Stiff achy legs

[Justkoz]

I went to the doctor last week and was telling my doctor about my stiff achy hurting legs and how it is so hard for me to raise up from a sitting position sometimes and asked him is this was a side effect from the chemo treatments and he said that he too had never heard of this. Now my doctor is a wonderful doctor but how can so many doctors NOT know about this side effect that so many of us are having? This is nuts! I have been taking 800 mg of ibuprofen or 1,000 mg of tylenol and this helps some but gosh when will my legs feel normal ever again. I can not stand on them for a long of period of time like I use to and climbing stairs is so hard to do. I tried walking and exercising hoping that would help but it didn't help at all. I have a hard time drinking water and I know I should have drank more during and after chemo so maybe I still have that poison they pumped in me or something. Who knows....I am just so discusted since I did so well all through my treatments but have been off chemo 8 months and suddenly this starts. Guess I should be gald that they caught me in a stage 1A and I am alive.....

[Teresa222]

I still have achy legs. It's VERY COMMON side effect of just about all the different types of chemo.  It also puzzles me as to why your doctor would not know this. Is he an Oncologist? (I sure hope so.)
Teresa

[Ramsay14]

I have this too.  I find the pain is the worst after I've been off my feet for awhile.  When I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night I can hardly walk to the bathroom.  For me, walking helps the pain tremendously.  Unfortunately, the relief doesn't last very long.  Over the counter pain relievers help a lot too.  I wonder if it ever goes away.  

[helenl89]

My onc also said that he doesn't believe the chemo had anything to do with it. sorry i beg to differ. just about one year out and my legs still bother me. especially after working all day.yesterday i  came home and had to lie down with a heating pad and my massager, they ached so bad. i am running out of ideas for this. any one have any. i would sure like to know?

[Ramsay14]

Dear Justkoz,

I was given a book at my recent visit to The Mayo Clinic called "Mayo Clinic Guide to Women's Cancers"  They discuss this condition on page 560.  I will type the section out for those who are interested.  

Post-Chemotherapy Rheumatism

     Some women who undergo chemotherapy as part of treatment for their cancers develop pain and stiffness in their muscles and joints, typically one to two months after completing treatment.  This condition, which appears to be induced by chemotherapy medications, is called post-chemotherapy rheumatism.
     Doctor's estimate the condition may affect up to 5 percent of women who receive a combination of chemotherapy medications.
     The most common complaint of post-chemotherapy rheumatism is stiffness in the morning or after periods of inactivity.  The hips and knees are most often affected.  In most cases, symptoms of post-chemotherapy rheumatism go away without treatment, usually within 6 to 12 months.  Researchers theorize that the condition may be a type of withdrawal from chemotherapy.  Many questions about this condition remain unanswered.
     Over-the-counter pain relievers haven't been found to provide much relief for this condition.  But there are some things you can do that might help.  If you are experiencing musculoskeletal pain after cancer treatment:
     *Relax.  These pains don't mean that your cancer has recurred.  They'll probably          disappear within a matter of months.
     *Adjust your position.  Avoid long periods of sitting.  If you must sit for a long time, reposition yourself often to prevent or lessen stiffness.  Turn your head at different angles, shift the position of your arms, and bend and stretch your legs.  These slight movements may help prevent excessive stiffness.  If you're able, get up and walk from time to time.

Please feel free to school your doctor!