Hi, has anyone had rheumatoid arthritis triggered by chemo? Just wondering as I have all the symptoms and am currently under going all the tests and had heard it is possible. Also after silicone implants which I also have. I finished chemo at the end of June and my symptoms are getting progressively worse as the months go on - really sore aching elbows, hands, knees and ankles and severe exhaustion.
Clarabelle
Hi Clarabelle - yes, I was dx with rheumatoid arthritis in both hips,hands and feet and osteopenia about a year after I finished FEC chemo. I had 3 months of weekly visits to a local physio (not at the hospital, but a local NHS treatment centre), which did zilch. My own situation is complicated by 30+ yrs of steroids for Crohn’s, which can and does lead to both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.
Eventually I mentioned my hip pain at my annual review with the bc surgeon (was discharged by Onc after finishing chemo and rads) and he ordered a DEXA bone density scan and a CT scan. The CT scan showed the arthritis and the DEXA scan significant bone loss since starting Arimidex, which does not protect the bones as tamoxifen does. He wrote to my GP advising I should take a bisphosphonate, Alendronic Acid, weekly and twice daily Calcichew/Vit D tablets to rebuild my bones. The pain in my hip, hands and feet has reduced quite a lot since being on these drugs. I am not suffering any side effects, but my GP said a lot of people cannot tolerate the bishps.
I just had my 5 yrly review, mammo and ultrasound and thankfully clear of cancer. However, the bc surgeon has referred me to a Professor of Endocrinology to get his opinion as to whether I can continue on Arimidex, (my surgeon wants me to, as I had lymph node spread) and should I change my bisphosphonate to an annual infusion in hospital, on Zoledronic Acid. I have an appt with him 25th February.
Liz.
Hi Clarabelle
What you say is interesting as I find that my fingers are really stiff and sore when I wake up in the morning and was wondering if it was some kind of arthritis. It’s only started happening quite recently and I’m now nearly 3 months post chemo.
I haven’t seen a doctor about it but I do have an appointment to see my GP next week so will mention it then.
Ruby xx
I had all the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis about 4/5 months after my treatment(which included 4xFEC) My joints really ached, my hands were so sore I was finding it difficult to do up buttons and my feet were so painful I could hardly walk- especially first thing in the morning.I didnt go to my GP but I mentioned it at my checkup only to be told that it was probably the change!! However things did settle after six months or so, but I’ve still got peripheral neuropathy in my toes 3+ years later-I believe that’s one of the side effects of Taxol.
Thanks for your comments so far…
Lizziecee, I refused to take Arimidex because of the side effects of joint problems and bone loss so cant quite believe I am getting almost the same symptoms from what I believe will be Rheumatoid. I had a bone scan back in June because of on going back problems and that showed arthritis in my feet but nowhere else.
Ruby1 I would be very interested in hearing what your Doc has to say as I too had FEC and these problems started almost exactly 3 months after my last lot.
Josyemarie I had my ovaries out in July as a precaution as my Mother had ovarian cancer so I went into an immediate menopause but have not come accross anybody who has had aching joints because of it before.
In summary then, I can realate to all 3 of you in some way so perhaps it is just a culmination of events and treatments and hopefully will pass - I will keep you all informed.
Hi Calrabelle
I started having pains in my feet after my Radio ended Jan 07. Getting worse , I have been for bone scans because of on going of back pain, in fact I feel its Rheumatoid.
I went into immediate menopause ( however my gp has not yet confirmed this but myperiod stopped after my first Chemo July 06) and as a result put on weight and aching joints, I never had this problem before my diagnosis.
I can see where you all coming from. Lets hope it will get better.
I wonder if its side effects from Chemo/Radio. As I am not on any long term medication.
Hi Clarabelle
I finished 6 FEC and 15 Rads in October. At the end of November had really bad back pain onc did an x-ray and bone scan and Arthritis was diagnosed. I do not know what kind. I had a blood test a couple of weeks ago and am awaiting the result. I was also changed from Tamoxifen to Arimidex in December and now havel aches and pains in my joints as well.
I went for an assessment in the physiotherapy department and she said it is probably a combination of things including the chemo.
I hope you are feeling better
I never had chemo, but Arimidex and Femara both produced a kind of rheumatoid arthritis that has left me barely able to walk. My hands and elbows recovered -even the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - but my feet are a mess. I had one operation last year to remove a couple of bone spurs and will have another in April to reconstruct the large joint in my right foot; after that it’s an artificial joint, and the packet said mild to moderate joint pain! Eventually the oncologist put me back on Raloxifen for the last two years of my treatment. My mother had severe arthritis so perhaps a predisposition makes a diference, but I’m only 56 and I would like to be able to walk, The orthopaedic specialist suggested that I had been wearing tight shoes, no. Here in Italy there don’t seem to be support groups or Breast Cancer nurses, in fact it’s preferred if you don’t talk about cancer, so I only have my doctor’s information that severe arthritic symptoms are not so very uncommon with the Aromatasre inhibitors but I don’t know about chemotherapy.
I know a lady who had RA before her diagnosis of BC. She is currently on Tamoxifen and it makes the RA worse. She has to see the oncologist every few weeks as they have to keep adjusting the dosage.