Need advice on treatment...

carcharm

I have such horrible knee pain as I have started working out to lose the 50 pds I gained post chemo. I am doing just 20 min on the treadmill at lunch and curves 3 x week for my weights-30 min workout. I can bearly walk after I sit down. My knees feel like they are on fire. My dr wants me to get cortisone shots and take celebrex. I am 50 years old and fell like 90 - the way I walk. She did a plain x ray and said I bearly had any arthritis in there. If it's not arthritis why do I hurt so bad? Can anyone tell me what helps? Does this treatment sound right? I don't want steroids.. they are going to ruin my joints. I tried arthrotec and my intestines hurt like the dickens. I also had an allergic rx...my feet blistered up. The onc thought it was the combo of herceptin and indocin. My onc said to call him if I had pain so I did and the xxxhole nurse said they can't treat that ... I have to go thru my PCP. But he told me to call ... I am so upset.

sunnybluesky

Dear carcharm--I am newly diagnosed and haven't even had surgery yet so I don't have personal experience with chemo yet.  I did talk to a friend post chemo for bc and she had terrible pain in her joints and feet.  She said that up to 25 percent of women on one chemo regieme, I believe it was Taxitere/Cytoxin along with Arimodex can get muscle pain. Her onc did not seem to offer much help. Her pcp sent her to a Rheumotolgist who referred her to a Pain Management Clinic at UCSF.  She said that water aerobics and accupunture and yoga helped a lot.  If the x-rays did not show much arthritis, isn't that is what Celebrex is for ??  I would try not to put too much stress on your knees right now with the treadmill and swim if at all possible.  It is one of the ironies of life that the weight you gained because of chemo to treat your bc is now causing joint pain and the way to help the joint pain is to lose weight.  Life is a rollercoaster but there's always an upside.  hopefully, your pcp can help--be persistant--you deserve to be without pain. Best to you.

carcharm

Thanks for the respone. When I went to the pharmacy to pick up the celebrex I asked the pharmacist what the big deal was a few years back with vioxx and celebrex and he said that doctors were prescribing it to patients with heart disorders causing sudden death. Well, my last echo showed my ejection fraction dropped from 69-51%. Although still considered normal I now have swelling in my ankles and a cough. He said the pcp and onc should have discussed the best course of tx but of course they don't do that. I am so mad at the onc office. I am gonna let them have it when I see them next. The onc knows what meds work best with the pain from tx not my pcp. I will complain to him about what his nurse said. They did this to my mom and she died from rebound hypertension. Long story but this is what makes care so frustrating. I am not going for the shots but will see the orthropod for advice. And once again I live in pain. I hate that we have to argue for good care.

cbm

Hello, carcharm.  Most of the women I know who take Arimidex complain of knee and ankle pain, swelling, and stress if they complain of any s/e's at all.  I would personally avoid the vioxx/celebrex plan, as I don't trust those particular meds.  But that's just me.

I have a friend about your age, who takes Arimidex with few side effects.  She really loves her yoga, and feels that it's kept her s/e's moderate.  Another friend has started swimming, with limited relief so far.

I hope this helps.  I'm trying to lose about thirty pounds myself, and it's enormously frustrating to deal with the pain and stiffness in my legs. 

Cathy 

chrissyb

Hi carcharm,  There is a wealth of information on the thread 'Arimidex and SE's' in the hormonals forum if you would like to check it out.  I have quite bad arthritis and am on Arimidex but have little or no pain due to the fact that I take fish oil, clucosamine and condroiton, Vit D3 and calcium and magnesium as suppliments. gentle exercise is very good. but don't over do it.  This all works for me. Remember, if you try these, because they are naturals, they do take a few weeks before you get the full effect.  Hope you find some relief soon. Love n hugs. chrissyb