Don't know where pain is coming from!

julie a · New User Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 6

I had a masectomy in Sept. followed by 4 mo. of chemo. I had Taxotere & Cyclophosphamide. I was estrogen positive and her2neu positive. I am presently taking Herceptin every 3 wks. I started taking Arimedex in Jan. Went off of it in Mar. I have fibromyalgia and the joint pain was too severe. My Onc. put me on Tamoxifen about 3 wks. ago. I felt better when I was doing chemo! I have a lot of muscle and joint pain. I went back to work in March and am having much diffuculty. I clean an apartment complex, and by the time my day is done-so am I. I feel that my quality of life is not what it should be. My Onc. says it takes time for chemo to totally leave the body. Don't get me wrong I am greatful that I am doing as well as I a am and that I have survived this. Does anyone else still have so much fatique and muscle/joint pain? I feel like someone slammed me with a board, I am that tired! I am thinking that maybe I should find another line of work.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 702 Location: UK

Hello Julie - I think very many of us suffer these awful joint/muscle pains. Some seem to be the result of the hormonal treatments, and others the long -term effects of chemo, while you have the additional problem of fibromyalgia. I don't have an answer, but do extend much sympathy. Chemo does take up to and over six months to be absorbed, and it can be a struggle.

A couple of questions - are you taking any additional supplements and is your Onc. sympathetic to complementary therapies (like massage, reiki etc)?

julie a · New User Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 6

My Onc. is very good. He would be open to anything I thought would help me. I just don't know what that is. I have had fibro for a long time with flares here and there, nothing that stays like this. I used to be able to take Aleve and feel better. Nothing seems to touch this. I would love to hear from anyone who knows what might ease the pain some. Exercising helps, I am better moving than sitting, but get too tired on the move all the time. I feel like I have done everything they tell you to do as far as after care goes, diet, exercise, rest, but no one seems to be able to tell me how to get through this. I feel like I am getting depressed too. That might be from the tamoxifen.I am normally a very upbeat and positive person.I am 52. I had three tumors, one in the duct and two infiltrating. They think by taking the breast that they got it all, but used the chemo and Herceptin as reassurance.

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

julie a,
Agree with Vee, you are still undergoing treatment and just finished other types of chemotherapy. You're body will need time to recover and this can take up to a year or more. Just take one day at a time and keep working with your medical team. Good luck.
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RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 702 Location: UK

I agree with Rich, but would like to suggest that you try reiki. If you can find a good practitioner it really can help with coping.

julie a · New User Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 6

Thanks for the replies. It helps to know that others know how you feel. I think I expect more from myself than I should.
I definately would like to try the reiki. I have heard of that. I thought maybe massage might help too. I will be looking into that.
Thanks

Cindy · Senior User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 156

Hi Julie. So sorry you are not feeling yourself. The bone, joint and muscle aches will take about a year to dissipate. The chemo takes a while to move out of the body. I didn't feel anywhere near normal until 2.5 years, but the aches went away at one year. After that, I just felt really old for a while. All we can do is just trudge on. Wishing you better days.
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Muttsmom

Hi Julie,
Arimidex can cause bad bone and joint pain. Mine was so bad it was hard for me to get out of bed, my feet/ankles hurt so bad. I also got trigger fingers. I told my onco about it and even though I don't have osteoporosis, he put me on Actonel (it prevents it too) and the 2nd time I took it, the pain in my feet/ankles, hands and fingers was gone. The trigger fingers even quick locking up and my fingers are completely normal. You might want to ask your onco about that.

Let me know what he/she says and how it works for you. It was such a blessing to me. NO MORE PAIN and Arimidex is such a good drug, I didn't want to get off of it, especially with my age/stage. Also, get your cholesterol checked. Arimidex can cause that to go sky high. My triglicerites have been as high a 725. I'm on crestor now and get it rechecked later this month. It doesn't affect everyone, but a friend of mine who's on Femara is having the same problems. I'll happily take another pill to keep this cancer away Smile

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Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

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