Pain that was NOT diagnosed as METS?

sparklypink

Hello!

Anyone have back/joint pain/stiffness that was diagnosed as something OTHER than bone Mets? Like osteoarthritis or even side effects from estrogen blocking meds? I have a bone scan next week and of course am anticipating the different results...could sure use some feedback - positive or negative...thanks!!

KBeee

As far as joint pain, it is very common from teh AIs. I have had back pain from time to time, but I could typically trace it back to something like doing sit ups on a hard floor. I have had ongoing shoulder pain in the bone near the AC joint that persisted for a long time (over a year). I finally went to see a shoulder specialist. After PT made it worse, I asked for an MRI. It showed a variety of cartilage damage, a partially torn labrum, and also a lesion on my humerus, which is not a cancerous lesion, but a piece of bone/cartilage that's torn away. Not sure how this happened since the only injury I had was in college, but if the AIs can exacerbate pain from prior injuries, then that could be why I suddenly have pain now. So most pain turns out to be from things such as arthritis, etc..... not bone mets. Hoping you find your pain has a cause other than cancer.

sparklypink

Hi KBeee,

I had a bone scan Wednesday and it was negative for cancer and positive for arthritis. So thanks for your "hope" message - it has to have made a small difference in the result!!

7of9

KBee and sparklypink...good to hear you are both doing well. I'm 2.5 yrs out from recurrence with some on/off pains but nothing that stays. KBee - I have some shoulder on off stiffness, soreness but seems better with exercise. I have never gotten rid of a little armpit chub after axillary clearance and I've lost 5lbs since winter so I can't tell if it's a little worse or if just lost weight makes more noticeable (exercise and diet - so weight loss intentional). My Onc and nurse practitioner are positive/hoping it's gone for good this time. I see my rad onc for yearly check up in a few weeks so I'm going to ask her if I should get an MRI (3 ultrasounds in last year showed nothing and CAT scan last summer for surveillance in general chest/abdomen showed nothing.) I'm contemplating nipple recon and fat grafting this fall and would think knowing for sure everything ok per scan would make me feel terrific. How long did MRI results take? My main concern is living in attivan stupor while waiting for results...

sparklypink

7of9: wishing you the best! I got results (from both my historical MRIs & recent bone scan) in about 48 hours.

KBeee

7of9, my mri results took 2 days.

I wish my docs did breast MRIs, but nope. Frustrating since I have so much scar tissue that it is hard to assess for changes, but as long as there is nothing rock hard, I try to not over stress. My shoulder pain is worse when I exercise, but I have a physical job, so staying in shape is important.

Nipple recon really helped my chest bumps look like real breasts. It made a huge difference

Meow13

Yes, I had excruciating back pain about a year and a half ago. My oncologist was really worried so I got the MRI and thank goodness it was just a bad sprain. No evidence of cancer, so relieved. The pain was horrible, ice was the cure. I didn't remember doing anything to cause the sprain. I just woke up in pain one day.