Scared - what is going on?
I had lumpectomy surgery 3+ weeks ago. Before that though, starting right after my diagnosis in September, I noticed my legs would sometimes go numb when I would sit down. After first freaking out, I decided it was stress and anxiety, and indeed those symptoms went away as I became more involved in getting tests and treatment for my breast cancer.
Lately though, when I sit down my legs are feeling weak. And sitting down, I feel like I have to go to the bathroom often, even wlhen I don't. It's getting more acute...of course here on a holiday weekend. I have been stressed waiting for my mammaprint score and a chemo decision.
Could this be a pinched nerve? Stress? Or am I on track thinking this might be a spinal compression or bone Mets?
I think I can wait to Monday but the anxiety is quite high!
Any helpful thoughts would be most appreciated
Comments
-
Wow, I know that's quite scary. I had the opposite problem - my legs felt like they were going out when I was standing. I had to quickly sit down for fear of collapsing. Lasted for about 30 seconds and happened about every 3 weeks for nearly a whole year. Dr was puzzled but it eventually went away and now, knock on wood, it hasn't happened for almost 2 years. Probably some sort of nerve issue
I'm glad you'll be talking to your dr soon. I'm sure they'll be able to put your mind at ease.
-
Can definitely be a pinched nerve in your back, i sometimes get that feeling in my legs, and arms too.Stress could cause those same symptoms also. Especially feeling weak in your legs and feeling like having to go to the bathroom, that's sign of anxiety. Try rolling on your back on a foam roller, that helps me re align my spine ,taking pressure off the nerves that affect my arms and legs . You can get the rollers in most sporting goods stores or Wal-Mart, Target or Marshalls
-
I think the anesthesia for the operation can also cause temporary nerve issues especially for those with low blood pressure. My outer right thigh went really numb for almost 2 months post lumpectomy op and the first days I also experienced sharp (electric, not sure how else to describe it) pain in certain movements. The fact that we have to sleep on our backs after the surgery also does contribute to more pinched nerves.
-
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. Worth mentioning to your doc but the fact that this happened to you before and then stopped is less worrisome. As cancer patients, we all know the "what if" game, so I am sending you good thoughts and virtual hugs. If the anxiety is proving too much, don't hesitate to ask your doctor for meds that can get you through the worst of the waiting-games. Best to you.
-
Thank you all - I cried when I read your responses this morning. By the end of last night, I had totally accepted that my cancer had spread. My mind is actively trying to convince me I have metastasis.
It could very well be anxiety, pinched nerve, and I DO have low blood pressure so that was interesting to think about!
Last few nights when I lay down to sleep, it feels like swirly wavey feeling in the middle of my back. Could that be nerves too? I was trying to picture if it felt like termites eating my bones (like someone described bone met) but I dunno.
I obviously need to talk to my doctor, but I can’t get to him until Monday and gosh knows how long scans will take. So it’s such a relief to hear it could be nothing but a pinched nerve or anxiety.
This disease has turned me into a basket case of fear and anxiety! Before this, I really was a sane logical thinker.
-
Just last night, after a long car ride, my arms and hands were numb and tingling. I lay on my foam roller, and rolled it up and down my back. The bones kind of crackle back into alignment, taking pressure off nerves in my spine. The numbness goes away.
-
You also did not mention your age. I know a TON of women going through menopause that have that "ants crawling" feeling and some of the weird body experiences you mention.
If you can get a hold of your primary care doc, they can phone in a Rx and you can pick it up somewhere. I have asked for valium and filled the script. I have yet to actually take the pill, but knowing it is there if I really have panic--comforting.
-
I will get one of those rollers CaliKelly!
I am 55 years old and passed menopause. Still have that antsy feeling at night. Just took a vicadin because I just can’t handle anxiety tonight.
But, after a very long weekend I went to an appointment with my radiologist to talk about planning and so I talked about my back problems. She ordered a bone scan. Nervous but at least I'll know. She didn’t seem concerned so hope she’s right
-
My weird back problems are stressing me out so much. At the end of November, I was talking with my radiologist and she said it was probably nothing, but ordered a bone scan. The next day I had an appointment with my MO. He was VERY strong in his opinion that the symptoms were not bone mets. He thought the bone scan was a big waste of time. Chemo was about to start in a few days, and I asked if we should wait for the bone scan results to start chemo. Big, strong no on that. He was so certain about the bone scan being a big fat nothing burger, he said proceed with chemo. He didn't want to override another doctor, so he said it would be up to me if I wanted the bone scan, and we didn't need to hold up chemo.
I came away so relieved because MO was so certain. Thought, ok this bone scan can wait awhile since I was dealing with chemo.
Of course, now I have tailbone pain when I sit. Pretty constant now. I can think of lots of reasons for tailbone pain....too much sitting being first on my list, chemo causing bone pain, pinched nerve, just old, etc. Regretting not doing the bone scan. Before, the feelings were more numbness in my legs, feeling pressure when I sat down, shaky swirly feeling when I would lay down to sleep.
So...I just called and scheduled bone scan. Have to wait because next week is my worst chemo days from a side effect perspective. January 2nd is my whole body bone scan.
The middle of my lower pelvis is sore when I sit down. At night when I take my anxiety med, it does feel better (which is what my MO said would be a sign it was my anxiety causing my feelings), but I sleep on my side. Not pain in the night, but a shaky weird feeling. Pain is during the day when I sit.
So hard to wait two weeks, but it's my own fault. I really hope this tailbone sitch is just soreness from sitting or a pinched nerve.
-
Taoxotere will aggravate any existing inflammation and pain (at least it did for me.....big time) so that may be why your pain has increased so much. Hoping all comes back clear.
-
Thank you KBeee. It is comforting to think of all the other reasons of why my lower back may be hurting. I'm making a list here, so I can read it when I start to panic.
-
OK, just returned from my 2nd chemo treatment, and I'm sitting here just crying. I talked to the nurse practitioner about my back pain. She said it likely wasn't the chemo, especially since I was having some symptoms before chemo started. It wasn't pain though until about a week and half ago. She said that she is glad I'm getting the bone scan, because it sure sounds like "something is up." And my favorite, "something was brewing and now it's progressing." I kind of lost in the treatment center there, and then she said she just wanted to be honest and she knew it was scary. Then, realizing I might need a little more TLC, then there were half hearted reasons my back could hurt for other reasons. I am so scared right now!
My bone scan needs to move two days later, because of my Nuelasta treatment that might mess up the bone scan results. So I have to wait until Fri Jan 4, and then that means I have to wait through the weekend for results.
I have a very bad feeling about this and have for a couple months now. I can think of other reasons why my lower back hurts every time I'm sitting down....my body has been through a lot, I am sitting more than I used to, pinched nerve, etc. Today though, this woman totally confirmed my worst fear...without seeing any tests!
-
A nurse sez, based on some symptoms that could mean ten different things, "something was brewing and now it's progressing"? She's got xray vision!!!
I'm sure she meant well, wanted to motivate you to get the scan, but now that you've scheduled it, consider that there are far more common causes for those symptoms, and I sure hope the oncologist was right on target and the scan shows nada. Let us know please.
I hope you have a peaceful holiday.
-
Oxygen, I can’t thank you enough for your reply. Tears stopping... you’re right.
-
Lillian just had to stop in to say wipe those tears away. Sometimes we need a hug and reminder that it’s not worth worrying about until it’s something to worry about. I hate this disease and what a mental torture it becomes.
Be kind to yourself do something that makes you happy. January 6 will be here in a blink. I’ve had a bone scan. Results are usually right away it’s just waiting for them to be released that holds themup.
Xoxo
-
That nurse was completely out of line. Taxotere back pain brouhgt me to my knees; it was horrible, and the nurses and docs like to minimize that it could be from that. I'd had mild back pain before, but it was horrible them. It has since decreased to what it was before.
-
Hi Lillian
In case this helps while you are waiting, I had terrible back pain while in treatment. Just like you, I was doing a lot of sitting...turned out to be sciatica. Also had it while in the throes of Taxotere - had my dose reduced to 80 per cent of what it should have been. Bingo! It went away.
I know it is difficult undergoing treatment but...aches and pains are not always cancer, as the wonderful Chrissy B once said to me. She was right.
Hoping for the same for you.
Alice
-
Oxygen, Mamasha, Kbeee, Alicethecat2 ~ I cant thank you enough for your support. I was really upset and your feedback was heaven sent. Thank you for taking the time to write, especially during the holiday!
Back still hurts when I sit, but I just run thru the list in my head of all the things it could be...especially taxotere, Neulasta, sitting too much and stress.....and that calms me for now.
The bad news I just found out I have to see nurse Ratchett on monday since my onc is on vacation. Checking my blood counts a week after chemo. I’m going to try and get someone else. She and I are kind of done.
Yesterday I evidently had an infection due to the chemo treatment (and probably the stress of being told I likely have stage 4 cancer) so I called the triage line. I’m fine with an antibiotic, but the guy said “oh and btw, nurse x asked if you scheduled that bone scan.” I had already scheduled the bone scan before I met her! Anyway, I asked the triage guy...hey can chemo cause low back pain?
He said, “oh yeah, taxotere and Neulasta...you bet.”
Geez.
Anyway, rant off. I sincerely thank you guys for your help.
-
Ms. Gish (still love your screen name!) I was taking neupogen during chemo and had terrible spine and hip pain from it. Post treatment I felt a 'weakness' in my hips and legs that bordered on numbness for months after. Getting up from a chair and especially out of a car made me feel 90 years old. Bladder weakness was also prevalent. Once I got moving again and on a regular weight bearing exercise program (as well as less stress) I slowly started feeling stronger...pain and numbness receding. My MO put the blame on chemo and the neupogen. Glad you're getting scanned, keep us posted on your progress please! I'm sure you're experiencing neulasta and chemo SEs...crossing fingers it's just that. Terribly sorry the season sees you suffering with all this...I went the diagnosis this time 5 years ago...so rough. Hang in, one step at a time.
BTW, I cracked up at your 'Nurse Ratchet' comment...I used to call my first NP that...and called the lady that drew my weekly blood for chemo'Countess Dracula'...your sense of humour will help carry you through. Hugs!
-
Egad, sounds like you and I have the same sense of humor! Love the Gilda Radner quote....totally agree on that.
Thank you for sharing you had spine and hip pain during treatment. That is reassuring to me this is normal back pain for chemo/neulasta, but I'm sorry you struggled with all that. Sounds awful!
This waiting thing is really hard. Wish I had the scan in my hand now and it just says...you're fine Gish, so I could move on dealing with all the rest of this breast cancer treatment. But wishes in this case, are like throwing away days. For the next couple weeks, all I am going to try and appreciate is that today, I'm alive and don't have mets.
I do really think it's the Taxotere especially. But I guess we will see.
Thank you ever so much for your support. I'm so grateful.
-
Any news Ms. Gish?
-
Hi Egads, thank you for checking on me. Unfortunately, no news. The whole body bone scan is on Friday 1/4. I had originally scheduled it for today, but they told me to move it back two days so that the Neulasta in my body didn't skew the test results. I think I might get the results on Monday.
Nurse Ratchett and I had an appointment on Monday to check blood counts, which went pretty well until she asked about my back. When I was saying the results of the bone scan would go to the RO who ordered the test, she said the results would go to her office too. I'm not sure if my MO will be back from vacation on Monday or shortly thereafter, but anyway, she said she could give me the results. After literally losing my breath in shock, she then asked, "can you take bad news over the phone, or would you like to make an inperson appointment with me for Monday?" WTH? Bad news? That's how you talk to patients? And this kind of information should be delivered by an MD!
Tomorrow I'm going to call my RO and fill her in on the latest and ask her to give me the results. I may ask for an appointment for tomorrow or Friday, just express why she needs to stay involved.
TBH though, I'm trying to stay positive but I can't shake this feeling that there is bad news coming my way. This nurse isn't helping, but also, my back still hurts...reminding me....hey, still here!
Monday will come sooner or later I guess. Feeling not much hope this scan is going to give me good news. Trying hard to push it away though.
-
LillianGish I'm hoping you get good news, maybe the nurse is trying to help but she sounds out of line. I think it might be the Neulasta, I do get lower back pains from it. I had a bone scan before chemo and was very nervous, but turned out ok, I got the results the same afternoon. We’re all hoping you get good news, try and relax, but we all know that’s easier said than done. Hugs from NY
-
Ms. Gish, well hells bells, isn’t Nurse Rachet a peach! I think she may have been doing what most medical peeps do when they discuss giving results, but most have the good sense to ask “would you prefer a call or appointment to discuss results?” Putting the words ‘bad results’ in the mix goes a long way in terrifying patients....and exacerbating the natural anxiety that is part and parcel of this damned disease. I have to give her full points for being consistent....consistently an asshat!
Hang in and hang on. What you’re feeling is understandable and reasonable. Waiting for answers is akin to being rolled in salt with open wounds. I never have been able to master the art of ‘letting it roll” and ‘assuming the best”, so I hear ya’ loud and clear. Just know that your chemo and neulasta can cause terrible aches and pains. Mine felt like my hips and spine were being hit by an axe...so your issues have a good chance of having benign causes.
You’re dealing with this the right way...and that’s the best you can do for now...with all of us behind you of course! Positives being sent your way, Keep us posted please!
Oh.....and give Nurse Ratchet the appropriate finger for me
-
Be sure to let your MO know exactly how the nurse has been treating you. Egads put the appropriate way to ask the question (would you prefer results......) but nurse ratchet obviously does not have compassion or social skills. I am not sure why she is working in this field. Hoping all comes out fine.
-
Thank you KBeee ~ I'm working on excising her from my life. MO still on vacation.
Egad ~ LOVE your thoughts! Thank you.
The word asshat is so underutilized in the English language and yet such a perfect description. Regardless of the diagnosis, she handled this very cruelly.
So, I called my Radiation Oncologist office today, trying to ensure that she is the one who gives me the bone scan results instead of Ms. Grim Reaper, Nurse Practitioner. They confirmed that since the RO ordered the scan, it's in her bucket to give me the results. She's not in on Monday, so I have to wait until Tuesday. I'm not answering any calls on Monday from NP's office if she tries to call.
My sister just said, she has no doubt this test is going to show nothing. She's usually right about stuff....some sort of sixth sense about life. From her lips to God's ear.
-
Hi! Sending well wishes to you and just my non medical, was just reading, feel I need to give an opinion here. I don't think you have mets. There was no cancer found in your nodes. It's probably from chemo treatment. It is very hard to settle oneself down to the fact that some of the cancer treatments are causing the aches, pains, or escalating prior symptoms and/or conditions one may have. I do hope all is well with your scan. Hang in there...…….
-
Thank you ctmbsikia! I read your reply while I was waiting to head into the bone scan. Cheered me up.
So, I got a quick peek at my scan when it was finished and up on the screen. Saw a whole lot of white bones that looked normal, but I was so far away from the screen. When I commented to the technician my bones looked pretty good (joke!), he said "yeah this must be a baseline screen...this is your first one right?.....yes, this is the baseline that they will use to compare future bone scans."
I'm grasping at straws here completely, but to me that said he saw a pretty normal scan and was assuming this was a tool they would use later to compare if anything changed later. Just call me Pollyanna!
In the meantime though, last night by backside hurt to sit again and in the middle of the night I woke up with feeling that the muscles in the middle of my back muscles were like a running machine, pounding repeatedly. Didn't hurt, but it just is such an odd feeling! Stress maybe.
-
I am currently undergoing chemo (completed 5/6) and I have been having lower back pain that sometimes feels like pulsating shocks up my spine. I brought up to my MO how I was worried about mets, and he smiled and laughed kindly. He reminded me that my PET scan was clear before starting treatment, and Taxotere and Neulasta can cause the symptoms I have. Just a little reassurance while you wait to get your results!
-
Fritzmylove, thank you! Yes, reassurance on a long weekend. Bless you.
...and you're almost done with chemo!! Woot Woot!!
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team