Low back pain

mary625

I've had low back pain for 10 days or more. The onc says it's coming from the sacrum, which is not a usual spot for mets. I had an MRI last night on my lumbar spine and pelvis. I was expecting only the pelvis or the sacrum to be done per what the doctor had told me. Two plus hours in the scanner. Now I've got to wait all weekend for the results. I'm very nervous because the number of scans and the time after the galadinum injection seemed even longer than expected. The tech said he thought it would be 16 minutes or maybe even less time after the injection. I'm pretty sure it turned out to be 20-30 minutes. I'm curious if they run more scans when something lights up and if nothing lights up, then it's one scan in each area and that's it. I'm concerned that this seemed like a bad sign. No one would answer any questions or barely spoke to me after it was over.

Would they run more or longer scans because something lit up? Can other things than cancer cause it to light up?

trying2staypositive7

Hi Mary!

Breathe and try to think positive thoughts (I know easier said than done!). Chances are you bent wrong and just bruised your back. It's good that you're getting it checked out though because it's better than not knowing! I can honestly say that I know what you're going through! About three weeks ago, I bent over funny and hurt my back. My back hurt for a week and then the pain felt like it was creeping into my hips! Add to that, I had gone in for a CT scan of my abdomen for my reconstruction surgery and the results came back abnormal due to something on the spine/vertebrae! I totally freaked out thinking that the cancer had moved to my bones. My doctor immediately sent me for a bone scan but I had to wait two long weeks for my insurance to approve it! Those were the longest weeks of my life! I finally had it done and the results were normal. It turns out that I had bruised/twisted something that had cleared up by the time I went in for the bone scan. So, what I'm saying is...I know that you're going to be torture waiting this weekend but try to keep yourself busy until Monday. You're almost there.....one more day and then presto Monday! As far as trying to read what the techs are doing, forget it. They are skilled at showing no emotion either way. And, they won't give a hint as to the results no matter how you try to bribe them! I'm here if you need to ask any questions or just want to vent. Cancer is a scary thing but remember you are a survivor and you can do this! Good luck!

WinningSoFar

I would think a reason for the scans to take longer is that you were moving or trembling a little and they wanted clearer films.

SpecialK

Just went through this myself.  I had degenerative disks at L4/5 many years prior to breast cancer diagnosis which caused low back pain.  It was pretty stable, but had worsened last fall, along with sharp and intense pain in my left hip - this was the first time I was truly frightened about mets.  MO ordered bi-lateral hip and lumbar MRIs, and a DEXA.  I had to get the DEXA first - it showed no issues.  They were looking for avascular necrosis - a possible side effect of Prolia.  I too spent a couple of hours in the MRI machine because of the three separate MRIs that needed to be done.  Turns out I had trochanteric bursitis, excess fluid, and stress tears in the hip muscle, now degenerated and bulging disks more locations, and bone spurs at T-12 - but I'll take it!  I spent quite a while in the scanner, and the person who administered the test and positioned me actually did not come back in to get me out - someone else did.  Neither of them said boo to me as I left - which I, of course, interpreted as a bad sign, but I think they were just busy and getting set up for the next patient.  I know it is hard not to worry, but stay distracted if you can.  Wishing you the best.

Spookiesmom

I knew my lumbar had a herniated disk, but when it went wonky a few months ago Ifreaked. This was a different pain. Went for the MRI. Turned out to be arthritis, stenosis, and disc degeneration. Whew!

obsolete

As the other sisters mentioned, lower back aches are sometimes degenerative disc disease and associated arthritis. By completely eliminating fluoride from your diet, degenerative & arthritic disc pain can "sometimes" be "nearly" eliminated in certain cases, except for occasional flareups. It worked for me. This is not easy to do unless your home is on private well water, but you can buy fluoride filters for home water purifiers. Showering and bathing in fluoridated water is also an issue. Years ago I stopped drinking fluoridated water (including some bottled waters, canned & bottled sodas, juices containing water, etc) and stopped having soft drinks when dining out.

Fluoride is a neuro-toxin. Fluoride lowers IQ. Fluoride is poison. Best wishes, ladies.

http://fluoride.mercola.com/

Can fluoride cause cancer?

10 Fluoride Facts You Should Know

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care...

50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation

http://fluoridealert.org/articles/50-reasons/

Fluoride Classified as Dangerous to Developing Brains

http://fluoridealert.org/news/fluoride-newly-ident...

mary625

I'm still waiting for MRI results. Frustrating as hell. I've known that they have been on onc's desk since this morning.

mary625

Good news. I finally got the call, and there's no cancer in my spine. However, my lumbar spine and sacral area is pretty screwed up. Oh, well, better than the alternative! Thanks for all of your positive support!

slv58

Great timing, I just got results back that my lower back pain is also degenerative L4-L5 and T-7 T-8. I'm grateful that it's not mets but is there a solution for the pain? I havnt met with my MO yet, just got initial x Ray report. I can barely stand for 5 minutes without my lower back seizing up in a knot of pain that causes me to sit down. I feel like all my joints waist down really took a beating with chemo the first time. What has everyone's experience been with dealing with this? I'm tired of feeling like a 90 year old!

vlnrph

Some disc problems can be resolved with steroid injections into the spine. Other cases might require surgery. Orthopedic doctors and pain management specialists are people you might consult. Physical therapy is also an option, prior to more invasive procedures. Not much fun but better than dealing with mets!

TectonicShift

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SpecialK

mary - yay!  As I posted above my scans also resulted in a plethora of orthopedic issues.  I saw my primary who referred me to the local university based sports medicine physical therapy group.  The current approach is gentle, but increasing, strengthening of my hip, core and quads - alternating with myofascial release massage and heat.  Slow progress, but definite improvement - interrupted by a recon surgery - but returning on Monday for more.

Anonymous

I love hearing news like this!n

farmerlucy

Woo Hoo Mary!

Mab60

I started femara 0729. Onco dx score of 10. No chemo or rads recommended. About 10 days ago started experiencing very very severe lower back and hip pain. Pcp physician ordered a ct scan friday. Scan of the spine with renal protocol. Only thing identified was gall stones. He sent me to a surgeon on fridaybwhontold me that location of pain had nothing to do with gall bladder. He could remove it but likely not to improve pain. Has anyone else experienced crippling pain from femara. Within a month of taking it? I guess I will call oncologist in unused sy instead of ortho?

Input appreciated

vlnrph

Tried to bump this last night for tangandchris, making another attempt...

tangandchris

thanks for the bump! I moved my appointment up with MO to 10/5, so we will go from there.

Penzance

Hi. I have myofascial release too, and deep tissue massage. Expensive but much better than painkillers. Several herniated and degenerative discs, and arthrosis. Best thing is that if I start losing weight, or develop masses, the physios will feel the difference and raise the alarm. I have little awareness of my own body and when a doctor asks me 'is this lump new?' I can never answer.

vlnrph

Good to hear that Penzance is getting by without heavy duty meds. Overuse of opiate pain relievers can result in a whole new set of problems...

lucylucy

I am taking Prolia - shot every six months - and Arimidex and experiencing a number of side effects. Would be interested in hearing from anyone having similar problems. I'm trying to sort out which drug is causing what ...I have vaginal irritation that is not a yeast infection, three urinary tract infections in past year, lower back pain, fluid retention, blistered skin and occasional hot flashes. I am 75, had chemo and radiation after lumpectomy in 2014...I am trying to weigh the misery of the side effects against the dangers of stopping these two drugs....Would appreciate any advice from those who have experienced this.

lucylucy

I am taking Prolia - shot every six months - and Arimidex and experiencing a number of side effects. Would be interested in hearing from anyone having similar problems. I'm trying to sort out which drug is causing what ...I have gained 20 pounds, have vaginal irritation, three urinary tract infections in past year, lower back pain, fluid retention, blistered skin and occasional hot flashes. I am 75, had chemo and radiation after lumpectomy in 2014...I am trying to weigh the misery of the side effects against the dangers of stopping these two drugs....Would appreciate any advice from those who have experienced this.

KBeee

have you spoken to your MO? That sounds like a lot of side effects. My MOnus hoping to get Prolia approved. If I get it approved and get it, I'll report back on side effects