foot/leg pain and breast cancer treatment
A year and a half ago I had a masectomy, then CEF chemo followed by taxotere, plus a year of Herceptin and also Tamoxifen. In addition I am on chlodrinate (a biphosphinate), calcium and vitamin D (I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, lymph node involvement, er pr positive, her2nu positive). I have been experiencing leg pain upon waking as well as foot pain on the soles of my feet, mostly the arch area. It hurts to walk. I am 37. Does any one have any experience with this? Any suggestions.
I have foot and hand pain from Taxol, a cousin of Taxotere, that started about a year after I finished the Taxol. The kind of pain I have is called neuropathy and is caused by nerve damage from the chemo. Some of the other drugs you are taking could also have side effects that might affect your feet. A visit to the doctor could help you figure out whether this is a cancer treatment side effect or something else. The sooner you start treatment, the higher your chance of getting better. I hope you soon get some relief from this pain.
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Phyllis Johnson
Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 06:52 PM
A neuroma is a different condition than neuropathy. Both involve the nerves. I think you would experience Taxol-induced neuropathy more evenly in both feet. You also could have both conditions with the neuroma causing additional pain on the right side. If the pain in your foot starts between your third and fourth toes, it's called Morton's neuroma. The treatment for the two conditions is different, so getting the proper diagnosis will be important.
Hi - I had CEF chemo, plus tamoxifen, and am now on Arimidex. I don't know if this helps, but I had terrible foot/arch pain, so bad that I could barely walk. Don't know if it was the result of chemo, or what. My doctor prescribed semi-intense Ibuprofen - 2 tabs every four hours daytime, every day. After 4 months, the foot pain disappeared, and it hasn't come back. Please ask your doctor if this might be appropriate for you - and ask about the neuropathy, also, as Phyllis suggests. Good luck - PJH
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Lyrica, water arobics, and foot massages from a specialists, are what my wife said works for her she had the same pain in her legs and feet.
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Oh my gosh, I have been experiencing this pain for about 6 yrs. I had a mastectomy 8 yrs ago and still have intense pain. Most of the pain is in my neck, backs of my legs and soles of my feet. The mornings are the worst. After surgery I gains 40lbs. My entire adult life I was no more than 110lbs. Then, after surgery and gaining weight, I just assumed the pain was from the extra pounds. I have seen several doctors about it, and they look at me like I'm a nut. I was told I had figromyacia. I'm not so sure that is the case. Especially after doing some reading online and seeing your post. I also have the breast pain, but I accepted that as just the way it is. I never associated the other body pain with the cancer treatments. A couple years ago I was had thyroid cancer, I was told that was a result of the radiation from the breast cancer treatment. Last year was my 10th surgery. I have a very high pain tolerance and try to push it aside. However, day after day... year after year... I'm sick of it. Ibuprofen has been a steady part of my diet forever. I really need to find out what kind of doctor could help me!
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Same situation, but no answer to offer. When I stand for a period of time, or walk (what used to be a normal amount), my legs start to ache (when I lay in bed it seems they throb or vibrate) and the soles of my feet hurt. Once I sit down, then try to get up, I have to hobble because of the effect on my walking. I had ACT - the T being Taxotere, a lumpectomy and radiation. The pain didn't start until 2.5 months after completing chemo. At least I know I have a 'sister' out there somewhere!
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I, too, have foot and hand numbness (primarily on my right side). I cannot walk without pain. I have been told it is a neruoma from a podiatrist, which may be true. However, I believe it is also the risidual effects of Taxol from undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. I am in so much pain every day. My pain goes from my foot up to my knee. It's predominat in the evenings after my day at work. I do believe it is neuropathy from the Taxol. My dad went through colon cancer, and Taxol made his feet very sore. Thank you for your post. I am trying to find out what is going on with me -