Long Term Affects of Chemo

I have read many people who have experienced long term joint & muscle pain since chemo & related treatments.  I have been dealing with this for 3 years now & have been trying to get my oncologist to listen.  I went to an arthritis specialist but he found nothing.  Had every blood test you could imagine but they found nothing.  The PAIN is real.  I am 55 and very active (or was).  I refuse to sit on the sidelines of this life but the pain sure makes it hard to enjoy it.  I recently started low doses of prednisone which has helped greatly, at least I can get out of bed in the morning & go to work.  I used to run & swim & enjoy anything active, even my two daughters couldn't keep up with me.  That seems to be all over,  When I play with my grand daughter bending causes excrutiating pain which hides the joy inside.  WON'T SOMEONE HELP. Whatever the treatment took there has to be a reason & some help.


This discussion is related to Joint & Bone pain long after chemo .

[japdip]

As a rule when treatment is completed the symptoms go away .... are you on any type of medication at this point at all ??  Tamoxifen or one of the similar drugs ?? Unless there was some actual joint damage I'm not sure what else might be the cause ... unless ?? Fibromyalgia could cause similar symptoms.  Regards ....

[JRJ1955]

I am not on any drugs except the prednisone now. I could not do the homone therepy.  I will NOT except fibromyalgia as a diagnosis.  It is like telling someone with a stomach ache they have irritable bowel syndrom (syndrome).  It hurts to even walk anymore.  You can't go from never sitting & constantly on the go to can't roll over in bed at night.  I remember the exact day it started during treatment & I know there is a medical reason.  I am not a complainer but this is taking my quality of life & that is not OK.

[popvendr321]

I thought I was crazy to think as you! I am experiencing the same. When I try to get up after sitting, I feel like I am 95! (I am only 44!) Yesterday while working in the yard, I wanted to cut my legs off! I will keep watching this post to see if anyone comes up with anything!
Thanks,
Lisa

[JRJ1955]

Lisa, we are NOT crazy.  I completely understand your feelings & your pain.  When I play with my 4 year old granddaughter (who is the love of my life) & all I can think about is the pain, even when I just hug her, that is not OK.  Someone has to have an idea, I would love to hear it.  I need to try something, anything is better than this.  In the meantime we continue to live to the best of our ability never giving up hope.  We continue to pray & hope God will put it on someones heart to help.  God Bless

Janice