For the record...
When I was on my first chemo ('95-'96) I walked slowly, kind of shuffled, more than lifting my feet up. Unless I really made an effort to look normal. With 2nd chemo ('98-'99) Taxotere gave me deep muscle pain in my arms and my legs. They ached like they were extremely sore. I kept rearranging myself in different positions, on different chairs, with varying pillows, but couldn't find any relief anywhere. Pain meds *helped* but it was always there. I couldn't stand for long. I was always looking for a place to sit. Or to lean. When I *walked* I kept tripping on my toes, as each step was such an effort.
I still feel what I describe as deep muscle aching in my legs all these yrs later. I have no pain in my joints or bones. I did have pain in my lower back the other day and then I realized that when I sit at the computer I lock my ankles together, a bit off the floor, and noted that when doing this it strains my lower back. So I am consciously reminding myself all day to stop doing that. The tiniest thing can become a habit which can become a stress on a body part. Like a pain in the neck and shoulders, from thinking stressful thoughts all day. Even worrying about what to make for dinner can create seemingly imperceptive tightening of body parts. And once you've had cancer -- you need to be especially alert to what you can actually create with your thoughts.
I take one Flexoral (muscle relaxant) at night every day, and I believe this helps. Omega 3s also have anti-inflammatory benefits among many other good purposes! Check out RB's posts on this. He has even written an entire book on the miraculous OMEGA 3s. RB is our resident OMEGA MAN!!
Dr. John Sarno's book THE DIVIDED MIND is an enlightening and
life-altering read!! I saw this remarkable man in 1981 when I was completely immobilized by back pain. Degenerating disc disease, herniated disc, oozing blah blah orthopedists said. Surgery they said. Sarno demonstrated how we send messages from our autonomic nervous system (center of brain) to neck, shoulders and down spine. He is a psychiatrist (a real doc who treats the person, body and mind). His wisdom has saved me from decades of pain from the stresses of Life, and of course the stress of living as a cancer survivor!
BE WELL!
Andi 