looking for reassurance

momand2kids
momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
edited June 2014 in Pain


All


I am over 5 years out from lumpectomy, chemo and radiation-almost off the AI's.


Sunday I started to feel flu-like-- and exhausted-but aren't we all---two kids, fulltime career, Christmas......


Yesterday, the flulike symptoms sort of left, but there is a pain in my left mid back--- just can't seem to shake it. I do lift weights and work out, but have not done that since Saturday---trying heat, advil... stayed home today. Called PCP and waiting to hear back---but you know, these things can freak us out. I normally don't worry about this too much, but this pain is just hanging on.... felt slight better this morning, but is still painful.


I am not really asking anything, maybe just looking for reassurance. I have had a pulmonary embolism, so I know what that feels like, don't think that is what this is....


I must admit I am always hesitant to call because I don't want to go in and be seen and have tests... I know that is crazy, but I had enough interaction with the medical profession during bc to last me a lifetime!!!!

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Comments

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


    Hi mommyandtwokids, I don't have experience with this, but there is a thread called 'if you are not stage IV but have questions please post here' - I've read through a good amount of it and it seems like the general rule of thumb with pain that you are worried might be mets is to wait two weeks & see if it resolves itself. But that's just my impression - you might want to try posting your question there, somebody will respond pretty quickly. Hope that it is nothing and just goes away all on its own - we all deserve to have that happen sometimes.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited December 2013


    Dollars to donuts you hurt a muscle.....there are pretty big ones wrapped around your back to front. Sometimes I get groin pain from back pain (referred pain) that sent me worries about colon cancer (but didn't have it....I get this pain whenever I do something I shouldn't do). Having had two mastectomies, I have found my mid back to be very vulnerable now. However, take the two week rule and then see about it. I agree with you....seeing doctors freaks me out now (diagnosed twice with b.c. so really paranoid...even the time of year to see doctor as both were diagnosed Jan/Feb....so try to stay away from doctors about that time...crazy...I know.....but I can sympathize with how you feel) Be well!!!! PS you would be surprised how muscle relaxants can untie those "knots" you get from seized muscles and stress about worry about siezed muscles.

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited December 2013


    Something you might want to consider: Are you over tired. If you are, it might just be your adrenal glands getting cranky. Try alternating heat and ice, 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. If tolerated, have someone rub them a little. Usually helps me.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited December 2013


    my dx is kidney stone. IMO. drink plenty of water and rest. you just had the flu right? or could be kidney infection. water and rest

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


    feel like a complete idiot--- as they were running test (EKG, pe test, etc) they were asking me about the past few days-- and I remembered that I had had a teeny tiny fender bender on the way to work-- could not have been going more than 10 mph.... no damage, we did not even exchange paperwork it was so small... did not make the connection between my left side and the accident--- I took enormous amounts of advil which then drove my bp up--- which had them more concerned than the pain.


    Anyway, stopped the advil, used ice instead of heat, bp went down to normal and I am now fine.... thanks for all the suggestions!!!

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited December 2013

    Momand2kids...oh good. I know you were worried. No way any of us will ever get past that fear factor. I had a fear from Tamoxifen last week. I had burning on the back side of my calf that happened just from standing still. I exercise too mostly on the treadmill. I walk very hard and very fast. No running. Anyway my fear was DVT which means a clot. Not good. Went in for an ultrasound. No clot. Dr blamed it on the treadmill so stayed off for the past week. No burning. diane


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

    Just an update--turns out I had shingles!!! Never saw that coming-- small rash and devastating pain in my back (so NOT from the car accident)  Thankfully got viral meds in time and it is resolving nicely..... what  a scare.......

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited December 2013

    Oh wow - didn't think of that! I'm glad they looked closer and found out!  Take care of yourself.

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

    LOL - so we diagnosed it as: seized muscles, cranky adrenal glands, kidney stones, or car accident. 

    Momand2kids - So happy for you that you have shingles (some thing that only gets said to cancer patients). Seriously, I'm glad they are getting better.   

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

    we are quite a group of MD's, aren't we??? Thanks ziggy--I too was so glad to hear shingles... really, how crazy is that????? other than the tiredness, I feel fine--so I am just going to go with it..... 

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited December 2013

    Hey mom of 2kids!

    I ended up with shingles,  6 months after ending rads while on the way to Maine!  ever try to get a doc off the coast of Maine?  nurse on the trip confirmed the shingles and I dealt with them with cortisone 10 cream till I got home and saw my docs!

    Hope you are doing well these days!  I am almost at the end of my time with AL! 

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

    Thanks Proud... nice to hear from you.  I am feeling better, but still under the weather--- trying to lay low for a while..... I think once I am healed,I will get the vaccination--even though I am not eligible for it... may have to just pay for it myself....but I think it will be worth it--this is so debilitating... it is amazing.   I have been knocked down for about 3 weeks by this.... no exercise, no really going anywhere, no work.... and some real exhaustion..... But, I do know that I am feeling better than I was at the beginning, so that is a plus...

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