Pain - will it go away after I start chemo

allisontom911

hi everyone,

Just an update to my recent diagnosis. I will start my new chemo on Monday June 4th. Nothing is showing in any bones, brain or organs. Just distant lymphnodes so not sure if I am stage IIIC or IV. But the pain in my arm is so bad. It doesnt look more swollen but it isnt any better. So since there is cancer in my axilla lymphnodes, could maybe my LE get better when chemo kicks in and opens these up? Does that make sense or am I just wishful thinking??

kira66715

Allison, you shouldn't have to suffer like this. Pain isn't good for LE or for you. If the axillary nodes are impacted, I'm sure that's part of the pain. And shrinking them should help with drainage.

Does anything help the pain?

Would it make sense to see your LE therapist--although she won't work over areas that have active disease.

To me, and I'm no expert, it sounds like IIIC--I just read the staging form like anyone else.

The great news is all the places it isn't--nothing distant, just in those nodes. 

The bad news is that you're in pain, and that's no small deal. Please don't be stoic--let someone know who can give you something.

We're here for you, and want you to get better, and soon. 

Kira

allisontom911

I do take some pain medicine I have left over from surgery. It knocks me out. But the pain is there constantly in my arm and shoulder of my LE arm. I wear my sleeves during the day and night garment and nothing helps. I will say something to my LE therapist and see what she says. I am just so tired of it.

kira66715

Allison, pain is exhausting.

 One of the woman on this board has gotten a lot of relief from neurontin/gabapentin for her LE pain. I'm not sure which of her doctors prescribed it.

I heard a lecture from Andrea Cheville at the last NLN conference on LE and pain, and I'll look if I still have the notes somewhere: she definitely suggested neurontin and a few other medications.

Hope there is some relief soon.

Kira

allisontom911

I would be willing to try that. I had been on another type of drug for my back pain..I have degenerating dics in my lumbar. Thanks Kira, I really appreciate the help. I keep hoping if my axilla is full of cancer..the nodes that is...the chemo will make them smaller and improve the flow.