I finished 6 FEC last September, had a mastectomy in November, and finished 25 rads in March.
In December, I started Tamoxifen.
My aches and pains (joint more than muscular) began to get me down - in the mornings I “walk like a penguin with piles” as one other contributor to this forum put it so accurately.
My GP said I should take Paracetamol 4 times a day. I am not keen on this, and I am sure lots of you out there would feel the same. Can you imagine taking that sort of dose for 5 years?
I have never knowingly suffered from arthritis or rheumatism, but I would imagine this is what it must be like for those poor people that suffer with those problems - at times, my hands and finger joints feel very tight and swollen, especially my writing hand. Other joints affected are ankles/feet and hips.
I understand that the side effects of the chemo can last for up to 12 months after treatment has finished, to include such aches and pains. I do yoga (5 times a week), but sadly tennis has had to go on the back burner because gripping a tennis racket is just not possible.
Bubs
Yes, you are describing me, except i have back pain too! I never had aches and pains before all this a year ago! I know its nothing sinister as i have had scans etc. I’m convinced it is actually the tamoxifen. I’d be too scared to come off it though to see if the aches went!
Hope this helps a bit
Love Julie XXX
I have been on Tamoxifen since the end of November, so about the same timescale as you and get aches and pains in my ankles, finger joints, knees, but they have significantly eased in the last month or so, so perhaps a little time and it’ll get better for you. I have seen a nutritionist though who prescribed a course of supplements to help with all this. Might be a good idea for you to do?
I’ve been on tamoxifen for just over a year now and I know exactly what you mean about first thing in the morning!
I take cod liver oil capsules (bcn said they are ok). It doesn’t get rid of it completely, but it seems that my joints ‘loosen’ up quicker than before.
Hope this helps
Im having aches and pains alot just now, back, joint and muscular though nothing as bad as it was when I wason arimidex. I really cant face taking lots of paracetamol. I feel as if my body has had enough drugs.
Have been on Arimidex for over a year now and find that exercise is the only thing that helps with the aches and pains. Yoga in particular seems to be beneficial and doing it twice daily even if only for 10 mins at a time does help.
do you know i feel like im always moaning about my joint pains without reason ,but reading all the posts here i know im not the only one ,does anyone take glucosamine ? i was prescribed this before my diognosis and wondered as im on arimadex and the joints scream at me most days wether it is still alright to take these . lynn
I am so glad i read this, i have pains in the bottom of my feet more than anywhere and look deformed if I walk to much, I was told it has nothing to do with the treatment but it started with the treatment.
Bubbly - were you inactive when you started treatment? Even being in bed with flu for a couple of weeks can give you a condition called Plantar fasciitis. Basically the ligaments or whatever in your feet shrink when not being used. There is treatment available, including special insoles and targeted laser treatment. Speak to your GP about going to a foot clinic somewhere.
I had this after a major operation when I was inactive for some months. After two courses of laser treatment and the insoles, I’ve not been bothered for many years.
Give it a go, nothing ventured etc!