Joint Pain 3 months post treatment

I finished chemo 5 weeks ago (FEC-T) for breast cancer and have sore thigh muscles and stiff legs. I've also had chemo following ovarian cancer 2017/2018 and had no muscle problems. I'm hoping the pain in my legs will go in time but I suppose it takes time for the chemo drugs to ,leave our bodies.

Not much help but I know how you feel!

Karen

Hi, it’s been a while since I’ve been on here but just seen your post and wondered how your pain is now? 
I finished carbo taxol in October and am in bits! Every time I get out of bed, out of a car or stand up after I’ve been sitting for a while my knees, ankles, feet, hips all hurt like mad! My fingers, wrists, elbows and shoulders all hurt too. Not constantly, they take turns! 

I’ve tried taking vitamin D, glucosamine and chrondotin, and I’ve upped my exercise, I walk at least an hour a day and have started running (more a jiggly jog really lol) I tried yoga recently too.

I wondered if you found any relief? 

Im so grateful that I’m still here and don’t want to appear ungrateful for the life I have but I would like some idea of how long this will last and if anyone has any ideas to ease the pain as it’s so tiring!

I’m only 46 (only!) so hoped I might be a bit fitter. 

I hope you’re doing well, and if nothing else, take comfort in the fact you’re not alone! Zimmer Frames are Us!!!! X

Hi Tania-Teapot, sorry but this might not be of much help at the minute during lockdown. I finished carboplatin/paclitaxel last November and am still on Avastin. I found that I had back ache, shoulder ache and was really stiff every time I stood up for the first few months after I finished chemotherapy. When I was referred to the fatigue clinic at the Oncology centre I described this and we discussed ways that I could try to improve things. I found that going “swimming” in the baby pool at the leisure centre nearby really helped. It’s a small, warm pool that usually has only a handful of parents with babies. I just did some gentle swimming and stretching/twisting exercises in the water.

On the days that I didn’t go swimming, I did some gentle walking. The Oncology centre also offered me some complementary relaxation sessions - these consisted of lovely massages, which really helped.

Of course, as soon as the lockdown happened the leisure centre closed and also any further massage sessions were cancelled. 

To be honest, I have actually felt much better during lockdown where I have only done shorter walks, not been able to go swimming and have been spending more time resting.

Hi MaldivesFan

Thank you for your reply. I’m glad you’ve had some improvements. I did think swimming may help. Perhaps I’ll start once lockdown is lifted.

Keep safe and well xxx

Hi Tania-Teapot, the little pool that I used had lovely warm water and steps to get in and out (which I felt was an important feature), I never really got as far as proper swimming - I just did things like a slow doggy paddle to help stretch my arms and legs. Then a little bit of slow breaststroke and back stroke. Plus some stretching exercises. I just did my own thing and no one bothered me. Importantly, the Dr at the fatigue clinic said not to do anything too strenuous as you need energy left to climb out, get dried and dressed etc at the end. And following her suggestion, I also always stayed for a cuppa in the cafe to rest before leaving for home. 

The leisure centre staff were really helpful when I explained what I needed. They offered me use of the disabled changing room (which I didn’t need). Also, if I had wanted to go in the big pool which only had fixed ladders, then they had a set of steps or something available to help with access.

I had thought about aqua fit etc before going to the fatigue clinic, but the Dr thought that was could be too strenuous to start off with. And then my friend told me how sometimes you can be quite crammed in the pool and some people get a bit carried away - there was no way I fancied being clobbered by someone!

Hi Tania, it's great to hear from you. It sounds like we are of a similar age, and have had the same cancer and treatment. 

In a nutshell, my pain is just the same I'm afraid. I'm doing my best to excercise as best I can. I do Pilates at least twice a week. It's definitely helping with my suppleness but I do wonder if it's helping or not! I'm also doing a lot of biking on my electric bike. I find walking any long distance the most difficult  - any more than about 3km and my hips are agony and my feet feel bruised. 

I had just started back at Zumba before the lockdown and I did manage the full hour, but it was really hard! I am determined to go back though as I love it. 

I feel the same as you when I get up after sitting in one position for a period of time. I have a desk job and when I get up it takes me a good few steps to get everything moving, in particular my hips. 

I feel like I've aged 20 years since treatment :-(

I haven't discussed this in great detail with my consultant as at first I thought that the pain would be temporary and that things would get better. I'm definitely going to discuss it next time though as I feel like it's not going to get any better now that I'm 8 months post treatment. 

Are you struggling opening bottles/jars?! I have even considered buying AIDS to help me because my hands are so weak, but my pride is stopping me! I'm 48 for gods sake!! 

Best regards, Julie X 

Hi Julie.

I am so glad to hear that I’m not the only one, having said that, I wouldn’t wish discomfort or pain on anyone.

I too feel like I’ve aged, I’m like a little old woman. My OH and I laugh at my hobbling and we make a joke of it all. I think laughing helps! However, in truth it gets me down and I’m quite a positive person normally. 

I struggle with bottles and jars, I even struggle with opening the bedroom door handle, not fun at 4am when I need a wee!!! Lol

I asked the oncologist at my appointment and he just dismissed it as just a side effect that will get better. That’s great to hear, but I thought he might be able to give me a time frame. 

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s going to improve. In the mean time, I’m going to keep exercising (jiggly jogging a mile now without stopping!) still doing at least an hours walk a day and doing some yoga online. I’m going to try swimming as suggested to try and build some strength in the supporting muscles. Who knows?

Keep strong and safe. I hope you can avoid the Aids, I figure getting someone else to cook would help more lol! Take care xxx

Hi JMat and everyone, 

I am so glad to read your question and all the responses, because I thought I was going potty - very similar circs to you and all the responders here.... I have to hobble for a bit after getting up or getting out of car.  Really painful.  Long walks very painful.  Ironic, because before I was diagnosed with TNBC in August 2021, I was the fittest and lightest I had ever been! 

I am going to keep pressing on with the exercise - so important both for anti-recurrence of cancer and anti-depressant reasons...  I do yoga and walking, and I have just started cycling again.  Am contemplating doing some running.  My surgery was 6 weeks ago and I definitely noticed a flare up in joint pain after that (strangely where I had had old pains and injuries, and bursitis - so I concluded perhaps it was an inflammatory response - maybe it will go away soon? Fingers crossed). 

Anyway, hope you are all doing well because I can see that this post was some time ago.  

If anyone found ways to help with the joint pain, would be really grateful to know.  And also, how long it took before you felt anything like normal (if that has, in fact, happened). 

Lisa x

Hi 

I could have written this myself. I'm 7 weeks post chemo, and leg weakness, stiffness in joints are worse now than during the chemo.

I've been reading up on chemo induced peripheral neuropathy and it says that the problem can last 3 to 5 months after chemo and is worse during this time. So I'm praying that in 5 months i will be able to walk without looking like I've pooped myself or a 90 year old woman.

As your post was a month ago, how are you doing now? 

Wow all I can say is snap, I'm 10 weeks post op, just about to have last 2 chemos, then following those avastin 3 weekly for at least a year. I'm 67 fit walking up to 10ksteps a day but when I go to get up like you could do with a frame. Keep going it's reasurring to know its not just me.