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Clangley86's avatar
Clangley86
Member
10 years ago

Inflammatory Arthritis during treatment

It's my first post with BCNA - I've been travelling pretty well through my treatment until recently so looking for some thoughts from others re arthritis. After a bilateral mastectomy & reconstruction in April 2015 and just completing 16 rounds of chemotherapy (4 x dose dense AC & 12 Taxol) I have just been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis (IA) I will start 28 days of radiation next week with Herceptin continuing for the 12 months & then hormone treatment to start later in December.

Before my BC diagnosis I was very healthy with no operations or health issues of significance. I also am experiencing some peripheral neuropathy & arm swelling on the arm where 19 lymph nodes were removed. The doctor  has now put me on Plaquenil for 6 months & Prednisolone (a steroid) to relieve joint pain & symptoms. The sore knee/leg started  in the second half of the Taxol treatment but improved for a few days after the steroid infusion with the Taxol, then would come back. It hit with a vengeance the week after chemo finished, so much that the other knee joint & leg started paining & walking a real struggle. The specialist took some fluid out & confirmed IA. It's not supposed to be a side effect of treatment........

Has anyone else had the same experience?? I'm a bit worried that after I finish all this BC treatment that I'll be left with a debilitating condition. I love walking & need to do it to keep my weight controlled so want to get back into some level of fitnes when I can. Appreciate some feedback.

4 Replies

  • Clangley86's avatar
    Clangley86
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks Pam, it is great to hear someone else's perspective that has been through it. I was reading about turmeric & will look at some smoothies. The steroid medication stops the pains & I can walk better, but keeps me wide awake at night. Hopefully can come of these in a few weeks & use more natural remedies for inflammation symptoms. 

    Chrisitne

  • HIT's avatar
    HIT
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi  I had 4 cycle AC and 4 cycles Dox/hercepton, and finished the 9mths of hercepton only 12/3/15.    Haven't been diagnosed with IA but had a lot of conditions that are inflammatory.  I was just getting ready for my next onc appt, read my diary.  Dizziness, ear probs, hip joint probs, rashes etc etc.  After reading my diary I realised a lot of the above problems have receded.  So I believe that the hercepton has a lot more side effects than my onc says, and that these have not stopped until after hercepton finished.  Hopefully you will be the same, but it might not improve until your hercepton finishes.  

    I still have a few probs and have started having another smoothie - turmeric, cinnamon plus a bit of honey in milk.  The site that I get my supreme green blend etc had a write up that turmeric is meant to reduce inflammation - it said as well as any perscription drugs!! Did a little bit of research that appears to back the claim, but they talk about supplements (as in concentrated versions).  So anyhow thought I'd give the turmeric drink a go.

    So hope the IA goes away for you.

    Pam

  • Clangley86's avatar
    Clangley86
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks LisaS for your thoughts. I havent been in a pool for a long while but agree with you that it sounds a good option. After radiation treatment  I'll try some classes at the local aquatic centre & see if that helps. 

     

  • LisaS's avatar
    LisaS
    Member
    10 years ago

    I'm sorry this has happened. We all hope to get out of this with minimal long term damage.

    I don't have IA but years ago developed a back condition that stopped me running. I have found exercising in the water has a magical effect on my back pain. I do either just walking in the pool, aqua classes or swim laps. I did stroke correction classes in a technique called "total immersion" which made swimming an absolute joy. 

    Would exercising in the water be an option?

    as you can see I am quite evangelical about it :)

    best of luck.