Hip pain

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YogaJunkie
YogaJunkie Member Posts: 4
edited August 2019 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi there, I'm new to this forum. I was diagnosed 18 months ago, stage 1, grade 2 IDC. I was 35 when I was diagnosed and had zero risk factors. There were a lot of things that went wrong, and everything was delayed more than it should have been. Nevertheless, my doctors and I decided to do a bilateral mastectomy given my age and yet unknown genetic results. I've been cancer free since March of last year. That said, Tamoxifen has not been kind to me. I've not tolerated it well, and have had a lot of pain, anxiety, and awful hot flashes. I started developing really bad whole body joint pains, particularly in my hands, feet, and chest. The chest pain of course triggered chest CT scans and xrays, which were clean. I saw a rheumtaologist who subsequently diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis. I'm being treated for that now, too. Except recently I have developed severe hip pain - sort of in the iliac crest region on my left side. Same side as my cancer. I'm terrified and confused. Terrified that it's bone mets, confused about whether it's psoriatic arthritis, tamoxifen, mets, or something else. All I know is that it hurts all the time, and I can't even lay on the hip at night because of the pain.

Is anyone able to describe the pain from bone mets? I'm probably just overly paranoid, but I can't help it. I'm terrified of cancer coming back. Thank you all for your help!

YogaJunkie


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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited August 2019

    H!

    My oncologist's rule is that if I experience pain in an area for longer than two weeks, she wants to know about it. Since your pain is persistent and doesn't get better/worse, you might want to call your MO. He/she could order a bone scan to rule out mets. You're right that it could be anything, but if it's lasted longer than two weeks, you might just want to have it scanned. ((Hugs))

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  • DiagnosisDisruption
    DiagnosisDisruption Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2019

    I had some doozie hip pain for several months. It was diagnosed by my primary as Dysfunctional IT Hip Band. Oncologist ordered CT and bone scan and it all came back clean. Both ordered physical therapy. Physical therapist found out, by all sorts of little movement tests, that I had no core strength (despite working out, walking several miles a day and yoga twice a day - apparently I cheat!). We are ironing that out, but it does still hurt occasionally, especially when I lay on it.

    My first thought, naturally, was mets too. I have a feeling that's going to be the rest of my life. I just am going to have to trust scans and bloodwork. And a physical therapist. That's twice they've talked me off the ledge (first was with breast lymphedema).

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  • Catsme
    Catsme Member Posts: 74
    edited August 2019

    Hi YogaJunkie,

    Sorry you're having discomfort. I had horrible hip pain about a month after my mastectomy. I was also afraid it was mets.

    My MO wasn't too concerned, but ordered a bone scan for my peace of mind. It was clear.

    The pain did gradually go away. One thing I thought might have caused it was sleeping in a recliner and change in activity level during recovery period.

    My MO gave the same two week guidance Elaine Therese mentioned.

    Keep us posted.

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  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
    edited August 2019

    YogaJunkie,

    Sorry you’re having hip pain. I agree with the other posters to talk with your doctor.

    I too am a yogini and regular exerciser. I have found that, unfortunately, Tamoxifen exacerbates any muscle soreness I experience. My physiatrist said it’s like the difference between having a cold and having the flu. After exercise I used to feel sore. After exercise on Tamoxifen I feel like my muscles survived Hurricane Sandy. I still haven’t quit exercising though.

    Best to you and keep us posted


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  • YogaJunkie
    YogaJunkie Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2019

    Thanks everyone! I've really struggled with the emotional side of recovery, and I didn't even have a bad diagnosis! Anxiety has gotten the best of me, and I'm sad to say that I haven't gotten to the point of being thankful for life (and thankful for an “easy" case)... I'm still angry that it happened and am finding it difficult to get over that. I've tried individual therapy and group therapy, and neither really helped. Hence why I am trying this :).

    Anyhow, I find things like body pain particularly difficult. I find it hard to find balance between being proactive and “tuned in" to my body, watching for early signs of recurrence, and being a hypochondriac. Unfortunately, I feel like I end on the hypochondriac side more often than not. That said, I am legitimately in pain, so...

    Sorry to ramble. I feel like folks in this forum may understand me and what I am feeling. I have an appointment with my MO on Monday and will follow up with her (and rheumatology) then.


    Thanks for all the encouragement!


    YogaJunkie

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