Pain in back, done chemo 2 weeks ago

dlittkemann

hi there

During my treatment I always had a dull ache in upper back. Was told prob from chemo and meds I had to take. But done chemo 2 weeks ago and still have this dull ache. Anyone else experience this? It's not painful. More annoying. Had bone scans and cat scans before chemo. Was told all clear.

Vera66

Not sure what kind of chemo you had, but I had terrible back pain for about six months after chemo with taxotere and cytoxan. Its scary, but like you I had clean bone and cat scans. Its finally starting to go away now, but it was really stressful at the time. With clean scans, I would try not to worry. Chemo is just really hard on your body and it takes a while to get back to normal

dlittkemann

Thank u for reply. Glad to know I'm not only one. It's on same side as my bc so it does worry me but as I said all scans done week before my chemo showed all clear. I had dd ac (red devil) and dd taxol. 4 of each every 2 weeks.

Frog-on-the-lilypad

I believe its from the Taxol. I am still dealing with achy joints and I finished on the 13th of August. Nurse said to give it another month.

Iwillsurvive08

Hello,

I am posting for the first time. I have to say how much I appreciate having this wonderful place to read and share all of the terrifying things cancer has brought to my life. I just finished radiation last week but have been suffering with soreness in my spine and SI joints/pelvis for sometime. I had AC the 12 weeks of carbo/taxol, double mastectomy and 28 rads. Now on letrozole. Has anyone else felt these pains? My bone scan is all clear but I am still terrified of bone Mets I can’t find any piece of mind.

Thank you so very much for your help.

Trying to move ahead

Moderators

Hi Iwillsurvive08-

We can certainly understand how scary that can be! Have you talked to your doctor about some of the pain you've mentioned, to see if it could be related to your treatment?

The Mods

Iwillsurvive08

Hello and thank you for your reply. I have spoken to them. They have scanned my bones 4 times from head to toe over the last 6 months and thank the good Lord above they have been clear. I still have so much trouble with the anxiety. I hopei can learn to manage this new normal. Sometimes I am so sad and worried

dlittkemann

I'm the same. Can't get beyond the worry. Back aches a lot and assume from bilateral mastectomy and also stress. Maybe as time goes by it will get easier. I hope so anyhow. I was told no sign of disease nov 27 th. Still worry.

LillianGish

My lower back started hurting mid way through my first chemo round of TC. Had a bone scan 1.5 months ago and it said no sign of metastatic disease. Just finished last round and back still hurts. It is very worrisome.

BUT I've learned worry doesn't help. Taxol and Taxotere is hard on bones. And I've heard it can take months to fully recover. Another poster above said the same thing. I'm about to start radiation and then hormone medication. We are going to have lots of aches and pains with all this treatment.

I've been sitting too much, so for me it's time to start exercising and walking. Strengthening core muscles helps back pain.

I have an MO appointment next week and an RO appointment the next day. I'll keep telling my doctors and I will trust their goood advice. Maybe they'll say I need an MRI, which might show something a bone scan doesn't. For me, I think it's the chemo and lack of exercise though.

Trying hard to remember that exercise can reduce recurrence by like 40%. A healthy diet has a great effect too. Focusing on the things I can control

Hang in there

santabarbarian

People just finishing treatment: your bodies have been through a lot. Both chemo and rads work in part by creating inflammation in the body. If you had some inflammation to begin with, perhaps it has pushed you over the threshold into pain conditions. When a scan does not explain the pain, perhaps it's worth talking to a naturopathic physician about what systemic supports you can incorporate, that might reduce the pain.

I mention this because I had a *reverse* experience of having less pain after treatment... I am 57 and when diagnosed I already had an achy hip and an achy knee. I attributed them to aging and an old injury. But, while being treated, I concurrently started on a nutrition and supplement program designed by an Integrative oncologist I consulted. In between chemos, I actually felt fantastic; better than before. Pain free, and full of energy.

I think I mast have had some inflammatory pain that went away when I was better nourished, and taking supplements which brought it down. Inflammation (any kind of "itis") is generally a cancer-friendly condition in the body. A big goal of the MO I consulted with was to make my system unfriendly to cancer, through inflammation-lowering foods and supplements.

dlittkemann

Thanks so much for the replies. Appreciate it so much.

santabarbarian

If you are interested in nutritional support to reduce inflammation, I would recommend visiting a naturopathic physician who is experienced in supporting cancer patients. The different kinds of cancers and the different underlying conditions people have besides cancer make it important to get a program specific to YOUR needs. In my case I am pretty sure Omega 3 fish oil and Curcumin were what make the difference in my hip and knee pain resolving.

A low-inflammation diet is easier to do on your own-- largely colorful rainbow of veggies, low-glycemic fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, and deep sea fish. Organic non processed meat & dairy in very limited quantities. And no non-nutritive carbs (sugar, alcohol, white flour).

VL22

I had back pain for months after finishing chemo - I did dd AC and 12 weeks of taxol. This period was actually worse than the chemo itself. I really believe that some people just have a terrible reaction to chemo. It is physically, mentally and emotionally draining to have to deal with and I truly sympathize.

JMouse

Hi all. I'm a month and a half past chemo and have worrying mid-back pain and neck issues. The post-chemo period does seem worse than when I was in chemo.

Keeping fear under control is really hard. Let's all hang in there.