Scared. Do I need a bone scan or PET

SchoolCounselor

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An hour ago SchoolCounselor wrote:

Hi ladies,

I am so scared right now. I have been having severe knee pain for about 6 weeks now that has gotten progressively worse. A month ago I saw an orthopedic who did an X-ray and MRI of my knees and found some fluid but mild arthritis. I started PT 3 weeks ago. Now the pain is excruciating and the PT says it's Unusual for there to be no relief. He suggested I call my MO. I know mets rarely go below the knee, but the pain is horrific. It hurts whe I am sleeping. I walk like I am 90 and I Am 47. I have been on a AI for about a year and had joint pain in the beginning but the pain was not likE this I had an MRI. is it possible for the Cancer to not show up there ? Do I need a bone scan

thanks

MusicLover

I think it is possible that the AI that you mention is causing this Can you ask your MO what he suggests that you take for arthritis? Best wishes.

SchoolCounselor

Thank you. I never thought to take something for arthritis!!

dlb823

SC, I already answered your question elsewhere, but just want to tell you how sorry I am that you're so worried about it. Try to keep in mind that we all had aches and pains prior to bc, and having knee or any other pain now doesn't automatically point to mets. It's probably just a knee problem, exacerbated by Aromasin. If the pain is horrific and getting worse, absolutely stop the P/T because that shouldn't happen. It sounds like you may need a second ortho opinion. Go to the ER if it the pain is truly horrific. From my experience, ER docs are great at finding the cause of that kind of bad pain pretty quickly. Could they have missed a slight hairline fracture, for example? Something like that could be extremely painful. Did you have knee problems before bc? If so, that would be another indication this has nothing to do with bc but more likely that existing condition kicked up a notch or several notches due to the Aromasin. (((Hugs))), and hope you get it sorted out quickly! Deanna

SpecialK

school - sorry you are having this problem, and I understand the anxiety about it. I had very intense knee pain, while on Arimidex, in 2013 - had been on AI drugs since 2011 with "normal" joint pain.  All that was seen on static x-ray was arthritis, and there was no particular explanation of the degree of pain I was experiencing - it was very painful to walk or climb stairs at the time.  My ortho did a cortisone injection and this made all the difference.  Even though the cortisone eventually wore off after a number of months, it was enough to quiet the pain and swelling and I had no problems subsequently.  I did switch back to Femara afterward and have had less joint related issues with it.  I also just had lumbar and bi-lat hip MRIs done for a painful left hip - I was more worried about this than the knee - but it turned out to be trochanteric bursitis and gluteus medius stress tears - so actually an injury, but I don't have a specific precipitating event that caused it.  About to start PT for it, but OTC NSIAD pain meds don't touch the discomfort, and it hurts more to sit or lay down than to walk or be upright.  Ask your ortho about whether something else might give you some pain relief, as music said above.

SchoolCounselor

Thank you ladies. It's so good to know I can always reach out to my sisters. I don't think I can fully comprehend how different my life will be going forward , post BC. I have a lot of good days, but I hate it when fear sneaks in.

I will be getting a Lupron shot next week. If I am still in pain, I will speak to my MO.

From the bottom of my heart, Specila k, dib and Music, I thank you!

MusicLover

SC, I pray that once you get off these adjuvant therapies you will feel better and better and live a wonderful and full life, not just a survivor but a thriver! Best wishes for a long and happy future!!!

SchoolCounselor

Hi Ladies,

I wanted to update you. I went to see my MO and he had me take a drug "holiday" for two weeks and then switch to Femera. I will continue with lupron and Zometa. I hope this resolves the pain.

I am also continuing with PT. I'm looking forward to exercising again!

Thank you for you support!!!!

KBeee

I hope that resolves the pain! This is all such a long road!

SchoolCounselor

what do you get when you sob from pain in your MO's office?A PET scan and Wellbutrin. The Wellbutrin lasted three day- I broke out in a rash and the scan is tomorrow morning. MO said he is doing it for my piece of mind, but warned it will see something and trigger a series of tests that will probably end with nothing. When I asked could he say for certain I was fine- which I knew he could not- he said lets do the scan. As always thanks for your support.

Luvmydobies

Just wanted to let you know I'll be praying for you tomorrow. Keep us posted! I'm so sorry you're going thru this. Hoping it's just arthritis. HUGS!!

SchoolCounselor

Thanks Luv. Me too. ❤️❤️