Low back pain and tingling in right leg...bone mets?

margodae

Hi ladies,

I have had low back pain for about two years now.  Up until this point I have chalked it up to a number of different things...I am a dental hygienist hunched over patients all day, old mattress so I got a new one a year ago, etc, etc.  I reported this low back pain to my oncology nurse almost a year ago.  She asked if it had gotten worse over time, at that time it had not, it was about the same as it has always been.  So, she said not to worry. 

About three weeks ago I noticed that I have become abnormally fatigued.  At any given time I feel as though I could just lay down and go to sleep.  Also, five days ago I have noticed a "tingly" feeling in my right leg.  I first noticed it while shaving my legs...my right leg felt "numb or tingly".

Can anyone shed any light?  Any similar experiences?  Bone mets?

Beesie

What you describe is very common with arthritis.  I have arthritis in my neck and I have exactly that sort of numbess and tingling around my shoulder and my arm.  I admit that I do something start thinking "mets!" and then I head to the internet and start Googling the symptoms of arthritis and the descriptions always fit perfectly with what I'm experiencing.  That calms me down.

Is that a possibility of what might be going on with you?

margodae

Hi Beesie...thank you for your reply.  I guess arthritis is certainly a possibility.  I am 32 years old, arthritis is not something that comes to mind right off the bat.  Naturally, as I think we all tend to do, I go to the dark place and think mets.  Especially since I have been so tired lately, that is what I worry about. 

Obxflygirl1

I have exactly the same symptons...low back pain and tingling down leg. Onc. Ordered a bone scan and said I had a very tiny amount of arthritis . It comes and goes but I have had back surgery previously, and these symptons are exactly like before. The tingling and numbness is from a nerve being pressed on. Could be a bulging or herniated disc.



Onc. Says unless any pain is constant, consistent and increasing, there is usually no worry of mets. Hope this helps.



As far as fatigue, have you had your blood checked recently? May be low on iron?

margodae

Thanks for your response Obxflygirl1...that does make me feel better!  I have not had my blood checked recently, but I do take a daily iron pill, because yes, I am anemic.   I think I will make an appointment with my chiropractor today and go from there.  Maybe I do have something pinched or out of alignment.  She can make any further recommendations, if need be. 

bevin

HI there, tingly legs and low back pain can also be from a herniated disc compressing the spinal cord. That was my issue. It got worse over time. I MRI of lumbar area told the story and showed the compressed nerve. Had to have spinal cord decompression and disectomy and now am better. I'd check with an orthopedic doctor as well. Could be more than arthritis.

Good luck to you

shoppygirl

Wanted to add in my two cents! I had the same type of pain. Bone scan was negitive and it turns out I had one hip higher than the other. A couple of chiro visits and it was resolved. Take care!

Sherlocked

Your symptoms are totally classic sciatica symptoms, which is frequently caused by herniation and bulging low back disks...the neurological symptoms are caused by nerve compression.  Untreated this can bug you your whole life.

I got an MRI after a year of pain - I had had similar pains but that nagging "what if it's cancer?" was always there.  I finally went for an MRI because I needed to set my mind at rest, but I'm really glad I did because there are treatments for it that actually do help.  At the end of my second week of PT I'm actually seeing some improvement.

It IS possible that cancer is causing your symptoms, but what you're experiencing is very very common for everyone with a back, lol.  Still...if you get that MRI you'll know you're ok and stop worrying, and the sooner you start PT or other treatment, the better your chances of full recovery. Sciatica won't kill you but it can really make you uncomfortable for literal years.

margodae

Thank you everyone for your responses, I truly appreciate them!  I have had two appointments with my chiropractor in the past week, normally I see her just once a month.  She does not know what to make of my increase low back pain and tingling right leg.  She has adjusted me, massaged muscles, and given me stretches to do at home...thinking maybe it's a pinched nerve?  So far, I have not noticed any change or improvement.  I think I will call my oncology nurse, just to let her know what I have been experiencing and see if she thinks it is worth investigating further.   

sbelizabeth

Margodae, I had terrible low back pain a few years ago, before BC.  It would go into spasm and was immobilized with pain.  I went to a chiropractor for weeks with no improvement.  Then I went to a spinal surgeon who sent me to physical therapy and within a few sessions I was much better.  If I keep up my exercises my back doesn't hurt.

Low back pain with symptoms that go down one leg is classic sciatica, but you'd probably feel better if you mentioned it to your onc.  

GemStateGirl

I've been experiencing low back pain and occasional pain in my hips for the last three months and basically worried myself sick that it was cancer.  I had my regular appointment with my oncologist on Friday and she ordered an xray that showed it was arthritis (I'm 59).  In retrospect, I wish I had called her about a month ago.  I know stress is not good for you and I could have saved myself alot of anxiety.  It really sounds like yours is something similar.  Hope you get some good answers and relief soon.