How long until chemo affects wear off?

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nepenthes
nepenthes Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I had 4 AC treatments followed by 10 Taxol.  My last chemo treatment was 4/28.

In the last two weeks though I've started having really terrible joint pain in my knees and ankles - especially when I try to stand up after sitting even for just a few minutes.  My calves also stiffen up and are sore, especially by end of day.

I'm also noticing bouts of fatigue during the day.  

It's almost like I'm back on Taxol again - but I'm not.

Is this still recovery from chemo?  Do others have this happen?  How long will this go on?

Thanks.  Cry

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  • planofoodie
    planofoodie Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2013

    I, too, had horrible joint pain -- in EVERY joint after chemo.  my knees are a little better, but my elbows are excrutiating -- I'm actually going to see an orthopaedic surgeon tomorrow just to see what all is going on.  I think after everying, I have a frozen shoulder, which is contributing to my elbow pain, but I could be completely wrong.

    I had he joints in my knees, hands, shoulder, elbows and feet hurt quite badly after taxol -- though some of that has gotten better.  My last chemo was 5/24/13 -- so a few months.  I pray that as more time goes by, it all starts feeling better.  They say give it a year!

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  • nepenthes
    nepenthes Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2013

    Thanks planofoodie.  

    Can you post if your ortho has any recommendations?  I've tried ibuprofen and that just isn't doing anything.  Mostly I want the fatigue and knee pain to go away.

    I wish someone who is further out from treatment would verify if this is normal and goes away.  I'm emailing my cancer clinic today as well.

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  • BikerLee
    BikerLee Member Posts: 355
    edited August 2013

    hi there - i had 12 taxol (with 4 carboplatins) and then 4 ac, and i had my last treatment in jan of 2012. so, i am now one and one-half years out.

    i don't think i had the joint pain like you're talking about... and i definitely am a bit different than i was before chemo...

    but...  well...  this past weekend, i did a 24 hour bike race, and i tied for third overall (including men and women).  there were 88 of us that chose to race solo, and i was one of those insane people.  the few other hundred people? they were smart - they were on TEAMS! that said - i'll probably do it again next year.

    it.gets.better.

    i promise.  there's no way i could have done this race solo one year ago.  no way.  at six months out, i was riding decently... but i was not nearly as strong as i am now...  at six months, i felt more optimistic and like things were going in the right direction....

    i feel like the estimate of one year is spot on. that's when you really feel like - ah.... i'm coming back.  

    another thing to consider - are you dealing with symptoms of menopause? i was very sad to learn that my ovaries were fried by chemo - and that sudden chemo-pause was HARD!!!! i had insomnia and pretty much felt like everything sucked. i am actually being treated for that...  and that has helped tremendously with my general outlook on life and so on....

    i hope that helps.

    lee

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  • nepenthes
    nepenthes Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2013

    Thank you BikerLee!  That's really helpful to hear!  Right now I feel like I'm a sports car that can't get out of second gear.  Just frustrated when I try to do even the most basic physical things or get through a marathon meeting at work. 

    How great that you're doing so well with your biking efforts!  That's very encouraging!

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited August 2013

    I'm a little over a year PFC and still have joint stiffness/pain. It's tolerable, but annoying.

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  • CameraKim
    CameraKim Member Posts: 81
    edited August 2013

    Nepenthes, I'm glad you asked this. I seemed to do fine during chemo (ended 2/13) but all summer my joints have been killing me. I find it hard to get moving in the morning...and things seem to be getting worse not better. 

    I keep thinking it must be the Herceptin, but my MO says no. She doesn't seem concerned at all, but it's really bothersome. I have a lot of edema, really swollen fingers and feet. I wonder if that has anything to edo with it?

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  • gailani
    gailani Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2013

    Oh boy, I thought i was going crazy but I to am suffering from the after effects...Really bad joint pain, i'ts been 6 weeks post chemo but only now my joints are killing me. I can hardley get up after sitting down or waking up in the morning my knees are so painful. Swollen fingers and ankles, feet etc...I woke up and both my shoulders and triceps were killing me...I am totally confuses because none of this was really brought to my attention. Everything was focused on during treatment but I'm suffering more pain after! Can anyone share stories on this and what is working for them or perhaps when they started to feel better. I've been in pain for a month now and i'ts getting really frustrating. 

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