Pain

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4thefather
4thefather Member Posts: 187

Hi all,

I am a year out from chemo and 3 months out from my last Herceptin.  I am in daily pain. I had osteoarthritis in my knees before all of this, but now some days my ENTIRE body just aches. Is anyone else going through this?  Should I say something to my doctor because I don't want to be put on prescription pain meds every day of my life.  Will this ever go away???

Cathie

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited November 2009

    Hi Cathie,

    I'm so sorry you are feeling so bad.  I remember I had about the same symptoms--hurts all over, when I was on Tamox.  I stood it for 2.5 years and my onc and I agree to stop it.  I felt better, a LOT,better, in about 3-6 weeks.  I have osteo of hips and knees and back. 

    Please, discuss your symptoms with your doc.  Quality of life is a most, most, most important aspect of treating cancer.  It is only recently that the oncology powers that be have Finally come out recognizing that these symptoms are related to treatment.

    As far as meds go----- have you tried anti inflammatories?  Advil, ibprophen?  that sort of thing?  Please -- treatment of these quality of life issues are Worth taking a daily med.  If you had diabetes or high blood pressure, wouldn't you take the daily meds to prevent long term physical problems?   I do believe you would.  Well, long term problems with constant pain can first change our posture, then when that changes, it throws all sorts of body functions out of whack.  Especially the joints.

    Think it over and discuss it with your doc.  Keep in mind all the hundreds, thousands of women who had your symptoms and complained to their doc only to be told it was NOT related to treatment, when we know it was, and were brushed off.  You have a chance to benefit from all their pain, you can get treatment for it.  Go for it!

  • 4thefather
    4thefather Member Posts: 187
    edited November 2009

    Thank you! I am not on Tamox or anything like that. I do take Lupron shots every 16 weeks.  I am wondering if the pain is coming from that.  Some days it is manageable and some days it is debiliating.  Not a fun way to live.  I am supposed to have Lupron until August.  I know what you mean about telling my doc.  I just don't want him to go extreme and start ordering a bunch of tests or something.

    Cathie

  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited November 2009

    Cathie, I'm pretty sure you have googled the drug, but I did find this and will share:

    Lupron stops menstruation and reduces estrogen levels in your body. Reduced estrogen may cause side effects such as acne, decreased sex drive, headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, muscle pain, a reduction in breast size, and vaginal inflammation and dryness. Your menstrual periods and estrogen levels will return to normal when you stop taking Lupron.

    • Side effects may include:
      Anxiety, appetite changes, breast tenderness or pain, depression, fluid retention, development of male characteristics, dizziness, general pain, inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis), insomnia or other sleep disorders, joint pain, memory problems, nausea and vomiting, nervousness, skin reactions, stomach or intestinal disorders, unusual burning or prickling sensation of the skin, weakness, weight gain or loss
    • Additional side effects you may experience if you are taking Lupron for anemia include:
      Body odor, flu symptoms, nail problems, nasal irritation, pinkeye, taste disorders

    Whew!  As with ANY drug, the possible side effects are too numerous to mention (but they always Do) Why, if you read the side effects of tylenol, you'd wonder why anyone would agree to take it for fever.  LOL

    At any rate,  yes, your doc may want to do some testing, but isn't that a good thing?  Personally, I love to rule out bad things that I'm actually thinking about in the very back of my mind.  It just makes it easier to be sure I Don't have any of the  stuff I read about, and can go on my way.  You may feel the same way, or not.

  • 4thefather
    4thefather Member Posts: 187
    edited November 2009

    Let's see. From this list I suffer from:

    Side effects may include:
    Anxiety, fluid retention, general pain, insomnia or other sleep disorders, joint pain, memory problems, stomach or intestinal disorders, weakness, weight gain, body odor, nail problems.

    I am ready to get off this crap! I have been on it for a year and a half already.  That is enough for me.  This is when we as patients get to decide if it is worth it or not.  He is just trying to keep my cycle away since the cancer was hormone positive.  He is hoping that if I stay on Lupron for 2 years then my cycle will never come back.  It has shown no signs, so I think it is gone.

    Cathie 


    Diagnosis: 5/16/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIIa, 9/12 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+

  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited December 2009

    Good luck with your discussion with your doc.  These things are hard to get thru, but duscusion is a good thing to do.

    I do wish the best to you, I know how hard it is to go thru all this crap.

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