side effects from drug combo

[sassy]

I have finished a/c, taxol/herceptin,33 rads. Am er+(70%) pr+(30%) and her+++. Was premeno before chemo, now taking Lupron to maintain in additional to herceptin 3x, arimidex and fosamax.

Do all of these meds plus menopause contribute to joint and muscle pain?
I feel like I'm 90, not 46! It is better when a move around more, but my back tightens up to the point where my husband adjusts my back all the way up and down sometimes twice a day. I do work at a desk/computer, but try to get up and walk aound a bit. Anyone else have these experiences?

Sassy
________
Iolite butane refill (http://vaporshop.com/)

[Lolly]

Sassy, I'm not hormone positive, and was postmenopausal before diagnosis, but I have to say I could NOT tolerate the side effects from fosamax, which I was prescribed for osteopenia. I had terrible muscle and joint pains, along with fever. It was worse than any chemo side effects for me, and I'm no longer on any medication for bones, waiting for my next bone mineral density scan to see where I'm at.

<3 Lolly

[Alice]

If I may ask what is Lupron? It is a new one to me. What does it do?
What does it affect? Hormones etc?never heard of it.

[al from Canada]

Dear Sassy,

This is the second time tonight that I am addressing this issue. The first time was continuous, pretty well all day today peaking about an hour ago with my Linda, who would tell you (right now) that if she felt 90, she would think of herself as a spring chicken! Part of the problem with Linda is that this is the second full week back on arimidex and we are also reducing her pain meds. As if surgical and emotional pain isn't enough; people who don't have cancer have absolutly NO IDEA what you are going through!

Try adding some COX2 inhibitors like celebrex or a natural one like curcumin. A heating pad seems to help Linda somewhat. Some take 1/2 mg ativan just to take the edge off as being in a constant state of pain will cause alot of stress. In fact, studies have shown that pain reduction = stress reduction = improved survival. I think that if ithe pain is bad enough for you to post on this board, then it's bad enough for you to do something about it.

Maybe some others have more suggestions.
Take care,
Al

[lu ann]

Hi All,

I was in severe pain the treatment before last which included zometa along with herceptin and gemsar. I am currently on 100 mcg. fentanel patch for a compression fracture in my spine caused by BC bone mets. I called my nurse and was put on paxil for depression and elavil for the nerve pain. My skin was crawling and my legs were very restless. She told me it would take several weeks before the new meds would kick in but I am already having relief. I think the zometa is what is giving me the most pain as I did not have zometa with my last tx. and my side effects were minimal. Knees ached and I had a headache which lasted about 48 hours. I'm never without pain but I feel great this week in spite of.

Blessings, Lu Ann

[kristen]

Alice,

yes, I believe Lupron is a drug that shuts down your ovaries.

[Becky]

Zyflumend may help. It is a herbal blend of curcumin, rosemary and others that have Cox 2 inhibition (all blended in an olive oil gel cap). It was recently touted on ASCO's Reuter site as being beneficial at reducing prostate cancer (cuz of the Cox 2 mechanism - I will find the article and post it under submitted articles).


I am doing the same as Sassy except no Fosamax. Since I am on Herceptin, my onco just gave me a Zometa treatment and will give me another in 6 months. If I am able to stay on Herceptin for the second year, I will get 2 more Zometa. Fosamax can cause joint and muscle pain and you have to take it every week. It can also cause stomach upset. I did get a little nauseous with the Zometa and had leg pains but it passed in a week (and I'm good to go for another 6 months). I had my ovaries removed so no Lupron but take Arimidex (which can also cause joint pain).

I will find the article on the Cox 2 herbal remedy and post it now.

Becky

[Barbara2]

Sassy,

The drugs I am taking are similiar to yours, and yes I do have quite a few aches. Im not taking Lupron, but do take Herceptin 1xweek, Arimidex, and Actonel, which is a type of bisphosphonate like Fosamax.

I have rib aches (and have had since finishing treatment in March 04), which seem to move around, and more recently quite a few muscle aches, especially in my upper back. As you said, I can sometimes feel those muscles tightening. I'm not sure if it comes with more stress, but lying on a heating pad seems to help quite a bit. The heat makes me relax, and so do the muscles relax with heat.

And I'll throw fibromyalgia (sp?) into the mix. Those oldtime aches from the fibro seem to have increased since starting the herceptin. I don't know how to sort out the causes of aches and pains. Is it from this, or that??

I've also had a bit of a fever when my temp was taken before the herceptin treatment these last 2 weeks. The newbie in my arsenal of drugs is the Actonel, so I'm wondering if that is adding to the muscles and possibly fever.

Another thought, are you taking warfarin? (Possibly, if you have a port) If so, I'm wondering if you should avoid Celebrex. Not sure about that one, though.

Blessings, Barbara

[sassy]

I took Al's advice and started taking ATivan (which I had) and stopped taking any darvocet and immediately felt a difference. Pain had not all gone away, but I do feel much better.

Barbara, I hate that you seem to be in the same boat, but its good to know I'm not the only one experiencing this. Can't take Celebrex anyway because of sulfa allergy.

Luck to you too!

Sassy
________
Bong Bowl (http://glassgallery.tumblr.com)