Hi All,
I had my last RCHOP on 17th March and was told that I am now in remission. What I would like to know is if anyone else post treatment is suffering from joint and muscle pain.
Is this a side affect from the chemo?
How long will it last or is it life long?
Do Oncologists or GP's acknowledge this as a side affect from chemo?
My pain began in my spine and hip regions and at first I thought it was residual bone pain from the last Neulasta shot. Unfortunately the pain, soreness and stiffness has spread to other areas of my body i.e shoulders, knees, elbows etc. It is now beginning to wake me at night as if I lay in one position too long I become very sore, particularly in my shoulders and elbows.
Would appreciate any feedback if you have or are experiencing similiar symptoms as me.
Hi Kate, has your doctor given you any insight or guidance regarding the side effects? I am hoping that one of our Supporters here will give you more direct insight. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nice to hear from you and congratulations. Yes, I am suffering from muscle pain as well. At first, I put it down to exercise, but I realise that its the side effects of the steroids that have depleted our muscles that can cause the stiffness and soreness. My doctor did say that steroids do affect the muscles and it can take a long time to build them back up again.
I have not seen my doctor for since May so I haven't told him of the latest pains but I suspect there is really nothing that can be done until the drugs leave our body - which I believe can take up to 6 months.
However, Kate if this is keeping you up at night, you might need to ring your Oncologist as he/she might prescribe something for you. Hopefully it is a temporary thing.
I had my last RCHOP on Sep of last year and in Oct my Dr. told me I was in remission. I did have the same joints and muscle pain as you are having, and that was why I continue taking my pain killers until Jan of this year. After that most of my pain went away, with the occasional joint pain of right hand fingers and my left hip. I have learn to deal with the pain because it really does not last that long. In the last two months I have been able to go to the gym and get in a little workout and also have been running a little and that seems to done something because I have not been getting too much of the pain.
I do suggest you talk to your Oncologist about your pain because you should be receiving some type of pain killers until most of your pain is gone.
Stay strong and positive, things will get better as time goes by.
Hi guys today was my last RCHOP treatment. I was talking to one of the volunteers about this verty thing and he told me that the MD told him that the treatments blocked all the pain and now that they are done the pains we had before will return. The explanation about the Prednisone and depleting the bones is very plausable because that is one of the things it does so I am planning on starting a good calcium/magnesium supplement after I get the go ahead from my MD. He did talk to me about that when he was doing my bone marrow months back. Let's all hope that we can all get them to go away and to be comfortable until they do! Take care.
Hello all, My diagnosis and treatment happened in 2008. The various types of pain everyone has mentioned is common. My family MD prescribed Cymbalta and we agreed to tramadol as a backup.
The types of chemo used really hammer our bodies. I had to take extra medicaton prescribed by a Uroligist because of the filtered chemo dropping into my bladder and kidneys as almost pure acid.
The lymphoma returned this year and I am on Rtuxan and corti-steroids. I take Cymbalta everyday and the non-narcotic Tramadol as needed. Works great so far. Since I am a carrier, I may have return bouts the rest of my life.
It has been a while since I last posted. The muscle and bone pain has eased a little. I am to have my 1st 3 month check up next Wednesday 13th, I hope that date is not an omen!
I have been feeling more energetic as the days and weeks pass but tire very early into the evening. I am a bit concerned that the cancer may have returned as I have developed an ulcer on my elbow which is taking forever to heal. The same thing happened to me last year before I was diagnoised except then it was on my shin. It must surely mean that my immune system is either still recovering or has been compromised again. I guess I will find out one way or the other next week when I see my onco.
Hi Kate welcome back.Sounds like your immune system isn't up to snuff.Well it's not Friday the 13th so theres still hopeLOLGood luck and update us with the news.Caring thoughts,MicheleDx95FNHL3
Your immune system has stopped any infection wanting to move in, good work on it's part. My prayers are with you on your first check-up. You will be just fine I know you will!
Kate, when reading your comment it was like I had written it. I completed round 6 of chemo on the 21st of June for my diagnosis of stage IV Non Hodgkins B Cell Follicular Lymphoma. I take Prednisone for 5 days after each treatment. But to date, today, July 8, I am in extreme pain in the areas you mention. If I sit in one position for very long at all, I am so stiff I can hardly move. When I wake up in the morning, it takes about a half hour to "loosen up" but still in discomfort. All that you had mentioned but mostly in my hips and now in my fingers. Calling the doc today to see if she will renew my vicodin script which helps tremendously. Had a PET scan yesterday to see how I am and in hopes that I am in remission. Good luck to you and ask the doc for some pain meds. I just took about half of the recommended dosage of the vicodin and it helped. Luck to you.
Gary,
I read your post and you mentioned that your lymphoma has come back. If you don't mind me asking, what was your diagnosis when you first had it? Is it the same now or has the type of lymphoma changed? Marge
My husband is about to embark upon the same journey as you folks. I really appreciate the information about post treatment pain and what to expect as his caregiver. It is hard not to feel angry since he complained about night sweats and tiredness for two years after exposure to toxins associated with lymphoma. We want to remain positive without anger or other negative emotions and that is a bit difficult at this early stage. It is Stage 4 NHL B cell so we hope that he beats the odds of 60%, which is what we were told today.
Will be in touch, as I am consumed with trying to work and provide caregiving.
Hi Marilyn,Welcome.Not sure what your asking,post treatment pain?Does he have bone pain?I 've had pain caused from treatment as some drugs can do this.My "guess" would be he'll get R-Chop which is pretty standard.Many people on this board getting this treatment.The road of NHL can be a bit bumpy but life can still be good.Many here in different stages of treatment so stay strong and come back and keep us updated.MicheleDx95NHL3
I just had my first 7 hour R-CHOP on Friday. I have never been a depressed type person and rarely let my emotions show, but this experience has turned me into a blubbery mess! I seem to cry at the drop of a hat. Does anyone have any suggestions? My family has been VERY supportive but I just feel like my life has spun out of control. I have been diagnosed with state IV NH B Cell Follicular Lymphoma.
Thank you to all who have posted information! Good luck and prayers to all!
Hi Gianne,Maybe things are just hitting home for you.I kinda think it could be the loss of control over our own bodies in what is happening to us.It takes some people more time then others to realize their loss of good health so to speak.Those first treatments are alot of drama when you don't know what to expect,a person gets scared.Things spiral out of control in our heads then the meds on top all this,well what can I say .I don't think it's abnormal.Try directing your free time towards something that you enjoy doing.Mine was crafts.That Xmas I made all homemade gifts.Can't believe I was able to mustard up the engery but it certainly took my mind away and off of poor me.Thats great you have support.We're here too.Take care
Hi Gianne, I wasn't sure if you had posted before. Welcome to our support group. your feelings are the same we have all gone through. I think it's like the stages of mourning, in fact we are mourning the lost of our lives that we had before, and at the same time dealing all the fears that come with incurable indolent cancer. That is a lot for anyone to deal with emotionally, so give yourself time to adjust. Time to understand and acclimate to this new world and new normal. Be good to yourself and forgive others for not getting what you are dealing with, that's what we are here for. Remember, they have their own fears to deal with, the worst is the thought of loosing you. Some days you will be strong, physically and mentally, and others you will fall down like a ton of bricks, but the more you are involved with your care, the more knowledge you gain about your type and the more you are able to express your emotions, through journaling or posting, the stronger and better you will feel. We are not here to judge you on how you take your journey, we are here to help you during it. Many hugs and post anytime. KBeale
Hi everyone, I too have finished my R-CHOP 6 rounds and considered in remission. I also have the achy, sore, stiff joints. The muscle weakness is the worst atleast for me. I am working on strengthening them but it is taking it's time.
Must be normal because we all are feeling the same way...as for the MD's agreeing this is a side effect? I think they all have their ideas and don't necessarily say anything unless you ask.
I am so glad I found this! I too have lots of pain, mainly in my legs. I am glad to NOW know that it's normal. I was diagnosed with NHL Bcell back in 2008 when i was 19 years old, three weeks after my wedding. Have any of you guys been diagnosed with other cancers because of the treatments? I am really paranoid that I have leukemia now because in our chemotherapy akylating agents were used. And one known causes of leukemia are from akylating agents. But I haven't found any statistics on getting other cancers from this one...