Joint pain through immunotherapy

Hi Austin welcome to the group, but sorry you find yourself having to join us here.

I haven’t had immunotherapy, but my treatment does cause joint pain. I find that trying to keep moving does help, but I also have been prescribed amitriptlyne to help with this. It might be worth mentioning the joint pain to your oncology team and see if they can suggest something for you. 

Hi carol

Nice to see you've joined our forum, you will find we are a great bunch of poeple who always support each other.

I am 27 cycles into my immunotherapy treatment, I will be completing 25, my immunotherapy treatments are   Immunotherapy Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab and I also have joint pain and have had since I completed the first couple of cycles, some days are worse than others specially after treatment, I was prescribed some fast relief pain control and that helps, so you might find it useful to speak to you nurse specialist if you have one or your consultant and ask about some additional pain meds. Joint pain is a common side effect of immunotherapy treatments 

I don't know how useful you'll find my waffle but I'm happy to chat anytime and if you want to read more about my treatment just tap my avatar and my profile information will come up for you, if want to ask any questions please feel free to message.

Have a great evening 

Donna

That should read I will be completing 35 cycles of immunotherapy 

Hi Austin, I started getting joint pain after my 3rd immunotherapy infusion(durvumulab) July 21 mentioned this to my oncologist who said to take paracetamol  3 times daily, fast forward to now still suffering joint pain had a course of steroids now being referred to rheumatology, they are aware that this can happen but normally will stop after treatment finished mine finished may 22 it mainly affects my hands which can be quite debilitating and makes me feel clumsy as don't have the same strength as joints really get sore and swollen, I would mention it to your Dr and hopefully they can help .

Hi Donna, thanks for the reply.can I. Ask how painful was your joint pain because mine was so bad I could not sleep. Mainly in my hands at first and then in every joint. Was prescribed paracetamol 2 four times a day and Iburprufen 2 three times a day, however, hand pain still kept me awake at night. Have benn taken off therapy and put on steroids, I also have an appointment with arthritis team. Hope I don’t have to come off treatment altoge5her.

Hi Evelyn, thanks for the reply.can I. Ask how painful was your joint pain because mine was so bad I could not sleep. Mainly in my hands at first and then in every joint. Was prescribed paracetamol 2 four times a day and Iburprufen 2 three times a day, however, hand pain still kept me awake at night. Have benn taken off therapy and put on steroids, I also have an appointment with arthritis team. Hope I don’t have to come off treatment altoge5her.

Hi Austin

My joint pain is very bad I cope during the day although there are times when I just want to cry I'm in that much pain. The pain is much worse at night specially in my legs joints and arms, I was referred to the palliative care team for my pain don't be afraid to ask for a referral to that team they aren't just there for end of life care which is what most people think they are for in fact they specialists in pain management, I was prescribed longtec which is a slow release pain killer I take that s twice a day that's helps most of the day at night I can boost this with shortec which is the same pain killer but fast acting so works very quickly and help for a couple of hours so I do get some rest at night.

Please don't struggle with pain get some help, speak to the nurse specialist and perhaps ask if you can be referred to palliative care team, when it comes to pain and cancer you need specialist help.

None of my pain meds have affected my treatment plan, my oncologist has been great and welcomed the support the palliative care care have given me with my pain. I hope this helps a bit, if you want to know more please feel free to ask.

Good luck with it all always here if you need anything

Donna 

I’m so sorry to hear about your pain Donna and I think I’m going to suffer the same and I think my Ongologist will stop the treatment. Gutted to find out that Immunotherepy is affecting most people this way. 
stay strong