Lower back pain
Comments
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Hi, I'm only 1 1/2 years from a stage 1 diagnosis, and I find it very hard to believe I could have recurrence, but I'm at a loss. I have had lower back pain since October (7 months). I have never experienced back pain before And I can't think of anything that would have caused it. At first, It would come and go and I attributed it to a new office chair I was using at work. I changed the chair and the pain continued to come and go, I attributed it to long days of sitting at work, so I tried taking standing/stretching breaks every hour.
Over the past few months, it has become constant, and now I'm at the point where I have to sleep sitting up in a fetal position, and It's very hard to do any activity. Even walking too far is painful. I tried light stretches and could barely walk the next day.
I'm 47 and normally an active person. Now it's been months of inactivity.
It's a dull pain, not sharp at all. My glutes and hips are also starting to hurt now - I think from compensating for my back.
I tried to make an appointment but my oncologist hasn't called me back. He's limiting appointments because of COVID.
I can't imagine my cancer would come back so fast, but I'm really starting worry. I can't think of anything else that would cause this Has anyone had a similar experience? I just started back up on tamoxifen. I'm wondering if it could be that?Thank you!
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That sounds like sciatic pain. I ruined a disc just by the way I sat in the car over time. By the time I had surgery, I was feeling suicidal from the pain. Yep, the only tolerable position was to fold myself in half. Part of the disc had broken off and was resting against a major nerve, and it took the surgeon almost four hours to find it. I sure am glad he persisted! Some people have luck with PT, but I had the broken-off bit that kept getting worse. I think I had an MRI to diagnose my problem, but that was over 20 years ago. Good luck.
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AMLMom, call your oncologist and talk to him/her. Even if you have just a video visit, you can talk about the pain, its progression, etc. I had hip pain starting last September. I had an X-ray after a few months of continued pain. It showed some arthritis and scoliosis of the spine (which I already knew about). It wasn't until I found a lump in my armpit in February and had ultrasounds, scans and biopsies, that the mets were found. A PT friend gave me some stretching exercises which did help my hip and back pain before I got the mets diagnosis.
Anyway, do ask your oncologist. If they run tests and they show nothing or even just "little somethings", at least you'll have a baseline if the pain doesn't resolve. I'm so sorry about the pain. It's no fun at all!
Hugs to you.
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Get the oncologist involved as Sunshine said, just in case but also be aware that long long hours sitting can mess up/weaken your core/lower back/hips/glutes BAD and then things start compensating for other bits and all of a sudden a disk is blown. That happened to me in 2016. If no mets then next stop is neurosurgeon to see what is up in there. If you are finding the fetal position most comfortable that could be as it is opens up the spinal canal. Alternatively if your illipsoas muscle has shortened over time from sitting then that will also be more comfortable to have your legs drawn up (like sitting, but laying down
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If not mets and in a few months the pain has subsided/been resolved then I would suggest finding a PT to help strengthen and restore balance in the entire area. I also use a disk on my office chair now that approximates a large gym ball to sit on - I think its called the SitFit or something like that (got it on Amazon) which will help keep your spine dynamic through the day and force you to sit up straight!
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Thank you all. I can't imagine that I sit enough to cause this amount of pain, but who knows? I really appreciate your responses and validating that I should call my oncologist. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't being overly cautious. I hope that I can get an appointment soon.
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You would be surprised regarding the sitting - I would say its a cumulative effect. In my case I was working a high stress job living in a high stress city and sitting at work 10 hrs a day with poor ergonomics for a good 18 months, then decided to go on vacation back home to the US and did ALL the things - kayaking, canoeing, cycling, etc. In my deconditioned state putting that strain on is what caused the disk to go.
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that’s so interesting. I ran (jogged) a marathon in November to mark the one year anniversary of my diagnosis? Maybe the training contributed? Thanks again.
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I just wanted to circle back to let you all know that I decided to stop taking tamoxifen (again) to see if it could be causing my back pain. It has only been a week, but my back is already feeling SIGNIFICANTLY better. I still have some pain, particularly when I sit or stand for a long period and at night, but it seems to have made a huge difference already.
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Glad the pain has eased up!
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Thank you AliceBastable. After feeling great and posting that I was feeling much better yesterday, I had a rough night last night and had a lot of pain again today, so I called my MO's office. The nurse relayed my concerns to the MO, who told her to tell me that he's not worried about a possible connection to breast cancer, and sees no need to see me or speak with me. A couple hours later, the nurse called me back to tell me that my MO said I should follow up with my family doctor. That felt like a "cover your a**" call.
I'm mostly glad that he's not concerned, but on the other hand, I'm somewhat disappointed that he wouldn't even speak to me in person. I'm feeling a bit deflated and overall frustrated with the discomfort and inability to do anything.
I will be very upset if it turns out to be something related to BC.
I don't have a family doctor, but I will call a medical clinic tomorrow.
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Wow AML, after you find a general practitioner, think about replacing this oncologist! Maybe telling him you stopped the tamoxifen would get his attention...
Several years ago, I had a herniated disc causing sciatica: more of a numb feeling than pain. The injury was probably a result of twisting while lifting a shovel full of heavy, wet snow. Physical therapy did not help so I was able to get an MRI order which showed the problem. Treatment was a series of steroid injections.
The discomfort from metastatic disease in my spine was quite different. A vertebra was eaten away by the cancer to the point where I couldn't walk. A basic x-ray revealed that damage. Hopefully yours is a much simpler situation.
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Thank you Vlnrph. I spoke to a GP about my back and he was fantastic. Very systematic. I will have an x-ray tomorrow just to rule anything bone related out, then start PT. If the x-ray doesn't show anything, we will follow-up to see if the PT is helping. If still no relief after 2-4 weeks and nothing on x-ray, he will do an MRI then.
I hope you were able to get relief from your back pain.
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Hi, I'm sorry to keep posting about the same topic, but I'm really looking for some insights from anyone who may have had a similar experience. A recent x-ray of my spine that was recently done by a health clinic was clear. That doctor suggested that I ask my MO for a bone scan. My MO doesn't think a bone scan or other tests are necessary given my cancer type (although I have yet to speak to him - he will only communicate through his nurse - I assume he's trying to manage his schedule amid COVID, which I understand).
My pain is not sharp and doesn't feel like a "hot spot". It's more of a dull pain in the center of my lower back around my spine, almost like a tightening and tender sensation. It's more uncomfortable when I stand, sit, or walk for any period of time. It's also more painful when I transition from sitting to standing and when I am lying down. I still sleep sitting up and/or in fetal position for the most part for relief. I have made a point of not sitting for too long at one time while working, which has helped a lot in terms of relieving the more significant pain.
I don't have any leg pain or numbness, or problems with BM or incontinence. I do however have pressure in my pelvis and my hips.
I took a break from tamoxifen to see if that could be the culprit. I thought that helped somewhat for a short period, but may have actually been the fact that I was trying to move a bit more during the day.
I'm just wondering whether anyone has had similar symptoms and whether you think I should push for a bone scan or MRI.
Thank you!
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I'm so sorry this is happening to you.
Demand a bone scan from you oncologist and pressure him to order you one. Tell him It is not acceptable for you to live in pain and it has been happening for over 2 weeks. If they still say no, get a second opinion. You deserve to have answers.
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Is the GP doctor still going with the 2-4 weeks of PT and then an MRI? MRI is typically the next step for low back pain issues, although I would toss that onc overboard and find one who will pay attention to your concerns, regardless of what type/stage of cancer you have.
Low back pain is tough to pin down, but hip pain can be referred from the low back. If you are saying middle of low back and around your spine - are you talking about the area just a bit above the crack? There are two dimples back there - in that general vicinity? That could be your sacroilliac joints - they can become inflamed at which point steroid shots can help. But... cancer can also set up shop in there, or in other parts of the sacrum.
When you sleep, make sure you stuff a small pillow between your legs to ensure your spine is aligned, or under your knees if you are on your back.
Is there anyone you can ask to find a new oncologist for a second opinion?
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Thank you for your replies berries and Sondra. The doctor at the clinic didn't mention the MRI again - just the bone scan, but I will start PT next week and am planning to follow up with him about the MRI if things still don't approve in the next few weeks.
As for where the pain is, the discomfort is in that vicinity - maybe slightly up into the lumbar area.
Thank you very much for your advice. I do resent the way my MO minimizes my cancer and embarrasses me if I ask any questions. I will call him again next week and push for a bone scan. I really appreciate your support.
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Of course, we are here for you!
Be firm in your requests... do not let doctors minimize your concerns. They are valid and if he makes you feel embarrassed, I say, find a doctor that can work with you long-term and encourages questions! Keep us posted!! Sending you love.
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Hi, just a quick update in case this is helpful to anyone experiencing similar symptoms. My pain continues, and I would say the ache in my hips and pelvis has worsened. The doctors say that the chance of metastasis is low based on my cancer type, but the way the pain is presenting itself is somewhat concerning. Apparently a big concern is the fact that it is worse at night. In addition, I don't have any issues with moving or rotating my hips or legs (doesn't cause pain). They drew blood today to test for signs of metastasis and have ordered a bone scan. At this point, they aren't really testing or considering for anything else, but say that I should start physiotherapy right away. Thank you again for your support.
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AML - another option would be to see an orthopedic doc/surgeon. My SIL was diagnosed with degenerative discs at 45, and then rheumatoid arthritis, and then needed knee surgery. None of the problems were related to cancer.
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Thank you MinusTwo. I was told that the bone scan will pick up any non-cancer related cracks or other disc issues, and be able to distinguish those issues from metastatic disease. The doctor did a full examination and said that I wasn't presenting the way one would typically present with degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, etc., but that doesn't mean it's not one of those things. Because of the breast cancer and my specific symptoms, the first step is to rule out cancer. If the bone scan is clear, then he will order an MRI and perhaps refer me to an orthopedic surgeon.
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As I read through these posts again it came to me that I have been retired from the practice of pharmacy too long or I would have asked earlier whether you took any medications for relief!
My usual suggestion was to try acetaminophen first then ibuprofen or naproxen for the anti-inflammatory effect...
With the onset of my metastatic disease, I was initially treated as though it was muscle spasm so was given various prescriptions such as hydrocodone, cyclobenzaprine and diazepam. Those did not help much. What I needed was extensive surgery to remove the tumor which had wrapped itself around my spinal cord. That was almost two years ago and, after PT to regain strength and flexibility, I am doing well.
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Hi Vlnrph, were you a pharmacist? Wow.
I'm glad to hear that you are doing well after surgery and PT. I'm sure the journey wasn't easy for you.
Yes, I was given cyclobenzaprine. It doesn't really help and it makes me drowsy, so I don't bother taking it anymore. I have taken ibuprofen periodically. I'm open to suggestions, so happy to try acetaminophen then ibuprofen.
Thank you!
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AMLMom, I'm glad you're getting the bone scan. Let us know the outcome. (I'm going to "Add to my Favorite Topics" so I can follow your status.)
Hoping the best for you!
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Thank you so much Sunshine
. I really appreciate your concern and support.
I'm trying to stay positive. My bone scan is on July 14th - I will definitely keep you posted. Also, I think I'm going to go off tamoxifen (again) until then, just to confirm that's not the culprit.
Take care.
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Hello! I just received the results of my bone scan. All normal. Of course I am thrilled and eternally grateful. I wish I knew what is wreaking havoc on my body. Maybe tamoxifen, but I’ve been off for three weeks. Maybe unrelated, but would be a coincidence. Oh well - onwards! Thx for all the support.
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AML - congrats.
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great news
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