion with the President) says that there isn't the documented cardiac problem associated with Celebrex that there is with Vioxx, and it is still available - although it is in the same family. He put me on Clinoril which he says doesn't have the possible cardiac issues that Celebrex may have but, more importantly, it is more effective at preventing CRC recurrence - something with how it is metabolized.

    All in all it seems like a very good drug. I honestly can't say how well it's doing with my hands because I don't really even feel the arthritis unless it's cold. So far it's kicked butt on keeping the dragon at bay (at least as far as I know!)

    Jams - Since this isn't Celebrex (it's Clinoril and not inthe same pharm family), maybe your insurance company would consider paying for it?

    Scouty - Darlin', didn't they teach you nuthin' at that college school of urin? If your muscles ache after a heavy work out, hit the potassium and the calcium - milk and nanners! Also be sure you're drinking plenty of cool weefweshing H2O!

    - Sponge
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #14
    Hi Spok,
    The human body should come with a built in self diagnostic routine. There are only so many symptoms our body can display but with so many causes. I recently had a scare with bladder ca but after a battery of tests they decided that all of the symptoms could be explained by the passage of kidney stones. Kidney stones = excess uric acid= gouty arthritis= joint pain. I don't get gout but I take zyloprim to remove the excess uric acid. I suffer from high cholesterol ,usually around 8 ,there is a family history. Whilst on chem my chol dropped to 3.5,not my idea of a great way to treat chol. After chemo it shot up to 11.2,not a happy liver,so onto pravachol(high dose),chol down to 7. Doc was still not happy and enhanced it with ezetrol. At the time of my bladder ca tests I was suffering from muscle and joint pain . Oh that will be your gouty arthritis. Had blood tests ,my system is full of CPK which is as a result of muscle degeneration. My cholesterol drugs are killing me. Ive gone off ezetrol but still have pain ,had blood tests again yesterday,looks like pravachol might have to go as well. I have survived cancer for 81/2 years but there is always a price to pay. Apart from the pain I have had pancreatitis,lost my gallbladder and several lots of peptic and duodenal ulcers. My docs constantly want to give me anti-depressants ,as it is I only work to pay for my drug habit ,as if I need more scripts. My reply so far is that there is a major difference between depression and being sick of being sick. There are times that if I was given the option of going back nine years I may well have chosen not to have any treatment for my ca,Ron.
  • spok5
    spok5 Member Posts: 18
    #15
    Thank you everyone for your replies. I will give the calcium and magnesium a try. Then a trip to the doctor to see if it is early arthritits-yuck! I got a good laugh at the Spock reference- hahah I didn't realize that that is what my name looked like to others. Actually I am definitely NOT a trekky! The name comes from my home city- Spokane, Washington and the 5 of us in the family- My husband of 20 years and our three great sons. I'll have to be more careful or alittle more creative-haha Thanks again for all of your suggestions and in put. This site is terrific!
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #16
    spok5 said:

    Thank you everyone for your replies. I will give the calcium and magnesium a try. Then a trip to the doctor to see if it is early arthritits-yuck! I got a good laugh at the Spock reference- hahah I didn't realize that that is what my name looked like to others. Actually I am definitely NOT a trekky! The name comes from my home city- Spokane, Washington and the 5 of us in the family- My husband of 20 years and our three great sons. I'll have to be more careful or alittle more creative-haha Thanks again for all of your suggestions and in put. This site is terrific!

    It's so sad when people try to deny their inner-William Shatner...
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #17
    spongebob said:

    It's so sad when people try to deny their inner-William Shatner...

    Can you make the sign with your fingers split?...if you can...wellllll.....

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