Back pain/joint pain WORSE with exercise! Help please!

NPmom

So I am currently on zoladex and exemestane. Have been on this combination for a little over a year. I have really tried to prioritize exercise for my mental health and to reduce the chance of reoccurrence. I sometimes go to the gym and walk on treadmill or use elliptical. I also then got something called Beachbody on demand which are exercise videos that you can stream through your tv. It is mostly high intensity interval training. I usually tone it down a bit and do the old lady modified version because of a bad knee. I thought exercise was also to help combat joint and muscle issues w these meds. I have not exercised formally for 2 weeks this summer and my back pain is so much better! Anyone have this happen? Any suggestions

Catsme

Hi NPmom, I was having similar issues. What finally helped me was to make an excercise floor out of some foam mats. For safety, this is held in place with non slip rug tape and wood look tape around the edges. I'll send a pic. This absorbs a lot of the impact. Almost instant relief!

I also experemented with differnt excercise plans. I really like Leslie Sansonnes' work outs and HASfit work outs. These are available through YouTube.

I did excercise regularly before BC. I do 30 minutes of aerobic activity, 30 minutes of yoga and some weight training most days. I agree, this is as much for mental health as physical.

Keep moving!

Catsme

My DIY excercise floor.

Meow13

I exercised everyday for years it never helped the joint pain, maybe it would have been worse if I didn't don't know. Joint pain only subsided when I stopped the medication. As for back pain I would see a good chiropractor maybe you have a disk problem. I used ice on my back it helped inflammation now it is all better

gb2115

I use Leslie Sansone workouts too. They are so gentle but really get you moving. I wonder about high interval training sometimes...I know someone on FB who records herself doing the Beachbody workouts and posts it and honestly they look horrible on the joints and back. I'm sure people will argue with me, but that's just based on the few videos I have seen her do. I sustained significant joint injuries in my 20s from distance running...so I am a huge proponent of gentle exercise now. I regret how much I used to work out, because now it's really hard to do stuff.

Maybe stick with gentle exercises for a few weeks then add stuff back in and see what happens?

Doubting-cw

HI Ladies---

I too am having increased pain since starting Anastrozole a little over a month ago. The worst part is it happens mainly at night and in the morning. Pain is not anything new to me (arthritis in back, hip, degenerative cervical disc problems and osteopenia. So just when I had this a bit under control BC was found. I made a exercise routine that I could tolerate for myself. Now I wake up either sweating like crazy or my back pain woke me up. Anyone have burning stiff feet from AIs??? Its very annoying and goes away after walking around awhile. Then I'm wide awake!

Meow13 I see you decided no chemo with high Onco Score. I decided no chemo and had 35 score and had a very negative reaction from my RO about this. He actually walked right out of the room while I told him QOL was important to me. What kind of reaction did you get from your team? My MO said that I did have a small cancer. It seems the ONCO DX rules. What would they do without it? And he RO told me that when I had a retest on labs at another lab I was ER neg he believed it was so. I posted earlier when the ER neg/pos confused me between path P report and ONCO N report. I am ER pos. I said thank goodness because it would mean triple neg!!! I am seriously thinking of changing cancer centers or at least not dealing with him ---only one 3 mos check with him in early Sept. I'm ok with BS shes great! My MO is ok but not good at explaining whats next. We discussed Ai and when I picked up AI at pharm the told me my insurance won't cover Prolia injection. Wow -- we discussed my bone density but no specifics-so my recap of my visit with her (papers upon leaving her office)said b4 next visit get tumor marker blood work and blood panel and Infusion? No one said I needed to get these done b4 next visit in October. I called her office and yes that's to be done for next appointment. Oh and the infusion was Prolia ... the office act's as if I should know all this. I never had BC before so how would I know? Communication is pretty much nonexistent. UofM is looking better and better to me although a much longer drive and it's for rechecks only after this first baseline mammo/MRI. Which my MO said she would leave upto the RO. I don't trust him after his childish behavior.

Catsme What a nice area you made for yourself Keep up the good work and stay as healthy as you can!

Doubting-cw

Sorry I posted on wrong topic! I saw high Onco Dx Meow13 and also made similar choice.

However I do have experience with widespread pain. The best way for me when I want to ease back to daily routine when pain sidelined me is to go easy and gently. I just do leg lifts on each side up/down seated then side ways laying on on left side to do right leg then same on right. I aim for 20 reps and do arm stretching when it hurts. Lift all the way up and down both arms and switch to both arms out right left while standing. Those stretch band are good just step on it with a hand on each end and wrists up pull up/down. Do as many as you can w/out pain. This loosens muscles and if so inclined start walking/biking. That's my start out and I build from there. Works on my droopy upper arms Yeah!

Someday's It really hurts and other days it's child's play. I will look into programs I can watch and follow too. For winter month's ahead. I learned to go slow from physical therapists. I have the worst time starting back when I slacked off so now I have no excuse. Keeping it simple works for me. NO more fast paced aerobics like I used to do but for the capable folks it's great!

GB21 Beachbody is a difficult workout.Only for the brave and agile!! Maybe Yoga this winter for me.

NPmom

Hi everyone, thank you for responding with such great ideas! I decided to stop Beachbody for now. Really trying to perfect an exercise routine. I had a walking video that I did and had not nearly the back pain I had with Beach body video. Also trying to stretch more and found some great exercises for strengthening core on you tube. Thinking of more cycling, swimming, yoga, walking for me now. I am only 41 but I guess I am not 25 either lol! Also looking at hoka sneakers which have some crazy cushioning. Trying to stay away from Motrin as I had elevated liver enzymes a few months ago which returned to normal after stopping daily Motrin. It’s always something. Think I might put down that cushioned floor too

NPmom

the walking video I did was Jessica Smith. Going to try Leslie Sansone too. There is a ton of stuff on you tube

gb2115

Hey we're the same age!!! I've been doing the Jessica Smith chair workout when I am in too much pain to be weight bearing. It's great to get your arms moving too. I get so stiff from the old radiation damage, so it's good to move.

NPmom

wow gb2115! I will check out the chair workout. I can’t believe how much better my back pain without that high intensity interval training! I actually might be able to handle this five years of exemestane and zoladex my MO wants me to do