RE: CHEMO FINISHED - ACHING LEGS??

[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.

[blueash]

You should all be taking Claritin hay fever tablets see why:

http://myangrycancer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/claritin-is-worth-its-weight-in-gold.html

The aches last for a few months after chemo and if you are on Herceptin or tamoxifen that causes aches too. The claritin makes it all easier - you are able to take far fewer pain pills.

[Gingerbug2017]

Hello...I finished my 6 Chemo, 21 Radiations, and 54 Herceptin Infusions all of 2015 and half of 2016..my legs ache me every day and are very painful first thing in the morning and after sitting for a long time, and takes a lot of effort to get out of my car after driving ...it takes me a few moments to even be able to take a step.. and no way I can squat down without being in worse pain....along with all of this Suffer every day with debilitating Anxiety and frequent Panic Attacks ...my life has not been the same quality as it was prior to any treatments.. but I'm thankful I'm still here. I know exactly what you all are going through with painful legs...it's a terrible ...miserable thing to deal with every single day! I hope we all get relief from it soon... And yes exercising does help and stretching frequently ...but it's only temporary relief. 😢..anyone put there know what else helps stiff achey legs ...please share. 😢

[Ladychef]

Hi all,Following my op I had 4 courses of e c followed by 4courses of docetaxel ,finished on 12th April,then 20 sessions of radiotherapy which finished on 31st may . I am still experiencing leg pain,I have a physical job which I have continued through out just a couple of days off here an there after treatments, when I'm moving around it's not so bad but if I sit even for a couple of minutes then get up it's quite painful,a struggle to get moving again,almost 50 but feeling much older. Was hoping this would have eased by now,, it's really getting me down,anyone else having these issues

[annoyed]

I had Taxotere 11 yrs ago and I still suffer constantly from aching legs. Laying down and sitting causes it to start. Walking Im fine.   I can't deal with it any longer. I never thought in 2006 I would be the same way 11 years later.  

[marli]

Jbrownlee - I had chemo etc in 2009 and went back to work and am currently still undergoing treatment and can sympathise totally with what you are saying. My joints and muscles are really painful.

I think that first of all it might be worth asking GP about some physio advice. When I completed treatment 5 years ago the physio referred me to the GP Referral Programme at my local sports centre (unfortunately no longer running due to spending cuts) and I started Aquarobics. I can't recommend this form of exercise enough as from the very first session I was able to do an hour class, even though had not exercised for 3 years. Also did a Pilate's class once a week, again  highly recommended.

Can't wait to finish treatment and get Hickman line removed so I can start exercising again. Am not the Gym Bunny type but know that some gentle exercise def helps.

Hope you feel better soon. Marli x

[Jbrownlee]

Hey ladies,

Looks like it's been awhile since anyone posted about the aches and pains post chemo (taxol). I finished chemo in May 2014, and went back to work after proton radiation treatments ended Nov. 2014. So, I've been back behind the desk now for one year and it's killing me!  Talk about leg pain, I can barely get up!  I've lost muscle strength and the aches down the backs of my legs are so painful.  I know I've got to get out from behind the desk 9-11 hours a day. Anyone else with this problem?  Talk about feeling 90!  Ugh!!!  Comments welcomed💞

[Cocolily]

Mine took about 8 weeks to subside. Hope yours eases as it's not easy having the intense aches especially after chemo has finished ... X

[Crewsn]

I finished chemo 7 weeks ago, and had surgery 2 weeks ago..... My body still aches like I am an old woman. I was getting better, but it it back.  I too had 4 cycles of Taxol, and experienced this through my entire time on it.... I thought by now it would be over..... but it is not.... I hope it ends soon..... before I start radiation in about 4 weeks....

[margaret depippo]

Hi....

I read your part about your achy legs.  As well I have, and finished my chemo end of March this year, and had 21 sessions of radiation.  I hope work went with you, and it is a struggle, but all in all, its worth it in the end.  I do walk a lot, I have two dogs, and take walks at work.  Getting up often is good for you if you tend to sit all day.  My legs feel heavy at times, and yes like everyone else I wake up in the mornings feeling like I am 90 years old, literally shuffling across the carpet until I get to the shower.  Its tough, but a lot of people go through this every day, and I guess its the after effects.   All the best to you and your recovery. 🙂 

[Lisa53]

Hiya, I finished 6 lots of FEC 4 weeks ago and thought like others I was over doing it as now feel heady, achy lower legs and generally no energy, plus hot flashes and then feel cold! Starting 20 days of radiotherapy on Wed and going back to work on 14th September, hope I will feel better soon... Any advice or reassurance welcome! Plus ' chemo brain' forgetful, making mistakes and unsteady on feet! Welcome to the world of chemotherapy! 😀 taste starting slowly to come back, wanting to drink milk all the time! 

[Cocolily]

Hi Emma, I'm too due to have surgery in 2 weeks .. Mastectomy and recon and finished chemo nearly 3 weeks ago and have terrible aches in legs and walking is even hard.. Also feeling low and 90 years old !

[jn]

Hi all

Just seen this haven't been on here for a while but just wanted to Say those joint pains are all normal, I felt like an old women getting out of bed.I finished chemo Jan 2013 and its only now they have subsided in the feet and ankles.I thought I should have been back to normal long before this and found it hard to deal with but my consultant told me to be kind to myself and it was normal .after effects of chemo last a long time but I am now feeling something like my old self but still not totally normal.I use gels to rub around my feet and this helped.

Its accepting you put your body through it and it will get back to normal but accept it takes time and be kind to yourself

[jodid]

Hey there - i finished chemo about 3 weeks ago and I am having terrible pain in my legs mostly but all over too. I am glad to see that other people have them too! I feel like I am 90 years when I'm only 46. I am scheduled for surgery in a few weeks and I was hoping to feel better by now. Glad I am not alone.

[Nikki49]

Hi everyone I had my last dose of fec-t Xmas eve 2013 and hate to be the bearer of bad news but the aches only seem to have gotten less in the last month or so. Not sure if it was the 'T' or the chemopause that caused it, can't take her cause I've had cancer so tried everything cod liver oil capsules, glucosamine etc Etc don't know if they helped but anything is worth a go. Try not to let it get you down too much xx

[sisterphonetica]

I was beginning to think I was overdoing things or something. I am relieved to see that other people have the aching legs (and other body parts). I finished FEC-T chemo just over four weeks ago and feel like I've been overdoing exercise despite hardly doing anything much yet. 

[Lingriff]

I finished my chemo on 26th September, 2 FEC & 4 T, I am having mastectomy this coming Friday, 7th. I still ache in my arms and legs just as though i've been to the gym for the 1st time in a year. Tingling & numbness in hands and feet still very apparent but feel good otherwise.

[Msscarlett100]

I finished chemo on 3 September, I had four FEC and four Tax.  I had mastectomy three weeks ago and I am still getting really achy legs.  I believe this is caused by the Tax.  Does anyone have any idea how much longer the aches will last?  Many thanks.

[Swirly]

Thank you June.

[June_BCC]

Hello Swirly

Welcome to the BCC forums.

As well as the forums we also have a free helpline on 0808 800 6000 should you wish to talk to anything through, the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.

With best wishes

June, moderator

[Swirly]

Hi Wend,

Hope everything is going well for you. I finished my chemo on the 23rd July, 3 Tax and 3 FEC. Try not to worry the aches, pains and headache are all normal and as the treatments go on you'll see a pattern to how your side effects progress. I found it helpful to make a note of the pattern so I could judge activities and food. Being forewarned and forearmed really helped, not only me, but my hubby too as he delicately pointed out that I looked like I wanted to murder him at times! Make sure you're drinking plenty, easier said than done at times I know, I found by the 5th and 6th treatment soups and 'saucy' food as well as tying to drink plenly helped. Try to avoid those sugary drinks if you can, it's better in the long run as it's quite common to find high sugar and high fat foods more difficult to digest towards the end of treatment., (wind and bloating etc etc). A great website is cook for life. Along with the headaches, as the teatment progressed I found it increasingly difficult to see clearly to read and then watching anything fast moving on tv. Bright light also caused eyestrain so I found using an eye mask helpful for those horrible couple of days and it also let other people know how I was feeling. I played with the brightness settings on the tv. I did find that when the worst side effects were subsiding I felt really sad/upset and would have a day where I'd feel really teary. The best thing I could do was to go with it and have a cry as this was my sign I was on the mend. I hope some of this is helpful for you, I have lots more tips which have helped me.

Keep strong x

[Athens]

Hi Wend

sorry to hear you are having these pains and headaches.

I to am having 6 FEC and had my second one last Friday.  So far I have not have these symptoms, more just the nausea, bowel upsets, hunger from steriods, general yuckiness and grumpiness.

We all seem to react differently.

Suggest you give your oncology helpline or BCN or GP a call and see if they can offer advice/something to ease the symptoms.

Athens x

[wend63]

Hi ladies started my chemo yesterday I'm having 6 sessions of fec I have had pains and aching in my legs is that something other people have had also I have had constant headache x

[ravensk1]

Hi Ladies,
Just wondering if any of you have seen an improvement yet? I finished 3 fec followed by 3 taxotere about 4 weeks ago and am now in radiotherapy. I find the pains down the front and back of my legs unbearable and have pains during the night (much like some of you). I find that a few gentle yoga stretches help a bit and am now ok walking on the flat but stairs are a nightmare!
Katie x

[jiggyjoo]

Hi Lisha,

I was told that the general fatigue at the end of treatment can cause
aching legs and muscles all over. Mine seems to be worse at the end
of the day when I'm really tired.

Take care x

[lisha]

jiggyjoo ,thanks for your post was beginning to worry as it seems to be only people who had tax that ached all over .nice to know I'm normal.or as normal as i ever will be lol !!!! xx

[jiggyjoo]

I finished chemo almost 7 weeks ago too. I had 6 FEC followed by radiotherapy and I have aching legs, infact all over aches some days. Still feel tired and also expected to feel so much better by now!

Take care x

[lisha]

I get aching legs thighs ,shoulders ect . I never had tax i only had EC I'm 2 months post chemo .Does anyone else that didn't have tax ache too .I am not on anything now as TN just wondering if EC does this ? xx

[alesta29]

Hey ST

With you on the legs. Thought it might be the Tamoxifen and get all night cramping. My feet also seem to be getting worse and I'm back to feeling like I did with the TAX.

The gift that just keeps on giving... (sigh)

Hope you get back to normal soon.

Laurie x

[supertrouper]

It's nearly 7 weeks since I finished Chemo and today everything aches! Legs more than anything else. I thought I would feel much better by now but if anything I feel worse!