Joint Pain--Side Effect Of Chemo?

I was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer last February, during a routine colonoscopy, taken immediately to surgery where about 12 inches of my right colon was removed. I started chemo 6 weeks later, 5 FU, Leucovorin and Oxliplatin. When I had liver pain and vomitted bile, a PT scan showed liver inflammation so Oxliplatin was changed to Irrocantin in May. Although the neuropathy was no longer a problem, constant diarreha was. In September my stomach started cramping and I had severe chills also. Chemo ended October 6th and another colonscopy was done 3 weeks later which the dr. said showed ulcerative colitis. By November 7th, those symptoms left and a blood test run just after Thanksgiving said there is not colitis afterall. I am very grateful for that and feel that the false test and the symptoms of cramping and chills, etc. were brought on by the chemo regime. Now, however, I have constant joint pain, especially my fingers, ankles, knees and my legs just ache. Has anyone else experienced such things and could it be from chemo? If so, does it ever go away? Why is it MDs can not be more honest with patients as to what to expect as permanent results once we have made it through the chemo? I had nine positive lymph nodes and understand that makes my chances for recurrence that much higher too, but, how much and what should I watch for? Where does it usually move next if that happens? I'd like more honesty from the medical people.
I had a hernia appear on my incision from the original surgery and had that repaired before Christmas and my port removed. I really don't want to see a doctor or hospital ever again if I could avoid it and want to do some real living now just in case my life is cut short. I promised myself if I lived through chemo, I'd take a trip so I'm planning it now. Cancer does give us a different perspective on life.

Suzette, I don't know if you ever check this site. I just found it. I'll send this anyway. I had ovarian cancer 6 years ago and I'm still asking many of the questions that you asked in your message. Sometimes I think that oncology health care professionals need to actually live with survivors to see how these things go. I'm still looking for information on long term effects. My pains went away within a year...it was gradual. I have slight nueropathy in my toes, bothers me when I'm on my feet very long. Dr. said I was lucky. So, what can I tell you? Do try to move and get some exercise up to your tolerance because I found good ciruculation help the nueropathy go away faster. My problems have been financial and also immune system is poor even now, and thus emotional. Insurance is expensive and I've been turned down for jobs because ignorant people have shared my medical history with prospective employers...can't prove it, just word of mouth. So many things happen in this wonderful world of surviving. I hope you're doing better now. I planned a trip, but my savings went for counseling and medications since I haven't had group coverage for a while. Take care. Brenda

i am currently having chemotherapy for the second time i have had cancer. you asked a question i ask myself alot still, does the pain ever go away and i will say yes although you probably feel like it never will!!!i can only say i remember the relief when i started to feel stronger and the pain disappeared,felt human again. i even gave birth to a healthy baby girl 2 years down the line, unfortunately my cancer came back but i know things will get better, that i came through my first cancer knowing i could now cope with whatever is thrown at me. try to be patient and take it easy while you recover,you cant hurry you're recovery...good luck for the future

 

On 1/1/2006 Suzette wrote:

I was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer last February, during a routine colonoscopy, taken immediately to surgery where about 12 inches of my right colon was removed. I started chemo 6 weeks later, 5 FU, Leucovorin and Oxliplatin. When I had liver pain and vomitted bile, a PT scan showed liver inflammation so Oxliplatin was changed to Irrocantin in May. Although the neuropathy was no longer a problem, constant diarreha was. In September my stomach started cramping and I had severe chills also. Chemo ended October 6th and another colonscopy was done 3 weeks later which the dr. said showed ulcerative colitis. By November 7th, those symptoms left and a blood test run just after Thanksgiving said there is not colitis afterall. I am very grateful for that and feel that the false test and the symptoms of cramping and chills, etc. were brought on by the chemo regime. Now, however, I have constant joint pain, especially my fingers, ankles, knees and my legs just ache. Has anyone else experienced such things and could it be from chemo? If so, does it ever go away? Why is it MDs can not be more honest with patients as to what to expect as permanent results once we have made it through the chemo? I had nine positive lymph nodes and understand that makes my chances for recurrence that much higher too, but, how much and what should I watch for? Where does it usually move next if that happens? I'd like more honesty from the medical people. I had a hernia appear on my incision from the original surgery and had that repaired before Christmas and my port removed. I really don't want to see a doctor or hospital ever again if I could avoid it and want to do some real living now just in case my life is cut short. I promised myself if I lived through chemo, I'd take a trip so I'm planning it now. Cancer does give us a different perspective on life.

 

On 1/1/2006 Suzette wrote:

I was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer last February, during a routine colonoscopy, taken immediately to surgery where about 12 inches of my right colon was removed. I started chemo 6 weeks later, 5 FU, Leucovorin and Oxliplatin. When I had liver pain and vomitted bile, a PT scan showed liver inflammation so Oxliplatin was changed to Irrocantin in May. Although the neuropathy was no longer a problem, constant diarreha was. In September my stomach started cramping and I had severe chills also. Chemo ended October 6th and another colonscopy was done 3 weeks later which the dr. said showed ulcerative colitis. By November 7th, those symptoms left and a blood test run just after Thanksgiving said there is not colitis afterall. I am very grateful for that and feel that the false test and the symptoms of cramping and chills, etc. were brought on by the chemo regime. Now, however, I have constant joint pain, especially my fingers, ankles, knees and my legs just ache. Has anyone else experienced such things and could it be from chemo? If so, does it ever go away? Why is it MDs can not be more honest with patients as to what to expect as permanent results once we have made it through the chemo? I had nine positive lymph nodes and understand that makes my chances for recurrence that much higher too, but, how much and what should I watch for? Where does it usually move next if that happens? I'd like more honesty from the medical people. I had a hernia appear on my incision from the original surgery and had that repaired before Christmas and my port removed. I really don't want to see a doctor or hospital ever again if I could avoid it and want to do some real living now just in case my life is cut short. I promised myself if I lived through chemo, I'd take a trip so I'm planning it now. Cancer does give us a different perspective on

 

hi suzette,

i found

hi suzette,

 i found your posting -- and this site -- by googling a chemo-related joint pain inquiry.  i was diagnosed w/stage 2a colon cancer in april of '06, had an emergency resection, followed by colonoscopy, then four months of chemo (twice a week, every other week, oxypl/5fu/leukovorin cocktail), which concluded at the end of sept. although i had slight neuropathy during chemo (numb fingers and toes), i considered myself fortunate that i lost no weight (tho i certainly can stand to lose a few lbs, my wonderful chemo nurse told me that the odds of having a positive chemo experience were in direct relation to not losing weight), lost no hair, didn't suffer, as did some in my support group, from black nail beds and joint pain.  then chemo ended, and although i cannot remember exactly when the joint pain hit me, i share your frustration w/doc's not being completely forthcoming abt side effects:  this joint pain is incredibly...well, painful. it's better tha more i move, and mornings (or after having sat for five minutes or more) are most difficult.  week after week i would ask my doc about the pain, and he finally conceded that it was chemo.  thanks.

like you, i am eager for it to pass, and although exercise is no picnic with this pain, i do think increased circulation helps aleviate a bit. my neuropathy has also gotten worse, and i look forward to that going away. mostly, though, i pray every day that i am never again visited by this terrible illness.  best of luck to you. 

 

On 1/1/2006 Suzette wrote:

I was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer last February, during a routine colonoscopy, taken immediately to surgery where about 12 inches of my right colon was removed. I started chemo 6 weeks later, 5 FU, Leucovorin and Oxliplatin. When I had liver pain and vomitted bile, a PT scan showed liver inflammation so Oxliplatin was changed to Irrocantin in May. Although the neuropathy was no longer a problem, constant diarreha was. In September my stomach started cramping and I had severe chills also. Chemo ended October 6th and another colonscopy was done 3 weeks later which the dr. said showed ulcerative colitis. By November 7th, those symptoms left and a blood test run just after Thanksgiving said there is not colitis afterall. I am very grateful for that and feel that the false test and the symptoms of cramping and chills, etc. were brought on by the chemo regime. Now, however, I have constant joint pain, especially my fingers, ankles, knees and my legs just ache. Has anyone else experienced such things and could it be from chemo? If so, does it ever go away? Why is it MDs can not be more honest with patients as to what to expect as permanent results once we have made it through the chemo? I had nine positive lymph nodes and understand that makes my chances for recurrence that much higher too, but, how much and what should I watch for? Where does it usually move next if that happens? I'd like more honesty from the medical people. I had a hernia appear on my incision from the original surgery and had that repaired before Christmas and my port removed. I really don't want to see a doctor or hospital ever again if I could avoid it and want to do some real living now just in case my life is cut short. I promised myself if I lived through chemo, I'd take a trip so I'm planning it now. Cancer does give us a different perspective on life.

Hi, I realize that you wrote this a year ago but was wondering if you have had relief from your joint pain?  I had 5-FU starting in March of 2006 and ended in September.   I also had 30 doses of radiation.   Since the end of my chemo,  I have had extreme, sometimes excruciating pain and numbness in my buttocks and down the back of my legs and feet.  I chose not to have oxaliplatin because of the chances of having neuropathy (I am also diabetic, so my chances were increased).  It seems to happen mostly at night or when I've been sitting or reclining for an extended period of time.  I take motrin but it doesn't help at all.  Did your pain go away?  Did you have oxaliplatin?  I would sure like to know if I can expect this for the rest of my life or if it's even related to chemo and or radiation.

Thanks for any information.  

Best regards,

Mary Scott