BC and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hello everyone,

Sorry for intruding here (and apologies for the fact that is s a repeated post). I have petitioned the moderators to separate the mixed typed of bc threads from the bc and other illnesses threads, since both situations are entirely different. If you agree, read here and post your opinion:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/93/topic/795779?page=1#idx_13 

I am making a perfect nuisance out of myself by being so pushy, but I do feel it is important. Comorbidities create an entirely different bc experience for many of us - one we frequently cannot discuss with others who are not in our situation.

I got psoriatic arthritis 4 years ago. I'm posting here since PsA is the "other" auto-immune arthritis and is treated very similarly to RA.  When I was diagnosed with BC last Aug. 11, I had to get off Enbrel (a biologic) for good, my rheumy said.  He explained that once you have a cancer dx, that you can't ever go back to Enbrel.  Enbrel had worked like magic for me (along with Methotrexate at early onset) and I went from being crippled with walking well in just three weeks, and eventually, I could even return to tennis, where I had used to play competitively.

Now, I'm wondering how long I can get away without treatment for PsA.  My rheumy says that I need to "take care of my BC first", then he has a different biologic he wants me to try (don't know which one).  I was wondering how other BC patients who go off treatment for RA or PsA manage their arthritis symptoms.  Thanks and best wishes to all.

hello Kriserts,

I have been told (and the Enbrel package insert suggests) that there is a slightly higher risk for lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (I have assumed this is for all the TNFalpha inhibitors).  There is nearly 15 years of follow-up data now on Enbrel, so I personally feel pretty safe that it does not increase risk for breast cancer ... and, I am with you -- it is my saving grace.

I was Dx with Reactive Rheumatoid in '96, so I have had it for about 18 years.

I did 7 years of Methotrexate injections every week, that I administered myself and also tried the just about everything else available,at the time, except Biologics. Embrel cost $80K per year, when it was first brought into Australia, but even as the price dropped, I didn't want to take it, don't really know why, just a gut feeling.

I have managed to keep my RA under some control, with low dose cortisone and alternative therapies. I have suffered with bone density issues caused by my choices, but they haven't deteriorated in about 12 years, I can't tolerate the bone meds, I've tried the yearly infusion and the weekly tablets which caused dreadful stomach pain. I have lots of issues with meds and bad side effects. I have had hand and wrist surgery, which removed the synovial sacks around my knuckles and the tendons were split and redirected to strengthen the hand and knuckles. Although I had some issues after the surgery, and a long recovery, it has been a success and really positive thing to do.

I was one of the fortunate ones who had a Dx of DCIS that didn't change with final Pathology. I did have to stop taking the supplements in the lead up to my Mx and I did feel the RA waking again, but I have been lucky that it hasn't returned to full force.  

I wish everyone dealing with RA and BC treatment the very best. There are many of us here, who have a Rheumatoid Dx. The other Cormobidity thread has a lot of information from others with the RA Dx.

Hi SlowDeepBreaths, when I had the wrist surgery, I had very little range of motion. I could lift a little and go down a little, but it was always really painful. I haven't had the same issue with the other one, even though it is my dominant hand. The surgery cleared up all all of the issues I had in that wrist . I haven't had any problems with it, since then and I have great range of motion now.

The tendon reassignment in my hand, was amazing surgery too. Although I wasn't sure at first,  I am so glad that I did all of the surgeries, because they turned the RA around, in my hand and wrist. I was so over having to have steroids shots just to be able to function. I worked for an International Airline at the time, so overweight  bags and  passengers in wheelchairs were something I had to deal with, every day.  My husband is a quadriplegic in a wheelchair too, so having unstable hands and wrist was dangerous. I had to do something.

If you are considering having this kind of surgery, I would urge you to find out exactly what it entails and the recovery period etc. my hand was a very, very long process, but the wrist was about 6 weeks, which included PT exercises etc.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do!  I know what you mean about losing the mobility, mine was more pain related, although the mobility was definitely a problem for me too. The surgery removed both problems for me. It has been almost 10 years and I haven't had any more problems with either of them.

Hi SDB, I take Lyprinol by Blackmores, which is green lipped mussel extract, there are other brands of this, but I have been told that they are not as stable as the Blackmores and the dose can vary quite a bit. I have taken the Blackmores for many, many years and on the occasion that I take a break from it, I feel the difference. I still take cortisone every day, which has caused me no end of trouble with stomach ulcers and thinning bones, but I manage on less that 5mg a day now. I try to adjust the dosage down, but for me, the first thing I will get is a frozen shoulder if I drop too low. Tumeric, Fish oil, Olive leaf extract and Vitamin D are in my daily regime and I get as much dense nutrition from a morning meal replacement called VeganSmart with Green Vibrance in it. They both have pre and pro biotics in them as well as digestive enzymes. I prefer these, to taking synthetic lab vitamins.

I will still get the occasional flare of RA, but nothing like it was in the early days or before the surgeries. I also use an Aromatherapy Essential oil blend which is an analgesic, for pain. I have been having a massage every two weeks for the past 18 years or so, as a therapy for the RA as well as Meditation and occasional Acupuncture.

This has helped me much more than when I was on the weekly Methotrexate, Plaquenil, Anti Inflammatories etc. I know it isn't for everyone, but I have found it helps me. 

You're welcome! Just take it a little at a time, you will find what works for you. I always railed against the heavy weight drugs. I didn't want to take them, if I could avoid them. I had my Rheumatologist pulling his hair out at times, but he is also very alternative therapy minded, albeit as well as, the heavy meds so he did understand my aversion. There was a time that he actually said to me, he thought that I had improved, because I simply ignored the RA and refused to acknowledge it. LOL

I wish you all the very best and hope you find things that work for you. It is a rotten, nasty disease!

Edited to say... The Acupuncture, for me, wasn't like any normal needle as such. I have tried a few different Acupuncturists and they do really differ, so if you go to one, try to get a recommendation from someone who has been to this person and really like them. I had one woman who was sensational, but she moved away and I couldn't see her any more. I can't recommend massage highly enough. I went to the same woman for about 15 years and then I moved away. The woman I go to now is not quite as good, but I still get the great feeling and fluidity of muscles and tendons from this lady. Add the anelgesic properties of the essential oils and it is a very powerful modality. Good Luck! and feel free to ask me anything, if you want to, PM me.

You're welcome, I hope some of it helps you too! Glad you have a Doctor who listens too.  M x

i have m.s and have been through breast cancer.after my surgery 3yrs ago the right side of my breast is still sore .it seems that the soreness is going to my left. I'm so scared my cancer is coming back.how can I tell ? Please help me with answers Dr told me months ago he didn't feel anything .I don't know why my chest is sore .Ty so much