nerve pain with spinal bone mets

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Hope991
Hope991 Member Posts: 46
edited March 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hello ladies. I have extensive bone mets, lots in the spine. there is alot of compressed nerves in my back that makes moving, standing, walking painful.

has anyone had treatment that helped bone mets make the compression pains go away?

my oncologist mentioned that Xgeva can stop cancer, strengthen the bone and the bone can heal? has anyone experienced healed bone?

h

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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited March 2018

    Yes, I have experienced healed bone. But, it will take time. For me, it took six weeks of initial treatment to start feeling the absence of pain. The bone strengtheners (Xgeva), plus treatment, will do a lot to fight the pain. Also, keep moving as much as you can. Slow, gentle exercise will also help relieve the pain.

    Best of luck.

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  • Sadiesservant
    Sadiesservant Member Posts: 1,995
    edited March 2018

    You may also want to consider a referral to a radiation oncologist. I had significant sciatica materialize as a result of spinal mets. One zap did the trick and it is gone.

    Hope you find a way to get relief.

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  • Hope991
    Hope991 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2018

    thank you for reply blainejenny, gives me some hope cause this pain is excruciating. i can't turn left, or right or bend over. it gives sharp pains that makes me gasp. how did your pain present? i have multiple compressions on the spine.

    will consider radiation sadie later as radiation treatment is scary to me.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited March 2018

    Hope, you should talk with surgeon and a radiation oncologist. If the problem is physical (i.e. the vertebrae are collapsing and causing problems) the orthopedic surgeon may be able to help. They can inject cement to stabilize the spine. If the problem is just that the cancer is pressing on the nerves, i.e. it's a cancer problem, radiation can really help.

    I've had both back surgery and radiation. The surgery helped the most, but it was a grueling experience.

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  • Hope991
    Hope991 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2018

    hi pajim, the radiologist told me we can hold off for the moment. My nurse did mention that we can put cement in. question pajim, do you know if you can put cement in the neck bones? I am hearing now that radiation really helps and it may be something i will consider if Ibrance won't help, but only if i really need to.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited March 2018

    Hope, I have no idea. I know they certainly can lower down. I see no reason they can't in the neck area but it will cause you some issues. Your neck won't bend and turn as well as it does now. My lower back is now totally stiff. Doesn't move much at all. But that's because they fused 4 vertebrae together. If only one vertebra is causing you problems. . .you get the picture.

    So if you see a doctor about this you need to ask lots of questions. Make sure they explain both the pros and cons. They should be willing to show you the picture of your neck and explain everything that is happening.

    Xgeva (or Zometa) will help keep the bone from breaking down further, and the cancer meds (you're taking something with Ibrance I presume? It's not meant to be taken on its own. It's a booster) will kill the cancer meds causing the bone to break down. Then it'll just matter how you fix the damage you already have.

    Your decision to see whether the cancer meds help is a good one. You just need to give it a bit of time. One thing you can do if you haven't already is to ask the docs to go over the pictures (x-ray, scans, etc.) and explain where they think the pain is coming from. That might help you understand what is going on.

    In the meantime I trust they're helping you with the pain?

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  • Hope991
    Hope991 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2018

    I'm sorry to hear pajim about your stiff back. yes, it will be ibrance/faslodex and xgeva. xgeva scaring me cause I already have some jaw issues and doc told me a possible side effect includes jaw and teeth issues.

    thanks for all the advice and will help me prepare better should i go that route.

    i saw a radiologist and he went over the scans. we didn't really make a match to the pain locations though.

    yes, have prescription for pain.

    are you still on xeloda? worked almost two years for me.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited March 2018

    Yes. 8 months now and it's treating me well. I took faslodex for four years, the last year with Ibrance.

    I hope your pain is well-controlled and that Faslodex kicks it to the curb.

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  • Hope991
    Hope991 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2018

    I hope xeloda works for long time for you pajim.

    thanks for all your advice and support.

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  • MAgerton
    MAgerton Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2018

    Hi. I actually have something very similar. Nerve pain is debilitating. I started physical therapy where they do manual traction & help me strengthen my core so all the burden to function is not placed on my back. I am so sore but it sure helps. Also, I take Gabapentin at night & I get Xgeva every three months. Best of luck to you.

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  • Hope991
    Hope991 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2018

    MAgerton, I have too much pain to start physical therapy. will start Ibrance/faslodex/xgeva combo soon. hoping this will help. if not then will look to radiation and other procedures. at the moment moving, standing is so painful. good luck to you too.

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