And I thought I just had a pinched nerve...

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  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited July 2011

    mthomp- Thank you!   Your post is right on the money.  I've looked into the kyphoplasty, and the surgeon that I'm seeing tomorrow does perform that proceedure.  I'm eager to see if I qualify as a candidate, given the current bone condition.  My onc is also pushing a surgical fix for the break, which I see as a good sign. No matter how many years I may live with my mets, walking is priority one.  I'm really hoping that this less invasive proceedure will be appropriate in my case.

     Falsodex is also on the agenda.  I get my first injection on Friday.  Since my butt is numb, maybe it won't be a problem!

      

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  • sandogger
    sandogger Member Posts: 68
    edited July 2011

    Hi Sandilee,

    I can relate to what you are talking about!  I have pain in my bones in several places, but it seemed to have started in my right ribs.  I kept telling them about the pain and all I got was "we don't give out pain meds at this point"  i.e., at this point after my 7th reconstruction surgery.  Well, they sent me to pain management and that doctor gave me two epidural cortisone injections (MRI guided) to my lower back.  When I went back to my oncologist, I told him about my non stop bone pain.  He finally ordered a bone scan.  By the time I got back home from the hospital, I had a message on my phone to come in to see the doctor and go over the bone scan.

    Nervous!  Freaked out!  You name it, I was feeling it.  Or, not feeling anything - just numb.  I'd been going through chemo, mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction and its complications and had just finished up recently from all of that.  I have been unable to work during all of this and was planning on job-hunting.  Well, plans are changed now.  Now, I am Stage IV.  My bones have mets all over the place, skull, ribs - both sides, pelvis, hip, right shoulder.  I go back on the 15th to discuss the new plan.  The doctor has mentioned Arimidex but I don't have a treatment plan yet.

    Can any of you give me advice on this issue?

    Thanks so much!  Embarassed 

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  • mari55
    mari55 Member Posts: 693
    edited July 2011

    You asked about treatment for bone only mets:  For Er + as you are it would be antihormonals (tamoxifen, femera, arimdex and a few others) and a biphosphonate such as Zometa or Xgeva.  I was on femera first and then had slight progression so I am on tamoxifen.  I have been on the zometa ( once a month IV) since Jan 2010 after diagnosis.  I work and  even though I have bone pain it is currently relieved with either ibuprophen or moloxicam ( Mobic) (and an occaisonal lortab at night if I have had a hard day).  Treatment has strengthened my bones and last scans I was stable.  I have an MRI of my spine and lab next week so will see if numbers look better, worse or the same.  Good luck.  Join us on the Stage IV board if you haven't already- lots of great information and support

    Mari 

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  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited July 2011

    Oh, sandogger, you have surely been through a lot.   My onc has me on Faslodex and Xgeva for my bone mets.  The Faslodex is the hormonal that is supposed to suppress the cancer, and the Xgeva is a new bone strenghtener specifically for metastatic disease.  I've just started, so I have no idea if it's going to work or not.

       I also am finishing up my third week of radiation to my spine, where my back is broken due to my cancer weakened bones.  I have two collapsed vertebrae.  I can only walk with the help of my hiking poles for balance.  I'm really praying that I can have surgery to fix my back so I can live whatever years I have left in relative normalcy.

       It's so irritating that docs are so slow to do scans, but I think we can thank the insurance companies for that.

     Hugs, and best of luck,

     sandile

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