Should I Worry if this is Bone Mets

Options
Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

It's been awhile since I've posted l posted, and I'm sorry I haven't been around to offer any words of encouragement lately, but guess where I've come for some comfort.  Yep, right back here to you all.  I have had really severe pain in my lower back and can't get comfortable when lying down or sitting.  I am even awakened at night with it for the last few weeks.  I'm really worried this could be in the bones now.  Should I worry?  I can't wait to call my onc on Monday. I am miserable with this pain and am on a heating pad all the time.  The pain is in my lower right back and radiates to the spine.  Really scared now.Frown

image

Barb

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • bejuce
    bejuce Member Posts: 97
    edited September 2010

    Hi Barb,

    I sure hope it's nothing, but my nurses have always told me to use a 2-week rule-of-thumb.  If you've had your pain for two weeks, then it's time to call to be reassured.  Did you have a bone scan after your treatment? Do you remember pulling your back or hurting it in any way?

     I'll be praying for you,

    Marcia

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited September 2010

    Barb, hope everything will be fine. A few years ago I had terrible back pain that went on for 4 months. Caused by degenerating disk, arthritis in my spine and also turned out to have a synovial cyst on my spine. Then one day after about 4 months the pain stopped. I think it was acupuncture that finally helped.

    I've had a new pain now in my hip/back ... in a different spot so I totally empathize with you. I'm very concerned too. I did talk to my onc and she said to wait 2 weeks to see if there is any changed.

    Every time I have an ache or pain now I worry. Your back pain could be due to many causes - the older we get the creakier our bones get.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited September 2010

    Barb - I've been having terrible spine, hip and rib pain for sometime now.  The drs feel that is is my AS acting up, but thought a bone scan would help ease my fears and ensure that nothing more is going on.  I had it done Friday - I completely understand how you feel.  Every new ache or pain scares the $#!! out of us.   Talk to your onc - (((hugs)))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited September 2010

    Shanagirl,  Of course call your Dr. to express your concerns.  Better to be safe than sorry.  I would encourage you to do some excercises for low back though.  I also have lots of low back pain and my pet scan showed all clear.  I don't know how old you are, but I know I have some degenerative disc disease which is hereditery in my family.  Excercise is one of the best things for that... even walking.  My Dr. gave me a sheet of common excercises for back, and they really do help.  I also find swimming to be very soothing.

    Hugs... hope all is well for you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited September 2010

    I would also suggest a massage and see if that helps a bit. She might also be able to tell you if she feels something. I was having some back pain, got a massage and it went away totally so it saved me a trip to the doc:)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2010

    So I saw my onc today.  Now I'm really scared.  He was very concerned about the pain in my lower back and hip, and the fact that I'm in a generally achy state everywhere else.  I've been enduring it all summer thinking it's all SE from Zometa in June and the change from Arimidex to Generic Anostrozole.  But he's concerned and wants to make sure the cancer has "not travelled anywhere" So he's ordered CT, Pet and Bone Scans for next week.  Uggh, I have to travel an hour and 1/2 to the hospital for 3 days next week to get them done then he wants to go over them in 2 weeks with me.  I'm going to be a mess for the rest of the month, and I'm just not getting bone mets out of my head until this is all done, and right now I'm in pain and feel stiff and achy all over.  I hate bone pain.  I know I've previously posted about this before, but bone pain sucks.

    Thanks for all the kind words everyone.

    image

    Barb

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2010

    ((((((Barb)))))),

    I hope your Oncologist is only being precatious, and that you end up finding out that this is medication-related.  We'll all be thinking about you and hoping for good news!  I do have a friend who's had this kind of pain for months (she's had BC six more months than me), and she's had negative scans and they can't find anything wrong, so they have chalked it up to Arimidex.  It's definitely a good possibility in your case.

    I know it's hard to not worry, but try to keep busy and fill your time up until you find out, and we'll be there with you!

    Hugs

    Bobbie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2010

    ((((((Barb)))))),

    I hope your Oncologist is only being precatious, and that you end up finding out that this is medication-related.  We'll all be thinking about you and hoping for good news!  I do have a friend who's had this kind of pain for months (she's had BC six more months than me), and she's had negative scans and they can't find anything wrong, so they have chalked it up to Arimidex.  It's definitely a good possibility in your case.

    I know it's hard to not worry, but try to keep busy and fill your time up until you find out, and we'll be there with you!

    Hugs

    Bobbie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited September 2010

    Hi Barb,

    I know what you mean about not being around---I haven't been myself, but then here we come back when we need help.  And that's what it's all about isn't it after all???

    Sorry to hear about this latest twist in your journey.  Had you been feeling better for a while, then started having the bone pain?  Get these scans done asap, and go forward sister.  Once you get something tangible to deal with or something in writing that all is good you will be able to move foreward.  Do you have any pain relief in the meanwhile while you are waiting????

    Take care,
    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2010

    Try not to worry too much but I know that's easier said than done.  At least consider that it may be something like a disc compression in your spine.  I just had an x-ray of my thoracic area because of constant one-sided pain in my back.  Nothing on x-ray but I know it is muscular, so could be a result of tamoxifen SE's.  I will think good thoughts for you.  Let us know how the tests go....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited September 2010

    Hang in there Barb...There is a million ther things it could be! Prayers and Hugs go out to you. I hope you have something to take to help you through this tim.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Monty
    Monty Member Posts: 197
    edited September 2010

    Hi Barb,

    I had a similar experience just before Christmas last year, turned out to be sciatica.  We were  scheduled to go on vacation and I didn't think I'd be able to go if I went to see a doctor so I went to a chiropractor for help and that did the trick.  Even so I did tell my onc at my last visit and they did a bone scan and bone density scan.  The bone scan came back clear and the bone density showed that the Femara is causing a decline in bone density.

     It's so scary every time anyone of us to gets a new ache or pain, we automatically wonder if the Big C has travelled somewhere else.  I'm not sure we'll ever get over the paranoia but we have to try.  I have my next follow up with my onc tomorrow, I haven't had the results of my latest mamogram & ultrasound and I'm hoping that no news is good news, BUT I know I am nervous about the appointment as you just never know what to expect.

    Best wishes & Good Luck with the scans you have scheduled, hopefully everything will show clear and you will be able to move on from this scare.

    Gaynor

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited September 2010

    Barb, sending calm healing thoughts your way.............hang in there, we are all waiting with you.

    Love n hugs.  chrissy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited September 2010

    Hi Barb,

    Ugh on the scans.  I'm sorry you are going through this worry crap.  Like Sherri said, we are here to hold your hand while you wait.  The waiting is the hardest part.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited September 2010

    Barb, hoping for b9 results for ;you.

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moissy
    Moissy Member Posts: 550
    edited September 2010

    Barb,

    Hoping you get quick scan results and quick healing from your pain. We all send wishes that you will soon be pain free and remain cancer-free.

    Moissy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • flopsy
    flopsy Member Posts: 365
    edited September 2010
    Adding a ((((CYBER HUG)))) and sending good thoughts your way.   Good luck and keep us posted.  Ginny
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited September 2010

    I just hope that it's helpful to you that we understand your worry and know how stressful it is to wait.  Two weeks before you hear results really sucks.  But I'm very hopeful that it will be the med changes just as you suspect.  Sending you a hug!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories