BONE METS AND HARNESS OR CORSET?

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Lily55
Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
edited May 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Just wondering how many of you with bone mets also have to wear the metal corset/harness to keep your back stable? I haven´t seen anyone mention it?

I needed mine from first MRI as spinal cord and wall was bulging so was at risk of immediate paralysis.....but I need to wear it still, even after neuro surgery to help with pain and stability and since then two more vertebra have fractured and I have fractures in ribs as well.....

Have been told I need to wear it for 6 months minimum...I am allowed to move for a few minutes without it but otherwise its on 24/7.......not as uncomfortable as it looks as it does help with pain but........I also need a walker to walk long distances but when I don´t have what they call morphine rescue meds (extra doses sublingually for pain) I am a lot steadier......


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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited April 2019

    After my big surgery last summer (a five level fusion) I had a thoracic lumbar sacral orthotic to wear when upright but could take it off to sleep or shower. It kept me from bending or twisting. After six weeks, I was given the OK to discontinue it and the walker, however my muscles were so weak, it felt better to have it on for support especially by the end of the day when I was more tired. The wrap around design was adjustable with velcro.

    Then, less than a month later, I was fitted for a cervical brace because of problem areas in my upper spine. Again, it was not a 24/7 requirement to have it on - more of a safety device until the interventional radiology procedure was scheduled. Following vertebroplasty to a couple spots which helped stabilize them, I put the thing in my closet. It was a plastic contraption which prevented me from driving because I was not able to turn my head. The appearance was similar to a Star Wars Storm Trooper costume...

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited April 2019

    Thanks for replying......I had a vertebroplasty in February as the wall was bulging........

    My harness is metal and supports across the chest and around the middle with a solid metal back, coated in plastic.....its more comfortable than it sounds but it seems its not that common to need one of these.....

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  • amarantha
    amarantha Member Posts: 457
    edited May 2019

    INTERESTING ! Folks I was doing a google scan on morphine and came across this harness thread. I am fascinated by this solution to bone mets, since I have a lot in spine and neck vertebrae, and I feel like something has gotten out of place. I have never heard of the harness or corset concept. I hope more people will answer this thread with experiences to share about such ! I am in a lot of pain from back mets and am really looking forward to hearing about answers. We also need to know what is happening with the abdominal mets - something has happened down there, but what ? stomach wall ? an organ ? the peritoine ?


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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited May 2019

    Hi Amaranth,

    All I can say is that I can be without the harness for thirty minutes before pain gets a lot worse...I wear mine 24/7 apart from showering.....in my case my spinal cord was at risk and they needed to stabilise my back....

    I don't know how to post images but if you can I can tell you which is the harness I have.

    I am on Fentanyl patches for pain....as well as other painkillers

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