Joint issues post-treatment anyone?

Jacklin
Jacklin Member Posts: 162
edited October 2016 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I completed chemo in March and rads mid-July. It was just before I completed rads that I noticed my right thumb being very swollen, looking like it's bruised at the base. This 'bruising" has not changed since I initially discovered the swelling in early July. Since then, my thumb has become more swollen in the lower half and I am unable to pick up most things. It's a sharp pain that continues all day in the lower half - I can't say it's like arthritis because I don't have any and I don't know what that would feel like. Sometimes my thumb makes clicking sounds when I try to move it. My doctor prescribed taro-diclofenac drops but they did nothing after 1 month, so we've stopped that. He's now made a referral to a hand surgeon and mentioned something about cortisone shots, don't like that idea at all. Just wondering, has anyone else suffered from joint issues after active treatment? If so, has it diminished? Did you require any type of treatment and if so, what? Did it help? What helped the most? I'm at a complete loss here.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2016

    Hi Jaclin,

    We're sorry you're experiencing this! Joint pain can definitely be a side effect of breast cancer treatments. You can find some causes of and some suggestions to help alleviate this pain on the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Bone and Joint Pain.

    We're sure others will be by shortly with their experiences and suggestions!

    We hope this helps!

    --The Mods

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  • RDHVN65
    RDHVN65 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2016

    I just finished surgery 5 weeks ago for trigger finger and thumb, Carpal tunnel and a messed up thumb joint. Most of it was due to chemo. You are not alone. It started out with aching. Then it went to numbness for the fingers and not being able to bend them. Very hard to do anything with my right hand and I am right handed! Had an injection in the thumb and in the joint. It worked for 6 moths. When things got worse I chose the surgery. Getting ready to do therapy. Chemo is the gift that keeps on giving. I am afraid you may need to see a doctor about this again. My surgeon was great. Good luck

    REDHVN65

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