Forum Discussion

Pink66's avatar
Pink66
Member
12 years ago

Trying to Banish Penguin Days

The excellent indicator number is a great building block for my move into the future and I must wait to see where that sits until August (as per last blog). But right here and now are my aptly named "penguin" days..

I am ok with it..  The bone and joint stiffness is a quirky side effect caused by the eviction of the hormone family.  You see my bones were very very attached to this family and are now fretting because they are feeling lonely.. 

Now I have had a few discussions with them and in the end even gave them a bit of "suck it up princess" but all to no avail..  I also know that there are a few hidden stragglers from the hormone family and eventually there will be an assault via tablet (Arimidex - currently being held off due to the current stiffness being to great to start the tablets :( ) to evict the rest of them..  So really penguin days may indeed be in my life for a very long time..  But as much as I totally love the cute little furry guys I do not really like moving about like one..  So, what to do about it before the next assault arrives and makes it all that much more penguin like around here.

I was given some buprenorphine patches to try to ease the stiffness ..  Yeah, they did indeed seem to help but booooo  the side effects had me trying to pluck my eyes out to ease the headache along with nausea and very very weird dreams LOL..  so no go. patches removed..

So I am going to keep on moving as much as I can to stretch and relieve the stiffness and also take some Glucosamine 1500 with Chondrotin.. 

But I am open to any suggestions on how others cope with this stiffness..  There really is not much pain involved, just the inability to get around to well..  Some days it takes a couple of hours to be able to become mobile at all

side-effects
  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Sharon, I really enjoy your humour, but sorry to hear about all your joint stiffness. When I first started Femara I too started to get very stiff in all joints, and even rolling over in bed was awkward and difficult, as was getting out of the car or standing after sitting for awhile. I have found that large doses of fish oil have helped a lot. It has been nearly 2 years since I started the Femara, and with the fish oil I am managing much better than without it. I still have very stiff fingers and 4 trigger fingers, but the leg, foot and hip stiffness has gone. I take 3 in the morning and 3 at night. I always forget to take the lunch time ones, but I get good relief with 6. Good luck. Love Chris
  • Pink66's avatar
    Pink66
    Member
    12 years ago

    I have kicked in the krill oil and the glucosamine now with calcium, magnesium and LOL a host of other goodies..  That with my daily Tai Chi and walking seems to be doing the trick.. OOh and my acupuncture who is totally AWESOME at helping my hands.. 

    The test will now be the result of Femera..  trying to ignore the potential and will only worry if it becomes an issue but I have indeed been warnded that Mr Penguin is just over the horizon LOL..  Well I have the shotgun ready !!!

  • susie_Q's avatar
    susie_Q
    Member
    12 years ago

    I also have some stiffness in  my joints and I am finding twice weekly water exercises and a bit of gentle stretching or beginner yoga is helping no end. I occassionally take panadol oesto for my knees (bone on bone) before chemo, but am trying to keep away from medications if I can.  I do hope you don't have to be a Penguin for too long. I actually grew up in a town called Penguin.....

    All the best

    Sue.

     

  • Pink66's avatar
    Pink66
    Member
    12 years ago

    LOL, dont worry the gun is not loaded. I rather like penguins.. such cute little guys.  Oh yes, moving or losing is certainly a key for us all I think :).. I am hitting the pool hopefully next week to start a day in there.  I am so very happy that right now I have 60 mins Tai Chi every day, walk 2.5-3km 5-6 days a week and will now try the pool for just  a bit.. 

    I avoid drugs like the plague. I only take the ones that really need to be here.. I even review my vitamins and stuff on a regular basis too.. As I get better, I hope to half them only leaving my bone strengheners with the muscle helpers :)

     

  • susie_Q's avatar
    susie_Q
    Member
    12 years ago

    we have fun in the pool, i have jsut started a weekly group called Splash and Chat, and we have a great time doing gentle exercise and lots of chat. I also swim once a week doing laps, and have found my upper body is so much steonger now. I have trouble walking becasue of my knee so I hop on the exercises bike everyday. I think if we can remain as supple as possible we will get though ok. Cheers

  • Pink66's avatar
    Pink66
    Member
    12 years ago

    I totally agree. If I stop I can find it so terribly hard to get going again.. So I try not to stop LOL

  • magicmum's avatar
    magicmum
    Member
    12 years ago

    Pool sounds good. I must get back into Pilates, I think that will help too. It was good before all this.

    What a bunch af creaky old ladies we sound !  But ALIVE and kicking that's the main thing.

    magicmum

  • Pink66's avatar
    Pink66
    Member
    12 years ago

    I agree, creaky but moving forward at every possible opportunity !!!!!

    turtle power rules !!!!!!