Lower back pain

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!

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.

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.

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.

Glad the pain has eased up!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

great news