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baybeeh_gurl's avatar
baybeeh_gurl
Member
9 years ago

Finished chemo and now muscles/joint pains kick in!

I finished chemo a month ago ( 3 FEC and 3 Docetaxel) and during treatment period, I was ok with side effects- minimal and managed it well. The worst was only the bone pains after Neulasta injection. 

Now that im done, i am experiencing persistent muscle aches and joint pains. Along with swollen feet and ankles, i have found walking even 300m a struggle without a break.

My GP has told me it will go away over time and have been prescribed Panadeine Forte to manage the pain.. but is this all normal? Wish it would just go away!

Ps: got my double mastectomy and reconstruction (expanders to be inserted) tomorrow! Found out i was BRCA 2 positive after i did the lumpectomy in Sept 2016. So gotta do what you gotta do!


9 Replies

  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    @baybeeh_gurl so glad you are done and 2 weeks post. Honestly I know the pain you talk about, I had a single mastectomy that in itself is painful and to have one of the Surgeons tell me yes your chest is sore because we scrap out across the ribs about a half mm. OUCH!! Im 5 weeks and still a reasonable amount of pain but I had the diep flap so have the tummy incision as well. Its certainly painful but am so relieved to only have a revision to do then done. Wishing you a speedy recovery and the time away for the changeover asap!!! Big hugs Melinda xo
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    9 years ago
    I don't think anyone is fond of their expanders once you get over the gratitude that you didnt wake up with a completely flat chest. They serve a purpose but the first couple weeks or months can be a challenge.
    I'm also struggling with body aches and  pains. I thought I'd snuck under the radar with that unpleasant side effect right up until 3 weeks after my last chemo. Then whammo, I'm hobbling around grizzling and moaning. I've started letrazole this week which is unlikely to improve things.
    Just today I discovered that compression sports tights give my legs much needed support and general relief. Once I get them on. Which is another story.
  • baybeeh_gurl's avatar
    baybeeh_gurl
    Member
    9 years ago
    Thanks everyone! I am now 2 weeks post bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction with tissue expanders- and i am hating them already haha!
    So much pain and getting up from bed in the mornings are the worst.. they feel like i am carrying bowling bowls on my chest and my sternum hurts!  I know i have to be kind to my body as i am still recovering but i hope this wont be an ongoing thing!
    Ive returned back to work today but im so lucky to work in an organization where i can work from home. So that distracts me from the chest pains!

    But anyways... positive vibes only! :smile:
  • Ne's avatar
    Ne
    Member
    9 years ago

    Good morning BaybeehGurl.  I just want to encourage you first of all, I hope today's surgery goes well and that you will recover quickly.  I am two years post diagnosis and treatment (aged 39).  I tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation after my treatment stopped and have been down the path of exploring and finally doing the prophylactic (preventative) hysterectomy to reduce my risk of ovarian cancer as well as a prophylactic mastectomy of the remaining healthy breast to reduce my risk of bc in the healthy breast.  They have now literally cut off all bits defining me as a woman, apart for my vagigi  :D

    The hormone blockers does take a toll on our bones, but like Melclarity I also receive the 6 monthly Prolia bone building injections and it is reassuring to know that we live in a time where all these therapies and medications are available to us to help us recover and deal with side effects that otherwise would have been devastating if there weren't any treatment available.  Hang in there lovely, we are all here for you cheering you on.  You can do this x

  • Hopes_and_Dream's avatar
    Hopes_and_Dream
    Member
    9 years ago
    @baybeeh_gurl, I just want to wish you all the best for tomorrow!  I hope you have a good recovery.  We will have you in our thoughts.
    Jane xx
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    @baybeeh_gurl Oh I was impatient too! My bone density was done about 6 months after Chemo and I was shocked to be honest, so am now on 2 Prolia injections a year. Stupid thing is I feel no different and I wouldnt have even known LOL. So you just go with the flow, I dont worry too much about it, just trying to do all the right things to help I guess. 

    Im happy so far 3 weeks post surgery, it was pretty tough absolutely! and still in pain but manageable, plus its double the wounds with the tummy being a massive incision and recovery.  Ive been working 3 days a week reduced since January 2016 and am on income protection for 2yrs. So Im on LWOP right now and in no hurry to return the plastic surgeon said I'll be minimum 12 weeks off as my job is very physical and dangerous in an Autism Specific School. I couldnt work through Chemo I was savagely ill so it really knocked me for a six! So slowly but surely! 

    Good luck with the surgery!!!! am sure it will go well! and you'll be well on your way to recovery! xo Melinda
  • baybeeh_gurl's avatar
    baybeeh_gurl
    Member
    9 years ago
    @melclarity, thanks for that! I know it will take a while and i have to be kind to my body, but im just impatient lol. 
    Ive got a referral for a bone density scan which i have yet to do. Pretty worried about all the damage chemo and hormone therapy will do to the bones and overall body. Gosh we put our bodies through so much!

    Hope youre recovering ok from your reconstruction! Hows it looking and are you happy so far? Have you taken time off work or studies or still continuing on?
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    @baybeeh_gurl my team told me that pain can last 1-2yrs after chemo. To be honest Im 15 months post chemo and only really now am I getting back to normal. The pain of aches and feet pain heal pain joints is horrendous, I had to learn to walk again, I also now work with an Exercise Physiologist. I was taking panadol osteo to combat it. Interestingly though Im being trialled off Arimidex and things have improved, so Im thinking my Oncologist will change me onto something else, but to be honest I think theyre all as bad as each other. Treatment has already caused Osteoporosis in my neck and lower back so it never ends. Im currently recovering from a Mastectomy/diep Flap recon so yes always something, but you keep going! Hugs Melinda xo