Doctor suspects bone mets

justamy

I have had pain in my chest for probably 6 months and I kept telling my MO at every appointment (3 of them). She dismissed me every time and said it was a reconstruction problem and I needed to go to PS. The pain got more and more intense and after this dose of zometa, it is very clear that it is most likely in my collar bone. Finally, she has agreed to do a bone scan to check. I would much rather it be a reconstruction problem, but, regardless, I want the scan to be able to say one way or another. She is saying now that she thinks it's Mets. I have the scan Tuesday and I'm scared. I have to get ready to fight again. I don't know if I have the energy. I'm so tired and so scared. Can't wait to know either way.

Beatmon

I’m so sorry that you are having to worry with this concern for bone mets. I hope that it turns out to be as you hoped and not cancer. It is hard to think about garnering strength to fight the beast again

KBeee

Hoping this scan is clear. It is frustrating to not have pain taken seriously

dtad

justamy...so sorry you are going through this. I had something similar recently. Google costochondritis. Its inflammation of the sternum and ribs. Its not uncommon to get it after a mastectomy. I had it for almost 4 months before it finally went away. My BS dismissed it. It mimics bone mets and I really hope that is what you have. Good luck and keep us posted.

justamy

Before I started this winding journey, I really trusted that doctor's knew what they were talking about. The more I deal with them, the less I believe this. You definitely have to be proactive in your treatment. I really don't want costochondritis. , It sounds terrible, but anything is better than Mets!

dtad

justamy...you are so right. Costochondritis was not fun but nothing compared to the alternative. Hoping and praying for good results. Good luck and keep us posted.

Tresjoli2

hoping for chostochondritis. I had it, and it HURT. But eventually went away. Prayers for clear scans.

justamy

Thanks Tres. I just can't wait until I know. I feel like my life is on pause until then.

Galsal

Also have suspected bone mets. Lesion on Sternum of bone thickening. It makes me more concerned since I got off easy compared to many by not needing chemo or rads before. Paid my dues via reconstruction surgeries for revisions and complications,etc.

Can't begin to know how it would be treated. Already was off the AI since I'm six years out now. smh

alwaysbepositive

Hi everyone, pretty new to posting, but wanted to jump in with my experience. I didn't really have pain with my bone mets in the beginning , mine are in my upper femur, upper humerus, and skull. The kicker is that mine never showed up on a bone scan because they only show the type of bone mets called osteoblasts, which build up too bone. Mine were osteoclasts, where the tumor eats away bone. Mine only showed on a PET scan. I am on Xgeva to take calcium out of my blood and rebuild my Swiss cheese bones. I will say that several of the drug stores I've been on has made my mets hurt (Lupron, Tamoxifen, and Arimidex)

alwaysbepositive

Darn autocorrect. Not drug stores, lol. Just drugs.

KBeee

Alwaysbe positive, I am sorry you are dealing with these mets. Thank you for sharing your experience with the scans and about the type of bone mets. That type of information is so valuable. Hoping you get relief from your pain.

Galsal, are they going to biopsy the spot of concern??? Keep us posted. Hoping it is benign.

justamy, any news?????

LoriCA

Just to echo what alwaysbepositive said, my bone mets didn't show on my bone scan either. It wasn't until my M.O. asked for a PET scan to confirm other mets before we put together my treatment plan that they saw how extensive the bone mets and damage was. Mine are also osteoclasts with the tumors literally eating away at the bones. The one bone where I actually did have severe pain and was sure was a bone met (sternum) was about the only bone in my body without a met haha, so now I try to constantly remind myself that bone pain doesn't always mean mets.

galsal they would probably do radiation if a scan confirms that it's in one location.

justamy hope to hear that it's not mets and something that is easier to treat.

justamy

I appologize for not posting sooner. I posted two threads and thought I posted my results on both of them. My scan came back clean. No Mets. I do have arthritis on every joint and my bone mass is getting lower. The pain is thought to be caused by my implants which have not ever been right even after 3 revisions (or is it 4, I lost count). I am going to a new PS in June. It's really scary that the main test that they use to find mets doesn't find a whole category of them. I'm on Zometa to build my deteriorating bones. I had horrible side effects last time, but I need it. Cancer just sucks.

LoriCA

justamy I'm so glad to hear that your scan came back clean, that is good news! Sorry about all of the problems with your implants and that you still have pain, a clean scan doesn't solve that problem, but hopefully the new PS will get it handled correctly this time so you can get rid of that pain.

I agree, cancer does suck.

Galsal

No biopsy is scheduled yet, not until review of PET Scan. I do feel it is my near future though. Hopefully, I won't light up all over since have had Arthritis since age 22 and I'm now 58.

Enjoy the day!

UPDATE - The most wonderful news is that PET showed the Sternum is more likely to have been injured from the auto accident. Over the Summer I'll do another CT scan of the chest for comparison. HOORAY!!!