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I have been on Femara for three months. I have joint pain in my hands and feet, especially heel pain. Putting my feet on the floor when getting out of bed is not something I look forward to and I hobble for the first steps until things start working properly. Does anyone have this specific problem and what has helped them. I am considering going to my GP to look into anti-inflammatories to see if they help.
Hi Fellow Aussie, Bluewren!
I also have the 'tetchy' feet when I first get out of bed, not exactly in the heels, and wrist/thumb joint pain - but this is sporadic.
I take 6 to 8 wild fish oil capsules each day (amongst 15 other things) - which are great anti-inflam's, as is tumeric(curcumin), ginger(gingerol), chilli (capsaicin), bromelain (in pineapple) and more.
There are supplements containing these, though often I read of better 'bio-availability' (utilisation and absorption) in their natural food form, ie. tumeric should be mixed with a little extra virgin olive oil and black pepper(pepperine-active component), and gently cooked before adding a recipe's ingredients to release the active compounds - not just 'anti inflam's' but very powerful 'anti-cancer properties'.
There are of course anti-inflam drugs, a great site to check out a drug is www.rxlist.com. I just try to avoid anything that is going to tax my liver, kidneys, etc more than is necessary.
Also for aches,pains - I use occasionally a glucosamine cream containing capsaicin (feels hot on the skin), like 'deep-heat' style creams, without the smell!
xxxGGC
I have noticed increased joint pain since starting on Femara in April. This is especially noticeable first thing in the morning, or if I have been sitting for a long time. At work I try to get up and move around fairly often to combat this. I find it is worse when I don't exercise enough.
Glucosamine with condroitin is supposed to be good and I have noticed an improvement with this. I prefer to try natural things rather than prescription medication if possible.
Do you find that the pain responds to heat or cold? It might be worth having a heat pad to hand first thing to help you get moving if heat helps.
Vicki xx
I noticed that when I was first on Arimidex (another AI, and I've taken it for 5 yrs) I had pain pretty much exactly the way you've described. I started taking CosaminDS (a brand of glucosamine/condroitin that's actually had clinical testing) and it really helped me. I also noticed the pain tapering off after about a year and a half. I have stiffness now more than anything, especially in my feet if I've not been on them for a bit. I know that some women have such severe pain from AI's that they end up stopping it, but I'm really fortunate that my discomfort wasn't anywhere near that severe. I hope that that's the case for you.
FYI: Capsaican has an ingredient - of chili peppers and it initially seemed ok (hot....on spot.....and soothing). But our experience was that at first it seemed to really, really help & then was so hot couldn't use it after 4 times.
Kinda wierd but again.....everybody's different. Just FYI.
Hello there! I'm on Aromasin and when I get out of bed in the a.m. it feels like my feet are broken...lots of joint pain. I counter it with a variety of things--both natural and unnatural! One warning I like to share with everyone: do not take ANYTHING before checking with your medical team. I've had many, many 'all natural' things recommended by well meaning friends, only to learn they would be harmful for me to take because of the type of cancer I have, or the fact that they would negate the ability for other drugs to do their thing. Always something to keep in mind :)
I am on Femara and noticed some additional stiffness and pain especially in the mornings. I find that movement helps to alleviate the problem. I also agree with the fact that before starting anything consult with the dr. as many things will interefere with the drugs we are taking to treat the cancer. I have found taking 10,000 IU Vit. D seems to help with the joint pain. However, in addition to bone mets I have sclerosis in my spine.
Hip, feet and hand pain gets me, especially when I am tired but first out of bed is a thrill too...ah well. Could be much worse.
It is better once I am up and moving.
Nancy,
Ah, another Arimidex survivor! I was only on it three years before my mets and now off it for nine months. Since I came off it, I can again open bottles, doors, cut my own meat at the dinner table and relax a bit when I'm doing an engraving job. I can wear my rings again, make a fist (although I've not had to worry about that. LOL!) and some of the strength has returned.
The lumps on my wrists have disappeared, only my left thumb is still 'popping' and I feel so much better. If it affected my feet, the effects were hidden with the neuropathy from Taxol that didn't go away and now that I'm back on Taxol... well, we just keep hoping it doesn't get any worse.
It is so great to be able to read comments from those who understand what it is like. I get lovely support from family and friends but this is so refreshing and very helpful. Thankyou all for your replies.
I've been on Femara since 2005. In the last couple of years I have developed pain in my elbows and my thumb. So far the pain is very manageable. If it is really bad by all means go to your doctor. Hope things get better for you. Good luck.
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