Trying to not be a hypochondriac, but concerned...

TeaLady

Hello, all. I'm new to this board, although I've been perusing it since my diagnosis in 2012. It's been terribly helpful, but I never felt the need to actually ask a question myself until now. I'm hoping someone can either convince me what I'm experiencing is either not really a concern, or, if it is concerning, at least reassure me that I haven't become the hypochondriac that I've always tried to avoid being! I believe that profile info doesn't show up in this initial posting, so I'll add another line under the comments for that info to be available, rather than running it all down here.

Anyhow, treatment other than AI has been over with for almost two years. What has me concerned right now is the following: since towards the end of March, I've noticed a pain in my back. But not like muscle pain. I would feel it only when sitting with something at my back - a pillow, car seat, etc. - and it felt as if I was leaning against something hard, like a button. Not constantly, only occasionally. But, now I feel a pain in my back, in the same spot, even when I'm not leaning against anything. Again, not constant, but...often. Additionally - and this is what has me most concerned - I have a pain that I can only describe as feeling like a pinched nerve in my groin area on the right side. It started several months ago as a smallish pain if I spread my right leg out. But, a couple of weeks ago it started hurting really bad when I was taking a brisk walk, as for exercise. (Funny thing is, I could jog without it hurting, but not walk.) This lasted the entire 3 miles I walked/jogged that day, but then stopped, and I've since taken some walks with no pain, and others where it returned. Normal walking did not cause any pain when it first started, but for the past day or two, I've been feeling occasional twinges with just walking even around the house. Should I be concerned? Would you be?

I'd like to add that I really appreciate those of you who get on this discussion site regularly and try to help anyone and everyone who reaches out. It's so kind of you to take the time to do this.

bevin

HI there, I had something similar, it was from a heriniated l4, l5. It was compressing my spinal cord and the pain got worse and worse over time. I ignored it to the point I ended up needing emergency surgery to decompress the nerve and a laminectomy to fix the disc. It may not be that for you, but I am sharing as I know your mind turned to cancer.  Pain as you describe is often from issues in the spine , like a herniated disc and the disc pressing on your nerve. The pain can go down your leg, into your groin, to your foot and in my case I ended up not being able to walk , or lift my leg and I lost bladder control.  That's when I knew I had trouble and was serious to go to the hospital. I wish I had not waited so long to get the pain checked out as it started as you described and then advanced to what I shared. Please see a doctor, to rule this situation out and of course any concern of mets. I saw a neurologist who performed the surgery after a MRI of my spine. I was in the hospital 3 days and then physical therapy. .

Good luck and keep us posted. I am sure others will chime in with their experiences soon.

Italychick

I have a similar area with a weird feeling, not pain exactly, but more like a pulling or sore sensation. Turns out when they did my bone scan I have a slightly eroded disc in that same area that shows some erosion, but not cancer. My office chair makes it worse because that area of my spine rests against the chair. I hope it turns out to be nothing serious!

sandilee

I'm going to chime in and say definitely get it checked out, preferably with MRI. I happen to think that everyone needs a scan two to three years after their initial diagnosis to rule out bone mets, but especially anyone with any kind of symptoms, like back pain.

Disc disease can cause the kind of symptoms you describe, but so can mets to the spine. If your oncologist won't order an MRI for you, an orthopedist will. They specialize in spinal problems. If it's something like stenosis, they will be able to find it and treat it. If it's cancer, they'll refer you back to your oncologist.

TeaLady

Thank you for your replies and suggestions. I guess it warrants a phone call to SOME doctor or another at least. Just have to figure out which one.

TeaLady

For the benefit of anyone who in the future may read this post out of concern for similar symptoms of her own, I wanted to say that I went to my PCP, had an xray and then MRI. The xray showed nothing out of the ordinary, and the MRI showed a small bulge in one of the discs and a small tear in the cartilage near my hip, both requiring simply a little physical therapy. No sign of cancer. God is good.

KBeee

Great news!

mammalou

thanks for the info. I've had back pain for several months now and go thru the same debate about seeing a doctor. I finally saw my PCP who did an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed a swollen kidney from some unknown blockage. Then I had a CT scan and they saw no blockage and kidney swelling resolved. Unfortunately, I still have back pain. Doctors are a little perplexed. Now I'm waiting for my MO to order an MRI. I am so tired of uncertainty and worrying. Sometimes I want to just ignore it all because the communication with doctors is frustrating and the anxiety of waiting for test results is stressful. Then when these tests come back not cancer, I feel like a hypochondriac

bevin

HI Mammalou, don't feel like that. Its their job to make sure you stay well. And if you have symptoms they should ensure nothings sinister is going on.That's what you pay them for. !!

mammalou

Thanks Bevin, I know you are right.