Hi all - It has been 6 months since RT and 11 months since chemo (taxotere). On Lupron for the last 14 months. PSA undetectable.
I wonder if any board members have experienced an issue I am having?
I am experiencing inflammation around both shoulder joints - the one more than the other - with resultant discomfort and shooting pain if I rotate my arms behind my back. It seems to be getting worse and has been ongoing for a couple of months. The pain goes away when my arms are back to a normal position.
I have quit using the elliptical exercise machine and try and nurture my arm movement as much as possible. I mentioned it to my Rad. Onc. about 10 days ago during a routine visit.
He told me to take high doses of Ibuprofen and if there is no improvement, he would order an MRI. I did the Ibuprofen for 7 days, which took care of any pain, but on coming off, it is back to the original issue.
I am just trying to understand what is going on. It almost feels like pulled muscles (and could be). Seems like nerve endings are not liking it.
What do you folks think? Could working my arms/shoulders on the elliptical be too much? One would not have thought so, but I wonder if ADT has so weakened my muscles there, that in fact it was too much?
Where to go from here? Any input appreciated.
- Pleroma
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Pleroma
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I have no clues about your shoulder pain. I use an elliptical trainer about three times a week without problems. I also do pushups and situps, and workout with light weight dumbells (5 kg each) three times a week - all without problems. Lupron is known to cause joint pain in some patients but, from what I've read, it's the small joints like fingers and toes that suffer first. That's what hit me. If you've got pain in fingers too, then maybe the shoulder pain could be a lupron effect.
Ibuprofen may be acting as a pain killer, but it also reduces inflammation - which could also reduce pain.
My suggestion is to keep using moderate amounts of ibuprofen and to try ice and heat, especially ice, which may calm down inflammation. Also work up a stretching and exercise regimen that allows you to keep moving your shoulders but holds down the stress.
On ADT your muscles will feel fatigued, but it shouldn't cause inflammation directly. I would guess, the elliptical is perhaps stretching one of your ligaments and causing bursitis. I would suggest, back off the elliptical, get some rest, take some aspirin, and try an alternate exercise.
It may be an after-effect from the chemo. Women who took docetaxel for breast cancer reported joint pain (arthralgia) up to a year after therapy, But they also experienced it during therapy - did you?
If this is a new pain, I suggest you see an orthopedist - it may be arthritis, or due to a muscle imbalance that can be fixed with physical therapy. He may be able to see the problem on an X-ray or by feeling around. My orthopedist gave me meloxicam (with omeprazole) for my knee, which worked for me way better than 800 mg ibuprofen. After 4 weeks of physical therapy, the pain is gone and I don't need the anti-inflammatory anymore.
I was dealing with joint pain (including shoulders) when actively on ADT. At one point I got a gout flair up for which I took Indomethacin (anti inflammatory) left over from a previous gout episode!! All pains went away....COMPLETELY!!!
I’m sure there can be a number of reasons that this happened but I’m a nuts and bolts kind of guy!!
Anti-inflammatory took the pain away = pain was too much inflammation... ya think?!!!
Never happened before ADT = Inflammation is a side effect of ADT!!!!
Dr would not refill repeatedly for fear of liver damage. So now I’m on Celebrex!! This worked for a few months but joint pain is returning.
Maybe try a month or so of a strong anti-inflammatory drug. Can’t hurt!!
I’m going to try cutting inflammatory foods from my diet which does not look like an easy task, but it’s better than taking the drugs!!!! I started a bit today and will work my way up as I adjust to BORING!!!!
Yes, I imagine Prednisone would work. I am not on Zytiga yet....
Thanks for all the helpful responses.
I'm not on ADT and I have pain in my right shoulder only. I'm convinced that it is 'mouse shoulder'. I know I spend too much time on the computer and the ergonomics aren't good. I got a shot a while ago. It diminished the symptoms for only a short while. The pain bothers me and prevents me from sleeping on my right side. Maybe I should try ibuprofen rather than the aleve that I've been taking.
Mine is in both shoulders. I have to sleep on my back - not the best for me.
I haven’t done Chemo . But I’ve done Lupron and RT .. had joint pains in many joints ..I think it’s par for the coarse ..Take care .. using heat helps ..
For those who might read this thread down the road, an MRI was ordered.
Turns out I have Adhesive Capsulitis - a.k.a. "Frozen Shoulder".
Initial Cortisone shot tomorrow and physiotherapy from then on. It can take up to 2 years to resolve itself. A different set of upper body exercise is called for. Just another experience for the journey ahead.
I can think of several possibilities. First the rotator cuff muscles have become so weak they can’t control the movement of you numerous and this is causing impingement. If this is the case it usually hurts to reach for the sky. Second you are getting osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint itself. Third you are getting an inflammatory arthritis like early RA or PMR. A regular x-ray and simple blood work including a CRP would be helpful. If it is normal then physical therapy might help. If not then MRI.
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