Sternum Pain that won't quit.

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NicoleJasien
NicoleJasien Member Posts: 50
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned


So I've had pain in one spot in my sternum for about a month now. I noticed it actually about 6 weeks ago because I just happened to put pressure in that spot but didn't think anything about it.....I'm pretty clumsy so I just thought I'd bumped into something. A few weeks later I got an upper respiratory infection and every time I coughed I was in extreme pain. I finally went to the doctor and got a chest xray (which showed no signs of bone mets). They thought it could be costochondritis. So I kept taking the max dose of ibuprofen at least twice a day. I went to the oncologist a week later with the upper respiratory infection gone, but still in pain. My tumor markers were normal, but they wanted me to do a $1200 out of pocket scan. Being a single mom that is a lot of money to me. I finishing up my constructive surgery in January that will cover my deductible and out of pocket max so if I wait until then it will all be covered. I am only a year out from chemo. The pain has intensified to the point that it hurts when I am sitting still and they put me on a prescription anti-inflammatory. It does nothing. I would think if it was costochondritis that the meloxicam would at least help right? I'm just curious if anyone here has had bone mets to the sternum and describe what it felt like. I don't have time to be in pain anymore. Oh and side note I have been extremely tired for the last month. We upped my adderall which has helped a little, but I still struggle to get through the day.


Thanks in advance,


Nicole :)

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  • GoldenGirls
    GoldenGirls Member Posts: 608
    edited November 2013


    hi Nicole, my mom experienced pain in the sternum that wasn't relieved by any of the medication she tried. Her X-rays had all come back clear and it was a CT scan that confirmed bone mets. She wasn't even able to describe the pain except to say that it wouldn't go away and hurt when she pressed also.


    Hoping that's not the case for you but wanted to share our experience. Had we gone by the X-rays alone (which we really wanted to at the time) then she would be going untreated.


    Hugs

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited November 2013


    Hi Nicole


    I had a bmx in Feb and had terrible pain in my sternum for 2 months during the summer. It finally went away and I had a ct scan of the chest and abdomen and it was clear. I know there is a two week rule for pain but since chemo my body is so messed up it takes forever for any pain to go away. I hope your results are benign too.

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  • NicoleJasien
    NicoleJasien Member Posts: 50
    edited November 2013

    How long did your mom have the pain for?   I guess I better go get my scans done. How did they treat it once they found it? 

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  • GoldenGirls
    GoldenGirls Member Posts: 608
    edited November 2013


    My mom's pain was on and off at first for about a month and then became constant for another month or so before she finally got it checked. She is currently on Aromasin for her bone mets and is stable. She also had 5 radiation treatments to her clavicle for pain and her T5 to reduce the risk of fracture. Her sternum lesion hasn't grown since she has been on treatment.


    Would a bone scan or a PET scan be any less expensive than the CT?

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  • NicoleJasien
    NicoleJasien Member Posts: 50
    edited November 2013

    It doesn't matter which I do.... Which I am doing the CT and the bone scan.   I just have to meet my deductible. 

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  • Padiddle
    Padiddle Member Posts: 853
    edited November 2013


    Hi Nicole: I had met to sternum in 2009. You asked for a description of sternum met pain. We can all experience and describe it differently but this is my best description. What I noticed first was that wearing a seatbelt in the car was very uncomfortable. I would put a cloth under the seatbelt to help keep pressure off. Holding a gallon of milk in line at the checkout was uncomfortable too. For some reason, I thought it was asthma but after a few months a lump above collar bone sent me to my doc office. The lump was biopsied and confirmed met. Radiation was the first step for me. I know there can be other reasons why you could have sternum pain, but tests are the only way to find out. Hoping you can get this checked out soon. Jean

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  • NicoleJasien
    NicoleJasien Member Posts: 50
    edited November 2013

    I scheduled a scan for Friday.  And yes my pain started with a pressure point and then I had a cough and it hurt. After the cough was gone a month ago the pain persisted.  Yesterday I had to call the doctor and get pain pills it got so bad... It's a dull pain with the pills but still uncomfortable.   I'm just looking forward to answers. 

    Thanks guys!  I'll let you know how it goes. 

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  • Padiddle
    Padiddle Member Posts: 853
    edited November 2013


    Glad you're getting it checked. It's the best thing to do when you're not sure. Hoping it all goes well for you. Jean

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  • NicoleJasien
    NicoleJasien Member Posts: 50
    edited November 2013


    Still waiting on results. The waiting is horrible. I've got to get this pain under control.

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  • Padiddle
    Padiddle Member Posts: 853
    edited November 2013


    Nicole: Hope you don't have to wait too long. I don't know what you've tried for pain. Whatever you are taking, be consistent with it and take it on. If it's every eight hours, take it on that eight hour. Consistency in taking a pain medicine can really help. Hang in there. Jean

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  • GoldenGirls
    GoldenGirls Member Posts: 608
    edited November 2013


    hi Nicole, I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I hope you're feeling better.


    Wishing you good results on your scans.

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited November 2013


    Thinking of you Nicole and hope everything is ok!!

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  • NicoleJasien
    NicoleJasien Member Posts: 50
    edited November 2013


    Scans came back clean in that area......they are concerned about a spot on my skull.. I also have an ovarian cyst that has popped up. I'm BRCA2 positive so they want to check that out too. So now I need to figure out what is going on with my sternum.

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited November 2013


    Glad that area is clean. I have had many things pop up also and all were benign so far. I am sure it will be the same for you. Ovarian cysts are common, my mother had one and she also had BC 20 years ago.


    Hugs.

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