More tests for ongoing rib tenderness

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lanagraves
lanagraves Member Posts: 596
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I had a BMX in February, then AC and Taxol chemo, now halfway through rads. In June, shortly after starting Taxol and a weekend trip of rough housing, lazer tag, go karts and bumper cars with the boys, I began to have some rib tenderness. A month or so later, because it wasn't going away, my MO orders rib detail X-rays. My PET scan had been clear, and the rib detail showed a possible hairline fracture or small area of sclerosis. Fast forward to today, I mentioned it to my RO, expecting him to reassure me. Instead, he sent me for a repeat rib detail, saying he wasn't particularly concerned about it, but just wanted repeat X-rays just for precaution.

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2012

    So I am now sitting here waiting for X-rays and freaking out.

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2012

    RO thinks probably something benign because it's not grow

    Ing but system we need to keep an eye on it. I'm still scared. Anyone else have something similar.

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  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited August 2012

    Lana, I had some rib pain months ago, but it went away on its own. Sorry,  I am not of any help, just want to send you my cyber support and keep our hopes high , that it is NOTHING and the worry will be soon behind you !!!! Good luck!!

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2012

    The biggest worry for me right now is that the worry will not be over soon. He is not going to do further imaging right now because he thinks it is benign. He just wants to watch it. So, in the meantime, I'm afraid I'm going to worry about it constantly. Then, on the other hand, if I knew, I would worry too. So I don't know.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited August 2012

    Lana, my mets initially presented in my sternum and ribs. Things moved quickly after that. The fact that your onc is just taking a watch and wait approach would mean to me that he is not overly concerned, but being cautious. You got the results of the initial x-ray and onc thinks it's benign? In my case, they knew right away just by the x-ray that it was mets, and was IMMEDIATELY sent for a bone scan to check for more. Hoping for good news for you.

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2012

    Thank you. I feel a little better about it than I did. I have a friend who works in the office with me who was dx'd initially with BC in 1998. She has recurred locally three times since then and is doing wonderful. Her stats are very similar to mine (she was Stage IIIA, 4nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-, but she was grade 3). I went to her office as soon as I made it back to work because I was a wreck. She told me that she has a similar spot on one of her ribs, first found in 1998 post first round of chemo. It has been checked, checked, and rechecked over the years. Every time she goes, they check it again. It has never changed in size or otherwise. Her MO told her that it was likely a place where the chemo kind of "pooled" and formed a "pocket" and did some small damage to the bone. He said it is very common. That made me feel better, as did your post, Gracie. However, in the back of my mind, I am still scared.

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  • Alicethecat
    Alicethecat Member Posts: 535
    edited August 2012

    Hi Lana

    I had increased bone turnover on the T4 rib but the onc said it could be caused by an injury or infection of the bone. Hope this is the same for you!

    He said, however, it could be caused by the cancer spreading...Terrified by the idea of spread, I was cheered when I saw content on the Moffat Cancer Center website in the US saying that false-positive bone scans are common.

    http://moffittcancercenter.com/moffittapps/ccj/v4n6/article5.html

    The onc thinks it has not spread because there was no spread to the blood or lymphs nodes, no increased calcium level or increased alkaline phosphate level and my inflammatory markers were down.

    Some of my right ribs are tender now but a young onc reminded me that Taxotere does cause a few aches in the bones!

    I'm having a repeat bone scan later in the year. It's scary thinking about it so I don't - just concentrate on living now.

    Hoping for the best for you.

    Best wishes

    Alice

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2012

    I think I feel the tenderness all the time now because I'm worried about it now and I pay more attention. I hate the watch and wait approach. I hate not knowing. Year at the same time, I'm not sure I want to know. I know that sounds crazy

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  • BerkeleyKim
    BerkeleyKim Member Posts: 390
    edited August 2012

    Hi Lana, I'm also waiting and watching as a result of a hot spot on a rib. I had a bone scan as part of the protocol for finishing a clinical trial comparing bisphosphonates. After 2 weeks of trying to track down results I got a call from scheduling that my sub onc (mine is on maternity leave)wants to see me and that I needed a tumor marker test and xrays. I did get a message telling me the results and I saw the onc yesterday. I have uptake in various areas due to arthritis and the radiologist thinks the xray shows a healing fracture. And the bonescan said 11th rib while xrays said 10th! But although I did fall hard twice on some slippery rocks in Hawaii 2 weeks before the scan I dont remember if I hit my rib because I hurt and was bleeding in other places. I have lots of tenderness around my ribs since my mastectomy but no additional pain. So even though my onc says she's really not worried she is ordering another scan in 3 months. I never had a baseline bonescan but did have a PET before chemo, which showed nothing on the rib. I feel so much better after talking with my onc cuz the waiting was so stressful. She said it is very unusual to have a single met to a rib, and my google research confirms that.



    We have very similar stats and I'm coming up on 4 years. This is my first scare, which I might have avoided if not for the trial. On the other hand if it does turn out to be a met it will be caught early. You have finished chemo so recently that your body is still recovering and pressing on the ribs doesn't help! Before I met with my onc I thought my hot spot was on the other side and of course that side hurt with all my poking!



    Good luck to you. Let's watch and wait and believe we are fine.

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2012

    Thanks Kim. That does make me feel better. I worry too much.

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  • Druanne
    Druanne Member Posts: 295
    edited September 2012

    What does this rib tenderness feel like?? I have been worried about the very same thing as I feel bruised on the left side on my back.......it feels like a surface bruise......but there isn't any mark there....

     How are you doing lanagraves??? Any news??

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2012

    No news yet. I see my MO on the 27th. He will schedule a PET/CT then. Tenderness is still the same. It definitely feels like a bruise. That's the only way I know how to describe it. Apparently, from I've seen on here, a lot of women experience rib tenderness after treatment without mets. Some say it's from the radiation, some say it's from the chemo, some say it's from the surgery. I don't think the doctors know why it happens. I'll just feel much better after this PET scan is done and I know what I'm dealing with. It should be celebration time. Treatment is over..but maybe not.

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  • Rocket
    Rocket Member Posts: 1,197
    edited September 2012

    I have had significant rib tenderness for the past two years since completing rads. It is not uncommon for rad to cause rib tenderness. I have had at least four bone scans, all negative. Try not to poke or rub the area that hurts as it definitely will make it hurt more. I know that is hard, but it may get better if you don't rub it or poke at it. Stay positive and try not to worry. I think I'll die of a heart attack before cancer gets me from all the stress!

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  • Druanne
    Druanne Member Posts: 295
    edited September 2012

    Lanagraves........the waiting is TERRIBLE isn't it??? I hope it is just what everyone has been saying.......I am wondering if I should make an appointment! I will keep you in my thoughts Laughing

    Thanks Rocket that makes me feel a TON better! Laughing You are right when you say it is hard not to rub and poke it...LOL....argh.....and all this stress and worry!!!!! I am not grey yet but I will be SOON I am sure!!!

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2012

    The waiting is terrible. Of course, I know sometimes knowing is terrible too. I still think I prefer knowing.

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2012

    I'm almost afraid to post this (don't want to jinx it), but I stopped wearing my MX bra and prosthesis a couple of weeks ago due to RAD burns, and now, after a couple of weeks without it, the rib pain is completely gone! So weird. However, I know the spot that's been seen on two x-rays is likely still there. Don't know what that means, but I guess I will find out in a couple of weeks. I see my MO on September 27 and he will order a PET/CT then. My birthday is next Wednesday and I soo wanted to celebrate the end of this nightmare (other than Tamoxifen) along with my birthday. Instead, I am still holding my breath.

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