Shoulder pain in noncancer side

Rachel1 · October 2013

I am on arimidex (10 months) and have been experiencing shoulder pain (top of shoulder radiates out from there) for the last three months. It is on the side that I sleep on-- putting all my newly acquired arimidex weight on. My husband, oddly enough, has the same pain on the side that he sleeps on -- opposite side from mine almost like we're book ends. My pain is on the noncancerous side. Has anyone else experienced this?? I'm so scared. I know arimidex causes joint pain and stiffness -- you should see me hobble out of bed in the morning. Please talk me down. I freakin hate this disease!! Rachel

Must add -- the pain has kind of an achy burning sensation to it.

Anonymous · October 2013

Odds are that it is unrelated to your cancer or to the Arimidex. Could easily be a bursitis or similar injury -- just because we've had cancer or are taking Arimidex (or similar) doesn't mean we won't get ordinary, non-related aches & pains.

My recommendation is to see your doctor to get it checked out. You might want to start with your oncologist, just to be on the safe side. And some women have taken a little vacation from hormonals just to see if it suddenly clears up when off the med.

karen1956 · October 2013

I had horrid, horrid joint pain on Arimidex and developed severe CTS in both wrists after only 5 months on the meds......

KerryMac · October 2013

Rachel, I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Any pain is so scary!

I haven't had pain in my shoulders like this, but I have had unexplained pain a couple of time since since dx, which has made me a basket case!! I would say give it another couple of weeks and take Tylenol/Advil to see if that helps. For piece of mind you might want to get your Dr to have a look, sometimes the not knowing makes things worse.

Also Google Arimidex and Bursitis. You'll see that it a very common occurrence! I've had bursitis three times since I started Arimidex; twice in my foot (I run) which felt like a knife going in every time I took a step and once in my tailbone which I was convinced was mets - burning pain, worse at night when I was lying down etc. So there is every reason to believe your pain is something similar.

Hang in there!

weesa · October 2013

Rachel, I had a good deal of difficulty with both shoulders while I took aromatase inhibitors--and it didn't seem to matter whether I took Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin. Eventually I ended up having both rotator cuffs repaired, and the surgeon who did the surgeries said my shoulders were quite inflamed. The areas where tendons met bone were so inflamed, those attachments had turned to mush, making the shoulders weak and prone to tearing easily. My onc and my orthopedic surgeon both believed my shoulder problems were caused by the AI's. A similar thing happened later to my knees but recovered without surgery when I eventually went off the AI's.

Another thought: Have you changed out your mattress lately? Some of the newer mattresses with memory foam, like the Temperpedic, are much kinder on the joints. The fact that both you and your husband are experiencing shoulder pain prompted me to ask.

Rachel1 · October 2013

Thank you, ladies. It helps to know I'm not alone with AI pain. I have my regular 3 month onc. appt. this week and I'll mention it. I'm always afraid that they'll freak and want to do all these tests which will put me into panic mode and re traumatize me. I know that being proactive is best, but it sets off post traumatic stress like only you women would believe. Weesa, we did recently change out our mattress, but did not go with a high end. I need to rethink that decision and look into a termperpedic. I think it's interesting that you also had issues with your shoulders. I've also had knee problems, leg aches, elbow aches -- all since taking AI's. I look back so longingly at those days before bc when a pain like this was simply a pain that I would shrug off and say, "oh, I irritated my shoulder. What an annoyance. Hope it heals soon, so I can work hard again." Now, I become traumatized. I hate that. It makes me feel like a victim to bc. And I don't want bc to take any more from me. Okay, the tears are starting to flow so I'll end here. Love you gals. Rachel

weesa · October 2013

Rachel--I recently went with a high end mattress--and what a difference in the morning for both of us. Some mattress places even let you try out a mattress for a couple of nights in your own home. There is a bewildering array of new high tech mattresses, so do a lot of trying out. Especially if you are a side sleeper, that shoulder you are lying on is getting a lot of pressure if you don't have a good support underneath it. I also had all the other aches you mention while on AI's, and towards the end I developed trigger finger which stopped a week after I went off AI's for the last time.

Claire_in_Seattle · October 2013

Mattress was my first thought too. I have a super-comfy pillow top. Softness on top with great support underneath. I can tell you that when I went camping this past summer, I was worse for wear in the AM.

Some other remedies I can think of are Arnica gel and hot baths. I am saying this having just emerged from the tub. Not because of Arimidex, but because of a lot of cycling this weekend (two long group rides). I was actually chilled from being sweaty and then cooling down. The Arnica went on my sore ankle (sports injury from 2 years ago).

I normally feel a lot more soreness from my activities than from Arimidex. Yes, I have symptoms, but right now, it's my glutes that are talking to me.

Now to haul my tired hide to the grocery store for basil and black olives. Making Putanesca sauce, and these are the two things I don't have. (Last chance to make, and mine is ever so much better than anything else I have eaten.) - Claire

Rachel1 · October 2013

Claire, Can you recommend a pillow top? I'll pick up arnica gel tomorrow. I make a killer putanesca sauce as well. Do you ever put tuna in yours? It's awesome.

Rachel

Claire_in_Seattle · October 2013

Had to look. It's a Sealy Posturepedic....a few years old. I benefitted from a divorce sale. The guy had paid megabux for it to save his marriage, but to no avail. I got it for super cheap on Craig's List when I first moved to Seattle.

I put two tins of anchovies in mine. Plus some wild mushrooms from the market And of course, all the other good things. It's hanging out right now awaiting pasta, and just delish.

I think you will know by lying down on the mattress which one works. I would arrive super-sore to do a good test. - Claire

Rachel1 · October 2013

As a huge anchovy fan, I say yummmo!

hopefour · October 2013

Yep, I had shoulder pain as well as hip pain on the side that I sleep on. I always sleep on the opposite side from my BC side. When I started to have hip and shoulder pain, I simply stopped sleeping on that side for two weeks and it all went away. I also did/do anti inflammatory supplements that I believe helped too. I hate this disease too and grieve the peace it takes and fear it leaves...hoping your pain subsides soon and there is no need for scans!

Rachel1 · October 2013

Thanks Hopefour, I still have the pain but only seem to notice it when my mind is not preoccupied with other things. Is that a good sign??

xoxo

Rachel

hopefour · October 2013

If that means its getting less noticeable I would say yes, but always talk to your MO if you continue with concerns. Hoping one day soon, you realize you haven't felt any pain for a while and it has past!

Shoulder pain in noncancer side

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