wildspirit's Cancer Blog
September 16, 2008
| Body Aches and Pains | Views: 837 |
Ever since I started having chemo within a couple of days after treatment my body starts hurting a lot. At first I described it as bone pain from the neulasta shot but as time went on I began to question that. Then when I didn’t have the neulasta shot and still had the body aches, I knew it wasn’t the shot, but the chemo that was causing me to hurt so much.
I have tried to explain this to my doctor and/or the nurses but I guess I haven’t been doing a very good job and/or other issues were just more important. But now after feeling once again like I’ve been hit by a train only worse and it’s lasting longer after this 5th chemo treatment, I did some more research and reading. So when I see my doctor next I will make sure that what I have been feeling is documented in my file. I’ve tried to share with them the soreness that I’ve been experiencing after chemo even into the 2nd and 3rd week after, and they say it really shouldn’t or couldn’t be chemo related that long after a treatment. Well, I’m sorry, but I think they are full of crap. I’m 47 years old and I know my body pretty well and I have no doubt that what I’m feeling is directly related to the chemo drugs, no matter how long the effects last.
I get Docetaxel or Taxotere as it’s referred to as one of my chemo drugs. I got out the paperwork they gave me in the beginning that describes the drugs and their possible side effects, etc. Well imagine my surprise when I read . . . . . . less common side effects that only effect about 10-29% of patients taking this drug are . . . . Muscle/Bone/Joint Pain also can be known as myalgias and arthralgias. So I look up myalgias on the net and here is some of the definition . . . myalgia can also be caused by diseases, disorders, medications, as a response to vaccination.
I got my neulasta shot yesterday and I feel worse today than I did before the shot so I know that shot makes the pain worse.
I feel better feeling like I’ve kind of got this pain thing figured out and I can’t wait to tell my doctor, well sort of. I’m so glad I only have 1 treatment left . . . . it kicks my butt more and more with each treatment and my attitude is struggling also.
Do or have any of you experienced what I am talking about? My symptoms start on about day 3 and usually last through day 6 and I’m in bed most of this time, then off and on after that. But this time it’s worse. Here is what I’m feeling . . . . . I keep calling it “flu like symptoms” but I’m not sure if that is correct either. It starts on my face and neck area, the skin is so sensitive that I can’t hardly touch it. Then over a day or so it spreads down my whole body. Every spot on me is sore to touch. It hurts to sit down, lay down, turn over, etc. My family will give me a hug or reach over to rub me on the back and I freak out because it hurts! If my arms rub against my sides, it hurts. Everything hurts and I’m weak and shaky if I stand too long or walk to far. It’s like when you are sick and have a fever and your whole body hurts . . . but the one thing I have NOT had is a fever.
OK, I’m going to try to go get some sleep. It’s going to be a beautiful day today and although I won’t be able to do much, I can sit outside later and just enjoy the warmth for a little while.
Hugs,
Wendy
07.30.08 - 
Thanks for your support -
Some time you have to show the Dr, the fine print so they know what you are talking about.
Hug Sherri
Hi, Wendy.
The symptoms you are decribing are very similar to mine. My body (mainly joints/bone) was aching really bad from Day 3 to Day 6. I also felt like I was having a flu, feverish (even though I don’t have actual high fever), tiredness, headaches, etc. I happen to get Taxotere, also. I was wondering (more like hoping) if most of these symptoms were from Neulasta and am considering asking my doctor if I can skip it next time. It sounds like you did the same thing. Do symptoms get a little easier to handle as you repeat the treatment? I am dreading to go through this anotehr five time.
Yuyu
Hiya,
Yes this was my first Chemo treatment and I am not looking forward to the next one. I wish I could drink chocolate milk as a Chemo treatment – wouldn’t that be grande?
As far as the shots, I am not sure why he ordered six, but they are hell on me. They make me ache so bad.
Within the first three days I gained almost 8lbs. I am happy to say they are gone. I eat like a pig now even through I can’t taste much. I was never a huge eater, but now it’s all I can think about. I have been trying to stay away from sugar(so hard) and eat raw foods. I have been juicing everyday and it makes me feel better.
Hi Yuyu and Sonia,
Yes it sounds like we are feeling the same things. My doctor lowered my neulasta dose at first and that helped a little. When I told him how much I was still hurting we tried it without the shot . . . BUT my white blood cell counts went way down and I felt sick and weak because of that and ended up getting the set of 3 shots anyway. So I got the neulasta shot this time and the full dose too! You can talk to your doctor about the your options, maybe he can lower the dose, or maybe you need it all. I think some of the things that can happen if your white blood cells get too low can be as bad or worse than the bone pain from the shots. I think it’s kind of a game of give and take and although the bone pain is terrible, how much worse might it be if you don’t get the shot?
For me, the pain is first from the chemo and then more so from the shot. I only know this because we have experimented with it a little bit.
Also for me and from what I hear, things actually get worse as time goes on with each treatment. My side effects seem to be a little worse and last a little longer each time.
BUT . . . every one is different, please remember that. I also have had NO problem with nausea and/or vomiting and I am soooooo grateful for that! I’d rather have the pain and be in bed than hanging over the toilet!
Sonia,
I’m glad you lost the extra pounds . . . I know that I’ve gained weight through all of this and I’m not happy with that, but oh well. The steroids that are in the anti nausea meds they give us are to blame for a lot of things and increased appetite can be one of them. But again, I’m not getting nauseaus, so there again is the give and take.
For both of you, having just had your first chemo treatment . . . . I will tell you what so many told me and it really did help to be reminded that . . . . this is only temporary, this is only temporary! I only have one more chemo treatment left and I’m surprised at how quickly the time has gone by. So keep your chin up and know we are all here for you!
I’m hoping that all made some sense. I’ve got major chemo brain going on so please forgive me if it sounds messed up :)
Hugs,
Wendy