Chemo/Radiation and Fibromyalgia

I am sorry you have jonied the club 

I did not have fibromyalgia before dx, but developed it after tx (rads and chemo, which was FEC-T ). I believe taxotere did a number on my musculo-skeletal system, as it really affected my muscles, but that is only my presumption. However, it does not mean you will be affected. I know that is not really very helpful........I hope your results will show you do not need chemo.

Have you tried any other stress-relief strategies? I had reiki healing and it helped me to cope when I was waiting for treatment.

Best to you,

Sam

Hi there, I had it big time, very stiff, almost frozen with it.

Believe it or not, exercise.  Sounds like the last thing you want to do, right?  But it's very, very helpful, altho a neurologist cautioned me that it will get worse before it gets better.

Also: lo dose anti depressants.  It works on fibro like a charm.

Eat more veggies, fruits, less processed stuff.  You'll come out of flare, hon.  Say to yourself that is is temporary, as normal and natural reaction to what's going on right now.  How could you NOT hold yourself stiff and tight?  When this ends (and it will for you) the flare will end.

Good luck!!!

Forgot to mention.......I am on a low dose of amitryptaline taken at night when the flares are bad.Yes, it is also an anti-depressant (but not at that dosage).

I had lumpectomy late 2009 followed by radiation and tamoxifen. One year later-more breast cancer. Double mastectomy was 8 weeks after major spinal surgery. all of a sudden-fibromyalgia! Too much stress. 

Cymbalta for me was worse than the fibro. But Savella seems to help. It is realtively new and is used pretty exclusively for fibromyalgia. I would check it out. Far less side effects. 

My Onco and my General Doc. were trying to diagnose me with Fibro. I have been in total body pain from the beginning of the chemo. My last treatment was June 30 2011. Muscle fatigue, bone pain in arms, legs, and almost all the joints. Neck and shoulders. They were going to put me Prozac for the pain. I finally yelled loud enough I was sent to a Rhumatologist. Low and behold I have a severe Vitamin D deffiency. Numbers should be around 50-100. I am at 12. I am taking 50,000mg once a week for a month. After the 2nd week I started to feel a big difference! I have been able to move my legs, get out of my desk at work without hanging on to things and feeling like I am 100 yrs old. Pain has really subsided.

I have a cousin that has had Fibro for years and have watched her suffer from it. I was ready to accept the diagnosis but I was angry that the onco said it cant be from the chemo its been too long since the last treatment. Bull!!!! And why wasnt the Vit. levels the first thing they check especially when we complain about this kind of pain.

I have been going to yoga 2 times a week thru the whole thing and I too kept thinking it will get better, exercise more, eat better, nothing was working.

I take my 4th and last dose of the D tonight and the difference has been night and day!!! I am not back to normal yet but well on my way. I may have to go one more round and thats ok. Its working.

I just wanted to let you ladies know in case you have not been checked.

I wish you all the best and that you feel better!!!

This is my second time of radiation and I think it's worse this time around.  I am in pain all the time despite 90mg of cymbalta a day.  I am purely dreading the Femara because I understand you can get joint pain.  I can barely stand what I have and now to add something else!  I work full time and have 5 kids (and a hubby), no idea how I can deal with more pain and keep up my life.  

Hi I think I'm joining in on the fibromyalgia, I've been in pain since taxol started, finished Feb. And still in pain. Any meds with lesser side effects for it? I'm looking it up now, my dr said lyrica?