I have finished my chemo at the end of Aug this year, after a
bi-lateral mastectomy in March.
I am experiencing, and have been since mid Oct, joint pain and bone ache. I’ve since had a bone scan which shows no sign of mestastis, which is good, but my onc cannot answer my questions about these aches and pains…
I’m about to go on arimidex ( because I am now classed as post-menopausal, at the grand old age of 39 ) and have read that joint and bone aches are quite common.
Am quite concerned really.
Is there anyone out there who is experiencing the same as me?
This is the 2nd time round for me, I had a lumpectomy,chemo and radio 6 years ago with FEC chemo. Obviously the surgery, treatment is completely different this time round…but am worried that I may have to resign myself to the fact that I will walk like an 80 year old for ever more.
Also, I have NO LIBIDO whatsoever. ( it’s slowly coming back in my head…lol, but as for that department downstairs, it’s not happening ) My hubby is ace, and really patient, tells me cuddles, kisses, massages etc are good enough for now. But I have also read that arimidex can affect sex drive ( am hoping it’s going to possibly have adverse affects in my case, as in I may HAVE one…)
Help.
Lis :O)
x
I also had a bilateral last year and have been in tamoxifen and now Toremifene, both giving me those massive problems with joints. My surgeon is now also thinking of arimidex…but we are waiting for the bloods to see whether I am post menopausal…a bit older than you but no soo much (45) so you are not alone!!!
Sane?? What is the meaning of this word you say…lol.
Yes, I have a referral from my docs for the gym and pilates, I’m going to ask for yoga also. I’ve heard that it helps.
I also go swimming a couple of times a week which is so overwhelmingly wonderful when I’m in the water.
If I am to be reincarnated I would like to be a fish! ( much bigger than a shark though…lol )
It’s a bloody nightmare isn’t it? But heyho. I’m alive.
Have you tried Reiki? I find that is very calming and pain free whilst “under”.
Keep me posted about your results and thanks for the post.
Although it’s sad to find so many women out there with the same crap, it’s nice to know you’re not alone.
I am now, officially, post menopausal!!! so going to arimidex next, after a couple of weeks of pill-holiday to take a breather…now on my 5th day without Fareston and still hurting but not so much.
Interestingly, I was with my dentist on Wednesday and he told me about Reiki…here in Bristol it can be free on the NHS so I am going to ask my GP to refer me so I´ll let you know (that is if there is an appointment available in the next decade!)
Well, in my next reincarnation I want to be Barbie…she always seems so happy and bother free with her Ken! ;o) I always say that I must have been Hitler in my previous life to “deserve” this last couple of years so I think we deserve better in the next one! (and with the reconstruction, I am almost there for my next one as Barbie!!!)
Libido is not really a problem for me at the moment since my husband has had a very rough time with his heart and “we” are getting a pacemaker on Monday…I told you I must have been Hitler!!! we really have no time at present to even start thinking of such nicer things!!! but with the new batteries on Monday … watch this space!!! He may reincarnate in the duracell rabbit! who knows!!!
Keep your spirits up, girl! we are all here together!
Lol
Pir
Pir, you made me chuckle with your comments on Barbie & Hitler.
Welcome to the post-menopausal world!
I had a look online about the “symptoms” of the menopause and they all fit in completely with what I’ve been / am experiencing…I should’ve looked a couple of months ago really, but was in denial. Lol.
Yes, go see about Reiki, it’s a very interesting and pleasant experience indeed.
I’ve just had a “no hands” massage today, and it was lovely. Far nicer than one with hands…lol. Very different sensation and seemed to work deeper than the normal massage you get.
Have you heard about LGFB? Look Good Feel Better…
There is a place in Leicester where you can go and get a facial, makeover and a big bag of goodies to take home with you! Free! Yay.
Am booked in for January sometime, I may well have eyebrows and eyelashes by then but hey, am still up for it.
Pir, if you’re in Bristol, have you heard of the Penny Brohn Centre?
I had a 5 day retreat there a couple of months ago, and it was wonderful. ( I managed to wangle funding for it also, so even better ). They offer complimentary therapies, nutritional advice etc. It is a massive “mansion” and the grounds are lovely to walk around, so peaceful. Lovely to get away from it all.
If you’re interested let me know, I have the website and email…
You take care and keep smiling :O)
“We deny our vulnerability in pretence of strength, instead of discovering our strength in the acceptance of our vulnerability”
Interesting that you say about the Penny Brohn centre! I have just had a huge row with my GP about it! She is obsessed with it and thinks it is the answer to everybody´s problems…and I think it is not for me and refuse to go. I have heard both very good and bad experiences about it and I think I would be in the group of bad.I certainly was not impressed with their philosophy looking at their website. I sent them an eamil…and still waiting for an answer two weeks later so they are not ticking very many boxes for me! But I am glad you had a wonderful time.
and yes! the LGFB was great! they gave me a massive bag of goodies which I am still using. I really enjoyed that!
so I will keep on working on teh Barbie look and continue with my yoga…after 2 weeks without pills, I am feeling much, much better but I am finishing my break next Monday so…back to the underworld of joint pain!!! Mind you, at least when we get to 90 we know how to use the zimmer-frame!!! (I´ll let you know how I get on with Arimidex.
Lol
Pir
Yes, I totally agree it’s not for everyone.
I found the “group work” a bit intense, and as you know, with all physchologists, if you give them a word then they jump on it and try and analyse it all.
I was actually asked how my childhood was, to which my reply was, I’m from a single parent family and never got ice cream on a sunday…lol. So that sort of shit was pretty much nipped in the bud. But I got to meet some lovely people, who I’m still in touch with, and a free “holiday”.
I’ve started taking calcium and magnesium from holland and barratt and am finding that helps considerably with my bone pain ( also pre-emtping the arimidex, which I’m due to go on soon. I had a bone scan the other week and everything was clear, so on with the menopause. They say I’m post-menopausal, due to a blood test, but I think I’m still going through it, as I still get random hot flushes, night sweats and upon researching the menopause, found a lot of women complain of bone ache, especially around the feet and ankle area, and especially first thing in the mornings. ( I was in denial about it all before, so hence why I’m taking the calcium now )
Zimmerframe yes! Although I quite fancy one of those mobility scooter things, with a cover lol. It’d be a bit quicker getting from a to b wouldn’t it? haha.
Heyho. Indeed.
Good luck with it all, and keep me posted, I shall also let you know how I get on with the arimidex ( onc told me if I didn’t get on with it, he would put me on tamoxifen, but I think, if that’s what they’re prescribed, then I have to give it a go.
I do enjoy all the alternative therapies but in conjunction with the conventional obviously.
Have a lovely christmas and speak to you next year!
Happy Xmas to you as well and a lot of good health for 2010, ´cos we deserve it!!!..Congrats on the result of your bone scan!!! and if Father Xmas gets you the scooter thing…don´t forget the little Yorkshire doggie walking next to it in the rain getting soaked with her little pink ribbon whilst you remain covered! Oh! and you´ll have to get one of those see-through plastic headscarfs (what are they called?!) as well!..I´m actually waiting until they make them in pink…otherwise…no way josé! it would cramp my Barbie style!
…and yes, those group therapies is what I run a mile from! well done for being a rebel!(insert hug here). I personally would have started swearing and being rather disruptive! (and ladylike Barbie does not do that… so best avoid!). I can´t cope with the seriousness and intensity of some of those alternative health professionals…OK we are not well…but heyho! let´s take what life has thrown our way without their condescension but with a massive smile and loads of self-deprecating humour! …and if we ever meet, I´ll buy you your Sunday ice-cream even if it is a Tuesday!..the biggest we can find! (hohoho)
so let´s drink and be merry! Carpe diem!!!;0)
love
pir