Back pain

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Diana63
Diana63 Member Posts: 773
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I am about to freak out here, my back pain isn't any better. I am also having rib pain on both sides. I have an Oncology appt. on Wednesday, and I am scared to death about going. I have rationalized it in many ways, the meds, rads whatever I can blame it on but I am now about 2 1/2 years out and I figure if its going to get me it will be now.

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited April 2010

    Hopefully a bad case of "i have a doc appt coming up and will worry about all my aches and pains this week" going on....

    I vote for never getting you or at least not now! :)))

    Good luck on Wednesday.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2010

    Diana I too get so freaked out at any kind of pain in my rib or clavical areas.  I too get it alot on the Arimidex.  I told my onc last visit, and he insisted it was the Arimidex.  He said "if you want me to do a scan I will, but I don't believe it's anything more than the Arimidex"  So, for now, I am trying not to worry.  Talk to your onc.

    image

    Barb

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  • Diana63
    Diana63 Member Posts: 773
    edited April 2010

    Thank you Mary & Barb, I will talk to her on Wednesday, this pain really worries me because its been about 3 weeks now. It is getting more intense, at first it just came and went. The only thing that can take the edge off is Advil, and I cant take that because of my heart.

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  • Ohbother
    Ohbother Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2010

    Hi Diana,

    Don't won't to add to your anxiety... But, i still have back pain and rib pain (that goes and comes).. The good news is that I am 4 1/2 years out!... I am learning to live w/ the pain and the fear lessens but does not really go away..

    Hang in there...

    Bother

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited April 2010

    Diana,

    I'm sorry you are having this added anxiety added to your plate.  It seems natural to be worried though as it's so hard to learn to trust our bodies again.   Although I'm not the doc of course, I've heard that mets don't come and go, so hopefully that since yours did at one point go away perhaps you injured yourself unknowingly or it's something benign like arthritis.  Let us know how you are doing!

    (((Hugs)))

    Sharon

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited April 2010

    hi diana

    thinking of you; i am sorry you are in so much pain.  talk with onc..keep us posted. i will tell you that in the last 8 years; i have had much pain; some from the arimidex and some from the cardio/blood pressure/cholestrol meds.  those things create havoc in your body. it is our natural tendency to return to "cancer" when we are struggling with pain....especially when prior to cancer you didn't have much pain.  ((((( hugs))))) wishing you peace and a good doc appt. keep us posted*

    diana50

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  • helena67
    helena67 Member Posts: 357
    edited April 2010

    Hi Diana,

    I am sorry you are going through this, really understandable that you feel scared. I had some bouts of rib pain that really got me worried for a while but it seems to have gotten better lately. It could very well be the aromatase inhibitor creating havoc for you. Very best wishes for your appointment.

    -Helena.

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited April 2010

    Hi Diana,

    It will be ok-the fact that you have on both sides is a good sign that it's not mets....

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2010

    Hey Diana, I know how scary it is to have pain, but I really do think we magnify things with anxiety. Don't underestimate the amount of anxiety you are having because of your upcoming Dr appointment.

    There are all sorts of things that could be causing it, that aren't cancer. And AI's are known for causing pain. Also, the fact that an OTC pill takes care of it is encouraging!

    Try not to worry (I know, that's hard!) Will be thinking of you!! 

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  • Diana63
    Diana63 Member Posts: 773
    edited April 2010

    Thank you ladies, I'm sure its nothing but its so scary. I looked up Tamoxifen and it can cause a lot of whats going on but I have been on it for a long time. I don't know if it can cause this so long after I have been taking it.

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited April 2010

    Don't second guess any thing, tell your doc on Wed, she will help you out. One step at a time.  Karen

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited April 2010

    Diana - I am sorry your are suffering and worried (((HUGS))).  Last week my onc gave me the you're in remission speach, then said that it's going to be natural for me to think that every ache and pain is cancer related and it's his job to reassure me I'm fine or if he feels it's been lingering too long to run some test.  He also said to tell him everything even if it seems minor, if it lingers for 2 or more weeks he wants to know so that he can determine whether or not it requires more testing.  So.....it's natural to worry and the more pain you have the more you worry, but make sure you tell your onc everything.  The drugs we've taken to fight this beast tears up our bodies in so many ways or it could be an injury or inflammation of some sort.  Good luck and I hope you feel better.  (((MORE HUGS))))  

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited April 2010

    Diana,

     Thinking of you today.   Hugs!

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited April 2010

    Me too.

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  • Diana63
    Diana63 Member Posts: 773
    edited April 2010

    Thank you Bugs, I like this new Oncologist, she is young but she didn't act like she was in a big hurry. She isn't concerned about my back at all, she said its from surgery. My liver is a little enlarged, so she ordered a ct scan for my abdomen and a bone density test. She also did blood work up to get my estrogen level, I might be able to go off Tamoxifen (yeah me). I will get the blood test results tomorrow, scans will be later. She wants me to go into my cardiologist ASAP because I am dehydrated, she said that could be cause a lot of my problems. She said she isn't worried about the rib pain because it comes and goes but I guess it will show up in the CT scan. Thank you ladies for keeping my feet on the ground, and listening to my worries and ramblings. I will let you know about blood work up tomorrow, all my love Diana

    I am now at The James Cancer Center in Columbus Ohio, I feel better just knowing the will check me when I go in.

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited April 2010

    Diana - so glad you're doing better and like the new onc, that is so important.  It sounds like you may have some issues to deal with, but overall you're okay.  Yipeeeee....

    And.......let us know how you do with the follow appts your onc wants you to have.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited April 2010

    Good Diana!  Glad you are getting some action and some relief!

    Sharon

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  • DCMom
    DCMom Member Posts: 624
    edited April 2010

    Diana,

    Great news that the oncologist wasn't concerned aboutyour back pain  Honestly we scare ourselves so often....yikes.  I am also wondering, why a cardiologist if you are dehydrated? 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2010

    Diana, Oh, I am so relieved for you! The things our minds do to us.

    Anyhow, I am glad you like her, my Onc is young too, which I like. I'm also glad to hear you didn't feel hurried, and it sounds as though she will keep on top of things, which is reassuring.

    Let us know when your follow-up tests are scheduled for. 

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  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 4,562
    edited April 2010

    Diana I am going through the same problems as you I am 2years since original DX and have the rib and back pain that keeps me up at night. My onc ordered a bonescan and catscan.Now I am waiting for the results.Hang in there and good luck with your scans.I know its hard not to worry.I am sure everyone on these boards can all relate to us.(((((Hugs)))))

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  • Diana63
    Diana63 Member Posts: 773
    edited April 2010

    DCMom, she wants me to go to my cardiologist because the meds I'm on for Congestive heart failure sometime makes me dehydrated. I have been back tracking all of the appts I have put off for so long that I haven't had a chance to get in to see my cardiologist.

    The Oncologist nurse called me about my blood work up, she said everything is in normal limits. My liver is a little off but with all of the meds I'm on thats to be expected. She wants to try to get me off Tamoxifen asap, as it contributes to my heart function. After the scan she will go over everything with me, but the nurse said she isn't in a big hurry because she doesn't see anything in my blood work to get excited about. They will be calling to schedule soon, I have done an MRI but I haven't done a bone density yet. I feel a lot better now, knowing that I am being watched.

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited April 2010

    Wheww, glad it's all going well, Diana.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2010

    Sounds like good news to me! Congratulations!!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited April 2010

    that does sound good.

    i know that dehydration can make your kidneys 'hurt',

    drink extra water and call me in the morning.

    congrats..!!!!

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited April 2010

    Diana63 - glad to hear you are being watched closely and progress is being made.

    Thinking of you.

    Bev

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