Aches and pains cropping up all over the place after finishing third chemo x 6 in July

Hi Patsy,

I understand just what you are saying! The early hours are very fertile for the gremlins to start nagging! I also have had pain and strains in every set of muscles and every tendon in my body since the hysterectomy and chemo. I refused Taxol, which is implicated more often in neuropathy, and which a friend had been left in trouble by.

I didn't bother to report all the pains to the oncology people as it became clear to me early on that they had little or no understanding of it. I attributed mine to a combination of chemo damage and the fierce menopause into which I was jettissoned by the surgery. I go to the chiropractor regularly - monthly when things were at their worst - take 'devils claw' for specific pain; eat as much turmeric and black pepper as possible (it's a powerful anti-inflammatory), and do everything I can to eliminate inflammatory foods from my diet. I also make a priority of exercising in the fresh air as much as I can.

Your stomach aches might be stress/worry related - or even a side -effect of the ibruprofen.

I hope things get better soon - it took me 2 yrs after chemo to feel free from pain some of the time, but I still pull muscles for a pass time!

Very best wishes,

Isadora.

Hallo Isadora

Thanks so much for your reply. I was about to say I'm glad to hear you have pains too, but I'm not of course! What I mean to say is that it does help to put things back into perspective when one knows that others have similar niggles and fears. I was very interested in your point that ibuprofen may be causing my stomach ache. I will mention this to my doctor as I was going to see him anyway about stopping the ibuprofen.

As for mentioning these things to one's oncologist, I agree that they dont seem to have a clue about after effects and tend to say 'see your GP'. Mind you, it's understandable I suppose, as there must be so many different after-effects, making it impossible to pin anything down and be specific about individual symptoms.

Thanks again and best wishes

Patsy

Ibuprofen is notorious for upset stomachs! Diclofenic is another, as it is derived from the same drugs. When I was on either my GP prescribed some lansoprazole to protect my stomach. I have never had problems with ibuprofen, so I havent got a clue if they made a difference, but it may be worth enquiring.

Don't forget to eat something before taking ibuprofen, as this could also make the difference! Every time I get an ache or pain, I start to worry too, so you are not alone there, my doctor said I'm going to worry about every little pain after all I've gone through, so i think it's normal!

All the best

ChrisHxx

I was in a car crash three years ago and am full of bits of metal. The chemo makes my knee (which was smashed to bits) ache like the devil but the prescibed tramadol/paracetamol from my gp here works a real treat. Yes, it's a pretty strong remedy but I don't actually need much each time to chase the pain away and at least give me a good night's sleep which eludes me otherwise. Sometimes it's better, imh (un-medical)o, to take fewer, stronger drugs than loads of ineffective ones.

I was tramadol for 8 months whilst in rehab' after my accident and following further surger ywas able to come off it. I've only gone back on since the chemo and then only take it for a week or so after each session so it does not appear to have hooked me yet! Good old Gaviscon's worth a go for the acid reflux.

Hi Patsy

I also finished 6X carboplatin at the end of July and developed painful joints in September. I seemd to hurt everywhere; my shoulders, knees, collarbone, finger joints and feet. I also have pain in my tendons in my heels and thumbs(one thumb has now seized up completely). I also have a rash on one foot and peeling skin on the base of my foot- gross! The oncology department and keyworkers kept insisting that these symptoms weren't chemo related and that they were possibly psychosomatic. I too, felt like a hypochondriac. Luckily, my GP has been sympathetic and believes me... I went to my follow up appointment armed with evidence from the internet and this blog to show that the symptoms were chemo side effects and the oncologist finally said that they may be chemo relateds but were 'not common side effects'. It is such a battle sometimes.

The wonderful women on this blog suggested udder cream for the peeling skin (it works) and I now have a hydrocortisone for the rash. The joint pain has eased up a little in the last week but my hands and feet are still painful. Despite this, I do try and walk every day and eat well. I take paracetamol for any pain I can't cope with.

Trust me, you're not alone! and i know what you mean about being somewhat glad to hear that others have these symptoms.........

You'll get there..Best wishes

Eleni x

Hello Patsy

For all my aches and pains I always have SBC Arnica gel in the house. I feel it works, especially on my shoulders (have had 'frozen shoulders' in the past). My husband says it stops the itch that comes with gnat bites! I would not buy arnica from health shops - too expensive, I get the SBC stuff from QVC.

Hope you are able to find something that works for you.

Best wishes.