Does anybody know anything about stiffness in the joints after chemo or radiation. I was fine until I weaned off the pain patches and now have stiff joints and the only way I can cope is with pain medication. Also does "turkey neck" ever go away and is there anything to do to help reduce it. Thank you all for being here I keep learning..........

I have not heard of this complaint as a side effect from chemo or rads. An anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen could help with your stiff joints. It would be a good idea to check this out with your family physician or maybe a physical therapist. It could be arthritis or joint inflammation or all kinds of other things that are affecting your joints, tendons, muscles and cartilage. I have also heard a few of my friends discuss the benefits of taking Glucosamine. Maybe that would help, it takes a couple weeks before you would see any improvement.

charlie, is it the joints specifically or the muscles? muscle pain could = protein deficiency. an all liquid diet and less physical activity towards end of treatment has effected my Dad too. we're addressing it by adding whey powder to several shakes a day and some walking, it has gotten a bit better.

I had a lot of issues with pain in my knees for about a week after Tx. I never did find out what the deal was for sure, but I suspect I wasn't hydrating well enough. Get more fluids and see if that helps.

This going to sound bizarre but my first thought was chemo meds acumulating in those areas! Don't know why this popped into my head. However I do think it will eventually calm down! Once your system clears everything. Also there the use it or lose it principle - you went from athlete to couch potato, areas that were used to exercise anre now not being used anymore. Try easing into it - but at least try to walk daily! Even do light movement of he joints to try an increase their flexibility again! Good luck!

Actually Charlie hypothyroidism is a common issue after treatment, many here have heard the advice of the old timers like Charm and DavidCPA persistently telling new folks to get their TSH levels checked and many here are on thyroid meds.

What some people don't realize is that joint pain, muscle aches, swelling etc...is a sign of hypothyroidism. Adequate thyroid meds will usually help dramatically according to the Mayo Clinic. You can read their short blurb on it here if you would like. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/AN00069

Have your Dr's check it out with a simple thyroid test, while you're getting those done do yourself a favor and ask for your adrenals and testosterone to be tested as well as those are other common issues that can cause life to be difficult post treatment.

Good luck

Eric

hi
I am 3 months out and am still suffering joint pain in my upper arm/shoulders and legs. some days are worse than others. I thought it was to do with the cisplatin and weight loss i lost 3 stone in 6 weeks. I have been doing light exercise but its not getting any better. would the thyroid problem be this quick to show up?
I would really like to sort this out as its the only thing getting me down now. Got first PET scan next week, i worry about all these aches and pains!
I know it all gets better in time
Jayne

Hi there - try not to worry about the aches in relation to the cancer, specific pain in a specific area is different of course but and achyness all over probably isnt anything to worry about. I wake up stiff in my neck and tongue and cheeks very morning partly cdue to lymphedema and partly due to sleeping and not using those damaged muscles while in bed. (I sleep like im unconscious these days!! I was told thyroid issues could crop up at the 4 month mark. I'm past that and a perky turkey! So I think I'm okay so far. The 4 month thing was told to me by my MO - hopefully it's not the case with you! Good luck next week - will say a prayer you are all clear! . Have them do bloodwork for your thyroid - hopefully they took a baseline prior to treatment. Hugs!