Ongoing discomfort in arms

[Hat3]

Hello everyone, I have been experiencing extremely achy arms (and slightly shoulders too) for the past few months. I initially put this down to having changed from a large computer screen to a small laptop and my poor posture hunched over it! I've made lots of changes to my computer set-up but the pain remains. They ache all night and day and the muscles in my upper right arm feel weirdly tight.

Background: I'm 62, was diagnosed with ET CALR+ almost six years ago. I take aspirin and 300mg hydroxycarbamide on weekdays and 200mg at weekends. My haematology team are continually tweaking the hydroxy dose because I waver between too high platelets and tipping into anaemia when they up the dose. They're also concerned that I might be becoming resistant to hydroxy.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

[hunter5582]

The pain in the arms and shoulders could have a number of causes or be a combination of factors. Ergonomics is certainly one of the possible issues. If you have corrected the ergonomic issues, then it is likely something else.

The pain you describe is consistent with a hydroxyurea adverse effect. Musculoskeletal symptoms can be an issue with HU. Musculoskeletal pain can also be a PV issue. Sometimes timing is the only clue as to which is which This would be something to address with your MPN care team.

Pain is a warning that something is wrong and should not be ignored. It can get worse if ignored. While waiting to assess what the cause is, you can treat the symptom. I have found massage therapy to be very helpful in managing this kind of pain. I also practice Qi Gong, which can also be very helpful.

Please let us know what you learn and how you get on.

[JackEdwin in reply to hunter5582]

Hunter - wondering if you’ve heard of insomnia as a side effect of Hydroxyurea? I don’t see it as a listed s.e. when I google it but my husband is having an increasingly hard time sleeping since taking it.

[Amethist]

just to rule out other possibilities, ask your dr to test all your vitamin & mineral levels . My sister had really low Vit D, and had lots of similar symptoms. Would be good to have a baseline for everything anyway. Always get copies of all test results.

[Hat3]

Rather belated thank you to you all for your comment. I have arranged a telephone consultation with the haematology team next week and I'll see what they say. I'll report back!