Hi there - I was dx Feb 2009 with triple neg grade 2, needed chemo to shrink the lump then had mx with some chest wall removed, then rads. All treatment finished Nov 2009, Back at work part-time. I seemed to be doing OK for about 2 months then 3 months ago starting feeling really tired with lots of aches and pains in particular what felt like a pain in my spine between my shoulder blades. My GP referred me back to the hopital and I was given a bone scan which turned out to have no evidence of being cancer related. Still waiting for an appt to discuss findings fully.
I there anyone out there who has tnbc and has aches and pains in back and pelvis. Could it be delayed effects from the chemo? Any advice would be great.
Thanks for listening
Clare
Hi,
Just bumping this back to the top for you in case someone who can help has just logged in.
E
Hi Clare,
I remember you being around when I was going through my own treatment. Mine finished in December 09. I have had joint pain constantly since then and my Onc has run tests for auto immune diseases, arthritis and thyroid function as well as screening for cancer spread. All have been negative and we’ve concluded that they are due to the effects of the Taxotere I had in July/August 09.
My bc was HER2+++ so I’ve also had herceptin and there’s a possibility it is to blame. I have gone back to work too and have had to reduce my hours because I’m so tired. I take Wednesday off so that I can make it to the end of the week.
Good luck with tracing the source of your pain and I hope it turns out to be something easily fixed.
Jan xx
Thanks E for bumping up.
Hi Jan - Thanks for your reply, sorry to hear you are experiencing discomfort also, but its reassuring to know that someone else has similar issues and they are not anything sinister. It does look as though its related to the taxotere. Some of the worst side effects I had from tax was muscle pain and not being able to move easily. Perhaps I’ve just got to get used to doing things at a slower pace.
Clare XX
Hi RhodaBee, I was diagnosed at the same time as you with grade 3 triple neg. Had mx and node clearance, chemo and rads and also took part in a year long trial of Avastin. Treatment finished in April 2010. I also started suffering with hip and back pain in Jan. Had bone scan done…negative. Had Xray done, nothing showed up. Carried on suffering with it, then went to an osteopath who discovered that my hip had become dislocated which had caused various muscles and tendons to be stretched. Not sure how it happened but I’m sure that the chemo had something to do with it. I must admit that I still get really tired and seem to get aches and pains all over the place. And since going on this site and reading other threads it seems that this is very common. If you’re still worried it might be worth getting an Xray done and perhaps going to a rheumatologist or osteopath.
Hope you get on ok.
Rawlie xx
Thanks Rawlie that’s useful,- I’ve just started to do the Alexander technique, which I’m finding really helpful. It can help to de-stress the joints and muscles in the back including the hips and pelvis. I’ve never been to an osteopath - but if these exercises don’t work, I will certainly consider going to an osteopath.
Thanks
Clare X
Hi all,
I suffered from terrible joint pains a few months post-chemo. In the mornings I’d have terrible pains in my feet wehn I got up and have to hobble down the stairs one at a time. Lifting up the kettle/milk bottle would be a two-handed job as my hands wouldn’t work properly. I’d get pains in my hips to the point that laying in bed was uncomfortable and I’d have to get up…a lay-in at the weekend became a distant memory!!
However, I’ve been taking glucosamine and chondroitin tabs for I guess nearly a year now and things are dramatically improved. But of course I don’t know if this is the tabs or because it’s something that would have got better anyway…but I can get up and get moving straight away now.
I spoke to the docs during hospital check ups. They were pretty unhelpful saying that it was probably arthritis and that it would have happened anyway!! I was triple neg so didn’t have a hormone therapy to blame…but they said they’d only be concerend if I got pains in bones as opposed to joint pain.
Hope you can find a solution to your pain,
Sarahxx