back pain & when to be concerned

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rachel21mel
rachel21mel Member Posts: 51
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I'm concerned that my back pain has worsened within the past few weeks. Maybe it is b/c I'm working out every day?? I've had a bone scan in August of last year, and it was okay. Did show an area of damage/or something, probably from radiation. The pain I have is a stabbing pain that I get when I bend down to pick up clothing, sit in the car, work out, or use my arms in a certain way. I have an oncology appointment on Tuesday, and I plan to request an MRI so that I can get to the bottom of why I have the pain. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks!
Melody 

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  • Latte
    Latte Member Posts: 1,072
    edited March 2011

    Absolutely! When I read the title, I was going to say wait 2-3 weeks to see if it goes away, but you've already done that. I hope it is all OK!

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited March 2011

    What area of the back are you having pain in?  I definitely understand your concerns. You may just be having a bit of a pinched nerve. I've had back issues for years. Have you tried puttin ice on it?  If you have any inflammation pinching on a nevre ice really helps a lot but better to be safe than sorry & get it checked out. NJ 

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  • rachel21mel
    rachel21mel Member Posts: 51
    edited March 2011

    Thanks for the replies, Latte and NJ. It's in the mid-back, feels like it is just slightly to the right of the spine. I think I just want the MRI so I can know what it is & not be concerned that it might be more. Oh, and the pain radiates up to the right side of my neck. I have been doing heat & ice on it & Tylenol. 

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  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited March 2011

    I also have mid-back pain.  Mine starts out as an ache and spreads if I don't relax and take it easy with good back support.  Sometimes it is so bad I feel like I'm in a vise.  I recently had an X-ray and was told I have mild degenerative disc disease which is common as people grow older!  Good luck I hope yours turns out to be nothing serious!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited March 2011

    As cancer patients we worry with  all of our aches and pains....... Mention the pain to the onc, request the test - peace of mind is important.  My onc told me after finishing chemo that it was my job to take care of myself, live and enjoy my life.  It was his job to listen to me and monitor me.  He and my primary have always been good about running "peace of mind" test.

    (((hugs)))

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited March 2011

    Sounds like a pinched nerve...Does it go away with advil or some sort of anti inflammartory? If it does that is good. I had some issues with my scititca and I took advil every 5 hours for 3 days ( recoemmened by doc) and it went away.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited March 2011

    It doesn't sound unreasonable to me...I'm no dr. but if it's hurts when you move certain ways it sounds more like a nerve thing to me also.  Our "cancer brain" can worry over every ache and pain but try not to till you get a for sure answer.  Keep us posted & stay positive.

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  • rachel21mel
    rachel21mel Member Posts: 51
    edited March 2011

    Hi, ladies! Thank you so much for your wonderful words of advice. I bet it is a pinched nerve. I saw my oncologist this afternoon, and he ordered an MRI, which I will be having on Thursday. I didn't have to ask for it, but I did tell him that I wanted to know exactly what is wrong with my back so that I'm not always thinking it's a recurrence. I know my coinsurance for this will be huge, but my peace of mind is worth any price right now. 

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited March 2011

    You said it all in that last sentence!!

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  • rachel21mel
    rachel21mel Member Posts: 51
    edited March 2011

    I had my MRI scan this morning. I'm freaked out on so many levels right now. I have a copy of the disc and, of course, looked at it on my computer. I do see a white patch on part of my spine. Is that bad? I know I shouldn't even bother looking, b/c I have no clue what I'm looking at. I'm afraid that it's cancer, and I'm *oddly* also afraid that they will find nothing, leaving my oncologist to think that I'm completely and totally paranoid. Plus, I want to get to the bottom of the pain. Xanax time.

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited March 2011

    Hi Rachel,

    Sorry, can't help you with the white patch thingy but want to wish you the best results. I do not ask for copies of any of my scans, just the results from the radiologists or whoever reads them, because I also won't have a clue. The most I've ever done in so far as looking at the actual scans is that I once glanced at the screen on my way out. I shuddered and walked away real fast. I recommend you take it easy and try not to think about it until your onc appointment to discuss results (I know, easier said than done). Hang in there. 

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  • jc3win
    jc3win Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2011

    Ugh Rachel- Do you think you will get the results Friday? I absolutely understand your "odd" worry that they would find nothing. I think during the post-treatment phase, we all spend so much time trying to balance that fine line between psycho-paranoid-hypochodriac and smart, balance concerned survivior simply looking out for ourselves.

    I have been having pain in my right (cancer side) shoulder for several months. I had the bone scan and it was fine. The pain is still there - in my rational mind I just know that it is either muscular or is left over rads damage. Of course my nutty, late-night paranoid self just KNOWS it is some sort of recurrance that cannot be sen on a bone scan...

    sigh - such is our life.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited March 2011

    Sorry you have to be in this place right now and that I can't help with the white patch either.  I have never seen any of my scans.  I do know my dr. told me that a PET scan shows inflammation along with cancer so, myabe a MRI might do the same.  Keep us informed on what's going on, we're here for you.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited March 2011

    Hi Rachel,

    Sorry you are going through this.  I'm in the waiting boat too, had a back X-ray today (GP wanted to start there) and of course now I'm getting nervous.

    I wouldn't put too much in to what you are "seeing" on the disc, unless you have some sort of training in reading those things.  Hard to wait, but until we hear from the docs that's all we can do.  Try to stay busy this weekend.  I know I will be!

    (((HUGS)))

    Sharon

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  • Sleuth01
    Sleuth01 Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2011

    Ever since I started radiation treatment, my back has been out. I have very bad sciatica. They twist my body out of shape before giving me the treatment. My pain is in the buttocks, but the problem comes from my spine. Did you pain have anything to do with radiation therapy?

    I have only had 7 treatements out of 30. Each treatment makes it worse. I honestly don't know if I can finish. 

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited March 2011

    Yikes, Sleuth,

    You should talk to your rads doc asap!  Maybe they can reconfigure your setup so it is more tolerable.  I had a custom "pillow" (wasn't soft, but form fitting) that they used for me each time so I could kind of settle in.  It really wasn't bad at all for me.  

    Make sure you ask them next tx, and maybe take some ibuprofen or Tylenol about 45 minutes before your tx.

    Take care,

    Sharon

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  • Sleuth01
    Sleuth01 Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2011

    Thanks, Sharon.

    They push my spine all the way to the left. Then they push the top of my body all the way to the right. When they're finished, I look like a "V." Do they do that to you?

    I am going to talk to my doctor on Monday. I am also going to see a physical therapist who I saw after the first treatment to see if the damage is worse. 

    I do take Extra Strength Tylenol and a muscle relaxer before the treatement.  The problem is that they are doing permanent damage to my spine. 

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited March 2011

    @ sleuth01...I'm going through rads now and they don't do that to me.  I lie on my back straight, the only thing that bothers me is having my arms in stirrups above my head.  My left one hurts so bad and goes numb due to the LN removal I'm assuming.  I hope you can find some relief and continue tx.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited March 2011

    Argh, NO they did not configure me the way they are doing you!  That sounds SUPER uncomfortable!  They literally custom formed a "pillow" (they lay you in it, line you up, then suck air out of it until it firmly fit around my arm which was up, and around my back and side) just for me.  When it's time for my tx, they would pull out my pillow and lay it on the bed, then tweaked me by my markings.  NEVER had to be contorted AT ALL!  The initial set up did take almost an hour, but once that was done, boom----in and out within minutes. 

    Really you shouldn't have to suffer like that!  I'd hate to suggest you go to another facitily now that you are underway, but I wonder why you have to be subjected to that.  I know every body is different, and so would each set up, but yours really sounds odd to me.  Anyone else have thoughts?

    Take care,
    Sharon

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