How to Manage Joint Pain From Breast Cancer Treatment: All You Need to Know

[@barbaragoehring6498]

Thank you for confirming the side effects I am dealing with for the last 2.5 years. Since I am elderly (78), my doctor said I was overly sensitive and if I thought about it all, my side effects were not as bad as I felt they were. I know the difference! I took a vacation from exemestane for a knee procedure I had recently, not a replacement. Amazing how much better I felt! I even had energy and I wasn't aching which woke me up at times. And didn't have a daily headache for 5 weeks. Now using it again. Headaches are few now. I feel as if I am rusty in all my joints. I will stick with it since I had an invasive ductal cancer and it was found in my lymph nodes. It is a miserable limiting situational times but I am managing doing many of your suggestions. Your discussion has helped me emotionally. I was doubting myself, that maybe she was right. Thank you again.

[@yerbba]

So hard to feel our experiences are not validated. It may be helpful to switch to another one of the aromatase inhibitors. They are all equally effective, and a fair number of people feel better when they switch.

[@janeking-e6y]

im 74. and im on chemotherapy. the pain in my bones is awfull. if the doctor thinks you are over sensitive. hes talking rubbish. he should try chemo treatment for him self. those doctors sugesting, its all in your mind. make me mad. im an ex nurse. and i wouldnt dream of saying such things, to people going through chemotherapy. sorry for the rant.

[@jpb1085]

I'm so sorry that your doctor said that. I have found that many don't know about these side effects despite the vast amount of scholarly publications about them.

[@jpb1085]

I had 5 years of constant low grade joint and tendon pain on aromatase inhibitors - I tried letrozole, exemestane and anastrozole - all the same for the pain. This was despite exercise, yoga, acupuncture and meditation, which helped but which did not "cure" it. It's truly awful and extremely difficult to endure. Plus there were extreme sweats, low mood and other side effects I won't go into in a public forum. Now that I'm off the AI everything is improving.

[@yerbba]

Yes it is indeed the case that some people cannot tolerate any of the AIs. If the second one is not better tolerated than the first, it is unlikely that the third one will go better. It sounds like you are relieved to be done with this type of treatment. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Yerbba community.

[@ramsudarsan4329]

My mom is on letrozol and capectibine 3 months now. The xray show arthritis on one knee which she didn't have before tablets.does taking letrozol for 5years worsenes the joint problems in future??

[@susanwalton9205]

On anastrozole since January 2021, along with hypothyroidism and arthritis. Joint pain, hair thinning, low mood. Looking forward to finishing this drug! I feel like someone I don’t know.

[@jpb1085]

@@susanwalton9205 Hang in there Susan - it's a hard 5 years (hopefully only 5) BUT please stick with it because it helps us live a relapse free future. In around 2022 I read about a little emerging evidence that correlates having these bad side effects with fewer distant recurrences - so it may be a "sign" that the treatment is really working to protect us. In fact, we should ask Yerbba about it! I reduced my work hours by half and took partial disability coverage from my long term disability insurer - basically my life changed to "just getting by each day" for the 5 years. I wish our oncologists could tell partners and close friends/family about the side effects - there should be a pamphlet that is written for us to give them that says something like "I'm disabled by this drug that will likely save my life - please wait for me - I'll be back to "me" in 5 years!".

[@jpb1085]

@@susanwalton9205 Happy to report that you probably will feel like yourself again after you end your therapy. Within a relatively short time of ending my 5 years, I found that I started to recover and now, about a year later, I feel like me again. Hang in there!

[@neo8162]

i'm an ERC(exercise referral consultant) working in gov health centre in my country ,today a 69 yrs lady who had breast ablation last year she was complaining Ankles pain discomfort walks foot fingers pain as well,i was thinking of arthritis and send her to a GP who just said pain is due to her Ages.Then i did some searches find your video which makes everything clear as you said we can look for other solution than only drugs medication example avoiding some acidic foods,try to be Active yoga etc.... but thinking about the GP quick answer (pain due to her ages) while knowing shes ongoing chemotherapy let me speechless.this poor lady is on DM treatment also. doing workout with pain is very difficult for elderly person so i tried chair based exercises at lite pace.But anyway your video make sense to me.

[@yerbba]

It is quite common for primary care physicians not to be familiar with the side effects of drugs that are provided by specialists, including anticancer therapy, heart medicines, etc. This is one reason oncologists give their patients information about the medications they'll be receiving. One thing we know is that patients are well informed in terms of information given, but their receptivity to information is decreased when they're overwhelmed. In other words, people starting new medications need to be informed of possible side effects more than just once.

[@cherryblossoms2692]

This is very timely. i just started letrozole 3weeks ago and so far it isnt too bad , but definitely feeling some joint pains specially in the morning . Thanks for the video its very helpful . 👍

[@yerbba]

Thanks for watching, and I'm hoping that the tips from the video and the other comments will be helpful!

[@LFrandomvids]

I have had terrible side effects from anastrozole and your video is giving me some viable options for trying to decrease "feeling like I'm 90" (everyone says the same thing). Thank you for your videos. I watch a lot from far and wide but most of my strategies are formed by your caring but no-nonsense information.

[@yerbba]

We're truly touched to hear that our videos have been a valuable resource for you. It's unfortunate to hear about the challenging side effects you've experienced from anastrozole. It's important to find a balance between managing side effects and ensuring effective treatment. Remember, open communication with your healthcare team is key. They can provide insights into potential adjustments to your treatment plan or suggest alternative medications. Thank you for being a part of our community, and we wish you improved comfort and well-being on your journey.

[@amya9597]

I’m also on an AI. I agree, as long as I stay moving and on the go, it seems to help me with the joint pain. I have an oncology pharmacist who manages my medication and she ok’d me to take Turmeric. (Powder not the supplements) I add one teaspoon to my smoothies or to my oatmeal and it has helped with some of the pain. Joint pain relief may take time, but think of the benefits of the AI or Tamoxifen. Be sure to ask your oncologist or pharmacist to make sure there are no interactions. Good luck!

[@same5952]

Thanks for the turmeric tip. I'm seeing my oncologist later this week and will ask about it.

[@amya9597]

@@same5952 You’re welcome. I was told the powder (food form) is safer than supplements which are usually a higher dosage. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your tips and for sharing.

[@amya9597]

@@yerbba You’re welcome! Thank you!

[@westernmasswonderwoman3326]

So interesting...I've been on Tamoxifen for almost 2 years, and a little over a year ago I started getting joint pain in my right knee. No injury, no repetitive use, no arthritis, and haven't gotten pain anywhere else. I've been at a loss to figure it out - it doesn't fit with just "getting older". I'm definitely looking onto this more. Thank you.

[@yerbba]

Hoping you get some answers! It would be a little uncommon for knee pain to develop a year after starting the medication, but your medical team will be able to help you navigate through this. Thank you for writing.

[@tttony9426]

please look into the estrogen metabolism of cholestetol your pains are because of the medicine is stopping this process

[@gabrielavinteler7088]

Very informative video, joint pain is a real struggle on top of everything else we have to deal with. On letrozole for 7 months now.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing. Make sure you let your medical team know so they can review options with you.

[@sueu6263]

With all the medical advances you would think this is something that could be prevented . So we treat the beast cancer but we can hardly walk😡.

[@yerbba]

You are right that we can do better. There are so many people working on finding a way to help prevent and treat pains from the AIs.

[@roselucht4583]

Right!

[@samanthaesra4035]

@@sueu6263 yes indeed.

[@hemantbhatta5184]

Can we have a PRP for knee joint while taking tamoxifen or anastrozole 1mg? Any precautions to be taken while taking such medication?

[@yerbba]

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. There are some studies showing that PRP helps for people with joint problems. For the information of our other viewers, many studies have shown no benefit. In studies that show a benefit, not all patients get any improvement. And while many studies show PRP therapy is low risk, at least one study reports that patients' symptoms worsened following PRP treatment. It is unlikely that there are any precautions to be taken with tamoxifen or anastrozole.

[@AbbyEnsignSnow]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and insight! I live overseas and do not get this kind of education from my German doctors. The stiffness is real.

[@yerbba]

We're glad the video was helpful! It’s unfortunate that you haven’t received the same level of education from your doctors, but we hope our resources continue to provide you with the information you need. We hope the things we talk about in this video are helpful.

[@kbailer1]

Yep, 6 months on anastrozole and feeling super OLD. I couldn't figure out why all my joints and muscles were so sore....then it dawned on me. The anastrozole. I'm seeing my oncol in couple weeks and will ask if I should stop for a month and then get back on or switch meds. Thanks for this information. I've learned so much from your channel

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Joint and muscle pain are common side effects of anastrozole. It's good that you're discussing this with your oncologist to find the best approach for managing these side effects. We're so glad our channel has been helpful to you.

[@Naomi-N1ZPS]

Thank you for this!

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching! We hope you found this video helpful.

[@peterlawrence6815]

Can letrozol cause painful legs.

[@yerbba]

All of the aromatase inhibitors, of which letrozole is one, can cause joint and muscle pains. Sometimes changing to another one of the 3 aromatase inhibitors leads to relief from symptoms.

[@sueschoormans4124]

Thank you so much. A great reminder and very timely. I'm about to do another holistic review of my health. I swim, do yoga, walk at least 30 minutes a day but the pain is not pleasant. I developed a frozen shoulder within the first year and while this is now over on the left side, the right shoulder is now frozen. I'm on this medication for as long as it continues to work - hopefully the rest of my life because step 2 I'd rather not move on to, so your informative video is a great source for me and others with mets or otherwise to manage the pain as best we can. Thank you so much 💐

[@yerbba]

It sounds like you’re doing so much to take care of your health, and managing pain like this is definitely a challenge. Frozen shoulder can be such a frustrating setback, so it’s inspiring that you’re staying active with swimming, yoga, and walking. We hope you find relief and continued strength with your current treatment plan. Thank you for being part of our Yerbba community.

[@vdquery6613]

I started AI(astrozole) about a month ago after completing radiation therapy. I have had knee replacements so now my knees ache along with my ankles. Its not unbearable but seems to be more prevalent at night. I do feel like an old lady. Tylenol helps but is this the way Ill feel for the next five years.

[@yerbba]

This is a real problem from the AIs. Thank you for sharing your experience. It is possible that changing to another of the 3 AIs could make a difference if your symptoms do not get better in the next few weeks.

[@greengal4747]

Thank you for your valuable advice.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching!

[@adrienneleary-jones3851]

I have been taking Anastrozole for one month and my joint pain is already uncomfortable. Thanks for your video. I am planning to reach out to my Dr. on Monday!

[@yerbba]

Reaching out to your doctor is a great step. Detailing specific ways it impacts your life can also help your doctor provide more tailored advice. You may find our video on how to cope with aromatase inhibitor side effects helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqS0lWuqqt2GY5Y We're here to support you through this.

[@peggyr2081]

I'm on Letrozole for 4 months. Started to get wrist pain almost immediatley. Now have terrible pain in left foot and now also in left thumb. Pain comes and goes in intensity. Advised to take the med at night, which gave some improvement. I'm going to try to stay on this for at least 6 months, to see if I can adjust...but this is super painful and has had a very bad effect on my activity level. I do lots of stretching and swimming, But I can hardly walk. Will probably try switching medication brands before I give up. I found this video helpful. Thank you.

[@yerbba]

That sounds incredibly frustrating. Letrozole can definitely cause joint pain, and it’s tough when it affects your daily activities so much. It’s good that you’re trying things like taking it at night and stretching, and switching to a different aromatase inhibitor might also help. Although we hope the pain eases up soon, if it stays too intense, don’t hesitate to talk with your doctor about alternative medications. You deserve to maintain your activity levels without so much pain.

[@bobbipetty7411]

I have this, I just get up and keep busy. Also exercising, walking will help.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your experience and tips with the Yerbba community.

[@dianallerahurlburt9010]

Hi - Thanks so much for your very informative videos. Are there any other exercises or non drugs treatments that can help with hand and fingers stiffness caused by anastrozole?

[@yerbba]

Thank you for your kind words! For hand and finger stiffness caused by anastrozole, there are a few exercises that might help. You can try finger stretches where you gently spread your fingers wide apart and then bring them together, or making a fist and slowly releasing it. Another good one is finger walking-using your fingers to 'walk' up and down a flat surface to increase flexibility. Squeezing a soft stress ball can also help strengthen muscles and improve mobility. We hope this is helpful.

[@nedab3]

I am in examestane 6 months now and have pain mostly in my right hand, finger joints are stiff and painful. Movements help and swiming.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Switching to a different aromatase inhibitor may improve your symptoms. This is something to discuss with your medical team.

[@bonniemetzger6633]

I started Tamoxifen cuz the Ameridex y Letrozol were horrific. Stage 1, Level 1. Fir yhree weeks off everything, the pain in my body esp left knee was unbearrrrable. I thought I had a blood clot y went in for a test. Vericoise veins etc aok. Honestly I thought I had bone cancer y am ready to book an apt for the big scan forget name in Mexico. But listening to you y the fact that the knee is slightly walkable now, I started Tomx y will hold off on costly scan. Thank you.

[@yerbba]

It sounds like you’ve been through a lot with the side effects of your medications, and we understand why you’d feel anxious, especially when the pain became unbearable. It’s good that you’ve been able to manage it a bit better with Tamoxifen and have found some relief. Taking things step by step, as you’ve done, is a good approach, and it’s great that you're feeling more confident in holding off on the scan for now. Keep listening to your body, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare team if anything changes.

[@sous9077]

Thanks a lot, that was very helpful

[@yerbba]

We are so glad you found this video helpful. Yerbba appreciates you!

[@nancydegeorge1143]

I'm on Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide and was asked by my oncologist how was my pain going as he knew I had fybromyalgia and osteoarthritis. I had been on Targin SR and panadol for severe sciatica and OA previous to chemotherapy. I told him that I'd stopped the Targin SR and only took panadol now and then. He was very surprised. He'd never heard of OA being helped by chemo. He put it down to inflammation being lessened by the drugs. He assured me that the pain from OA would return after completing chemotherapy drugs 😕 I have TNBC

[@yerbba]

Your oncologist explained this the way we have always considered this phenomenon, which is actually quite common. We used to think that osteoarthritis was due to "wear and tear" (mechanical damage to the joints), but it appears that osteoarthritis is actually an inflammatory condition.

[@yerbba]

Your oncologist explained this the way we have always considered this phenomenon, which is actually quite common. We used to think that osteoarthritis was due to "wear and tear" (mechanical damage to the joints), but it appears that osteoarthritis is actually an inflammatory condition.

[@nancydegeorge1143]

@@yerbba I'm always learning new information while watching your videos. Thank you 😊

[@naththomas9946]

Very helpful information - thank you.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching, we are glad you found this video helpful.

[@roselucht4583]

Very helpful.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching!

[@Atheism-And-Normative-Ethics]

Can't walk hardly because of bleomycin. Does it get better after treatment stops or is this permanent?

[@yerbba]

Muscle weakness is a rare side effect of bleomycin. Every person's experience is different in terms of recovery. A cancer rehabilitation specialist may be helpful in your situation. Wishing you all the best.

[@Atheism-And-Normative-Ethics]

@@yerbba thanks, it lasted 4 days and had to use a cane to walk. Felt like it was going to last forever. Very scary.

[@ruthwolf1958]

My medical oncologist recommended tart cherry extract/capsules and provided study info on it for me. I also take low dose naltrexone (for pre-existing fibromyalgia issues, which it helps control) as well as micro-dose ketamine (from a compounding pharmacy & supervised by a local medical doctor.) I've had to find unusual solutions, as "regular" drugs have almost always caused severe side effects (and I agree wholeheartedly that taking one drug & risking that drug's side effects as well to try to treat what another drug has caused is something to be avoided.) No Tylenol, NSAIDS, opioids, SSRI/SNRI, gabapentin etc. BUT I have to be on the AI for as long as I can possibly tolerate it, for my peace of mind. However, still not sure I'll make it and hoping someone has something better in the pipeline to clinical use. Despite all the advances, from my perspective as a patient, it all seems like Scylla or Charybdis.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your perspective. We agree that we have to do better in terms of treating cancer with fewer side effects.

[@same5952]

Very timely as I've been on AI for almost 6 weeks now. I am noticing that with each week my joint pain gets progressively worse. So far the pain is not debilitating but as you said, the pain seems to be cumulative. Hopefully, it will decline after that 3 month mark. I am an active person that had been exercising my entire life and I haven't stopped now but if I skip a day, I am definitely more stiff and achy. Yes, movement helps. Oh, I've been taking glucosamine chondroitin for several years now for overall joint health, and I am one of those whom that supplement is not helping to mitigate pain caused by AI. This is a very helpful video. Thank you for that.

[@sueu6263]

I started anastrozole almost three months ago and I wake up with knee pains ( actually on my left knee) and I have bone pain on the upper part of my right foot. Walking is great for my knee pain but unfortunately the foot pain remains. I put ice packs for ten minutes throughout the day and it helps I do not want to take any pain killers since I can tolerate whatever I have so far. At least I’m glad I do not have hot flashes !

[@same5952]

@@sueu6263 Thank you for describing your experience, Sue. You are so lucky you don't have hot flashes, because mine are frequent and fierce. I saw my oncologist last week and he said that there are meds he can give me for that, but I really don't want more meds to counteract the side effects from other meds. I found that if I take 1 ibuprofen or Tylenol at the same time as I take anastrozole, my overall aches and pains are tolerable and my oncologist said it was fine to do that. At this time, I'm not committing to 5+ years of anastrozole, but I'm taking it day by day, and see how it goes for me. Good luck to you, Sue!

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing and sharing your story with our community. If the symptoms don't get better, consider changing to one of the other 2 AIs. They are all equally effective.

[@same5952]

@@yerbba Thank you!

[@same5952]

My update in Dec 2023. Anastrazole sucks! Atfter 8 months on it, my body had aged significantly and feels like I'm 20+ years older that been just a few months ago. . I am in pain every day of my life, and I'm ready to give it up. I'm done with this crappy anastrozole!. NOT worth it to ME for sure

[@shathaomar1516]

Hello, do you have a videoo for how to manage sleeping? Even when I cool down, I can't go back to sleep. This is even before taking Tamoxifen 😢

[@yerbba]

Thanks for your question! We have a video on managing insomnia that you can check out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3iso4Cciamqmac. Additionally, we have another video on managing common side effects of Tamoxifen, which includes tips for dealing with nighttime hot flashes. You can find it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKTdWqAbtKYhtU. We hope these videos help!

[@yolandastrickling1815]

Mines on my left hip and I ‘am on Letrozol

[@yerbba]

Letrozole can indeed cause joint pain as a side effect. We hope your pain improves. It's important to communicate these symptoms with your healthcare team, especially if they persist.

[@naththomas9946]

Thank you for medical advice.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for watching.

[@KamranKhan-r1e8k]

Hi mam kindly suggest medicine for jointpain at age of 67 years .chemothrapy cancer of breast stage 4

[@yerbba]

The treatment of joint pain will depend on the cause. Although we cannot provide specific medical advice, we can encourage you to talk with your doctor about the cause and possible treatment options. Wishing you the best.

[@cafe80sarigachu]

I googled that flaxseed will cause high estrogen that’s why it’s not good for breast cancer, But here like having joint pains after surgery,and looks like needs flaxseeds for joinpain?

[@yerbba]

Flaxseed should not be a problem. There is a theoretical concern that is is like estrogen, but just as with soy, plant estrogens have not been shown to be associated with the development or recurrence of breast cancer.

[@Nasirmohamed-bj9yh]

Thanks for your very informative information anastrozole 1mg do they create chill and headache also fever

[@SofiaAhmad-rp8sm]

I take letrozole,,my side effects is extremely fatigue

[@yerbba]

We're sorry to hear that you're experiencing extreme fatigue with letrozole. It's not uncommon to encounter side effects with hormonal therapies. Make sure to discuss this with your healthcare team as they might provide insights or adjustments to help manage these effects. Feel free to check out our video on Ways to Manage Fatigue During Breast Cancer Treatment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6Tch36Dg7h2idU.

[@wandapratt7376]

Try taking it late evening just before bedtime.

[@carolbraswell4488]

I have invasive ductal carcinoma stage1a and I'm a triple positive. I am doing chemo now and radiation after that. Also, I will be doing Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. In your opinion, is hormone therapy really necessary??

[@yerbba]

Thanks for the question. Hormonal therapy actually has a bigger impact on your outcome than chemotherapy. Not to say that chemotherapy and trastuzumab are not important, but you will get tremendous benefit from endocrine therapy in terms of improving the risk of recurrence.

[@halynadidura1932]

Strange enough that keeping Vitamin D at good level was not mentioned. It helped me a lot!!!

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your experience. While some studies suggest vitamin D supplementation may help reduce aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain, evidence is not conclusive. Research shows mixed results, with some patients reporting improvement at higher vitamin D levels (>40 ng/mL), but more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings.

[@annnorthup3871]

Why would somebody 90 be prescribed this at all after living beyond the normsl natural lifespan. It seems cruel.

[@yerbba]

Such a good question. If a 90-year has a life expectancy of 10 years, and many do, the benefits of treatment are considered worth treatment. Having a recurrence of breast cancer in the last years of life can be quite miserable. Your point is well taken, and asking questions about the benefit of treatment at any age is always a good idea.

[@marolynr6841]

I teally do feel like im 90 yrs old, most morning i groan when i get out of bed

[@yerbba]

We're sorry to hear that you're experiencing such discomfort. Joint pain can be very challenging, especially when combined with the other effects of breast cancer treatment. It's important to communicate these symptoms with your healthcare team so they can provide support and guidance. If you haven't already, you might also consider exploring gentle exercises or stretches that can help alleviate some of the stiffness and discomfort. It's amazing how many people pick 90 as the age they feel.

[@karenalexander1579]

Can I take omega 3 or fish oil?

[@yerbba]

You may benefit from omega-3-fatty acids (present in fish oil) in terms of joint pain. These fatty acids can cause blood "thinning," which can lead to more bleeding that one would like. So if you're going to have a procedure or other operation, make sure to stop the omega-3-fatty acids about a week before the procedure. Thanks for watching.

[@jennypangalanko]

thank you

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching and your comment.

[@samanthaesra4035]

Nothing can prepare a women for not having estrogen so suddenly. Especially if one was very high in estrogen to start with.

[@yerbba]

You’re absolutely right. The emotional and physical changes can be difficult to adjust to. It’s important to recognize that your body is going through a major shift, and it’s okay to take time to process and manage the new challenges.

[@samanthaesra4035]

@@yerbba it's horrible Doctor. I'm aging every month. I ve always looked young for my age. 54. Now I'm looking old. My neck all wrinkly. My hips hurt. My legs and feet bones. What a disaster of note.my profile pic is me with a wig and not showing the real me. Sorry to rant on.

[@dorothyparsons1515]

My doctor said he found 50% of his patients have side effects.

[@yerbba]

It’s true that about 50% of patients experience side effects from these treatments. Nonetheless, many people can persist with the medication, managing side effects in order to stay on the medication. Thanks for sharing.