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Rachel1
Rachel1 Member Posts: 363
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer


I had bc in the right side 3 1/2 yrs. ago. My left shoulder joint has been hurting. The physical therapist thinks its a restriction and has been working on it (four sessions now). But I googled and came up with lots of stories on mets to shoulders. I am having a full blown anxiety attack. I also came across an article that said 60% of all bc will (WILL) go on to mets. I have no idea when this article was written but it freaked me out. It also freaks me out to go to the doctor. I just want to curl up in a ball and sob.


Background: I've been on arimidex for one year. I lie on my left side and have an over developed muscle on the left neck side from over use -- compensating for all the right side surgery. I get a pain if I lie on that shoulder or bend my arm in a funny position, lift something really heavy. It doesn't hurt at all if I'm not doing anything -- does mets hurt all the time. Ladies, I'm frightened and I'm so sick of being frightened. i'm so sick of crying all the time. I wish this freakin disease would just go away. Rachel

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2013


    Rachel


    I am sure others will be along, but I saw your post--- not sure where that 60% figure came from, but I think it is incorrect. From what I have read, that number is much, much lower... and you have to remember, statistics, by the time they are published, are often out of date.....


    Sounds like your PT is trying to work on this--- I totally understand about not wanting to go to the doctor. I used to be glad to go--now I have to be absolutely in pain before I will even think about it... and even then....


    I am not an MD, but it sounds like your pT might be right.... but if you are really not getting any relief, you may have to get it checked out--- 4 sessions in PT for a significant pain of overuse as you describe is really a short amount of time.....you may need more.


    I had a groin pain that I was convinced was mets--I did not want any tests, but I did go to my pt-- and after about 10 sessions, pain was gone.... I think it was a muscle pull.....


    Take some deep breaths, know that the stats are not that high and that it is likely that your pt is right.......


    hugs

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited November 2013


    Ok...first don't google...seriously!! You will feed the panic and fear!! When I google any info about BC I will only let myself do it when I am in an emotionally balanced place. Yes, I have heard stats from 30% to 50% for mets, but I haven't researched that so don't know if true, I also won't accept it as MY stats! I asked for MY stats when I was DX...if you want yours ask your MO. They take all your info, path and such and will give you your own prognosis (stats)...can't remember the name of the prognosis program that MD Anderson used. I truly am so sorry your concern for your shoulder continues...I totally get how pain seems to put a blanket of darkness over our minds and reduce us to a ball of fear...sadly I have been there as most all our sisters have been. But, please try to lift the blanket of darkness and breath deeply! As I shared before I too have pain in my hip and shoulder if I sleep on my side too much. It truly does sound like your PT is right and trying to help you. I know on a different thread here on stage III one of our stage IV sisters gave her insight on bone mets. Maybe you can find it. One thing I have heard is if it is bone mets it is persistent and progresses....I know that is not always the case, but can be how it presents itself. Maybe our stage IV sisters will stop by and give more insight for you! Truly hoping working with your PT will help relieve the pain!!

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited November 2013


    Rachel, This is my first post on this website. I am still in chemo treatments, towards the end, and have been in a panic now for four months. Reading the blogs and support system here has helped me so much in the last few days. Nice to know I'm not totally crazy for being so distressed. I had shoulder surgery 10 years ago, due to playing competitive tennis. Shoulders take forever to heal, lots going on in that joint. The other side try's to compensate when there is an injury or surgery. I would take Aleve, and see if that helps. From what I have read, mets to the bone usually starts in the spine. Hope you get some relief, I did get frozen shoulder after my surgery. I had to do the exercises and stretches.

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  • Rachel1
    Rachel1 Member Posts: 363
    edited November 2013


    Thanks, Sisters for responding to my plea during the depths of despair. The dang shoulder feels better this a.m. I took a xanax and a long hike yesterday to calm down. Have any of you read about Dr. Peter Levine or his work with healing trauma. I've been listening to tapes and have found a therapist who uses his methodology. I think I have to integrate that into my life. Thank you again. R

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited November 2013


    Rachel 1....please know the battle with fear and what the future holds is one many of us have. Always come here in your despair...we're here for each other! I have not heard of Dr. Levine, but will look into it...thank you for sharing!!

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  • krcll
    krcll Member Posts: 343
    edited November 2013


    Rachel- I also had alot of shoulder troubles the first couple of years after treatment and was worried sick it was mets. I think the AIs really do a number on our joints and we more prone to injuries. I use my shoulders a lot at work (I'm a musician) and I've always felt indestructible. But since BC and AIs it seems like it doesn't take much to have problems. In my incredibly un- scientific way, it feels to me like the AIs suck out all the lubrication in my body and so joints just have a harder time doing their job and get more easily injured.


    I don't know what to say about coping with the fear. Now after 4 years, I don't worry about every pain I get any more. But it just takes time. Things that helped me were that mets pain doesn't come and go and it will gradually get worse. When I had worried about my shoulder 6 months and it hadn't gotten much worse, I realized that that there just wasn't enough change for it to be cancer. This is just my way of dealing with the fear.


    One last thing- the 60% figure is WAY, WAY off base!!! For all breast cancer together it would be WAY lower. Even for all stage 3s.


    Good luck!

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