Joint pain

Hi Fran

I had terrible joint pain on Tamoxifen. My Unit did a blood test for vitamin d levels which apparently can cause this. My levels were very low. I had supplements for a couple of weeks when my levels came normal. My joint pain improved dramatically!! 

Hi

As already said, it could be vitamin D deficiency - I am on Adcal (calcium and VIT D) with my anastrozole. If you aren't get to your doctors and get a test and hopefully a prescription as that comes hand in hand with having the oestrogen inhibitor drugs due to the reduction in oestrogen and osteoperosis link. 

Could it also be that you're sitting differently due to protecting your at risk arm?  Years ago I ended up with a completely frozen shoulder and I was given an exercise from a physio at the hospital (it was the way I was holding my right arm, having lost an elbow in a road accident and how it was affecting my neck which was causing the shoulder pain).  Place 2 fingers on your chin and push your neck backwards (not forcefully with your fingers, but feel your chin move away from your fingers).  Any time I now start to get a little bit of pain in my shoulders I do this exercise and it never gets any worse and eases up in about an hour.

Hope this helps

Hi Lesley, 

Thanks so much for that. I am on Adcal already. I’m not aware that I’m protecting my arm, I’ve always had full movement and the pain I get is bilateral.

I do wonder if HRT would help, the research is not conclusive that their is a significant risk of cancer returning on it? I feel quality of life should be taken into account?

Hi

I don't think you'd get anyone to prescribe you HRT as this would be doing the opposite of the anastrozole and now your exemestane is trying to do!

I have had joint pain on Anastrozole when I got given different brands of the drugs.  If you put Anastrozole or Letrozole or Exemestane in the search bar you will find a few threads about these oestrogen inhibitor drugs and find that joint pain features quite a lot.  However, when I had the Accord brand, I didn't get any pains - so I did a mini trial. I had some of the other tablets (same ingredients) and took them for 2 days - pain came back within a day!  Stopped them and went back to the Accord, day later - no pain.  Did this a couple of times and the same happened.  I now have on my prescription slip "Accord brand only" My doctor is particularly helpful .  Some doctors don't believe that the coatings make any difference, but I honestly believe they do.  

Quality of life is important I totally agree.  But equally, you want the best opportunity to not have the cancer returning.  Try getting different brands and experiment.  Also, why not try and get a referral for a physio at the hospital?  They might find something, you never know!  Worth trying everything as definitely HRT is not your answer and I would be shocked if any doctor prescribed it to you.

Kindest wishes,

Thanks Lesley, that’s so helpful. I will discuss with my GP xx

Hi

I have severe joint pain, in elbows, knees, hips, and hands, never had it before treatment and it seemed to coincide with taking Letrozole, so my oncologist stopped it for 8 weeks with no improvement.  I was told it could be the chemo and radiotherapy and that my arthritis could of been dormant.  I am taking turmeric capsules, Glucosamine and Chondroitin and also cod liver oil, this has helped a little.  Also been told swimming may help which I am going to try.

Hoping you find something that helps