Tamoxifen and otherhormone therapydrugs can cause bone and joint pain as a side effect.
Fortunately, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and other treatments can help improve this side effect.
For many women, the daily occurrence of bone and joint pain is their biggest complaint.
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These people say the pain makes it difficult to perform daily activities and work-related tasks.
Joint pain often occurs in the knees, back, ankles, and feet as well as the hips.
Carpal tunnel syndrome was a frequent diagnosis as well.
However, research hasn’t shown that this is effective.
Acupuncture has been demonstrated to help relieve bone pain.
Women taking Arimidex or another aromatase inhibitor are encouraged to regularly participate in a weight-bearing exercise.
It is standard for patients on AI to undergo a bone scan (DEXA) every two years.
They also experienced a lessening in the severity of their pain.
These reductions in pain resulted in an increased ability to perform routine activities of daily living.
Overall, an estrogen-receptor positive tumor ismorelikely to recurafter5 years than in the first 5 years.
Chemotherapy, while it reduces early recurrences significantly, does not appear to affect the risk of late recurrence.
Other very uncommon side effects may occur as well.
Summary
Tamoxifen and Arimidex are two types of hormone therapy prescribed to treat breast cancer.
Many people continue to take these medications long-term to help prevent cancer recurrence.
One of the most common side effects of hormone therapy is bone and joint pain.
For some people, it is enough to take NSAID medications.
Other studies have found that acupuncture and exercise may help you manage your pain.
Talk to your oncologist about other possible treatments such as aromatase inhibitors.
A Word from Verywell
Hormone therapy works and it does reduce the incidence of recurrence.
You may be advised to participate in an organized exercise class in your community or join a walking group.
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