worried about bone mets

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brown471
brown471 Member Posts: 25
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I was diagnosed with Stage I in June of this year. Had labs and a chest x-ray initially but no additional scans as lymph nodes were clear and there was no sign of vascular invasion. Oncotype was low also at 12.  I finished 4 rounds of TC on 10/25/13 and started Tamoxifen 11/16/13.  My issue is I've been having low back, bilateral hip and right rib pain for the past 3 weeks. It started at night with my hips hurting intensely when I lay on my sides and deep buttock pain. It seems to have progressed to the lower back and left ribcage. I was walking 3 miles a day and since this started walking aggravates it. I did a short hike around the time it started but I would think any muscle strain would be healed from that already.

I do have a history of back pain for which I have seen a chiropractor over the last 15 years or so. It flares up intermittently for weeks at a time but it usually in the mid back region as I have scoliosis there. It has been in the hip and piriformis (deep buttock) area before also but not usually this intense.

I did have a massage which seemed to help. There does seem to be a muscle component to it but there is also an area of intense pain in my rib which hurts when pressed.

I emailed my onco today who wants me to wait 2 weeks for a bone scan. I already have an anxiety issue and waiting around for pain to go away is the hardest thing for me to do. I feel like freaking out and my mind wanders to the scariest places and I just can't seem to stop it.

I'm losing my ability to focus on anything but this and it's so unfair to my husband & kids.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited December 2013


    I don't have any good advice. Scanxiety is a common problem, and two weeks can seem like an eternity. Being in pain sucks too. Can you at least get enough pain meds to feel better?


    In some women (me!) bone mets don't hurt at all. Others have a lot of pain. There's no way to know anything without the scan.


    Wishing to the very best and hoping you can concentrate on the holiday season.

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited December 2013


    Brown


    I hope everything works out ok for you. I just wanted to say that chemo does terrible things to our bodies. For me, any pre existing issues were made much worse. It also caused me to have joint issues. My joints crack all the time. The Tamoxafin can cause aches and pains too. I know it is so difficult to have to worry about every ache and pain.


    Good luck and keep us posted.

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  • brown471
    brown471 Member Posts: 25
    edited December 2013

    Thanks Pajim. The doc suggested I stick with Aleve. Tried it today and it's working ok. I'm doing my best to focus just on the present moment instead of playing the what if game.

    Hi Shoppy. I guess I'm hoping that either the chemo or the tamoxifen is bringing my old issues to the forefront. I'm also having popping and cracking in lots of my joints and my old knee injury is kinda painful. 

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  • brown471
    brown471 Member Posts: 25
    edited December 2013

    I had the bone scan on Monday and it came back all clear. I have no idea what is really causing the pain but I'm so relieved it's not the cancer! Thanks for listening.

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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited December 2013

    Yay for clear scans!

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited December 2013

    Great news!  Have you tried a deep tissue massage?  It works wonders for aches and pains. Also the robaxacept heat wraps are good too. 

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  • brown471
    brown471 Member Posts: 25
    edited December 2013

    You guys are awesome. I am going to look into deep tissue massage. I have a lot of tender points that feel like deep bruises when you touch them. Maybe they can work that out. I'm also looking into acupuncture and yoga...which I think would really help with the anxiety stuff too.

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  • metrom
    metrom Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2014

    My lumpectomy was 7/12, radiation with only 1 positive node.  On & off arimidex for foot & leg pain.  Back in October I began to have what I thought of as "neuropathy".  Nerve type pain in r foot & occasionally left foot that has progressed to tingling/numb hands that wake me at night with burning in palm radiating up into arm.  See a rheumatologist for Lupus & we have tried gabapentin, Cymbalta & another that I don't remember.  Off the arimidex & taking letrozole now.  Still hurting every day.  I see a massage therapist who recommended chiropractics for possible pinch in neck.  Have had 2 episodes & the pain is worse (as the chiropractor suggested it might be).  Well, of course I now have convinced myself that I have a  bone met in my neck that is causing the pain.  I have passed all the lab tests that might cause neuropathy.  Should I call my oncologist?  Of course I should!  Can anyone give me some reassurance on this?  I hate this anxiety.

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