Shoulder/neck/back pain

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aggiemegs
aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
edited November 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I have realized that I tend to only post on the boards when I'm worried about something. So selfish of me! That being said, I'm back to do it again!

Earlier this year, before my reconstruction, I had some mild shoulder pain that wouldn't go away. I talked to my MO about it and she had me go for X-Rays and a bone scan to clear me before surgery. Both came back clear. She told me to see an orthopedic doctor after surgery. Well, after surgery, I forgot about my shoulder pain, and with all the meds I was on, I didn't notice it. Then it slowly started to come back, and I finally made an appointment with an orthopedic doctor when the pain got unbearable. He has me scheduled for an MR Arthrogram next Friday.

Meanwhile, I have also started having pretty severe pain in my neck and in one particular spot in the center of my upper back, and now in my lower back as well. And there's one spot at the base of my neck/top of my spine that is tender to the touch like a bruise. I'm not sure if all of this is related to my shoulder, and maybe caused by the way I've been nursing my shoulder? And my shoulder seems to be getting worse and worse and is at about a 9 on a 1-10 pain scale. I know the answer, but should I just wait and see what the MRI shows? Should I call my MO? I hate bugging her for something we've kinda already addressed. WWYD?

Also, completely unrelated, but over the last few weeks, I've started having to wear those bladder leak pads 24/7. I'm so annoyed. When did 35 become the new 65???? Stupid cancer.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited October 2017

    I do not think you would be bothering your MO. It is always worth a call.

    I have a lot of shoulder issues, including pain, from radiation.

    When I have a new pain, I always ask myself, "if I never had breast cancer, what would I blame this pain on?" Was I going sit-ups on a hard floor? Did I do a tough workout? Etc. 90% of the time, I come up with a logical rason for the pain. For the other 10%... I write it in the notes on my phone. If it still bugs me in 2 weeks, I call.

    Let us know how it goes. I hope the pain subsides.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited October 2017

    My MO said to let her know if I have an unusual symptom that isn't getting better after 3 weeks. That said, with new pain at a level 9 out of 10, calling is not a bad idea. That's a lot of pain. I had severe neck pain last month which turned out to be a muscle spasm, and it was horrible. Or even call the orthopedic specialist and let them know? MO might tell you to do that anyway since you are already on their radar for orthopedic type pain.

    Hope you feel better. Neck pain is the worst.

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited October 2017

    KBeee - I always look forward to your advice! It's always so refreshing. I will probably finally give her a call tomorrow. I swore to myself that if I was still hurting by Monday (2 days ago) I'd call, but I talked myself out of it. I would love to blame this on radiation or lymphedema, but it's on my non-cancer side. If I hadn't had cancer, I'd be clueless and just suck it up til my MRI, although I'm now wondering if I should also be having an MRI on my spine as well, which is the main reason I want to call.

    I will call my MO tomorrow and email my ortho to let them know about the additional pain. I need more meds anyway..

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited October 2017

    If you are having bladder leaking that is new onset, that can be from your spinal cord being compressed by a bad disc, herniated disc etc.  I had something similar happen, waited tooo long before seeking a doctor review and I ended up in emergency surgery due to a severly compressed spinal cord from a herniated disc at l4 and l5.  Please get it checked by a good neurologist Pains like that can be from a impacted nerve in spine or compressed cord.  Better to seek opinion. Good luck I hope all is well.

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited October 2017

    I think the reason I have talked myself out of calling every day is because first thing in the morning, the pain is about a 2-3, so it doesn't bother me as much. But once I'm up and moving around, it quickly escalates. I'll be calling as soon as the office opens later this morning. I've never liked calling....I don't like feeling needy/helpless. Just want to get on with life!

    Bevin - Oh geez, I wasn't even thinking about that. That was just me venting! I suppose I'll mention that to my MO as well - "Oh, and btw, I can't stop peeing myself." I'm such a mess. I really hate having to call my doc. It's kinda like scanxiety for me, but let's just call it callxiety? You'd think I'd be ok with it by now, but......no. Thanks for your tips!

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited October 2017

    Called my MO today and they told me to proceed with the MRI with my ortho. I have a message in to the ortho to ask about additional imaging on my back, but my MO nurse said it's likely all tied to my shoulder. So I shall wait in pain til I can get my MRI next Friday. Sigh. I hate pain

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited October 2017

    Uuugh. That is a long time to wait. Keep us posted. I hope they have answers... benign ones

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited October 2017

    So funny how long everything takes in the non-cancer world. I had my scan on Friday, but don't see the doc to go over results until 11/6. So frustrating! Meanwhile, I've been seeing my chiropractor regularly and my insurance covered a portable TENS unit, so at least I'm getting SOME relief. Shoulder is still throbbing though. I have a cd of my scan images, I just have no clue what I'm looking at! I'll be back when I know more

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited July 2019

    I’ve had neck pain for two months now and I never have neck pain. Last night I felt a maybe 3/8” round, on the left, towards the back at the base of the neck, when I turn my head to the right. It’s very hard to dig in and feel it. I just marked with a sharpie. Could it BC that’s traveled, or just a knot? It will be so hard to get a dr. To take the time to find it. Would an x-ray show it? Also have two thyroid nodules too small to biopsy. Anybody

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited November 2017

    Well, turns out I have a torn labrum and a cyst beneath it where it tried to repair itself. I will need shoulder surgery to correct it. Yay for no cancer, but boo for more surgery!!

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  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
    edited November 2017

    aggiemegs, glad it's not cancer, but I'm so sorry to hear that you'll need surgery to repair it. Ugh! You're on the road to healing from the DIEP still. Any idea how you got a torn labrum?

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