Back Pain

Vera66

Does anyone know when to worry about back pain? I suppose that sounds like a strange question, but it doesn't feel like I have ever been given any clear guidance about when to be concerned. My back pain began in January after diagnosis. It went away for a while, but is now back and seeming more severe. I had CT scan at diagnosis, and a bone scan when I developed pain. Both were negative It is just a strange sensation of deep pain in my lower back near the pelvis which does not go away. Are bone scans definitive? I had four rounds of Taxotere, which I finished two months ago. Can that cause long-term back pain? I would very much appreciate information from anyone who has had similar issues. I like my oncologist in many ways but she can be dismissive around pain, and says I probably just pulled something. I have had pulled muscles before, but it did not feel like this. Thank you for any input.

Meg101

Vera - I have the same question about back pain. Mine is in the mid-spine. It's relieved by sitting or laying down, but starts again within 3-5 minutes of standing. It's a burning pain. Advil barely helps. I think it's arthritis.

Mucki1991

Not surer if either one of you have neuropathy but it is the cause of my back pain... Just a thought to consider if you know that you have it.

Vera66

Thanks for the input. I guess its hard to know as back pain can be caused by so many things. I have some neuropathy in my hands. I didn't know it could cause back pain as well.

Spookiesmom

I knew I had a herniated disc in lower back. Then it started hurting really bad. PCP sent me for mri. Turned out to be a LOT of issues but not cancer. I have radicuopathy (nerve) damage in my shoulder area from cervical surgery.

When something hurts we do tend to think it’s cancer. Sometimes it is, most times it’s not.

Be worth a visit to PCP to discuss.

Lula73

if you're on tamoxifen or one of the AIs, the back pain can be related. But then again it might be something totally different. There are many PCPs/Internal Med docs that also do sports medicine. These guys are awesome. They tend to have a lot of diagnostic equipment in the office that regular PCPs don't have and they do injections and the like in the office same day if needed (fewer appointments, fewer copays, time savings, etc).It's worth seeing if you have one in your area and scheduling an appointment with them and go from there. I see one for any pains and/or injuries of a muscular/tendon/ligament/bone nature. He is priceless.

Vera66

Those are good suggestions. I think I'll start with my PCP, and then look into a sports medicine specialist. I appreciate the help.

GrooGruxQueen

This first part isn't cancer related but I had back pain for over 10 years. So bad at times that I couldn't move and had to go the ER in an ambulance. I went to every dr in the area and if you can name the test I'd had it done but according to everyone 'There was nothing wrong' and they'd just give me pain meds then send me home. A new younger dr came to the area and did an x-ray in his office and found out that I had 2 severely herniated discs, so do bad that they were almost bone on bone. He said that this should have shown up on tests long before I'd seen him. I also have epilepsy and all the other drs who I'd seen were older and I think all the older drs were afraid to deal with me because of the epilepsy but the younger dr wasn't. I had to have screws put in my back and I haven't had any problems since.

Now this part is cancer related. I had my first round of chemo on June 4th. When I woke up on the 12th my back hurt so bad it was throbbing. I could only sit, stand, lay down for a few minutes then have to start all over again. I took some Advil and almost all the pain went away. I'd gone in for test results the same day, it was still hurting some, and told the nurses about but they didn't say anything and didn't seem to worry about it. That was the only time it's hurt since then.

warriorprincess1

Has anyone had musculoskeletal pain from Kadcyla and if so, what type of pain medication worked?

MinusTwo

warrior - there are a couple of specific Kadcyla threads that will address this. Check the search option.

YesIamaDragon

Yes, Warrior Princess, come over to the HER2 positive group and in the kadcyla thread you can read about it. This week I am mostly managing with topical lidocaine and stretching and heat and ice and have ventured a couple of tylenol (I am terrified of liver failure from the kadcyla, even though I know it is super rare). For me the hardest part is ALWAYS having to remind myself that it is the Kadcyla, I know this pain, the fact that it keeps shifting in location means it really probably isn't new bone mets... Sigh.

Danforth

Hi, I’m new to this forum. I am wondering after reading your remarks about back pain if anyone knows that Tamoxifen can have side effects of back pain or not? I’ve been on 6 months now. Haven’t noticed anything else change in my daily life. Except breast ache or an increased sensation in the breast area and then this new back pain. It’s in the middle of the left side same side of my breast surgery. I had a lumpectomy

MinusTwo

Danforth - I can't speak to this issue, but if you go to My Profile and fill in your diagnosis & treatment to date, it will be easier for others to answer your questions. You will need to make that information "public" so the BCO members can see it under your posts.

7of9

Has anyone found something better than Arnicare for arthritis, radiation damage pain to shoulder and back? Id look and feel like JLo if I could afford my PE every week....but most work days M - Th in mid winter in Ohio I sit too much. Weve gotten up to steady 2 -5 mile hikes on weekends. Going for our sons scout required 10 miler this Saturday ( had to throw in towel last weekend after 6.5 miles thanks to loosing daylight, son wore wrong boots and the too geasy pizza from night before was not having it. This old bat and DH ...we were ready to finish it!!! I want to take this 10 miler down like a wolf in Yellowstone...on the scent. I can feel it. Owwwwwww. ...just my back and shoulder after the terrain will be Ahhhhooooowwww ( i cant do a flat boring course. Its not my nature. Coming into turning 50 after 9 yrs with cancer so much stronger than stressed out worn out crash and burned that was 40.