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Breast Cancer/breast cancer and medication side affects

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Expert: - 7/10/2007


Question
I have successfully been treated for Breast Cancer.  I had breast reconstructive surgery from a double mastectomy.  Received 6 chemo treatments of carboplatin and taxotere mixed with herceptin.  And continued taking the herceptin for one year, once every three weeks for a year.  

I am now on ambien cr(12.5MG), venlafazine (1/2 of 75MG), arimidex (1mg) and sulfa/trim DS 800/160, daily.  

I have neck, left shoulder pain, and back of lower head pain continually.  

Could it be a side-effect of one of my medicines?  I have had recent MRI's, cat scans and x-rays with no sign of cancer present.  I have been told it could be arthritis.  

My main question is:  Is there a medicine causing this and what are some things I could do to stop the pain and stifness?

Answer
It is NOT likely that these pain symptoms are caused by your medication. It is rather likely that they are caused by degenerative conditions in your neck-shoulder area just as you have been told. Since such problems are outside my area of expertise here I strongly suggest that you direct any treatment questions to for example an expert of orthopedic surgery here or let an orthopedic surgeon or rheumatologist check you. Good luck!

Breast Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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