Bone / Joints

Yesterday my bone and joint pain was particularly bad so last night I treated myself to a Targin. It knocked out every pain except my ankles. Everytime I woke up during the night I smiled because my body felt free, turned over, and drifted back to sleep with ease. Bliss!

My onc asks me how I'm going with the joint/tissue pain and I tell him that my left shoulder is still fine - the rest of the body?...well...  I have bad days and better days - never good ones.  And I was determined to be one of those who didn't get side effects!  The only time I have been almost pain-free was for a few weeks after my onc let me take a short course of prednisolone.  Miracle!  Within a few hours, almost every pain was gone except some residual tenderness in my knuckles from arthritis (brought on by the AIs).  It's never come back quite as badly but it's debilitating enough anyway.  Unfortunately, prednisolone is not an ongoing option as it shreds bone density.

The article posted by @primek has been a lightbulb for me.  Thanks @primek!  About 3 months post bilateral mastectomy and DEIP reconstruction, I experienced really sharp pains in my upper ribs - both at the front and the back which worsened when I coughed or sneezed and I was unable to move my head/neck.  This persisted for about 4 weeks but the symptoms in this article matches excitedly what I was experiencing.  Now - the pain comes and goes... it’s mostly dull, but I do have days where it’s sharp.

@Shan_07. I am on the same hormone treatments as you (and along with surgery had chemo and radiotherapy).  In addition to the above that I just mentioned, I also get joint pain in my feet, ankles, knees, fingers and wrist.  

I agree with Zoffiel, I've been on Arimidex and in more recent years, Exemestane and the side effects are many and varied - red eye (which nothing eases except a very warm flannel), on-going seriously painful peripheral neuropathy in feet ( no drug of many over they years has made any difference), arthritis like pains in random areas, eg, left shoulder blade, heel, and, of course, energy levels etc etc etc. Please, as Zoffiel says, check it out with your Oncologist and keep a diary!!! ps, there are days when I give myself permission to be a bit miserable and have a few tears which seem to be an elixir for relaxing a bit.

Ah, the great AI pain dilemma. Mine is migratory,  travelling from one  place to another on a constant loop around my body. I've learned to live with  the constant dull chest ache and fire ants in my armpit, but I could do without the aching neck, knee, wrist, ankle, groin thing that changes from week to week.
Oncologists are well used to nut jobs because we all have valid concerns about aches and pains and those concerns can manifest themselves with varying degrees of anxiety. If in doubt, check it out. Or at least keep a record of what is going on so you are not left  counting months on fingers and toes when someone finally wants to know how long you've been living with the current misery. Mxx

Radiotherapy can have side effects that can cause pain well after after treatment. You might find this article interesting.

http://therapy-a.com/pain-after-breast-cancer-costocondritis/

Ha!!! Yes well the pain is likely to disappear and then I’ll sound like a nut job as usual to my Onc 💗 I haven’t considered changing my meds yet but I’m getting to the point now where I think some adjustments may help 💗💗

Hi @Shan_07  I had similar treatment to you (without the Zolodex) and started on Letrozole (for 6 weeks) before going to Exemestane (for 6 months) and I had general aches & pains in most of my joints - specifically hands, hips & knees ..... now on Arimidex & happy with it so far (5+  months.)

To be honest, if you are concerned about the pain & have had the it for a while (2-3 weeks or more) I'd be asking your Onc about it.

My mantra - If In Doubt, Get Checked Out (just for your peace of mind as much as anything!)    Guaranteed, the day before your appointment - the pain will disappear!!   grrr

All the best xx