RE: CHEMO FINISHED - ACHING LEGS??

[merion]

I finished chemo December 21 and radiotherapy march 22. My legs have been completely letting me down with cramping pains and so painful to move after being in one position for a while . AMAZING BREAKTHROUGH!! I had an aromatherapy massage on my legs to drain my lymph nodes. I bought the massage oil which is weleda arnica massage balm . Anyway, the pains have gone, I’m moving more freely. She showed me how to dry brush my legs and apply the oil 3-4 times a day . I would love to hear if this works for someone else? I had 13 lymph nodes removed under my arm and have been wondering if this left my system malfunctioning and now it’s fixed ? It’s only been 24 hours but I think I’m cured 

[whyte]

Ahh ok. There is hope it may get better but at the moment I can’t see it. It started pins and needles and then went to constant pain. It goes all down the side and back of the theigh. They reduced the last two chemos as it was getting bad, round 5 and 6. 
As long as my bones are ok I can live with it. It does make me worry though but saw this thread and lots of people look like they get leg pain from the chemo x

[nicola2610]

@whyte  I have the pain in my hands and feet.  I finished chemo in January 2021.  My hands have improved a lot, but that improvement did not start until about 8 months after chemo finished.  My feet have only recently started to improve a little.  I was told by my consultant that it could take up to 2 years and that there was also the possibility that it would never improve completely.  X 

[whyte]

Hi,

Hope your all ok. I am still in a lot of pain in my legs that is really bad at night too. I’ve tried magnesium and cbd oil. Any other advise and how long it will last. I finished docataxal and carbaplatin in May. The pain makes me worry.

[mishnoble]

@ML2022 Thank you. I just ordered the balm. Im trying it all LOL

One day at a time.

Thank you!

[Babiecat]

Hello Everyone, well I saw my oncologist last week and moaned! She said it was definitely the chemo, lots of drugs like taxol take ages to get out of the system and lots of people complain about having suddenly very elderly bodies, I am 54 but felt like an 80 year old. I am continuing with the magnesium and it definitely helps and for the last seven days although achey, it’s not painful and my legs have nearly stopped twitching during the night. 10 months since last chemo, 7 months since the mastectomy and 4 months since radiotherapy so I feel the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger. Keep positive and keep fighting. Xx

[ML2022]

@mishnobleI'm so sorry you're feeling this way. But it does get better. I had 24 radiation treatments finishing in August and now, 4 months later, I'm feeling so much better although the effects are not completely gone. This is the herbal balm that I used for achiness: https://www.naturallymt.com/all-natural-arnica-muscle-relief-balm-organic/natural-pain-relief I do think it helped, but it wasn't enough by itself. I also took ibuprofen and CBD. I still get tightness in the front shoulder muscles and tendons on the radiated side and have to stretch them pretty regularly, and my skin isn't normal on that side either. But I can live with that way better than I could have lived with active cancer. That's a good idea, to start physical therapy. I hope it does good things for you. It does get easier and better in time, it really does, and normal life returns.

[mishnoble]

Hello  @Gingerbug2017 You posted this a long time ago, please update me!!

I finished chemo in August 2021 surgery Sept. and just started radiation.

My leg aches (hard time getting out of the car just like you) started 2 weeks after surgery.

going into my shoulders now.

What is your status? How long did it take to go away? What did you do? How are you now, in general?

THANK YOU!!

[mishnoble]

Thank you @Babiecat for the uplifting advice. It has gone into my shoulders now.

I am currently on my 6th radiation treatment and I have 19 and am dealing with a chronic sinus infection that will not go away even after a boat load of antibiotics. 

What kind of herbal muscle balm did you use.

My oncologist signed me up for physical therapy because I asked her to. I have to do something. 

I just feel like I will never feel normal again. I will be in this fight forever.

[ML2022]

@Babiecat @mishnoble I personally think it's chemo build up, not neuropathy or thyroid. I had it, too, from the 4th (and final) chemo treatment and for a couple of months afterwards. I don't have thyroid issues and chemo didn't affect my thyroid, so it wasn't that. I took OTC pain meds and an herbal muscle balm for it until it cleared up. Which it did. Hang in there and do what you need to do to feel better until those powerful drugs clear your system, which they will. It just takes a while.  Patience, distractions, faith in your ability to heal, and hugs also help!

[Babiecat]

I do sympathise, finished all treatment three months ago, still ankle pin and very tight tendons, but it is easing, where did you find out about chemo build up? The endocrinologist says it’s the chemo, the oncologist says it’s the dead thyroid! I am taking magnesium and vit b6 which I do think is helping, also bought myself a hand held massager which seems to ease my legs when it’s bad, I have an oncologist rdv on Thursday so will update if she says anything interesting. Keep going. Xx

[mishnoble]

I have tnbc finished chemo august, had lumpectomy in September and I start radiation end of November. at the beginning of October my legs started to ache. thought it was my thyroid, because the chemo killed my thyroid. went to two doctors and all they can do is send me to physical therapy, which I have not started. from what I have researched, its SE of chemo build up. basically we are stuck in this pain until it runs its course. what next, right! I'm so thankful to be alive but holy cow what next? laying on the couch right now with a heating pad. if physical therapy works I will post it on here. I tried to explain to my oncologist but she just keeps referring to it as neuropathy, which I dont have. I tell her that all the time. 

I'm trying to find out what I can take thats natural for the pain and how long does this last.

[Babiecat]

I have been taking magnesium and the pain has got better, still stiff and pin from time to time,  but not agony, not sure if it’s just time healing or magnesium but definitely something. Keep going everyone

[ML2022]

@whyteyou're definitely not on your own!

My leg pain got much better and now is only occasional. Other long-lasting effects of treatment are also wearing off more now. Radiation effects are still unpleasant but it's only been less than 3 months since I finished. Had a good routine mammo last week and a good well-woman checkup earlier this month. I'm in decent health and I feel mostly good most of the time, so I'm glad I went through it all. Hoping the same for you and all the other wonderful ladies on this forum.

[whyte]

I’m the same. Diagnosed tnbc in October 21 and had chemo and rads. I’m so much pain in legs, really makes me concerned. Must be the chemo that’s damaged my legs. Struggling with ribs from rads too also breast after lumpectomy pains. Nice to see I’m not on my own x

[Janxxx]

Perhaps worth having B12, folate and iron checked. B12 deficiency  causes nerve damage. 

[Babiecat]

Wow! That’s sixteen months then….I had better be patient, it make me feel better as I am not the only one, so many people think that when the treatment is finished you go back to ‘normal’. I suppose that as I kept going through everything, even working although now I don’t know how I did, I thought I would bounce back, I guess my body is still in shock. But I am so happy to still be here, even if I am moaning. Thankyou for replying

[ML2022]

@Babiecat I also thought I'd feel better when the treatments stopped but I continued to feel worse for a while. My chemo oncologist and my radiation oncologist both said yeah, it gets worse for a little while after treatment stops. I don't think there's a hard and fast rule for how long it takes, and everyone is different. Someone told me to plan on a month for each chemo treatment and honestly it seems about right to me, if not a little too optimistic. Our bodies have been through an awful lot.

[Babiecat]

Have you had a full body scan? Can you ask your oncologist for one so that you can at least not worry about that, if it helps I had the body scan and it was clear but my legs are so painful, I wonder about starting some homeopathy to see if it helps. I am maybe naive but though after the treatment stopped I would start feeling better. I do have more energy ever6 day and as long as I don’t stop to rest I don’t ache! 

[Babiecat]

I am so pleased too to find I am not the only one , I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in September last year, finished 4 fortnightly rounds of doxorubicin, followed by 12 weekly rounds of taxol in February, then full mastectomy, then 25 seances of radiotherapy. Oh and my thyroid was destroyed by my body or the chemo. Since the chemo finished I have no energy, and my legs hurt! I used to run everywhere and now I seem to only have one speed, if I try to run my legs just don’t. If I am moving I am ok, but when I stop my tendons seem too tight and my joints hurt and I have stabbing pains in my legs, when I go to bed the pains in my legs make me jump, I also have problems getting up and down stairs, I move like an 80 year old until I get warmed up. Getting out of bed and walking is painful and slow. I do a physical job and before the treatment was very flexible and fit… maybe I am impatient, I have worked through most of the treatment as didn’t want to let can er win, has anyone had this and it got better or even gone away? 

[whyte]

@ML2022 

Thank you for reply. I have been referred to pain clinic but all they want to do it give you gabapentin drugs or amitriptaline which I can’t take. Did suggest tens which I’m trying. I will ask neurologist though. X

[ML2022]

@whyteI'm so sorry you're going through this. I'm not a medical professional but what you're describing sounds like nerve damage. I had leg pain after chemo but it wasn't like yours, and I do think I had fatigue-- not just tiredness-- but it's improved and I only feel it when I overdo physical activity. I know chemo can cause nerve damage, usually temporary, and it can take much longer than 4 months to clear up. Can your oncologist refer you to a neurologist?

[whyte]

Hi,

I’m so pleased to know I am not on my own. I finished chemo end of May then on to radiotherapy but I’m left with this terrible leg pain. One leg is worse than other. Started with pins and needles during chemo then changed to constant pain and weakness. I struggle to get up and down stairs and to walk. I’ve tried gabapentin but couldn’t take it and didn’t help. Can we take things like turmeric now ?. I have a oncologist that won’t talk about alternative medicine so I can’t ask. Any other creams or tablets or anything else that helps?. 
I’ve been worried it’s gone to my bones as a friend of mine with TNBC has unfortunately just found out. Feel so scared. Don’t know how to move forward x

[confused22]

Hi there 

just wanted to reassure you that my leg pains are no where near as bad as they were when I finished in April … I’ve got lots more energy, still have the odd fatigue day but I push through whilst listening to my body.. good luck .. you can get through this xx 

[Bmcm]

Are you better now? The date is 2019 on your comment. Just looking for a little hope about the leg cramps. It's June 2022 now and already sick of the cramps after a week. 

[Bmcm]

I had the same treatment as you. Last round was June 2 and two weeks later the leg cramps/skin tightness in legs really increased. My arms are achy too. Just like you described. It's very weird. I can't walk very fast and it makes me feel so tired. I hope it goes away.  It's very restricting. The nurse I talked to today had nothing to offer. I will see my oncologist on June 23 and report back what she tells me. I'm trying to up my electrolytes. 

[ML2022]

I'm also struggling with leg and arm pain post-chemo. I had 4 rounds of taxotere and cyclophosphamide finishing in early May. My legs still ache badly, mostly in the front of my thighs, and my upper arms. Exercise doesn't seem to make it worse or better; the aches just make it harder to do any exercise. I do take claritin for allergies anyway but it doesn't seem to affect the aches. It's not the same as the bone pain I had from neulasta. I don't see a lot of advice in this thread or anywhere else online about what to try but I do feel better knowing it's not just me. I'll try the herbal remedy mentioned way down in this thread a long time ago. I wish there were more info out there about things to try.

[Satire]

Hi,

I'm 6 weeks post chemo of docetaxel (taxotere) just had mastectomy with reconstruction 3 days ago. I too suffer with really sore muscles in my legs, I can only describe it as though I've done a full workout in the gym and my muscles feel bruised when I massage them. Walking up stairs and hills are hard work. I'm suffering with peripheral neuropathy in my feet mostly and have it in my hands to the point that all my nails have lifted and come off, sounds gross but actually it's not bothering me now because they have dried up and the pain and numbness is subsiding gradually. It's the neuropathy in my feet that is niggling, I've found that rubbing Vics vapour rub on the balls of my feet eases it at night and I have bought some magnesium oil to rub in my leg muscles. I seem to think that the neuropathy has somewhat damaged or affected my legs. Exercise like walking helps but it's hard work sometimes. I'm just hoping it does start to get better. Onwards and upwards.

[confused22]

Hi

i know this is an old thread but just wondering if anyone else is struggling?

im seeing my onc tomorrow because my leg pains are horrendous 

[blmartel]

Hi!  I finished 4 rounds of TC a month ago and leg, hip, butt pain started a week ago.  Super sore to the touch.  MDs claim  no knowledge of why.  I’m so grateful to find this site.  What is the dosage you’re taking of both supplements?

[Thrive]

It's definitely not a good experience.  I recently had a lymphatic massage on boy did it help!  While I was up all night there was a mark difference within 24 hours. It's not completely gone so my doctor just prescribed me a water pill as well. 

I'm also taking turmeric capsules daily with my other vitamin supplements, drinking more water, walking and sleeping with my feet elevated.

I hope you find some relief soon!

[Wbmyrf18]

Dear all,

i am so relieved to find others with badly aching legs, wrists, ankles, bum cheeks etc.  I have been struggling to get up the stairs 5 weeks after finishing 3 Docetaxel which was after the 3 FEC.  Please tell me that this will improve as I wasn’t expecting it ... Strange feeling heels too... am having reflexology .... will acupuncture definitely help? I am impatient and I want to wake up feeling more normal. Thank you, 

[Thrive]

I thought the aching legs were just me. I just finished 4 rounds of taxotere last week and noticed my legs and arms feel aching/stiff.  I've been taking long walks daily to get pass the feeling but will definitely try the recommendations shared.

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@Holeinone wrote:

I have the same but have only had two T so far, last one this week and legs feel like something is pressing on my thighs, stairs and hills are very difficult at present. I also have trouble lifting arms for too long, think it's going to take some work to get fit again after this!

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[monicanatura]

Hi Chemokid 

Thanks for the reply, I did let the team know, my oncologist said with all due respect I knew more about supplements, then he did. 

My background is natural health, so the team have left it up to me.

The one thing the oncologist said is not  too take high dose Vit C. 

[Chemokid]

Hi Monica

Thank you for your helpful reply. I hope you are well today.

Did you run all of the items below through your Oncology Nurse/Doctor  before taking and did they approve the same?

I have just had 3 x EC (Epiribicin & Cyclophosphamide). 

I am now due 3 x Docetaxel, first one on 20.03.2019, then again in April and last one 01/05/2019 and I am dreading the side effects, although I know not everybody gets the same s.e. 

Are you through your chemo now? I really wish you the very best, we have to remember we women are very strong. 

Its a bit of a journey for anybody, just wish they could find a prevention rather than a cure. 

Take care

Chemokid

[monicanatura]

Hi chemokid

Thank you, I’m having 2 heaped teaspoons of Tumeric powder, with 4 capsules of Curcumin opened and added to the Tumeric, and a heaped teaspoon of Boswellia. 

Tumeric is also helping with hot flush management, it helps to detoxify the liver, thus clearing out Estrogen.

Good luck with your treatments. 

Take care 

[Chemokid]

hi monica so glad you are better with the s e now. How much curcumin and boswellia did you take in the almond milk please. I am due first docetaxel and am dreading it, just had 3 x Ec. Thank you and please keep well.

[monicanatura]

Hi Ladies 

i finished Chemo in December 18, having Radiotherapy now. 

I started experiencing SE of Taxol late December, early January. Iv been having Acupuncture which had been really helpful. 

Iv also been taking high dose Curcumin and Boswellia in Almond milk 3 times a day, which has made a big difference. 

SE have almost gone, I was getting pain  In my legs. pins and needles. 

Onco nurse told me SE could last up to 6 months, my hair, eyebrows and lashes have also grown back, again I was told it could take up to 6 months for hair to grow back. 

All the SE reduced once I started taking Curcumin and having acupuncture. 

Lots of luck ladies 

[Holeinone]

I have the same but have only had two T so far, last one this week and legs feel like something is pressing on my thighs, stairs and hills are very difficult at present. I also have trouble lifting arms for too long, think it's going to take some work to get fit again after this!

[Livlife]

Hi, did it improve now? I saw your post was from October 2018. I finished chemo (Taxol) oct 2018 with minimal neuropathy on hands and feet only. Then suddenly 3 months after, early feb 2019 my legs (thigh and arms) feels so weak and sore. I’m so worried, I never had this before. I saw my onco and she said it’s accumulative SE of chemo. The weakness on the thigh feels like there’s weight on my legs and can’t lift it very much. 

[Kip]

Hi Deepsea, thanks for the reply.  Isn't that strange, sounds like me.   I can't pinpoint what really sets off the pain in teh buttock but I can certainly feel it pulling if I bend down to the floor without bending my knees completely.   Mine gets worse with sitting but doesn't hurt to sleep or lay down, sometimes its worse after walking for a while.  Heat pad on it usually helps too.   I have been using glucosamine gel on it and that helps a bit but definately a pins and needles sensation sometimes.  Its not painful as such just more uncomfortable.   I'm hoping its the chemo overhang.. did you have docetaxol?   My stiff knees and feet seem to be getting better so hoping this follows suit.

Kip

xx

[deepsea]

Hi,

i had chemo in 2005 and while on chemo treatments I had very painful hamstrings. Driving in the car either driving myself or as a passenger, my hamstrings would get so painful I’d have to get out and walk around for 10 minutes or so. Then it all disappeared after the chemo finished. However in 2014 I had 3 months of leg pain that just seemed to appear for no reason. I couldn’t do anything to stop it. Sitting down was always the worst. I could stand or walk without too much trouble. I could even golf. Then I’d get into the car to drive home and the hamstrings would feel like needles jabbing into me. After 3 months of misery and living on T3 and inflammatory cream, it just stopped. 

Then in 2016 it happened again. Another 3 months exactly like before. Now suddenly here I am again in 2019 just at the end of another 3 months expecting it to clear up any day now. I have no idea nor does my doctor know what brings it on or how to stop it once it starts. But we do believe it’s related to the chemo from 2005. Nothing can make it stop. I only control it with T3 and Diclofenac which is like Voltaren but a prescription and 10 times stronger, and I also can take Gabapentin which is a nerve pain. I expect to live like this forever now. I had the chemo at age 57 and now I am 71 and golf season is starting up soon and I am only hoping this will clear up in another week or so until it attacks me again. 

[Kip]

Hi all, i aam the same!  Finished 3 x FEc and 3 x docetaxol on 24 Sept this year and have achey joints, feet, legs, hips and bottom muscles...  Feels like iike ive done loads of squats!  My shouldrs and elbows ache too sometimes.  Ive just recently finished radiotherapy too snd have been taking Tamoxifen foe the last 6 weeks too so difficult to pjnpoint exactly what is causing it.  My onc nurse says  its the chemo but lots of laides suffer from the Tamoxifen in the same way...  Just want to feel like me again! 

[nicscolari]

Same thing here. I was also lookig to see if anyone else was experiencing this.
I feel as if I have done a far too strenuous workout, and all of my muscles have been stretched too far.
This applies all over. I can't walk up the stairs in one go. Getting off the sofa or stretching gives me stomach pain and back pain, I can't touch the floor anymore because my legs hurt when I bend over.
Basically, nearly every single muscle hurts as if I've worked it too hard.
I also had three lots of Fect-T and 3 lots of Docetaxel and finished on November 8th.

[Julieg7588]

Wow. I’ve been looking around a lot and wondering if this was only happening to me or if I had been working out incorrectly for years and it’s just coincidence that all this pain started post chemo. I finished six treatments of taxol and carboplatin (I think. I’m trying somewhat successfully to forget) in mid July. Since about early September I’ve been having crazy Achilles’ tendon pain and some hip pain and neck pain and occasional shooting pains in my legs and sometimes my lower back. Going to acupuncture and physical therapy, both of which seem to help. But I had the same symptoms as many here - I would be in a car for a half hour or an hour and I can barely walk when I get up. Acupuncture and medical massage and physical therapy helped a lot. It’s not gone by a long shot but it’s way better than it was after doing about three months of combined therapies. Glad to know others have had the same experience at least so I don’t feel crazy...hopefully the advice helps you guys get some relief too.

[Alx03]

So glad I found this Forum, I finished chemo on 6th September 2018, 3 FEC and 3 docetaxal. Have been experiencing achey hips, thighs, legs front and back and knees. Worse when trying to relax of an evening, pain wakes me up in the night. Struggle first thing in the morning but once up and about and on the go it eases. I try to not let it get me down, I use a hot water bottle which helps.  My nurse explained could feel like this for at least 6 months. The joys of chemo, radiotherapy starts 6th December 15 treatments takes me into Christmas week 🙈. Plan to start exercising in the New Year 👍🏻Xx

[Laney73]

Yes!!! I was on the same treatment plan.... after my 3rd round my legs felt like I did a million squats!! I finished my 4th round of Chemo on 12/28 and it’s now Feb and my legs are still sore. It’s not my bones, but more muscle pain. On top of that, my legs swelled up so bad. The pain is still there, although a bit kinder now... I take Lyrica for the pain, however I’m trying to wean myself off of meds. It’s at its worst in the morning when I wake up. I’ve tried to research and see what more I can do, but it looks like we just have to continue to work/stretch out the muscle, but it’s definitely not neuropathy.

[Harborgal]

I finished chemo taxotere and cytoxen plus neuladta for my 4 sessions 4 weeks ago and now my legs are swollen and my thigh muscles ache like Crazy. Walking up stairs is difficult. I'm sorry to hear I'm not alone but wonder if anyone has taken my same drugs and will it end soon.

[Helzie]

I wouldn't say my legs ache butm like Jones, sometimes it feels like my legs don't belong to my body anymore! They're definitely weaker than before I started chemo and I feel like  I'm dragging them around. Find it difficult to do the brisk walking I used to do before. Guess I'll have to build up my strength again.

I finished chemo (4 EC and 4 Paclitaxol) on July 31st and experience faily severe muscle pain in my ankles and hip joints while on the P, which  thankfully  was only confined to the 3rd/4th days only. I used to describe it feeling like someome was pulling my joints out of their sockets.-very similar to that muscle pain you get them you wear a differnet pair of shoes on a long walk and you're using muscles you haven't been using before.

[Jones123]

 Oh my gosh I am in the same boat. I finished chemo in March and I felt like my legs don't belong to my body anymore. Now that I've gone back to work my body just pretty much falls apart at the six hour mark and my feet and legs ache and tingle for the rest of the day. I don't feel horrible when I moving but once I stop it is so hard to get going again. I am hoping this will pass it. It's nice to know I'm not crazy. I feel so good on so many levels and I look really healthy but I hobble around like an 80-year-old woman a lot of the time these days. I have no good ideas for how to make it better.