WHY does Herceptin make joints hurt?

Options
moonwolf
moonwolf Member Posts: 130
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

What is Herceptin doing to make joints painful?  It can't be the bones themselves that are painful, so does it affect muscles or nerves?

Some people say it lowers oestrogen, but others say it does not!

It feels like arthritis to me, but it can't be because that's about wear and tear isn't it.  So that can't be the case in all the joints suddenly, since Herceptin.  My knees were a bit painful before Herceptin. I only need to do very little physically and my knees, thumb joints, wrists, shoulder and back get pretty painful.

I do wonder if it does permanent damage.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited November 2009

    I don't know but I had lots of pain in my hip joints, low back and legs the whole time I was on Herceptin. I asked my onc and he said he hadn't heard that H causes that.  I think I did finally read at the Genentech website that muscle pain can be a side effect of Herceptin. It has got better,although it's taken some time to improve.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • moonwolf
    moonwolf Member Posts: 130
    edited November 2009

    Thanks Brenda - My Onc actually admitted that Herceptin could cause joint pain and she is up there with the rest in denying SE's.  My neck aches like mad so that could be muscle pain from Herceptin and then that in turn could be causing my bad heachache, I guess.  I will look at Genentech - thanks.

     Did you take anything for the pain?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NJLinda
    NJLinda Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2009

    When I had the Herceptin two years ago, a couple days after the infusion I would have pain in my knees and legs but it only lasted about a day and then I was fine until the next treatment!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ktr3
    ktr3 Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2009

    Hi

    So that is why my body aches?   I wonder how long after you finish Herceptin does it take for the body to stop aching???

    I had my last herceptin infusion in August and I still have days where I am very sore.

    Thanks for any information sumitted. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited November 2009

    Are you taking any AI's? I'm on Arimidex - and it's known for causing joint pain. I had Herceptin every two weeks for a year, but didn't notice any increase in joint pain........fingernails were ruined but that was about it. Hope you feel better soon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited November 2009

    I took vicodin for pain. I have been taking a NSAID for inflammation for about 5 years, and we couldn't add any more to that, so just the vicodin.

    No AIs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2009

     I'm on Herceptin and my knees hurt a lot too. I use Tiger Balm and it helps stop the pain.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories