Painful bones AFTER finishing chemo

I finished taxotere treatments 2 months ago and since then have experienced extreme bone and joint pain. I already had a bone density test and bone scan. The density test showed bone loss and the bone scan was normal. The pain does not subside and flares up after exercise or after prolonged rest (like overnight). OTC pain relievers do not help. In addition my hands and feet swell during and after exercise. Has anyone experienced this? My oncologist says this is not related to my cancer or treatment. Thank you for any info you can provide.

[MickeyVicki]

I have known other cancer patients who have reported similar complaints. Are you having any physical therapy?  Locally, cancer specialists have begun prescribing post-chemo physical therapy for patients, as they are finding such therapy reduces some of the side effects from the cancer treatments.  Would your doctor consider prescribing that for you, even if for only a short time, to see if therapy will help?

[jldny]

Wow! I feel like I am writing to myself! Thank you for the feedback--it is not all *in my head*. I promise to stay active and will check back frequently. Thanks again! Be well!

[Careylyn]

The pain most certainly is connected to the chemotherapy.  How dare someone tell you differently.  It can last a year, it can be worse at some times than at other times....but, yes, it is a side effect from chemo.  I live with bone pain, daily.  My gyn/onc told me it was a side effect.

[newlifegal]

Welcome to my world!  I've been struggling with this for the 8 months I've been off chemo and yes, my oncologist insists that this has nothing to do with the chemo.  I beg to differ, what else could it be??  Most of my pain takes place after sitting any length of time; I feel like I'm about 90 y/o when I get out of my car or a chair.  I've found that pushing through it with activity helps the most.  It's important to try to stay limber, even when that's the last thing you want to do.  A course of physical therapy, as Mickivicky suggested would be very beneficial.  Hang in, we can get through this.

[dian07]

Hello there....dian here....my chemo ended 9 months ago and about two weeks ago I began having terrible pain in my feet when I get up after sitting for dinner or after sleeping at night....don't tell me it is not related to chemo.....just another thing to figure out....we can deal with this one...hang tough, kid.....we will figure this one out!
Peace.
dian

[toomanyquestions]

Are you taking or have taken Leviquin (an antibiotic)?  If so that could be it also.

[jldny]

Any thoughts on how long this will last and does the pain seem to lessen as time goes on? Since my oncologist says this is not chemo-related, does anyone think this kind of thing could be a viral infection due to a suppressed immune system?

[Rebel Spirit]

I took Levaqun for a nasty UTI also. How long after taking it can it cause this side effect?

[jldny]

Hi again. I am not taking any scrips. I take Aleve when the pain gets extreme--but who wants to pop all the time? I am going to look into pilades (make myself long and lean--what a benefit!). Thank you all for your kind words.

[brthbbs]

I'm 3 months post chemo and still have bone pain mostly in my feet and legs.  If I don't take 800mg Advil before bed the pain wakes me up.  During the day it's not so bad because I can do stuff that distracts me from the pain, but at bedtime I get the pain and the tingling from the neuropathy.  Ick!

[newlifegal]

That's interesting about Leviquin.  I took that early on for a nasty UTI.  Had no idea that it could cause muscular/joint aches and pains.

[TCGG]

I just finished chemo - taxol and carboplatin, 2 months ago, for Ovarian Cancer,  and I have pain in my ankles when I get up after sitting too long. Then when I move around it goes away.  I work out twice a week, and thought maybe I over did it, becasue my ankles hurt when I got up, but after reading this I now know it isn't just me.  The nurse at the oncologist offfice said it was not related to chemo. Yeah right.  I never had pain in my ankles before I had chemo, and also tingling in my arms and fingers when I sleep. Does anything help?

TCGG    

[coogeegirl]

It is interesting to hear that other people have had the same problems as I have with their oncologists saying that their aches and pains are nothing to do with Chemo, as I had exactly the same situation.

I finished Carbo/Taxol in April this year, which I was undergoing Chemo I developed severe myalgia across my shoulders and down my right arm, which my oncologist insisted had nothing to do with chemo.

Firstly she sent me to a neurologist suspecting that I had a stroke (after a MRI which I hated) it was proved no that I didn't, then she put it down to nerve palsy and after a nerve conduction test it was proved that they were Okay.

I had to admitted twice to casualty in severe pain and had the above tests before she would admit Oh yes it was the chemo which is what I told her from the beginning because I was alright before the chemo and then suddenly I wasn't Doh!!!

I was eventually prescribed Morphine to help me manage the pain and then I worked my way down the pain management scale till everything was alright, try celebrex that helped me manage things as well as anti inflammotories with the pain killers.

Take a multi B Vitamin to help with neuropathy as well.