Muscle pain in arms - anyone else experienced this?

Hi I am new on here, new diagnosis not yet started treatment.

However I am experienced in most if not all of the aches pains stiffness numbness tingling sharp searing pains

uncontrolled motor movements. headaches. skin rashes allergies to so many things over the years I lost count.

you can imagin, apart from the shock of finding out I now have to deal with Breast cancer HER2 positive.

and reading all the stuff you people are going through because of the treatments it is a nightmare to think I am now going to have to start all over again dealing with this on top of all that I deal with anyway.

I can tell you tips if that's any help to you. I am so sorry for your pain.

hi  

I'm not having these therapies but I do sympathise, I had what I figured was 'tennis elbow' and it was really quite depressing, not being able to pick things up without getting twinges, picking up a kettle, picking up the milk, and all the time worrying it was something to do with the cancer or the treatment, it's exhausting. Good luck with tests, and don't forget some people were saying that varying the brands helped.

Hi  

I got a lot of random symptoms over the years, mostly down to allergies, nothing too debilitating thankfully but some eye conditions leaving me looking like a swamp monster.

Welcome to the site, please don't preempt reactions and side effects and don't panic too much about them, there are plenty of ways to cope.

My biggest issue was constipation and I thoroughly recommend keeping on top of that with stoned fruit, peaches, plums, apricots, tinned peaches and prunes etc, anything you can fancy to eat.

I had a mastectomy then 4 x EC and 4 x T with Herceptin, I'm just about to have my last Herceptin jab this Friday.

Carolyn

xxx

I am on Letrozole but am only in my second month of taking it.  I have the hot flushes but nothing unbearable after having them for the menopause.  I had nausea for about 4 days then it stopped.  However the constipation (never thought I'd discuss this in public!) just this week has been awful.  I think I took my eye off the ball on my fluid intake.  Yesterday I was contemplating dialling for an ambulance because of the pain.  It went on in waves for 4 hours so much I nearly fainted and was sick.  Eventually sitting in a warm bath relaxed my muscles and nature took its course shortly afterwards without much pain.  I have never known anything like it. I hope it passes like the other effects did.

I have been only a bit stiff but have put it down to inactivity.  Probably best to keep as active as possible.  Like others have said, if you can't get over these side effects there are other brands that can be tried. My doctor told me there are 3 options.  I think that they don't like to swap unless you have problems, but it sounds like you may have some.

Hi Carolyn thanks for your welcome and reply.

I will try not to preempt but reading all makes it difficult.The prunes are an old standby and I put a tin in the cupboard just in case. along with other items looks like I may need with the treatments.

I am new to all the terms used so I was wondering if there is a code map for all the abreviations that

all you experienced people take for granted. Its a foreign language to me.4xEC and 4XT I am guessing treatment but could be therapy?

I am glad its your last Jab and hope your going to celebrate the occasion.:) good luck take care xxx

hi  

I do have some things for you 

here's a link to a nice colour illustration of how breast cells progress (deterioate) to becoming cancerous cells

here's a link to an 'idiots guide' with acknowledgements, which tells you how they determine the various types of breast cancer and how to treat you .

now, the TLAs  (three letter acronyms) ...  I'll have to have a look, I'm sure there is one

for now, EC is Epirubicin (a nice pink drug) and Cyclophosphamide (one of the older chemo drugs) the 4 refers to 4 cycles which are given at 3 weekly intervals. The T refers to a taxane chemo drug which can be paclitaxel or docetaxel and the 4 again refers to how many cycles, mine was accelerated so one infusion every 2 weeks.  That's pretty standard for Her2+++ breast cancer (BC)

I try not to use too many of the quite common ones, like Mastectomy is MX  .. I just googled that and a list of abbreviations appeared, here you go  link

when googling to try and stick to the reputable sites ( I gave myself 2 years to live when I was first diagnosed : /  and then realised I could be saved by paying 200$$$ to a cult in the states ... I'm joking )

My pet soap box item is teeth and dental hygiene, bacteria can sneak in via the gums and cause sepsis when our immune systems are depleted by chemo.

let me know what else you'd like and I'll see what I can do

Carolyn

xx

Hi Fiddlesticks, 

I've only taken Letrozole for a month now, but last 3 days i have had the exact same feeling you describe in my legs. :-( 

I am halfway through my radiotherapy, so not sure if my body is just struggling to cope with the new onslaught after the chemo or if its the Letrozole.

I find it feels slightly better after walking, but not sure what alternative would work for arms.

Warm regards,

Xx

Hi Carolyn,

Phew that's an education in itself. Thanks for all the info. see how  wrong I was to guess.

I am saving this page so I can keep referring to it and the links.xx

Hi

Hi fiddlesticks. I know exactly what your going through I have a lot of bone pain and joint pain too. I'm on anastrazole for another 4 years. I can't take ibuprofen for the pain and reducing swelling now as it landed me in hospital due to heart palpitations. I pace the floor at night because I find it difficult to sleep in fact to be honest  I've not had a good sleep since I was put on anastrazole. I keep saying to myself it's keeping the cancer away . But it only helps a little. I see the team again in October will be having a chat with them.

Hugs xxxxx

Hi everyone 

There are links on here and discussions if you type in letrozole and side effects 

I insisted on taking femara and so far minimal side effects ..it's often the cheap fillers they use and please please report them to the yellowcard ...I'm pleased to say rowlands chemist now advertise on their bags to report side effects ...I was advised to take glucosamine sulphate ...I ran out last week for three days. ...felt like I was 90 so back on them and my GP said if aches pain breaks through ..double the dose ....re the constipation take an ibuprofen morning/night ..I'm not medically trained just lots of advice on here ...hope it settles down soon 

Hugs and Rainbows 

Debs xxx