Lower back pain after successive chemo

Hi Anicat  I had bad pain on my first round of R-CHOP (some related to a previous operation) when I saw the specialist nurse at my second chemo round and she immediately said it was the filgrastim (Zarzio) and gave me smaller doses over a four day period which has helped a great deal and made the pain bearable. They had arranged for the district nurse to call to give these but it was during the snow an I live half way up a mountain so my husband finished up giving me them.( They also gave me liquid morphine because of other pain problems) I think the best thing might be to discuss with the Specialist nurse.  There are a couple of chaps on this site who have a wealth of experience and they may be able to give some better advise.

Thinking of you both on the journey.

Hi and welcome to the Community, I had a different chemo and presented in my neck so cant give you any support on that one but I am sure that some of the others will be along to help out.

Hi again AniCat, I had to go out hence my 'to the point first reply'. 

I was 58 when I had my 6 cycles of R-EPOCH, it was hard work especially come the end of the treatment. You don't say where the cancer was presenting in her body as this may have a bearing on the pain.

She needs to keep some activity going, even short walks can help as the muscles do start to waste away and she can end up with lots of pain in the arms and legs. As for the back and after having time to reflect back 4 years I did have some back pain. I had 750+ hours of chemo so a long time sitting and laying in bed resulting in lower back pain but once I got up and about it made a big difference. She also needs to keep drinking lots of water to flush out the toxins from her body.

Always important to talk to her specialist nurse or GP to keep them informed and to look for them to check her out. A simple thing like a Kidney infection can give a lot of back pain.

Always around to help out and to answer questions.

Afternoon Anicat. I was 68 when I finished my RCHOP 2 years ago for stage 4 DLBC. I had been been hospitalised for the first 3 months of RCHOP then in a hospital bed at home for a further 2 months. I had a lot of back pain and the zarzio injections did not help. One of the lymphoma was also in my back. Although I was in a wheelchair for a few months for outside trips, I was encouraged to be as mobile as possible once my enforced bed rest ended.  I had a walker in the house until I convinced them I could walk steadily and manage stairs. I also had a very good local health service which provided physio at home. I did have oramorf if it became too bad as normally I can only tolerate paracetamol. Once I became more mobile it did improve I still get the occasional twinge but at 70 that’s not unusual. I hope your mum’s back pain abates soon. 

Hi, Anicat I suppose the question re the back pain depends where it is....if it interferes with any nerves or if it's in the bone......filling in a bit of information on your profile would help was told that dlbc affects the bone cortex so can cause damage (unlike follicular that stays within marrow)

I found my back pain (work related) improved during chemo as the prednisolone reduces inflammation. Regarding the nasty bone pain I got after the zarzio injections I found injecting them before bed with paracetamol helped....I just slept through! Gentle walks as highlander () mentioned also helps as there's an awful lot of sitting about...I was actually more comfortable lying....maybe some gentle stretches and back exercises etc

Basically keep moving, use muscle rub like blue active gel from pioneer trading ( or make own with dollop of pink baby lotion and couple of drops of olbas oil. I was worried about using heat but hospice doctor said it was ok!

Good luck!

Lynda xx

I had lower back pain for a few days between the second and third round of R-CHOEP for no apparent reason. My doctor suggested that could take some paracetamol. I did some yoga exercises, walked as much as possible and rested/slept with my legs lifted. I experimented with ice and heat on my back. Heat gave the best relief.

I’m 63. I have recently finished treatment for DLBC stage 4 extra nodal with 6 rounds of R-CHOEP and one treatment with high-dose methotrexate. Was told yesterday that I am in complete remission.

Best

ARNO

Hello !! Sorry to hear about your mom. I have shoulder pain. To help it I stretch and try to keep hydrated. I just started exercising and it helps.

I noticed you said you had a node on your back, was this giving you pain before you started treatment? If so did the pain seem to come and go even during treatment?

Another thought.....may be worth checking out vitamin d levels as deficiency can cause muscular pain and affect bone structure

Lxx

Thanks. Will do.