And arthritis, too?

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gailmary
gailmary Member Posts: 332
edited July 2021 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

After each scan I would see MO. He always reported i have arthritis and continued on with report. I never questioned it. I had few aches and pains and never took pain killer for overworking in the garden. Some of you likely have seen my posts about my back pain after way too much work outside. Finally a cervical mri showed a bulging disk at C7-T1 and arthritis throughout cervical spine and stenosis causing some nerve issues I should have complained about.. Oh boy. I haven't needed anything for pain before the garden injury.

I always suspected the arthritis was low back what with bending to pull weeds for hours every week. Well In the last week of months laying around cause of upper back pain, my lower back has been hurting. Great. Will I always worry now and question if it's arthritis or cancer? Seems from some of you the radiologist has a hard time differentiating the two. Is this true? How often will I need a biopsy? Any OTC pInkillers take are of that?. I haven't found one. Most barely work half the time stated on bottle between doses. Yes, I am aware radiation could zap if it is cancer, but can/do they zap anywhere in spine? I'd worry silly about it hitting lungs... Mom died of lung fibrosis.

Glad to to know I have scans tomorrow. I'm going nuts. Tumor markers have been low.

Tell me your arthritis story as it relates to your cancer.

Gailmary

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited July 2021

    Gailmary,

    Since starting AI's ten years ago (I've been on all three) I have had increasing pain in my hands, knees and feet. I asked my mo about this and she took my hand and said (very gently), “ Well we may want to consider that since you are in your sixties that some of your pain could be arthritis." So I asked her about how to distinguish between possible progression and arthritis. She advised use of the two week rule and then to follow up from there if needed. Over the years I've had about 3-4 off schedule PET scans for pain that thankfully turned out to be nothing. It was a bit worrisome as it was happening but getting the scans immediately put my stress to bed.

    Pain relief … Aleve (naproxen sodium) works for me and I use it in the daytime. I use cannabis in the evening. I want to stay away from opioids for as long as possible.

    As for rads to the spine, I'll defer to someone who has more knowledge in that area. Take care.

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  • gailmary
    gailmary Member Posts: 332
    edited July 2021

    Exbrngrl. Thanks, yes, I'm aware of the 2 week rule. And I'm always reminded they watch for a gradual increase in tumor markers.

    I've been told I wouldn't likely get pet scan as medicare only covers 3 per dx. Just any of the other tests. I just don't relish the thought of having to get another biopsy every time I turn around. Oh, gee, I don't relish any part of this.

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