HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Race for the cure

StephN · 03-04-2006, 12:22 PM

We had a discussion about this very problem quite a while back and a number of us who were not too far out from chemos suffered this complaint.
Mine really started AFTER I got off the first round of chemos - Adriamycin and Taxotere. Got worse after the 27 rounds of Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin to kick out my mets. I did take neurontin for a short time and that helped.

About 6-7 months after getting off the last drugs, I had real problems with my hands and wrists. Swelling of joints, difficulty doing everything, dropping things. X-ray as well as blood work showed no sign of positivity for arthritic conditions (there are many). One blood value was up - the ANA was positive. Diagnosis - "unspecified connective tissue disorder." I took Plaquinel and that seemed to keep it under control.
After being on the Decadron (a strong steroid anti-inflammitory) last year for my brain mets, I had NO problems with my hands/wrists/elbows for several months. Then last Fall had some joint problems again in hands in wrists, but meds helped it.
Lately I do not seem to be bothered and I forget to take my pills. Not sure if it was a transient thing or what.
My rheumatologist is puzzled, but I have the meds on hand if I need them. When I am able to garden again, that acitivty may bring on the problem.

03-04-2006, 12:22 PM	#5
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Hand arthritis We had a discussion about this very problem quite a while back and a number of us who were not too far out from chemos suffered this complaint. Mine really started AFTER I got off the first round of chemos - Adriamycin and Taxotere. Got worse after the 27 rounds of Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin to kick out my mets. I did take neurontin for a short time and that helped. About 6-7 months after getting off the last drugs, I had real problems with my hands and wrists. Swelling of joints, difficulty doing everything, dropping things. X-ray as well as blood work showed no sign of positivity for arthritic conditions (there are many). One blood value was up - the ANA was positive. Diagnosis - "unspecified connective tissue disorder." I took Plaquinel and that seemed to keep it under control. After being on the Decadron (a strong steroid anti-inflammitory) last year for my brain mets, I had NO problems with my hands/wrists/elbows for several months. Then last Fall had some joint problems again in hands in wrists, but meds helped it. Lately I do not seem to be bothered and I forget to take my pills. Not sure if it was a transient thing or what. My rheumatologist is puzzled, but I have the meds on hand if I need them. When I am able to garden again, that acitivty may bring on the problem.