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Muscle aches and pains can be a side effect of cancer treatment. Chemotherapy medications can cause myalgias, which are deep, constant, dull aches, or sharp, sporadic aches. They can also cause joint pain, usually resolving when the medication is stopped. Muscle aches can also be caused by nerve damage, resulting in burning, numbness, or tingling sensations in the fingers or toes, known as neuropathy. The pain can interfere with daily life and activities, and relaxation techniques can help manage the pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle Aches Cause | Chemotherapy drugs, nerve damage, red blood cell deficiency, electrolyte imbalance, thyroid problems, infections, prolonged muscle use, other inflammatory conditions |
| Muscle Aches Location | Arms, legs, abdomen, fingers, toes, mouth, head, stomach |
| Muscle Aches Remedies | Pain relief medication, hot/cold therapy, massage, acupuncture, meditation, physical therapy, relaxation techniques, behavioural therapy |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle aches as a side effect of chemotherapy
Muscle aches and pains are a common side effect of chemotherapy, often referred to as myalgias. Myalgias can be a deep, constant, dull ache, or a sharp, sporadic pain. Chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel, biologic therapies such as interferon or aldesleukin, and growth factors such as filgrastim are known to cause muscle aches. Around 86% of patients on taxanes experience joint or muscle pain, usually starting 2-3 days after chemotherapy and lasting up to 7 days. This is known as TAPS (Taxane Acute Pain Syndrome).
The pain can be managed and treated in several ways. Doctors can advise on pain relief medication such as paracetamol, or antihistamines such as loratadine. Applying a heat source, such as a hot water bottle, gel pack, or hot bath, can relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the area. Cold therapy can also be used to numb the pain and reduce blood flow to the affected area. Massage, gentle movement, and physiotherapy can also help to manage muscle pain. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation, can help to reduce anxiety and lessen the pain.
It is important to speak to your oncology team about any pain you are experiencing, and they may adjust your chemotherapy dose or run tests to rule out other causes. They may also refer you to a psychologist or hypnotherapist to help you manage your pain.
If you are experiencing muscle aches, it is important to identify the underlying cause. Muscle aches can be caused by an electrolyte imbalance, a thyroid problem, nerve damage, infection, or inflammation. These issues can usually be treated, and the muscle pain will improve or go away.
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Remedies for muscle pain
Chemotherapy is known to cause muscle aches, and these aches can have a huge impact on a person's ability to live their day-to-day life. If you are experiencing muscle pain during chemo, it is important to discuss this with your oncology team. They may adjust your chemotherapy dose or take some tests to rule out other causes for your symptoms.
- Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist can guide you through simple coping strategies and gentle movements to help with discomfort.
- Hot and cold therapy: Applying a heat source such as a hot water bottle or heat pack to the painful area can help relax the muscles. Similarly, warm baths may also help relieve muscle aches.
- Relaxation techniques: While these may not directly address the cause of muscle aching, they can have a huge psycho-physiological benefit. Speaking to a psychologist or hypnotherapist with experience in cancer may help you to perfect these techniques.
- Massage: Massage is recommended as a remedy for aching or heavy legs after chemotherapy.
- Pain relief: Your doctor will be able to advise on pain relief, such as paracetamol, to help you cope with leg pain during chemotherapy.
- Antihistamines: Preliminary evidence suggests that the antihistamine loratadine may help reduce the severity of aching legs.
- Keep your bowels moving: People in pain tend to move around less, drink less fluid, and become constipated from pain medications. Increasing your daily intake of fresh fruit and fiber can help with this.
If your symptoms are severe, talk to your doctor about medicines that may offer you some relief.
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Leg pain and aches after chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can have several side effects, including muscle aches and pains. Leg pain and aches are a common side effect of chemotherapy drugs, with around 86% of those on taxanes experiencing joint or muscle pain two to three days after receiving chemotherapy. This pain can last up to seven days. This phenomenon is known as Taxane Acute Pain Syndrome (TAPS) and can significantly impact a person's daily life.
Chemotherapy drugs can damage the nerves that send signals between the central nervous system and the arms and legs, a condition called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN can cause tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet and muscle weakness in the legs. For most people, peripheral neuropathy is a short-term issue, but it can sometimes last longer or become permanent.
If you experience leg pain and aches during or after chemotherapy, it is important to discuss this with your oncology team. They may suggest adjusting your chemotherapy dose or conducting tests to rule out other causes. Your cancer care team can also help create a plan to manage your symptoms, which may include taking mineral and vitamin supplements or prescribing muscle relaxants if your leg cramps are severe or frequent.
There are also some self-care strategies that can help manage leg pain and aches during and after chemotherapy. These include hot and cold therapy, relaxation techniques, massage, and gentle movement or exercise. It is important to incorporate gentle stretches into your daily routine to prevent muscle stiffness and maintain your range of motion. Low-impact exercises such as walking or using a static bike can help increase blood flow and maintain cardiovascular function. Your doctor can also advise on pain relief medications, such as paracetamol, to help manage your symptoms.
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Medication to relieve muscle pain
Muscle pain is a common side effect of chemotherapy, and it can significantly impact a person's quality of life. If you are experiencing muscle pain due to chemotherapy, there are various medications and treatments that can help relieve your discomfort.
Firstly, it is important to consult your healthcare provider and seek professional medical advice. Your doctor may recommend certain drugs or treatments to alleviate your muscle pain. Depending on your specific condition and overall health status, your doctor may prescribe medications to address neuropathy or reduce inflammation caused by chemotherapy. It is always essential to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations and take prescribed medications under medical supervision to ensure your safety.
In some cases, removing the medication that is causing the muscle pain may be sufficient to relieve the discomfort. However, if the muscle pain persists or is a result of an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in pill form or intravenously (IV). It is important to complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you start feeling better.
Additionally, antidepressants can be used to treat both depression and chronic pain in adults. Long-term pain can lead to fatigue and depression, and certain nerve signals can worsen pain and cause further depression. Antidepressants can help manage these symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can also be effective in managing muscle pain. However, it is crucial to use these medications only under the guidance of your doctor to avoid any potential interactions with other treatments you may be undergoing.
While medication can provide significant relief, it is also beneficial to incorporate other strategies, such as physical therapy and non-invasive treatments. Working with a physical therapist can help restore strength and mobility in your muscles and joints, and they can tailor specific exercises to your needs and limitations. Techniques like acupuncture and massage therapy have also been shown to relieve pain, improve circulation, and reduce stress, which can further ease discomfort.
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Alternative therapies for muscle pain
Chemotherapy can cause muscle pain as a side effect, and there are several alternative therapies that can help manage this pain.
One option is hot and cold therapy, which involves applying a heat source to the painful area to increase blood flow and relax the muscles. This can be done using a hot water bottle, gel packs, or hot baths. Applying cold to the affected area can also provide relief by numbing the pain and reducing blood flow.
Gentle massage and movement can also help with muscle pain after chemotherapy. Light touch massage styles are recommended over deep muscle massages, and it is important to avoid massaging directly over tumour sites, affected lymph nodes, and radiotherapy treatment sites. Incorporating gentle stretches into your daily routine can help maintain your range of motion and prevent further pain. Physiotherapy can also be beneficial in managing muscle pain and discomfort after chemotherapy.
Scrambler therapy is another non-invasive treatment option for pain management. This involves placing small EKG electrodes in areas of neuropathy, typically the hands and feet, to block pain signals and replace them with non-pain signals, thereby reducing the amount of pain sensation.
Steroids like triamcinolone and dexamethasone can also help ease joint pain and spinal cord compression. These steroids are injected directly into the problem area to provide targeted pain relief. However, they may not be suitable for patients on immunotherapy or clinical trials as they can mask fever and affect the immune system.
Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, guided imagery, and music therapy can also help relieve the side effects of chemotherapy, including muscle pain. These complementary treatments have few or no side effects and can be safely used alongside standard treatment plans.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, muscle aches can be a side effect of chemotherapy. Certain chemotherapy medications can cause myalgias (muscle aches) and joint pain (arthralgias), which usually go away when the medication is stopped.
There are several remedies for muscle aches caused by chemo. Applying a heat source to the area of pain can help relax the muscles. Relaxation techniques such as meditation can also help manage pain. Massage and gentle movement are also recommended. Your doctor will be able to advise on pain relief medication.
Other side effects of chemo include nerve damage, mouth sores, headaches, and stomach pains.
If you experience muscle aches during chemo, it is important to discuss this with your doctor or healthcare provider. They may advise on pain relief medication or other methods such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, physical therapy, or relaxation techniques.
