Stiff Left Arm in the Morning: Should I Be Concerned?

One of the side effects of aromatase inhibitors is joint pain. It seems to love areas that had previously injured joints. Tell your daughter you're not a wimp. It is real. You should run it by your oncologist, but if it is from the aromatase inhibitor, exercise should help as you have already experienced. Maybe add a little weight like a pound and strengthen the muscles in that area. You didn't say if you had radiation. I am assuming you had some lymph nodes removed. If it doesn't get better, maybe you could ask for a physical therapy evaluation.

Ty for your reply. I’m on Letrozole, Day # 216. Hardly any effects- a few nite sweats, a little dizziness. I did do 33 rounds of rads, 5boosts, finished in Nov. I don’t have lymphedema thank God, and I do exercises for it with Kelly PT on you tube, who is a brst cancer and lymphedema specialist. I don’t want PT. I just was concerned bc of my onco dr asking specifically about the area, that it’s really stiff in the morning and that it was very coincidental with shingles. Ty for your ans💕 3 lymph nodes removed- margins and nodes clear.

I have fibromyalgia. I also have arthritis. They are VERY different. The fibro for me is an all-over pain in the muscles/tissues. The arthritis is in the joints, and is more acute. Your daughter needs to know that and check her judgements.

I also have fibromyalgia - psoriatic arthritis - osteoporosis - and interstitial lobular carcinoma - as if that isn’t enough - I have severe degeneration of shoulder joint and will have PT snd OT eval/ therapy … tramadol While resuming Cimzia …. One dx wt a time …

My daughter has fibromyalgia, arthritis, carpal tunnel and is about 50 lbs overweight. She tested neg for ms, thank God. She is in perimenopause too which as we know doesn’t help. She had breast augmentation so she’s been through surgery. She just tells me I don’t have much pain tolerance and she’s right on that one. But she knows and she lovingly calls me a wimp!🤣

Morning stiffness, especially on the side where you've had previous surgery and treatment, is something worth discussing with your healthcare team rather than dismissing as just part of aging. Given that this is your surgery side and your oncologist has previously asked about pain in this area, reaching out to their office before your October appointment could provide helpful guidance and peace of mind. Many people in the breast cancer community experience similar symptoms, and you deserve to have your concerns addressed - advocating for your comfort and wellbeing is important, not being a wimp.