Connection with breast cancer, OA hip and Tamoxifen

Hi Pinkypie I haven’t had tamoxifen but my arthritis symptoms got a lot worse following 9 months of treatment with steroids for a treatment related kidney injury. I had a hip replacement about 8 months after stopping the treatment. To be fair, the other one had been done before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Thanks for replying. Its a quagmire after cancer treatment trying to find out if there are any connections between drugs and OA. My hip replacement is in July. Cannot wait. Its soooooo painful 

Hip replacements are transformative. Wishing you all the best. 

I took tamoxifen for five years. I struggled in a morning to walk my joints were so painful. I was in my early fifties. At the end of five years I had a breakdown. Pain , stress and depression were the cause I thought. I had to have a return to work medical. The doctor, not my GP informed me that much of the pain was caused by tamoxifen as it dries out the joints , caused memory issues etc etc. The list is endless.  

The second time I refused to take it the advantages were not enough. This time they've given me a different drug. I've honestly been too ill with infection since starting it to notice any side effects.

I doubt I'll let anyone near me with a scalpel ever again but I've only heard good things about joint replacement. 

If hubs’ experience is anything to go by hip replacements are incredibly successful, but do err on the safe side about the normal movement advised after 6 weeks, go gently. He pushed it too hard on that same day on the second one and dislocated (rare) 

but he had malformed shallow sockets in both hips, the first was done aged 47, amazingly good full recovery, he said even a day post-op, he was waiting for the pain to come back but it didn’t! 

Hugs xxx

I also developed bad pain in my hip and lower spine. My BC nurse arranged a nuclear bone scan as they were concerned it might be bone mets. It showed I have OA in my lower spine, left hip ,shoulders and neck. I am sure letrozole is responsible as the joint pain began after I started taking it. I am 4 and a half years through my 10 years on it, so hoping things don't get any worse. Good luck with your hip replacment operation.

Thank you