Worried about pain in lower back

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MiamiM
MiamiM Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hello,

I had a DMX, TAC X 6, 30+ rads on right side, tissue expanders and implants, and am on tamoxifen (year 2).  I am scheduled to be moved to femara this month but didn't switch because I began to experience a dull back ache near the very lower back, somewhere between the coccyx and sacrum. The pain is bilateral but does not radiate much further.  

I should also note that I started doing a lot more physical work over the past few days, having had a third revision for my reconstruction in November 2010 that kept me out of action until the first of the year.   I was given botox to "kill" one of the nerves that stimulates my upper back muscle to prevent my implant from rising.  The botox seems to have run its course, and I am due for another shot soon.  For now, the right side and upper right back pull constantly, and I am not sure if this is related to the lower back pain.

Sorry about the details, but I wanted to learn if my lower back pain is something that should concern me.  Nearing my third anniversary since diagnosis and having undergone all that I have, I want to dance with NED for as long as ever but don't want to ignore what might be worth checking out.

 Thanks in advance. 

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  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited March 2011

    Have you had a PET scan? Sounds like you need to talk with you oncologist at least to get some peace-of-mind. I had terrible hip pain - but it turned out to be just arthritis. Hope you get some answers soon!

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  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited March 2011

    If there's any question, I call my drs., and really, only a dr. is qualified to answer your question.  Muscles pulling on one side of your back can definitely impact other parts, but your dr. is the one to assess this; so please don't take my very lay-person opinion as anything other than what it is.  Not-knowing is the pits. It's hard not to think the worst but until you know something, you don't know anything... Try to take some deep breaths -- and call your dr. Best wishes and a big hug! 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2011

    Google ischial bursitis.

    I had tailbone pain last year, it got to the scary point, but it was just this. Not sure if your symptoms fit, but it could be the same. Mine has gone completely now. 

    Hope it is nothing! 

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  • MiamiM
    MiamiM Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2011

    Thank you all so much.  The ischial bursitis symptoms sound just about right for the amount of time I have been spending in my car, shuttling my two boys (aged 9 and 6) to and from school, tennis lessons, catechism, and piano classes.  I also got a botox appointment with my plastic surgeon in two days (wow! a first!), and hopefully that will numb the nerve for a while and put things back to normal.  But as some of you suggested, it is best to go to my doctor if the lower back pain does not improve.  

    Thank you, thank you, thank you again.  You help so much!   

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  • sunshinebird
    sunshinebird Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2011

    I recently started with lower back pain.  Have a compression fracture at first it seemed to be getting better but the pain continued to get worse.  My onoc ordered a pet scan and they have found something on my sacrum.  Next week having a biopsy.  To say I am scared is an understatement.  I feel overwhelmed even more so then when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer.

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  • MiamiM
    MiamiM Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2011

    Sunshinebird, so sorry to hear of your condition.  Hopefully, all will turn out well.  I have looked at various posts that state that pet scans are not always accurate and that other issues can also cause the uptake.  Best of luck with the biopsy.

    To others out there, as an update, I went to my PCP today, and she gave me a physical exam, making me walk on tippy toes and extending my legs and felt my lower back.  She has known me for a while and suggested that I wait till Friday before doing a X-ray (too much radiation in me, already).  While my pain did worsen today, the PCP felt that it is a pinched nerve and will resolve itself with rest, ice, heat, and NSAIDs, as well as some muscle relaxant.  I am keeping my fingers crossed but with any eye to following up quickly in case this remains as painful as it is. 

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