Hi. I have completed 12 rounds of paclitaxel and for the last month or so I have been getting some mild shoulder pain. I’m worried my breast cancer has spread to be bones. How would I know if this pain is muscular or something more serious. I will mention it to my oncologist who I’m seeing in 2 weeks. Surely if it was bone pain it would be more painful. Just looking for some reassurance.
3 Likes
Hi @rosa1 I also completed 12 weekly Paclitaxel and Herceptin in 2023. I still have ongoing pain in the neck, chest and shoulder. Paclitaxel/taxane can cause neuropathy which is nerve pain. I had a trapped nerve in my neck, I’ve found out I have two bulging discs from an MRI to rule anything more sinister out. I was referred to a physio which has given some relief with pain medication.
The pain could be from surgery, if you’ve had yours, the physio said that having surgery then chemo can slow the healing process by quite a bit. Also if you had a PICC and don’t move your arm as much, the shoulder can become stiff.
I continue with post surgery exercises even after 17 months to keep flexibility.
Like you I thought my ongoing issues was cancer spread but it wasn’t.
I hope speaking to your oncology team you get some answers.
I had docetaxel chemo and after finishing radiation and herceptin and taking letrozole, I had left shoulder pain. Some women on breast cancer forums said they were told it could be tendinitis from taking letrozole. 
1 Like
Yes hopefully it is muscle or nerve pain rather than something serious.
1 Like
The oncologist does want me to start letrozole but haven’t started it yet. Will have zoladex first?