joint pain

lindyjo · 11-08-2006, 06:13 AM

Hello friends,
I have been done with chemo since Sept. 13th. I'm a little more than halfway done with my 33 rads and am having Herceptin every 3 weeks. I've had some stiffness in my hips since ending the Taxol, especially after sitting for a while.
But now this past week, I'v started to hurt all over! My wrists, shoulders, elbows, fingers, ankles and now my back!! The rad. onc. said he doesn't believe it has anything to do with cancer but he said that when cancer goes to the bone, it will usually go to the spine and now I'm paranoid because my lower back hurts. I have an exam today and plan to ask questions, but I was just wondering if anyone else has had this kind of stiffness and achiness. I'm not on Tamoxifen yet but am worried that that will make this even worse. Someone on this site mentioned that when the chemo pushes you into early menopause it can cause a form of arthritis. Does anyone know any more about that?? I'm trying not to over react, but with all we go through with this disease, it's hard not to. Hoping for input from you. Thanks, Lindyjo

panicked911 · 11-08-2006, 09:13 AM

yes you heard right - meanpaus can equal muscle, joint and bone aches. herceptain is also a culprit as well. Tamoxifen usually is ot a cause of bone and muscle aches but the aromatese inhibitors which are used when you are menapausal ( arimidex, femera) are also to blame.

I am 45 and feel like 70 - however- I have started physical threrapy and exercise regularly and it is improving. hang in there - your body has gone thru all kinds of shocks and remioving estrogen is a biggie - Your body needs time to adjust and you will see the symptoms will calm down .

Susanne

Me2 · 11-08-2006, 10:02 AM

I can really relate. I have just finished Herceptin 3 weeks ago and have had pain since last December. I have had 2 MRI's, a CT scan, Bone Scan, and Pet scan. All have come up negative. I have tail bone and my lower back really hurts. My hips, shoulder and ankle joints are incredibly stiff even after sitting for a short time,
I am hoping this is due to the herceptin but still am worried it is something else most of the time. Don't panic

karenann · 11-08-2006, 11:08 AM

I have the same problems with my, wrists, fingers, elbow, etc. You name it, it hurts. I don't know if it is from the Aromasin, Taxol, Herceptin, menopause???

Karen

sally · 11-08-2006, 04:19 PM

I also have joint, muscle and bone pain. I'm 38 yrs old and feel like I'm 90. I am on Herceptin and Femara and had ovaries removed wich put me into menopause. Sally

bobbiw · 11-08-2006, 04:49 PM

I too was a bit worried about my hip pain (am on Herceptin) but then the pain began to travel to other areas like the lower back, fingers, knee......so I am betting it is the Herceptin for me and probably menopause as well.

Bobbi

tousled1 · 11-08-2006, 05:04 PM

After about my second Herceptin infusion I started to experience severe joint pain -- all over. Since all my scans in October were clear I can only attribute the joint pain to Herceptin. I told my oncologist about it and also my pain management doctor. Pain management doctor said that one of the major side effects of Herceptin is joint pain. Hang in there!

MCS · 11-08-2006, 06:32 PM

OH yeah. Tail bone ache and lower back ache, the pet was clear. it hurts to sit and I'm very stiff, as if with arthritis. before herceptin, I never had joint aches. I take l glucosamine, and it helps a tiny bit.

Thank you for sharing info, it gives me comfort to know there's another stiffy out ther with me

MCS (maria)

lindyjo · 11-08-2006, 07:42 PM

Thanks for the replys. It just helps so much to know you aren't being a hypochondriac. And to know what you are going through isn't totally abnormal. Not that I want other people to be sore & achy, but just to know it doesn't mean something is terribly wrong. Also another FYI. I have read where alot of people are eating flax seed muffins and there is alot of articles stating that flax can reduce Her-2 overexpression by 71%. Well, I was very confused because the summer issue of Women & Cancer says flax & Omega 3's are NOT good for breast cancer. I took both articles with me to my appt. today and my onc. said that flax contains a plant form of estrogen which is not recommended for breast cancer and he said a little flax and/or Omega 3 sources such as fish is okay but alot is not and would not recommend eating the muffins every day or drinking the oil. So take it for what it's worth!! It's hard when there is so much conflicting info out there.

Sandy H · 11-08-2006, 08:35 PM

This is a tough one. I am ER/PR neg. have had bil mastectomies and a hysterectomy. I do use flaxseed oil, make flaxseed muffin, bread and use the meal on cereal. I also use an all natural balancing cream. I have fibromyalgia so have muscles and joint pain. This is what I do for mine. If I was ER pos. I don't know what I would do. One should be careful of mushrooms and soy. I don't like either one so that is not a problem. I would keep trying things such as the goucosamine ?sp but it was mentioned in a previous post. It does take 2 or 3 months for it to work so hang in there if you try it. I took it before the flaxseed. Its not a quick fix! Wishing you well. I am not able to eat tomatoes really gives me joint pain. hugs, Sandy