Arthralgias and Myalgias (Joint or Muscle Pain)

What are arthralgias and myalgias?

Arthralgia is joint pain. Myalgia is muscle pain. Both can be a side effect of some cancer treatments. Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and growth factors can cause joint and muscle pain. You may also have joint or muscle pain if your white blood cell count is very high.

• Pain caused by chemotherapy often happens within two or three days of treatment. It often gets better within four to seven days.
• Pain from hormonal therapy may last longer because hormonal therapy is often prescribed for long periods.
• Pain from growth factors happens because the bone marrow is “packed” with newly growing cells and, in some cancers, the white blood cell count can get very high, causing pain.

Arthralgia pain is like arthritis pain. You can have morning stiffness and you may feel it in a few joints at different times. It often affects the elbows, shoulders, wrists, knees, feet, pelvis, hips, or back.

Myalgia is pain or aching within the muscle.

How are arthralgias and myalgias treated?

Myalgias and arthralgias are treated with pain control and lifestyle changes. These self-care activities may help lessen your pain:

• Try for moderate daily exercise: walking, swimming, water exercise, or gardening will keep your muscles and joints moving. Try not to do exercises that stress your muscles and joints, such as running, aerobics, tennis, or contact sports.
• Warm showers and placing hot packs on your joints or muscles may relieve pain.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve) help relieve myalgia and arthralgia. Check with your provider before taking any over the counter medications.
• Physiotherapy (PT) or massage therapy may be prescribed.
• Prescription anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed.

When should I call my care team?

If you have muscle or joint pain that is not getting better with self-care measures, tell your care provider. Do not stop your cancer treatments to manage your pain without talking to your provider first.