swollen ankles

Karen W · 01-14-2008, 08:12 AM

I haven't really had a problem during or after treatment with swollen ankles or legs. However, like Sassy, my fingers (more joints) are extremely swollen. I can't even bend the fingers of my right hand at all, yesterday and now today.

I am sure my symptoms are from Aromasin and I will speak to my onc about it this Friday at my appointment.

Karen

Mgarr · 01-14-2008, 05:41 PM

Forgive me ahead of time I don't usually get like this but I am reading more & more here about swelling & joint problems.

I had alot of swelling after my Herceptin treatments & I drank lots of water to help alleviate, it started in my ankles and then I had pain in one of my calves. I mentioned it but the doc wasn't concerned because my MUGA's were good so I suffered. Fast forward to ending treatment I had a little relief in the calf then my hip started aching non stop went thru PT to no avail then had a MRI; there was a great deal of swelling but they were not sure what the problem was. I went thru numerous blood tests and other tests with orthopeds until they finally decided it was not an infection or cancer so I could have the hip replaced. While using a cane my left wrist and elbow were swellling (I wrote a post or two about having lymphadema.) It was not lymphadema (recommened to see a neurologist because it was probably caused by surgery) before I could see a neurologist every joint in my body tripled in size and I could barely move. Back to the docs finally to a rheumatologist who drained all the fluid testing it and determined I have an "inflammatory arthritis" - which he said is mostly hereditary. Now, there are health issues that run in our family and this is not one of them. I tell every medical professional that will listen this is a result of my treatment & everyone dismisses me!

sassy · 01-14-2008, 07:12 PM

Fast forward for me too---

My swelling and stiffness in all joints, especially hands/fingers persisted until November 07. My regular doc and my onc started working on changes in meds to try to alleviate side effects. I had been on HZTZ for slightly elevated BP. My regular doc suggested trying Lasix--and after a little trial and error on dosing, the Lasix seems to have all but eliminated my stiffness! I would not have thought fluid had so much to do with the stiffness. I know Arimidex and Lupron probably contribute, but with the improvements since starting Lasix, I don't think I need to change anything else. I feel SO much better.

Paris · 01-15-2008, 11:34 AM

I was on taxotere and definitely noticed I would swell up as soon as I took decadron which I thought was odd because it's supposed to help prevent the fluid retention issues of taxotere. Anyway, I was looking forward to all that going away after I finished chemo but then I started herceptin and I still have problems with swelling. Ironically over the last two months I started getting lymphadema as well as swelling in my ankles, abdomen and wrists. I saw a lymphadema specialist for the arm and a cardiologist because I was concerned the fluid might indicate a cardiac issue but he didn't seem to think I was retaining fluid. I am small framed to begin with so it's hard to "prove". I felt like I had to do alot of convincing to get further testing done. I hate feeling like a hypocondriat. Do the doctors think I enjoy sitting in their waiting room?

Thank you Suzan for posting this thread!

Jamie

tousled1 · 01-15-2008, 06:45 PM

While I was on Herceptin only I had swelling in my ankles/feet. Some mornings when I got up I felt like my feet were going to snap off. I attribute it to the Herceptin. I continue to have swelling and before I get out of bed in the morning I do some ankle exercises -- just roll them in a circle a few times -- seems to help.