Bone scan still meaningful if several months old?

damazon

I had a negative bone scan six months ago but still have shoulder pain when I lift my arm past my shoulder. My neck pain seems to be resolving but I do excercises at least four days a week to keep it flexible. These pains have only ocurred after an auto accident when I was whiplashed from behind about nine months ago. Recent X-rays from my cervical spine say marked narrowing of C5/6 and C6/7 disc spaces along with osteophytes and bony foraminal encroachment, more marked on the right side. The opinion provided by the lab is marked degenerative change lower cervical spine. I wonder if I might be developing cancer in spine. I am concerned. Should I be worried? I am diagnosed Stage 3 with mastectomy on right side and no prior history neck and shoulder pain. Anyone with experience to share?

vlnrph

I am not a radiologist but it sounds like the car crash is what messed you up. You are probably continuing to heal from that trauma. As we age, many of us will have degenerative changes in various joints along with osteoarthritis. I have just started doing yoga for flexibility, in addition to low impact water exercise. Our diagnoses/treatments were probably around the same time frame, 2 years ago.

By all means, call your doctor & discuss the situation! Perhaps specific physical therapy would help if you haven't had any in the recent past.

Trisha-Anne

damazon, I had two car accidents within 6 months about 30 years ago, and had whiplash from both of them.  My neck is a mess lol.  I have 3 spurs in my neck and two of them are broken.  I put up with neck pain for around 15 years that no-one could fix and would get frequent cervical migraines.  I started going to a chiropractor around 15 years ago and my neck pain became minimal within a year.  Now I hardly get pain at all.  I still go every four weeks for "maintenance".  I made sure I had a reputable and good chiro as you are literally giving them the ability to break your neck, but mine is wonderful and without him I wouldn't be able to work or even function.

Whiplash is a major injury that is often understated or dismissed.  It can cause serious damage. Being on an AI now has also caused arthritis in my back and most joints, so we also deal with that, but with treatment and exercise I'm now living a fairly normal life.

Trish

damazon

Thanks Trisha-Anne for your response. Sad to hear you had two bad diagnoses one after the other and you are very brave. My doctor x-rayed and told me I had significant disc narrowing and that was a pre-existing condition before the whiplash. She suggested that both were responsible for my neck and shoulder pain.

My oncologist is starting me on an AI for a minimum of three years next January. I do hope it does not effect my joints further. Best of luck to You.