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Joint Pain

Posted by prbutler @prbutler, 3 days ago

I'm about to finish 28 rounds of radiation. I'm on Nubeqa and Eligard. I started experiencing joint pain and stiffness a few weeks ago. Mainly in my hips, knees, and shoulders. Once I get moving it's better. Anyone else experienced this? Thanks!

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guybe | @guybe | 1 day ago

Hopefully, all of us here are pretty old. (I guess context makes that a good thing!) So we're unfairly subject to aches and pains anyway. And then ADT comes along to amp it up. It seems counterintuitive, but movement of the sore joints is essential - as long as they're just sore, not injured. For muscle aches and cramping, I find that hydration helps a lot. Drink (don't just sip) water throughout the day. I also like a protein shake after exercise, mixed with a few grams of creatine monohydrate (which my oncologist says is fine).

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Jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | 1 day ago
In reply to @jime51 "@jeffmarc Jeff, is this the dose at which you starting getting relief? I have tried Gabapentin..." + (show)
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@jeffmarc Jeff, is this the dose at which you starting getting relief? I have tried Gabapentin in the past, but whatever dose was prescribed did nothing for me.

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@jime51
I am on 600 mg three times a day. I have tried cutting back twice, When I got to 400 mg it starts to bother me again so I have gone back on to 600 mg.

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swl1956 | @swl1956 | 1 day ago

Me too! ADT sucks! but it works. I agree that exercise is helpful. My joints ache especially in the mornings, but I'm sure being almost 70 has nothing to do with it. 🙂

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pesquallie | @pesquallie | 12 hours ago
In reply to @climateguy "I experienced sometimes intermittent and often very severe muscle and joint pain after 3 or 4..." + (show)
Profile picture for climateguy @climateguy

I experienced sometimes intermittent and often very severe muscle and joint pain after 3 or 4 months on Orgovyx. The pain would affect different muscles and joints although my more or less painful hip and the front of my thigh were most often affected. The oncologist who was supervising my ADT claimed all this had nothing to do with the drug. A local doc prescribed various exercises. After a while the pains subsided somewhat. I attributed this to the exercise.

When I started a more intense resistance training program at the local YMCA, three times a week for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, all the pains disappeared.

I think the pains were due to the drug. The fact they could be so severe yet moved to different sites and completely disappeared seemed relevant. Exercise oncologists also tend to agree that ADT side effects can be countered with regular resistance exercise.

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@climateguy

I had 24 hours/day constant burning painful muscles and joints for 10 months following four months of Lupron. I also had severe headaches where it even hurt to touch my head. I exercise 4 times a week at a high level for my 83 years. After 11 months of unmeasurable PCA and single digit testosterone I began to recover. No question that it was caused by Lupron. Next month I will see what my PSA and testosterone levels are after 12 months since all treatments have stopped. Doctors do not want to tell you that you may experience this level of pain in order to get maybe a 15% increase in life expectancy because you might refuse treatment. I believe the Lupron would have killed me if I went beyond 4 months.

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kujhawk1978 | @kujhawk1978 | 9 hours ago

Yes...

It is a well known side affect of ADT...

So, what can you do?

Well, three possibilities.

Using medications to mitigate the pain and it stiffness.

It seems the antithesis of what you should be doing, "resting an injury", but movement is actually one of the best things you can do for it.

Grin and bear it...

I've done ADT twice, 18 months of Lupron and then 12 months of Orgovyx. I am not sure I'd describe it as pain, more "stiffness"

Swimming, riding my bike, resistance training, stretching exercises, pickleball, all help.

Walking and yard work don't seem to do the trick.

Kevin
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