Hip pain

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pattyrn212
pattyrn212 Member Posts: 41
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hi Everyone...it's been awhile since I was here.  My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 14 months after I was diagnosed with my breast cancer.   I went from caring for myself through treatment to caring for my husband and two small children.   Sadly, my hubby passed away at the age of 42 on May 25th.  The last 2.5 years have been tough.  I've been so busy since he passed away trying to get myself together and get back to work as my youngest starts 2 day preschool.  Sooooo...I have this hip pain. I have been shrugging it off thinking it was sciatica for the last few months.   Seems to be a deep ache in my left hip that I feel in my knee at times.   Really can't lay on my hip in bed...just aches worse and worse.  When I am moving about during the day it doesn't bother me.  Just seems to hit me when I sit or lay down.  I started reading up about the symptoms of sciatica and then hit a topic on here and well...I'm very scared right now.   I was just lying in bed (it's 322am) and was pushing on the areas in my hip that ache and it is very tender.  I guess I'm just looking for other peoples experience with bone mets.  My lower back does ache...always has.  My radiation oncologist told me that it's probably femara...but I don't understand why it is just one side.   So anyway.....thanks for listening.   Hope to hear from some of you.

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  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 5,161
    edited August 2011

    Patty- I cant answer your question with your hip pain, Im sure someone will be along soon to answer your question, I just wanted to let you know how sorry Im about your DH. he was so young and you have gone through so much already.  sending you hugs. you are in my prayers/ ((((((hugs))))))

    Debbie

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  • pattyrn212
    pattyrn212 Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2011

    Thank you...your message is greatly appreciated as I sit here, unable to sleep because I am a bit nervous....okay okay...freaked out =)

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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited August 2011
    Ask for a MRI....... I thought my pain was arthritis. Turned out to be bone mets. My pain was like a tender pain with a burn if I pushed on it.  I watched the bone scan the other day and knew the exact places to look for hot spots. Sadly I was right. From head to toe. My plan is Zometa for 6 months. And Arimidex daily. Don't wait. ((((HUGS))))
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  • pattyrn212
    pattyrn212 Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2011
    did yours hurt all the time or radiate?  Mine hurts most when I sit or lie down.   I can't sleep on that side at night or else the pain aches down to my knee.  It's more of a deep throb than a sharp pain.  I don't have pain anywhere else....lower back a bit and just that left side.  I have previous hip issues but it was bilateral after I had my kids.  I'm very overweight and have gained about 8 lbs since my hubby died.  Just noticed last night that it hurts when I push on it.   I'm so scared.  My kids have already dealth with so much with my illness and then my husbands and losing him.  They are only 3 and 5....I'm just so scared.Embarassed
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  • ebann
    ebann Member Posts: 3,026
    edited August 2011

    Mine started out periodly and then the pain progressed. Saw my oncologist and she recommended that I get a scan.  Sure enough it was bone mets. I just recently had surgery on my hip/leg on June 6th. The cancer was eating away at the bone marrow and when they went in to do the surgery that found out my hip was broke.

    I have known women that have hip pain associated to other things. Like they all packed up and have not been able to go to the restroom, gallstones can be it too. I would recommend to get a scan to rule out any of these. I pray it is not bone mets. You have endured so much in such a short time.

    I am so sorry you have lost your husband. I cannot imagine losing my spouse. Do you have any family or friends who are able to help you out in any way? I hope you have the support you need. Your children are young. Keep us updated and know your in my thoughts.

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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited August 2011

    Mine took turns.......But my hips and leg really hurt at times . So much that it would keep me awake.

    I also had back pain. When they did an MRI ( I had to tell them I wanted one ) and had been going to my doctor for about 6 months of back pain. I told him that is felt like a couple of things were going on. Sometimes I wonder if they even listen.

    Please keep us updated.

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  • SarahsMom
    SarahsMom Member Posts: 1,779
    edited August 2011

    Hi - I just wanted to add my support, you have been through so much, you are an amazing lady.  Your story has totally touched my heart.I hope your children are doing well and their hearts are lighter with each passing day. Same for you. 

    I can totally understand your fear of mets since you have fought cancer not only once with yourself, but twice, with your wonderful husband. But, you know...your hip pain could be so many things.   First of all, hate to break it to you, but you aren't getting any younger (smiling here!!) - I am 46 and have all kinds of weird pains, creaks etc that started when I was 40.  I have increasing hip pain, especially when I sleep on my side.  The left is the worse for me, it is barely noticeable on the right, but there is a little ache.  It could be a little arthritis setting in for you. It could be bursitis in the joint that is radiating down your leg.  Or maybe you injured it a long time ago? It could also be a side issue related to lower back pain.  This kind of pain tends to radiate.  It also could be estrogen related, joint pain is related to menopause. 

    http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/joint-pain.htm 

    So getting old sucks and weird little things will start popping up that are not cancer related, just the body passing through another season of life. 

    I think you should get it checked out for your peace of mind, no matter what the answer is. Just sending you a hug and positive thoughts today, hope this helps. 

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  • VSM
    VSM Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    I'm sending calming thoughts--and hope for sleep to you tonight!  You have been through so much already, and you are obviously strong (even if you don't feel it)--My hope is that your body is just sending a message to take care of yourself again. 

    I agree with Carpediem, I would get it checked out for peace of mind and sleep...I have lower back issues, and the pain often defers to the hips and knees.  It's to the point now that I rotate heat and ice on the back when I feel the hip and knee pain, heal the back and my hip/knee pain disappears...I often never feel the pain in my back...I hope it is just a back issue.  Let us hear. 

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  • lightning
    lightning Member Posts: 12
    edited August 2011

    I am so sorry for your loss.    Please don't panic about your hip.  You probably should see an orthopedic surgeon and have an MRI done, though. But from what you described it sounds like it may be trochanteric (sp?) bursitis.  I've had hip pain for quite some time and that's what the docs told me is the problem.  It kills me when I try to sleep - I absolutely cannot lay on my side when I sleep because of the pain and the upper part of my leg is sensitive.  The pain occasionally radiates down to my knee. It's not life threatening - just painful and hard to treat.  You can probably find more about it on the web.  But for peace of mind, see your doctor and have it checked out.  I hope all goes well -

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  • VSM
    VSM Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    Pattyrn, I'm thinking of you tonight and hope you are able to sleep while you wait to check everything out!  Let us hear how you are.

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  • SarahsMom
    SarahsMom Member Posts: 1,779
    edited August 2011

    Hi Patty, I am also checking on you! I hope you are able to find out what is wrong and get some relief.  I would like to hear what is wrong, because I do have that same kind of hip pain and I am curious.  Hugs!

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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited August 2011
    I sent you a PM...hope all is well.
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  • thatsvanity
    thatsvanity Member Posts: 391
    edited August 2011

    My sister had mets and she said it felt like having broken bones with no cast. I think your pain is from daily running around but check it out, I'm sure it will go well!

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  • pattyrn212
    pattyrn212 Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2011

    Wow!  I just came on tonight....and I feel so loved Smile  I have been doing alot of running around with the kids.  My pain seems to be a little less.  I have been taking motrin twice a day and putting ice on it once a day.  My brother in law is an orthopedic surgeon and he did say it sounded like trochanter bursitis but said with my history that I should have a scan (that was my plan anyway!)  So I am scheduled to have a bone scan this Monday (Aug. 29th).  I won't get the results until I see my oncologist on the 6th.   I am keeping positive and thinking that whatever it is...I can't take it away with worry so I'll deal with it when I find out.  It really doesn't hurt me at all in the day unless I sit for awhile.  Then of course I get the Femara aches and feel like I need to pour oil in all of my joints to start walking.  If I move all day and don't stop....it never bothers me until I lay in bed at night.  I have lower back pain which I have had.  I had a herniated disc back in 2006 and that seemed to go away after chemo...probably because I stopped working (I'm a nurse and lift alot).  I haven't been back to work yet but could be a weight issue too.  I don't know....all I know is that its my lower back, left hip and radiates down to the knee and is a deep ache.  If it is mets.....I would wonder why it doesn't bother me while I am moving.....you would think it would be all the time but from what I read it happens more at night?!?! 

    Thank you lovely ladies for all of your messages.  I have to be sure to get on here daily to check...if my 3 and 5 year old allow me to =)

    *Hugs*

    Patty

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  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited August 2011

    I had knee pain that kept me up at night like that. I thought bone mets but had a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis. Warm compresses and motrin help just a little.

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  • pattyrn212
    pattyrn212 Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2011

    Today I had my bone scan.  I asked the tech whom I have known for 2.5 years now if she saw anything.  She had a weird look on her face......I told her I didn't like the look on her face.  She said it's no different than the last scan you had and I said "well wasn't that one clear?"   She said area in the spine looked the same.   So I immediately went to the breast center and asked the nurse to print out my previous bone scan.  It was in January of 2009 so I couldn't remember.  It just states that I had increasted uptake in left SI joint and L4 and L5.   It said followup would be helpful if my doc felt necessary but stated "probably" degenerative.   Sooooo....either it's just become much worse OR that "probably" was incorrect.  I'm not sure how fast bone mets advances but I would think that it would have spread further being 2.5 years later...that is,  if she really didn't see anything else. Anyway.....asked the nurse to call me tomorrow with results if she could because I really hate the waiting game.  I've never prayed for arthritis so hard in my life =)

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  • pattyrn212
    pattyrn212 Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2011

    Mary Lou....when you said hot spots on the bone scan..what did that look like?  I am praying mine is just degenerative changes.   If it was there two years ago and is still there and no where else I would think it would be worse?!?! 

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  • momoftwo526
    momoftwo526 Member Posts: 151
    edited August 2011

    Patty:

    I know how hard it is waiting for results, and when you have been through what you have been through, it is hard not to think the worst.  When I was going through my diagnostic tests after the intial BC diagnosis, the blood test showed bone abnormalities.  I had a bone scan, and it turned out to be arthritis and not bone mets.  I have a lot of joint pain as well and sometimes it is so bad that I cannot even bend my elbow.  My hip and back ache and hurt all of the time.  Not related to the cancer at all!  Also be aware that some of the meds you are taking can cause bone pain as well.  If they suspected it could be cancer when you had the scan done in 2009, I am sure that given your history, they would have done something about it then.  When they say it is probably degenerative, it could mean that it is arthritis a compressed disk or bad alignment, which can cause great pain.  I know it will be hard waiting for the results, but I will pray that it is nothing serious.  Please let us know when you get the final results!

    Phyllis

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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited September 2011

    I left you a PM Thinking of you tonight.

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  • SarahsMom
    SarahsMom Member Posts: 1,779
    edited September 2011

    Patty, just circling back to see what is going on with your hip. I can't believe the doc didn't tell you about the increased uptake the last time you had a scan.  It would just be helpful to know when new thing popped up? ARGH. Sending you a hug!

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  • Suzanne3131
    Suzanne3131 Member Posts: 3,953
    edited September 2011

    Thnking of you and hoping you got good news.  Please keep us posted!

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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited September 2011
    Update, I'm starting to worry .
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  • SarahsMom
    SarahsMom Member Posts: 1,779
    edited September 2011

    I am worried, too!  Her BCO profile lists a caring bridge page so I took a look in hopes of an update, but she's posted nothing there since she was last seen on our site, August 28/29th.  In her post out there, she says her bone scan results would be back on Sept 6th. 

    I hope she is ok, she's been through so much this year :-(

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  • Mary-Lou
    Mary-Lou Member Posts: 2,230
    edited September 2011
    We are thinking of you. Just know we understand. ((((HUGS))))
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  • pattyrn212
    pattyrn212 Member Posts: 41
    edited September 2011

    Dear wonderful women that I have neglected....

     First I want to deeply apologize for my lack of updating you.   What a terrible thing for me to do!!  I have been so busy with kids adjusting to preschool and kindergarten and trying to get my house in order that has been neglected for too long because of our cancer bombarded lives for 2.5 years.  I will say that my scan was clear =))   Arthritis in all joints and degenerative changes in my lower spine.  (AMEN to that)  You all are so wonderful and I deeply apologize for not coming on here and updating you!!!!   It's wonderful to know you truly cared about me =)  I am getting an MRI on my lumbar/sacral spine tomorrow to see what exacty is happening.  Do you know if there is any chest wall follow up if I had a bilateral mastectomy?  My friends cancer just came back on her mastectomy side after 4 years and my gynecologist asked me if they are doing chest xrays on me to check.   I was just curious because I don't get any follow up unless I have a problem.  So...once again I am so sorry.  Much love to you!!

    Patty

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  • SarahsMom
    SarahsMom Member Posts: 1,779
    edited September 2011

    Yay Patty!! Thanks for coming back to close the loop, I am so happy for you! :-) :-)   I am so relieved.  I hope you enjoy some time to yourself, maybe your little ones will all be at school at the same time for a few hours? I wish I could treat you to a spa day, you have been through so much and I wish only the best in life for you and your kids. Hugs! 

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  • Suzanne3131
    Suzanne3131 Member Posts: 3,953
    edited September 2011

    Oh so glad!  Congratulations!  So good to see you!!

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  • bcisnofun
    bcisnofun Member Posts: 488
    edited September 2011

    I don't know you but I've been waiting for your post and am so relieved and thrilled that your scans were clear. 

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  • VSM
    VSM Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2011

    I needed good news today!!!!!  This is great! 

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  • pattyrn212
    pattyrn212 Member Posts: 41
    edited September 2011
    Thanks everyone =)  Yes....good news is cherished around here!  Carpediem....oh how I wish I could take you up on that spa day!!!  Wink
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