Estrogen has anti-inflammatory properties and lubricates the joints. Because the Anastrozole brings your hormone levels down to next to nothing, it makes your joints stiff and achy. Advil helps temporarily, but I do not like taking a lot of drugs.
My joints, especially the knees, got bad enough where I decided I needed to do something about it. The knees did not hurt much when I was resting, or even when I walked, but stairs, especially climbing down, and getting in and out of a chair, hurt. I now understand friends who, when on similar medications, said they felt their bodies were ancient.
Even just stepping off a curb was not fun. I did not want to hurt for another four years (or nine, depending on what my oncologist will say after I finish five years of the Anastrozole). Because we currently live in Lao PDR in Asia I thought it would not hurt trying something different.
Acupuncture has been found to be particularly effective in treating muscle strains, which are associated with symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It can help to relieve muscle tension and spasms, as well as trigger the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals (endorphins). This can enhance the effects of other therapies and improve the range of motion.
It may not work for everyone, but it is a safe and virtually painless procedure when performed by an experienced practitioner. Just like with anything else that can affect your health, you should first consult with your doctor to ensure that there are no underlying medical conditions before getting acupuncture treatments.
Before I started the treatments I needed to make sure it was okay while taking the Anastraozole. On breastcancer.org it says that "a randomized study has found that acupuncture can relieve joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors." (More information about this: https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/acupuncture-eases-joint-pain-caused-by-ais)
Friends who have been treated for different ailments said it worked for them, so I went to a medical center that we partner with as volunteers. They offer this among some other medical services. Our friends at the center were more than happy to introduce me to the doctor. I was not convinced it would help, but thought it could not hurt to try.
This is my experience -
The receipts from the consultation with a doctor and the first treatment. The cost for the first treatment includes a bag with the needles, massage gel (the gel lasted four treatments), alcohol wipes, and two gloves for the nurse to use. This is how it works here in Lao. I have not had experience with acupuncture in other countries.
This is the acupuncture room. The nurse sits at the desk in front of the door in the back of the room when she is not working on someone. You see two of the four tables where patients are treated. The chairs on the left are for family and friends who are waiting. On the wall there are charts with different points highlighted depending on what problem you need to be treated for.
If you look closely you can see the needle closest to the camera vibrate. When the nurse first turned on the electricity I was not prepared and jumped a little. She was concerned she had turned it too high, but I was just surprised. It is a strange pulsating sensation. The treatments last about 30 minutes. After the nurse removed the needles she massaged the area with the massage gel and helped stretch the leg.
That was the first two treatments. The third one was a little different. The acupuncture part took about 20 minutes. After the nurse removed the needles she added cupping. This is when small glass cups are heated and attached to your body. The heat in the cups create suction so that they "stick" to you. It was a surprise to me that it was part of the treatments as that is completely different from acupuncture.
That is a lot of cups on such a small area 😳 There is pressure from the cups as they are glass, and there is a lot of suction. It was more uncomfortable than the needles, but did not hurt.
After the first two treatments I could feel a slight improvement, but after the third one there was a marked difference. The pain was more manageable. The fourth and fifth treatments were acupuncture only again, and I am amazed at how much I have improved.
The doctor wanted to see me after five treatments. He checked the knees and asked if there was any improvement. When I told him there was still pain walking up and down stairs and getting on and off a chair, but much better, he said I was finished with the acupuncture. He gave me exercises to do three times per day - wall-sits, chair bicycle exercise, and heel raises. They do not take long. He also said that squats and lunges are helpful, but do not overdo it. It is important to strengthen the muscles around the knees.
Wall-sit video (I am not able to sit at 45 degrees yet, but after two weeks of doing this I can now sit for one minute. I am able to go quite a bit lower than the first time, and I believe I will be able to sit for longer than one minute soon. It is important to push yourself without pushing so far so you get hurt.)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-cdph8hv0O0
Chair bicycle exercise video (These are great, because you can work on your abs /core the same time you are strengthening your knees if you want!)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1xEZ1So_D-A
Heel raises video (I love these, they feel good.)
I am amazed at how much better my knees are. Between the acupuncture and exercises they hurt less each week. I no longer have to use all my arm strength when I sit down or stand up from being seated. The most pain now comes from walking down stairs, and that is much better as well, so I am happy.
I believe in modern medicine, but there is something to some of these old remedies - and I prefer less invasive procedures, and fewer drugs. If you have issues - try acupuncture (after consulting with your doctor of course)! You may be surprised at how helpful it is.
This is Julie. What an interesting post! I'm so glad your knees feel better!!
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