changes in x-ray

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  • lisa-e
    lisa-e Member Posts: 819
    edited May 2009

    I've been having bone pain in my left hip, ever since I started taking tamoxifen in October.   Mostly at night, but also sometimes during the day.  I mentioned it to my onc and he says bone pain is not a se of tamoxifen.  I did have a clean bone scan before I started taking tamoxifen.

    So, I when I say my orthopedic surgeon for the one year-check of my replaced right hip, they also x-rayed my left hip.  There was what looked to me like a whiter, denser patch on the neck of my femur.  The ortho said oh that is hetertopic ossification, sometimes it just develops for  no reason, and to take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory med of some my preference.  No worries - it couldn't be a bone met & anyway, bc causes osteolytic bone mets, while prostrate cancer causes osteoblastic bone mets.

    The thing is I am still worried because:

    1)  When I google hetertopic ossification, the results indicate it is caused by surgery or injury.  I have not injured my left hip.

    2)  I know that bc can cause osteoblastic bone met, not common, but it does happen.  When I look at the ACS's material on metastatic bone mets, it said that osteoblastic tumors can show up on x-rays as a whiter area.  The material also said that bone mets can cause the sort of pain I have been having, off and on and hurting more at night.

    I saw my onc the day before I saw my orthopedic surgeon, for a 3 month visit.   He said all looked good and I should see him in another 3 months.  So now  I can't decide if I should call him about the changes in my x-ray or just wait until I see him in July.   It felt so good not to have a doctors appointment on the near horizon, but I am not satisfied with my orthopedic surgeons explanation.    

     Argh...Any advice?  

    I really wish my onc used e-mail.  I sort feel like my explanation of why I am worried is too long for a phone call, but don't want to schedule an office visit. I also feel a bit silly, like I am making too much of this.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    I have one word of advice for you:

    Using Dr. Google will make you CRAZY.  You have to be careful how far into Google you get, or it will get your brain into overdrive. 

    That being said, I am a HUGE advocate of the philosophy that you know when there is something that is not right with you.  If you feel like there is something wrong with you, then I fully support calling your doctor.  Better to err on the side of caution.  I also say this after my recent experience.  I was convinced there was something that wasn't right in my body.  I went to doctor after doctor, they all said I was fine.  Finally, a doc listened, and I learned I had colon cancer (my 3rd independant malignancy).  Because I continued to push, the cancer was found at stage I, and no further tx. was necessary after my surgery. 

    So-my vote for you is to stop Dr. Googling, and call your doctor to ease your mind. 

    Love and prayers, Deb

  • lisa-e
    lisa-e Member Posts: 819
    edited May 2009

    Deb,  the term Dr. Google makes me LOL!  I aprreciate the advice.

    I saw my gyn this morning for a routine visit and told her my tale of woe.  She sent me for another hip x-ray, to be read by a radiologist, not my orthopedic surgeon.  According to my gyn, I can have a biospy done locally, if needed.  So we shall see... 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Isn't it so true, though?  I am sure that a huge percentage of us go to Dr. Google when we read confusing things on our records and then we freak out. 

    Thankfully, I have 2 nurse friends who can often ease the confusion! 

    Please, update when you can, and know we are all here for you! 

    Love and prayers, Deb

  • lisa-e
    lisa-e Member Posts: 819
    edited May 2009

    I finally got my hands on the radiology report after a week.   No evidence of any changes in the bones or surrounding tissue!  So I am relieved and will go back to assuming it is the tamoxifen that is making my hip hurt.  But If it keeps on hurting, I'll push for another bone scan or an mri. 

  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited May 2011

    I was just diagnosed with the same thing. Heterotrophic ossifications protruding from L4 into soft tissue. I am gonna call my onc.

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