Symptoms of Bone Metastases

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tiff2008
tiff2008 Member Posts: 278
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I'm a 4 year bc survivor... For the past week I've had this really aching shoulder/back pain.  When I put my head down there's a pulling pain, almost like a pulled muscle, it's only on my left side... and of course I worry about every ache and pain....Does anyone know the symptoms of bone metastases? what it feels like?

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited March 2012

    tiff, I can't tell you what mets feels like, and I actually think it varies from person to person.  But are you familiar with truncal lymphedema?  I get it on my mx side, and sometimes it feels like the pain is in my upper back, so my mind also momentarily goes to mets.  Then I'll realize that my entire upper left side is swollen, and that the pulling or stabbing pain is from the fluid build up.   If you haven't been doing gardening or moving furniture or something else to cause a pulled muscle, could it maybe be a touch of that kind of LE?    Deanna

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited March 2012

    I have a single bone met and no symptoms at all. Generally, if the pain persists for more than two weeks you should see your doctor.

    Caryn

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  • tiff2008
    tiff2008 Member Posts: 278
    edited March 2012

    Deanna -   I had a lumpectomy on my right and this pain is on the left.  I have been gardening and started back up with a little weight lifting..it seems its all started about that same time... No swelling.  I've been icing and resting from those activities this week to see if it improves....always something

    Caryn - I will see my doctor if this goes on much longer :- 

    Thank you both for replying so quick :)  Hope you're feeling well.

    Tiff

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited March 2012

    IMy MO told me that mets pain "is not subtle", although that statement seems to contradict what ladies here have reported.

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  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited March 2012

    Tiff it isn't funny, but it's crazy--every ache, pain, lump we would never think twice about is now a scare--It's like cancer is all over the place--I even thought I had it in my wrist??? I had a fatty tissue on my thigh and I thought thigh cancer--it's tiring sometimes. But u have to stay vigilant whether we like it or not--and it could be from the gardening so just keep a watch and that's all u can do. Good Luck

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited March 2012

    I had no pain because it was discovered by accident. I assume that eventually it would have caused pain.

    Caryn

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  • TerryZig
    TerryZig Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2012

    Questions....I have had some leg ache on my right side.  It started about 3 days after my expander got replaced in my left breast.  I have Factor 5 Lyden...so I thought maybe a clot from undergoing 5 surgeries in the last 6 months...  Drs are having a difficult time telling me if it is METS or some other issue.  I was diagnosed March 1, 2011 with Triple Neg and underwent chemo and then bilateral mast in Sept.  Thought things were great, then this!!!  Trying not to panic, but unfortunately that is not so easy.  Any TN with METS to bone...have any insight?

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  • dragonflymary
    dragonflymary Member Posts: 356
    edited March 2012

    I would say if you have any questions at all you should try to insist on at least an x-ray.  I've read too many of stories of women who were "reassured" that pain "couldn't be bone mets" and then found out it was.  

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  • TerryZig
    TerryZig Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2012
    Dragonfly....believe me...I am the crazy patient that stays on top of Drs to move forward quickly and find answers.  I have been through X-ray, bone scan, MRI...was supposed to have a core biopsy Mon only to get there and be told it was cancelled.  After chasing my Onc all day yesterday, come to find out if we move forward with biopsy it would have to be an open biopsy so as not to trace possible cells throughout the body.  Great...now on to seeing an orthopedic oncologist tomorrow.  What's another Dr to juggle Embarassed
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  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited March 2012

    Tiff,

    My youngest sister is a 1.5 year survivor and was rediagnosed with bone mets to her back, shoulder and both ribs.  She had pain in her back that she thought at first was from lifting something to heavy...it esclated to the point that she went to chiropractor to get some relief...no help.  She then had problems getting in and out of chairs and bed by herself....that's when she ended up in the hospital with dangerously high calcium levels due to the bone mets.

    If the pain continues beyond two weeks, go to your doctor.  My sister almost waited to late as she was in late stage hyperglocemia due to the calcium levels and her kidneys were shutting down....

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  • tiff2008
    tiff2008 Member Posts: 278
    edited March 2012

    Thank you everyone for your responses.

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  • gfbaker
    gfbaker Member Posts: 173
    edited April 2012

    Can bone mets also cause tight muscles? I have a tender area on my spine after a massage from my husband, and my back also feels very tight and inflexible. I hope that this means I have just hurt myself, but its been a couple of weeks and still tender and tight.

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  • suebak
    suebak Member Posts: 199
    edited April 2012

    Tiff sent you a pm

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  • thatsvanity
    thatsvanity Member Posts: 391
    edited April 2012

    My sister had mets to her spine and pelvis she said it felt like having broken bones with no cast, but for my sister it was painful. She had to take pain meds to manage not eradicate her pain.
    Amy Lynn

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