Thigh pain

BrandyB

I'm just going to put this out to the universe, hoping to quell my anxiety a bit. A couple of months ago I felt a sharp pain in the center of my thigh muscle. I was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store and it just hit me out of no where. It only lasted a couple of seconds, but it took my breath away.  The same type of pain came and went for a few weeks and now it has changed to a dull, tight feeling that hasn't gone away. I'm 4.5 years out from a TNBC diagnosis and my yearly checkup is in 2 weeks. My anxiety is really ramped up and it's causing back pain, etc. Basically, I'm a wreck. I usually have stress leading up to a checkup, but this is worse than usual. I have a friend who was just diagnosed with bone mets and the possibility that it's not all going to be OK is just a little too real right now. 

Does anyone know if this sounds like bone mets? 

I had a pcr to chemo and that's what I'm hanging on to now for comfort. 

lintrollerderby

Hi Brandy,

Small world. I'm from Central Florida, but moved to Boynton Beach where I lived for a couple of years. We moved out of state last year. I'm almost 3 years out from TNBC. I'm sorry to hear of your worry. Perhaps you can get your appointment moved up since it's causing you so much anxiety? I never had any thigh pain before chemo, but now I get a significant ache in the center of my left thigh, in what feels like the bone. It fluctuates with my hormone levels. I've mentioned it to my MO and they've said that the body does all kinds of things as it ages and as it recovers in the years after chemo. I've never had a scan of it, though. Now that I'm living in a new state and have a new team (loved my team at Moffitt, but didn't care for my team in Palm Beach Gardens--PBCI), I want it checked out more thoroughly. Does your pain seem tied to hormones, a certain activity, or a particular position? As for bone mets, I don't know and worry about the same thing myself. My pain is the very center of my left femur, but on the front of the thigh, not the back as much. Is the anxiety causing the back pain or is it referred pain from maybe using your leg differently to compensate?

Best of luck. I hope it's nothing but age related changes.

BrandyB

Yes, it's a small world! My pain is in the center of the front of my thigh as well.  It's just a really unusual pain. Sometimes I wonder if it's my mind causing the pain because I won't notice anything, but as soon as the thought creeps into my head, my leg begins to hurt again. It's not really tied to anything that I can tell. 

I was very underwhelmed by my doctors in Gardens as well. I had most of my treatments at Md Anderson in Houston and my checkup is there as well. Thanks so much for replying to my message. "Normal people" (people without a history of cancer) don't understand these things. 

BrandyB

I'm pretty certain my back pain is stress related. It's my neck and upper back and that's the area that I tense up when I'm under stress. Plus all of this worry has been keeping me up at night. Not sleeping always causes my back to hurt...

lintrollerderby

Your pain sounds like it's in the exact same spot as mine. I also notice that if I think of mine and worry about it, I notice it more. I know it's real; I've used a calendar to track it to notice trends and it gets excruciating in the few days before my period each month. Mine isn't muscular, I'm sure of that. 

MD Anderson is great. Underwhelmed is a great way to describe the oncology team I met in PBG. In fact, underwhelmed is putting it nicely. Definitely bring it up at your appointment. I will be doing the same at mine. Maybe call the doctor's nurse and let her know what's going on?

I understand your fears. Plus, I don't know about you, but I feel a little vulnerable being in the "High Risk Period" of the first few years after a TNBC diagnosis when you're done with treatment but feel like you're fending for yourself with no daily medications, etc. 

lintrollerderby

Well, that's good that your back pain doesn't seem like anything other than stress. Mine has hurt since chemo, which did a number on my joints. I've been afraid that since I have pain everyday from treatment, perhaps I wouldn't notice a symptom as quickly as I otherwise would. I hope you can get some answers soon.

BrandyB

Thanks! I'll let you know what they tell me. I'm hoping they will smile and tell me not to worry. 

lintrollerderby

Good luck and I hope it goes exactly like that!

BrandyB

Update - I called MD Anderson and told them about my symptoms and they have recommended a bone scan. Here we go again... I'm praying for the best and dreading the worst. My scan is next week. Please pray for good results. 

lintrollerderby

Ugh, Brandy, I'm so sorry you're on the worry roller coaster, but at least a bone scan will give it a closer look. I'm praying for a totally benign and uneventful result. I'm glad they're taking it seriously, but I wish there was nothing that warranted a closer inspection. You will be in my thoughts.

BrandyB

Thanks!!

jessica749

Of course you are anxious about any odd pains you might notice in your body, period, and then add your friend's recent experience - you wouldn't be normal if your mind didn't go to a dark place.  A stage 3  friend  of mine  had  pains / worries that bone scan showed to be no cancer and I'm hoping for same result for you.  You are smart and brave to call your doctors and put worry to rest with upcoming test.  Wishing you the best.

BrandyB

Thank you Jessica and Lintrollerderby. It's good to be understood. 

BrandyB

Today's the day. I don't have. To explain scanxiety to any of you, I'm sure. Please send positive thoughts my way. 

Thanks!

Brandy

lintrollerderby

Brandy, sending warm thoughts your way and wishing you benign results!

BrandyB

Clean Bone Scan!!! NED!!! I'm so relieved. Hoping yours is nothing as well Lintrollerderby. 

The doctor said that since I'm triple negative, at this point my chances of relapse are very slim. Great news!

Brandy

SaturnRing

Woot Woot ! Great news Brandy !!!