Body aches and pains a few months after chemo

Kathrynkgd

Hi, I finished my chemo treatments of TC mid May. I am still having lots of effects which I think may be from the chemo treatment. I am wondering if anyone else is not feeling like themselves a few months after the chemo stopped. I am experiencing lots of joint aches and pains in my body. It is especially bad when I stand up from sitting or lying down. It is actually difficult to walk initially. Just trying to understand if anyone else is experiencing this and how long it may last. Thanks for the help and feedback.

DebAL

Kathryn,

Yes, I remember it being several months if not longer before things leveled out. The effects of chemo are cumulative so even though you were done with treatments in May the effects last much longer

I also had joint pain and took me forever to get up from a sitting or lying position. But once chemo was over I went straight into arimidex so I guess there is no way to really know which is causing the joint pain.

I remember a period of my legs feeling heavy right after chemo I felt like I had ankle weights on! It was the strangest feeling. Then someone mentioned it here not to long ago also.

My advice now would be to be kind to yourself. Nap if you need it. I was tired for quite awhile afterwards.. Exercise and stay hydrated. I hope each day gets a little better for you

Esther01

Hi Kathryn,

I'm sorry you're feeling those pains. We get inflammation, scar tissue/fibrin and toxins from our treatments.

I would echo DebAl with staying hydrated and drinking enough water. They recommend half our body weight in lb in oz, so if you weigh 110, you would want to drink 55 oz a day of water. I left you a PM with some additional ideas.

Blessings,

Esther

ShariEllen

I could barely walk for months after my chemo. I had to buy running shoes that were a size too big. Massage therapy seemed to help to some degree. Pain off and on lasted almost 8 months. It's a long process of recovery after chemo. But you will get there. Give yourself lots of time. If you are on Arimidex you will always have some amount of pain in your body which you will eventually adapt to and not even realize it's there most of the time. For me, it was only after I was taken off all medication (5 yrs post chemo) that the pain finally disappeared. I only realized how much discomfort I was in after I went off all the medication. It's been 12 years for me cancer free. Never felt better in my life Here to support anyone who needs it.

DebAL

Shari, good for you! I'm hoping to feel like you here in about 2 years! For me after the 7 month mark things improved. I'm achy from the arimidex but it's definitely tolerable. 12 years that's awesome!!

Kathrynkgd

Thank you so much. This info is helpful and at least there is light at the end of this tunnel.