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NEDenise · 09-13-2011, 04:10 PM

Help!
My finger and toe knuckles are swollen and hurt! I've had arthritis for years...but this is worse...not excruciating, but really, quite uncomfortable. (I finished Taxol about 3 weeks ago; now I'm on Herceptin q3weeks for a year)

I feel like I've gotten old overnight. And while my fondest wish is, to actually have the chance to grow old...I'd like it to take a long, long time! LOL

I've tried NSAIDs, which always worked for arthritis...and they have no effect on this pain. Tried ice packs, and they helped while they were on, but my knuckles ache again within a few minutes of removing the ice.

Since you ladies warned me to take Claritin before Neulasta, and Zyrtec for my Herceptin-induced runny nose...I'm hoping some of you have found just the right thing to stop aching finger and toe joints.

Thanks, Ladies!
Denise

09-13-2011, 04:10 PM	#1
NEDenise Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs Posts: 1,709	Help! My hand and foot joints hurt!!! Help! My finger and toe knuckles are swollen and hurt! I've had arthritis for years...but this is worse...not excruciating, but really, quite uncomfortable. (I finished Taxol about 3 weeks ago; now I'm on Herceptin q3weeks for a year) I feel like I've gotten old overnight. And while my fondest wish is, to actually have the chance to grow old...I'd like it to take a long, long time! LOL I've tried NSAIDs, which always worked for arthritis...and they have no effect on this pain. Tried ice packs, and they helped while they were on, but my knuckles ache again within a few minutes of removing the ice. Since you ladies warned me to take Claritin before Neulasta, and Zyrtec for my Herceptin-induced runny nose...I'm hoping some of you have found just the right thing to stop aching finger and toe joints. Thanks, Ladies! Denise __________________ 1/11-needle biopsy 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH! 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!! 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon 11/11 radiation x28 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY! 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :( 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon 6/8/12 Return to work :) 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :( 7/10/12 last Herceptin 7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm 8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb 8/23/12 Back to work 12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair 1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY! 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working! 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear! 7/5/13 finally off steroids!! 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin! 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again! 8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :) 9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert