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Jan77's avatar
Jan77
Member
10 years ago

Joint and Tendon pain after Chemo and while on Herceptin

My first post - I am interested hearing if anyone has experienced joint and tendon pain from Chemo/Herceptin. This is not pain during or just after treatment but rather is seems to be accumulative... getting worse every day for the last couple of months. 

I have horrid pain in my elbow joints, wrists and thumbs which is impeding movement and ability to lift and grasp. I have been told that Herceptin or Chemo are not the cause (or at least would be on the bottom of the list). When I read blogs to read first hand experiences, joint pain seems quite common (and debilitating) and that oncologists are always negative about the drugs being the cause.

I thought it must be Herceptin as that is the only drug I am on now and it has been getting progressively worse since finishing chemo in June, but then I heard that it may well be a catch-up from Chemo... arrgghh

Any feedback or experiences would be appreciated.

Of course am doing the whole testing thing again to be sure....

Thanks, Jan

Background:

Doxetaxel & Carboplatin with Herceptin 7th April - 3 weekly

Changed to Paclitaxel (Taxol) with Herceptin - weekly doses  26th May  (complications from chemo)

Finished Chemo early on 2nd June due to neuropathy

Continued with 3 weekly Herceptin since then 

herceptin

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  • Beryl_C_'s avatar
    Beryl_C_
    Member
    9 years ago
    PS to my post - I have never been on Chemo or had radiation. My treatment has always been Herceptin and daily Arimidex.
    love, Beryl
  • Beryl_C_'s avatar
    Beryl_C_
    Member
    9 years ago
    I'm on Herceptin x3 weekly infusions and this week's treatment will be no. 67. I've experienced a variety of side effects and when mentioned to my oncologist the response has always been casual, almost disinterested, although for everything else I have had excellent health care. My GP finally listened when I hobbled into his surgery with feet so tender it was excruciating to walk - very debilitating! There appears to be no trigger and it comes and goes. GP prescribed Celebrex which I take on work days (a few hours for a couple of days a week). I have outbreaks of severe mouth ulcers and a bi-carb rinse eases the pain. There have been times when I couldn't use an arm or hand due to tenderness and I found a surgical stocking and arthritis glove helped. Recently I have become very stiff and sore in muscles and joints and its a challenge to get out of bed in the morning and I find my limited mobility distressing - given that I've always been very agile and fit. A couple of years ago I had intermittent severe headaches and outbreaks of conjunctivitis. I've also become hyper sensitive to artificial scent resulting in immediate headache. For two years I've had injections for osteoporosis and now inject Clexane daily as a blood clot developed under my port (excellent care as my Oncologist phoned me within two hours of my scan, phoned my GP to arrange prescription. I had my first injection the next day). The list of possible side  effects is long and varied. I value the BCNA links to specific topics and find it reassuring to know that others have similar experiences. To date, and its been a few years, I have found medical professionals very casual in their approach to Herceptin symptons and I have wanted to scream, 'This is debilitating!' Anecdotal evidence suggests the side effects and symptoms to be very real! Thanks BCNA for this forum.
    love, Beryl C.

  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    10 years ago

    I had docetaxel, cyclophosphamide (finished February) and am still having herceptin. Also had radiation. Joint pain in hands, feet, knees and shoulders definitely worse since starting chemo to the point of affecting quality of life. Am now on Norspan patches 10mg and panadol osteo. Starting a cancer rehabilitation class on Wednesday at the physio clinic twice a week which will hopefully help with pain.

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    I had awful joint / muscle pain whilst on taxol and herceptin but then the last 3 cycles it just suddenly stopped. So bizarre. But I have periodically over the years experienced  various nerve pains(causing aching and sharp pains  in a number of extremeties) due to disc issues. Sooo....my thought now is the chemo may have re stimulated those previous damaged nerves. My oncologist suggested this as originally my neuropathy was one sided 2 toes only....and said that old injuries can flare up. 

    Now I had some issues with my neck and posture due to my heavy breasts in the past which gave me nerve pain, aching, weakness in my hands and elbows and particularly grip and lifting issues. Even now with them gone I have to be very conscious of posture, not being round shouldered or hunching as this causes the nerve pain to come back in the wrists. ..which is just like an aching. Sitting looking at phone screens can really play up if not careful.

    I'm  not saying the chemo isn't causing it, but it might be stimulating old irritated nerves. Thought I'd  let you know about my hand wrist issues as it was a mystery ...I underwent many many tests and saw rheumatoid specialists etc but eventually solved it myself. I also have some spurs in my neck  and disc degeneration which contribute to the issue. Good posture, regular stretching like in yoga and exercise really seem to help.

    This article is interesting. Can be known as thoracic outlet syndrome or costoclavicular syndrome.

    http://www.chronicbodypain.net/everything-you-need-to-know-about-bra-strap-syndrome/

    Hope things improve fir you soon. Kath x