bone pain - mets?

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shawnaleach
shawnaleach Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I have stage 1 grade 3 I have been cancer free for 183 days. About a month ago I started having pain in my hip and back. At first the pain was almost unbearable, I called my chemo oncologist. I was told I had to see my family doctor first, I did he referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. I was put on meds and sent to PT. The pain is still there at times it is unbearable but I've learned to deal with it. I'm scared to death that it's bone cancer. Does anyone have advice?

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  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited April 2014

    You shouldn't have to put up with this pain.  It's likely nerve pain from a back issue, but that doesn't mean it's cancer.   I would request ( politely demand) an MRI . Either doc ( the onc or the ortho) could order it for you.

    You deserve to know what's going on. 

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  • shawnaleach
    shawnaleach Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2014

    I have but was told I have do the meds & PT for 3 weeks before my insurance will pay for the MRI.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited April 2014

    shawna, no reason this has to be cancer at all.  You could have pinched a nerve, herniated a disk, anything like that. 

    If it is bone mets (highly unlikely), three weeks shouldn't matter.  Maybe the PT will help! 

    One thing though -- do take enough pain meds to help.  Don't suffer in pain.  Will make the PT harder.

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  • Nettie1964
    Nettie1964 Member Posts: 759
    edited April 2014

    You don't mention what treatments you had!  That could be the cause of the pain!  I've had terrible back and hip pain and I'm told it's from the treatment!  I also can't have an MRI as the "symptoms" don't warrant it!   I'm seeing a chiro and a massage therapist and it is helping!

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited April 2014

    I would request (insist) on a bone scan.  I can't believe one hasn't been recommended by either the onc or the orthopedic doctor, with a history of breast cancer.  I am hoping it's only residual chemo crap and nothing else, as that can go on for years in some of us, but at least have a bone scan, you will be able to put your mind to rest.  Wishing you all the best.

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  • shawnaleach
    shawnaleach Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2014

    They've never given me a pec  scan either. I was told I didn't need one.

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited April 2014

    my MO told me if I ever have persistent pain in my bone over a month, I should call her ASAP. She never told me to call my primary doc first. You are only six month out why can't the oncologist see you? I don't get it. 

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  • Nettie1964
    Nettie1964 Member Posts: 759
    edited April 2014

    Same for me also...NO PET!! Said IDidn't need 

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  • shawnaleach
    shawnaleach Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2014

    I don't know, I've called twice and was told the something. I had to see my primary doc. and follow what he said to do. I was told my insurance wouldn't pay for a MRI unless I did it step by step 

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  • shawnaleach
    shawnaleach Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2014

    I don't understand that. I thought if you had cancer no matter what kind, that after treatment you had a PET scan done.

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited April 2014

    my MO said there's a lot of radiation to do the pet scan. From what she said I don't think she'll do another one soon. The MO did it bc my tumor was big. if it's small I doubt they'd do it on me. 

    I hope it's the residual pain from your treatment....pls keep us posted. 

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  • jltandreilly
    jltandreilly Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2014

    Hi all, I'm new to the site. I'm 4 years out - Stage 1b - Grade 3 tumor, both non-invasive and invasive DCIS, double mast - no chemo - tamoxifen though in full disclosure i haven't taken regularly for fear of the side effects. Had an abnormal cyst on my left ovary last year so had hysterectomy but they left my right ovary so not to throw me into surgical menopause. Didn't work, right ovary shut down after a few months. 

    Over the last few weeks I've been experiencing middle back (thoracic pain) mostly at night. It wakes me up and the pain almost takes my breath away and seems to be getting worse. During the day it dissipates though I can feel a little bit but it doesn't create the discomfort like it does at night/early morning. I also had a low grade fever last week. My onc is out of town and want to wait on her to schedule a scan next week, but was wondering if anyone else has had similar symptoms and what was the outcome. Thanks! 

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  • Nancy44
    Nancy44 Member Posts: 43
    edited April 2014

    Hi jtandreilly, please know that I'm just throwing this out there and have no medical background at all,  but it sounds a little like a kidney stone or infection presents; especially with a fever. I've had both and the pain is always worse at night and first thing in the morning.  Definitely worth a trip to the Dr. just in case.

    Be well, I hope it's nothing serious.

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  • shawnaleach
    shawnaleach Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2014

    Went for my MRI. Thank God not bone mets!!!!! Just a really bad tendon/ muscle  strain.

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  • jltandreilly
    jltandreilly Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2014

    Thanks so much for responding. Hoping you're right. I just know mid-back isn't very common and it's across the entire back. Fingers crossed

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited April 2014

    Shawn- good to hear your result. Yay....!!

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