Chemotherapy drug symptoms and conditions

I started taking prednisone along with Cytoxan, a chemotherapy drug 15 years ago when I was diagnosed with an undifferentiated connective tissue disorder that led to symptoms like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. After a couple of years, the inflammation cooled off and I no longer had increasing scar tissue in my lungs (IPF is almost always terminal) so I was glad of that. However, sometime in that first year or so I developed hardish lumps under my skin and severe pain that felt like it was "under my skin" but not my muscles, as in fibromyalgia. The lumps are even more painful, and the skin feels as if someone tried to "skin" me and then just llay the skin back down.
I have had to be on timed-release morphine for years in order to function with this pain, as it is especially painful if I brush up against something or sitting or lying down pressure is intense. Also the skin on my tongue gets so tender I have to use kids' toothpaste or it burns terribly.
After 15 years some of the lumps have gone away, but I've recently had to go back on the prednisone for my lung inflammation.
The last time I got a new prescription for prednisone I read the tissue-paper printout (not the short one you get with every Rx, the one written for professionals which includes all the new data, tests, side effects, etc.) What I want to point out, as I've not read one person saying this, is that to avoid a lot of the side effects and the harm to the glands which produce our own natural steroids, is that they are now recommending that it is taken only EVERY OTHER DAY. They say there may be some slight increase in symptoms on the "off" day, but that this keeps the natural cycle in place in bodies subjected to this drug and therefore reduces symptoms.
This is what my last pulmonologist prescribed for me and so far I have had minimal side effects--no ravenous appetite and weight gain, no "moon face" and it has still helped my symptoms.
Please ask your pharmacist for the flyer that comes with the new package and read this for yourself and then take it to your doctor. It may not work for those in dire need of the prednisone but could perhaps be tapered to this once the first lethal symptoms die down. ASK YOUR DOC--I cannot believe I have not heard more about this as it's right on the flyer--but docs are so busy, it's understandable. I'm grateful my doctor is up on the new research because I don't mind taking the prednisone this time, and I used to HATE it!
Good living to all and I wish you all the healthiest life possible.

I have been taking Levoxyl for 1 1/2 yrs, I had my thyroid removed due to severe hyperthyroid. In the past year, I have been getting pains and weakness in my hands. It is so bad now, I can't open a jar or lift a frying pan. It hurts sooo bad. My legs hurt and my knees have real bad joint pain.
The funny thing is, it's not every day and not always both knees. It is however all the time in my hands. Last week I went to an Arthritis specialist in San Antonio. He ran every blood test avail. Tested for Rhum. arthritis, Lyme disease, AA, and all kinds of stuff. He x-rayed my knees and injected cortisone in my knees and hands. - that hurt -
He found nothing wrong!
I searched on line tonight for "Levoxyl and joint pain" and this site came up. Boy am I glad I am not the only one who is questioning this horribly possible side effect. Oh, I also have memory loss. I feel like I am 80 yrs old. Just to make sure you know what type of person I am, here goes: I am fit, active, 37 yrs old and 115 lbs, I eat well and take vitamins, non smoker, non drinker.
On Monday, I am calling my doctor. I am printing this web site and all of the postings like mine. There must be something I can be put on that will fix this. Can anyone tell me if they have no Thyroid and have gotten off this stuff; does the hand pain stop? Does it get better or is this permanent damage?

Kerrville TX

joint,tendon,muscle pain. all over my body.stiffness, muscle weakness,paranoia, emotional outbursts,blistering sunburns,yeast infections,anxiety,numbness,tremors this drug has destroyed my youthful 19 year old body. this crap should be banned it has ruined my life. its been 2 months and all my symptoms still persist with no sign of stopping. STAY AWAY FROM THIS CHEMOTHERAPY DRUG IT IS POISON AND SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN OUT TO ANYONE I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN TAKE ANOTHER PILL OF THIS CRAP. STAY AWAY!

I had most of my thyroid removed in 1997 due to a tumor attached to the thyroid. My thyroid was working fine but following surgery I became hypothroid. I started with synthroid and then quickly was switched to levoxyl. I have been suffering with arthritis symptoms for the past 5 years to the point of last spring being put on methotrexate. I Have pain in my feet and have difficulty walking most of the day...especially in the morning. I have joint pain and swelling in one knee, one wrist, and a couple of joints in one hand. Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. I have been diagnosed with RA but it does not show up in any blood tests. In addition, if you look at the signs and symptoms of RA I really only have around 50% of them. I just found this website and I am shocked to find so many people sufferning from the same arthritis symptoms while using levoxyl. I stopped taking the drug (levoxyl) two days ago after insisting my doctor remove me from this drug and switch to Amour thyroid. I took several of the emails listed on this website to help convince my doctor that there is a problem with this drug. I will post an email in a couple of weeks with any improvements in my condition. By the way, the methotrexate was not working!!