Aching legs/Radiotherapy

Hi all wonderful ladies,  I now have so many appointments that they have taken over my life.  Today is all going to be spent at home Yeh!!!   Well a new "slant" on things.  The "Pod" looked at my feet; listened to my history of recent chemo, Arimidex; asked me to "walk a straight line" then delivered this.  "you are very flat footed and "double jointed" which means that my joints are floppy."  The "double jointedness" means that there are spaces between my bones without support of whatever I need to "hold everything together" when I move.  She the "Pod" thinks that there is residual "poisons ie chemo and drugs" trapped in there giving me the pain.  "Sorry but it is going to take a long time to be free of it."  I am presently "strapped up" (my feet) to see if this will give them some support.  Of course I need to look into getting ortho shoes whilst I am suffering this pain.  More $$$$$$.  (we were out of pocket over $18,000 this financial year for medical expenses)  Heh I am not whinging - just hoping for some relief.  If this "treatment" gives me some relief maybe she will look at doing something similar for my hands - but I am happy to just get the feet improved.  If the feet improve maybe the knees will "follow suit".  I have to make an appointment to see an acupuncturist as well and then my sister suggested I see a Bowen Therapist - did someone say I won the lottery!!!!!!  I just keep thinking about all the "action" I was doing this time last year and hoping that this time next year I can "mirror" it.  Bring it on!!!!!!!!! XLeonie 

Hi all wonderful ladies,  I now have so many appointments that they have taken over my life.  Today is all going to be spent at home Yeh!!!   Well a new "slant" on things.  The "Pod" looked at my feet; listened to my history of recent chemo, Arimidex; asked me to "walk a straight line" then delivered this.  "you are very flat footed and "double jointed" which means that my joints are floppy."  The "double jointedness" means that there are spaces between my bones without support of whatever I need to "hold everything together" when I move.  She the "Pod" thinks that there is residual "poisons ie chemo and drugs" trapped in there giving me the pain.  "Sorry but it is going to take a long time to be free of it."  I am presently "strapped up" (my feet) to see if this will give them some support.  Of course I need to look into getting ortho shoes whilst I am suffering this pain.  More $$$$$$.  (we were out of pocket over $18,000 this financial year for medical expenses)  Heh I am not whinging - just hoping for some relief.  If this "treatment" gives me some relief maybe she will look at doing something similar for my hands - but I am happy to just get the feet improved.  If the feet improve maybe the knees will "follow suit".  I have to make an appointment to see an acupuncturist as well and then my sister suggested I see a Bowen Therapist - did someone say I won the lottery!!!!!!  I just keep thinking about all the "action" I was doing this time last year and hoping that this time next year I can "mirror" it.  Bring it on!!!!!!!!! XLeonie 

Yes, I can relate. Aches and pains seem to be part of life now. 

 Take things slowly, carefully, gently is one motto I have these days.

Today I am going to a spa pool today in our town; 34 degrees and some gentle exercies in water for an hour.

I also have scanning laser a few times a year now. It seems to help with a lot of soft tissue injuries, also muscle aches and pains, swelling, lymphoedema,  leg ulcers and post surgery healing and softening scar tissue.

 I have it at St Mary's hopsital in East Tasmania. It is, 150 kms, or a 2 hour drive from here, so I will make a day of it, and take a picnic and a friend. It costs about $60 for an hour.

I am also 55, and post menopausal. This slows you down and I have noticed ageing in my body since chemotherapy at 42, and in the last 8 years. my joints have less cushioning and i am stiffer in them etc. yes I wear lower heels these days too.

I take zoloft 50 mgs daily and livial daily, plus some fish oil.  My metabolism has definitely slowed down now. I used to play midweek tennis, now  I have to watch how much  I eat and to factor in walking etc. It is easier to sit and day dream the day away. LOL.

I have less muscle strength also, especially in the last couple of years. My cholesterol is going up also since everything, so I have to have fish 3 times a week, high fibre diet and walk / move. My bone density a couple of years ago was mid level. I need to have another one soon. I hate all these tests, but  we want to keep our health too. I do feel 65, 75, 85  instead of 55  most days...LOL

O well, keep at it, ...  bye for now.. OOOXXX. Kathy.

Yes, I can relate. Aches and pains seem to be part of life now. 

 Take things slowly, carefully, gently is one motto I have these days.

Today I am going to a spa pool today in our town; 34 degrees and some gentle exercies in water for an hour.

I also have scanning laser a few times a year now. It seems to help with a lot of soft tissue injuries, also muscle aches and pains, swelling, lymphoedema,  leg ulcers and post surgery healing and softening scar tissue.

 I have it at St Mary's hopsital in East Tasmania. It is, 150 kms, or a 2 hour drive from here, so I will make a day of it, and take a picnic and a friend. It costs about $60 for an hour.

I am also 55, and post menopausal. This slows you down and I have noticed ageing in my body since chemotherapy at 42, and in the last 8 years. my joints have less cushioning and i am stiffer in them etc. yes I wear lower heels these days too.

I take zoloft 50 mgs daily and livial daily, plus some fish oil.  My metabolism has definitely slowed down now. I used to play midweek tennis, now  I have to watch how much  I eat and to factor in walking etc. It is easier to sit and day dream the day away. LOL.

I have less muscle strength also, especially in the last couple of years. My cholesterol is going up also since everything, so I have to have fish 3 times a week, high fibre diet and walk / move. My bone density a couple of years ago was mid level. I need to have another one soon. I hate all these tests, but  we want to keep our health too. I do feel 65, 75, 85  instead of 55  most days...LOL

O well, keep at it, ...  bye for now.. OOOXXX. Kathy.

Hi Ladies,

I have had similar, but new to me, muscle aches every morning, joint aches and slowness, which only started 4 weeks after my last taxotere chemo plus serious fluid retention (with nothing like that occurring during the side effects of the previous 3 months of chemo)

and have come to the conclusion of what the Drs Dont tell you.  Everyone expects side-effects during chemo, but it seems to be a hidden secret of the chemo After-effects (i shall call them) which occur (and are different) after the final chemo and can last between 3 & 6 months (sorry about this bad news)

My guess is that your body has been through the rollercoaster, all the internal systems are out of balance (as I know that cholesterol and haemaglobin are affected by chemo plus probably a bunch of other things)

and the body is trying to recoup & replace who knows what, I had to ask for fluid tablets to help as the Dr said "It would go away Eventually" - well "eventually" was too long, too unpleasant and difficult, and the tabs definitely helped reduce pain and discomfort and weight, although muscle aches still there, and the suggestion was take anadol everyday
So my next strategy is to up the fish oil and take some joint/cartliage supplements.

With the chemo journey, I think the reality is more like "12 months total treatment" and I think they hide the fact so people dont refuse the treatment in the first place.

anyway its bearable now as i am back to work part-time, and I cant wait til I am discomfort freeeeeeeee - surely a day for celebration!

B

Hi Ladies,

I have had similar, but new to me, muscle aches every morning, joint aches and slowness, which only started 4 weeks after my last taxotere chemo plus serious fluid retention (with nothing like that occurring during the side effects of the previous 3 months of chemo)

and have come to the conclusion of what the Drs Dont tell you.  Everyone expects side-effects during chemo, but it seems to be a hidden secret of the chemo After-effects (i shall call them) which occur (and are different) after the final chemo and can last between 3 & 6 months (sorry about this bad news)

My guess is that your body has been through the rollercoaster, all the internal systems are out of balance (as I know that cholesterol and haemaglobin are affected by chemo plus probably a bunch of other things)

and the body is trying to recoup & replace who knows what, I had to ask for fluid tablets to help as the Dr said "It would go away Eventually" - well "eventually" was too long, too unpleasant and difficult, and the tabs definitely helped reduce pain and discomfort and weight, although muscle aches still there, and the suggestion was take anadol everyday
So my next strategy is to up the fish oil and take some joint/cartliage supplements.

With the chemo journey, I think the reality is more like "12 months total treatment" and I think they hide the fact so people dont refuse the treatment in the first place.

anyway its bearable now as i am back to work part-time, and I cant wait til I am discomfort freeeeeeeee - surely a day for celebration!

B

Hi Kay,  I am so sorry that you are in such pain.  As you said the MO don't really care - their job is done.  Well done on organising your trip.  That is all we can do is "keep on keeping on" to the best of our ability.  I am 55 and sometimes feel like 555 but sometimes the pain is a little less so I am thankful for those times.  I had a great dragonboat paddle yesterday and could even get out of the boat!!!!  Have a wonderful trip and we look forward to some pics when you come back. XLeonie

Hi Kay,  I am so sorry that you are in such pain.  As you said the MO don't really care - their job is done.  Well done on organising your trip.  That is all we can do is "keep on keeping on" to the best of our ability.  I am 55 and sometimes feel like 555 but sometimes the pain is a little less so I am thankful for those times.  I had a great dragonboat paddle yesterday and could even get out of the boat!!!!  Have a wonderful trip and we look forward to some pics when you come back. XLeonie

Firstly, to answer your question - I have not been on any bone strengthening meds and no bone density test prior to Arimidex.  This is wrong but I do know that about 18 months ago, my bone density was excellent. I only wear flat shoes now and when I get around to it, all my high heels will be on e-bay!!!!!  I hope that our pains will go away once we "ride the wave to the beach". XLeonie