Bone scans

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KP1970
KP1970 Member Posts: 192
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I have only had one bone scan in my life, right after my diagnosis almost five years ago. I go yearly for my mammogram (in the one breast I have left) and I did have an MRI on the mastectomy side the first year, but nothing since (MRIs that is). My doctor hasn't felt a "need" to order routine bone scans for me. Have any of you been getting them yearly (or maybe more often) as a matter of routine? Should I start requesting them as part of my check ups? I have been having an achiness in my left hip and through my lower back and I am (praying) it is due to an intense workout video I did several times a few weeks ago...but of course I worry too about mets. :(

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited June 2011

    Kim, as a general rule most physicians don't order a bone scan unless there is a reason to ie bone pain.  IMO, I would watch that pain in your hip and if it gets any worse I would definitely mention it to your doc but it may be as you said, due to the intense work out you have done.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • KP1970
    KP1970 Member Posts: 192
    edited June 2011

    Hi Chrissy,

    Thanks for your reply. Do you mind if I ask -- were you diagnosed stage IV in 2003? And where are your mets? I'm sorry if this is too personal..but if the mets is to your bones, can you help me understand what it feels like? I feel sore all over my back and even into my shoulders and arms. My mom was recently diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and I am wondering if stress could bring about all of this "soreness"? Can bone mets spread that quickly..i.e., causing soreness throughout the back and one hip all within a matter of a week or two? :( 

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited June 2011

    Kim I have been stage IV for two years and the mets are to my bones, mainly my arms but met pain is like no other pain you will have.  It is a gnawing pain that just intensifies as they grow, so much so that you just don't know what to do with yourself or the affected part.  You are exremely sensitive to the touch in the areas that are affected as well and as I said earlier night is the worst.

    Mets aren't really a soreness, they are a pain and I'm not a doc but I doubt they would spread that quickly.  I have a feeling a lot of this is coming from the stress about your mom but the best advise I can give is, watch for a couple of weeks, monitor the depth of pain or soreness and chat with your doc and report what you have done.  This I think is the best way to give you peace of mind.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • KP1970
    KP1970 Member Posts: 192
    edited June 2011

    Thank you Chrissy. I have heard that bone mets can be controlled for a long, long time. My surgeon's nurse has had bone mets for 14 years now. Has your doctor indicated this to you as well? :) 

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited June 2011

    Absolutely!  With all the new drugs that are around now particularly the Aromatase Inhibitors, it does mean that they can be controlled successfully for a long time and your DX line says you are ER/PR+ so these could be used for you should you ever need them.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 1,470
    edited June 2011

    KP1970

    I am so sorry you are so anxious. And am truly sorry about your MOM! I agree with Chrissy you are anxious and every time the cancer "thing" is brought back into our field of vision it is first and foremost on the radar. I can tell just by your posting how anxious you must be, and I understand this as I have been there with you. I have had horrible hip aches that I was positive was mets and 4 scans all clear. I have had coughs that I thought were lung mets and were allergies, I have had dizziness that was for sure Brain Mets but turned out to be clenching in my jaw and shoulders from anxiety.and the funniest of all was blood in my stool that was for sure liver mets,but turned out to be beets that I ate the day prior.

    Stress does bad things, and i Have a lot of compassion for where you are right now. The most important thing is to quiet your mind and delve into your feelings, just let yourself feel fear for your Mom and maybe a few tears. Once you tap into your real feelings you will find your way out of the anxiety of the mind and find some peace. 

    You will be OK. 

    Chrissy you are so sweet to so many on the boards to help with these questions.....God Bless You!

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