Bone mets vs arthritis

Cavemouse

Hi everyone, well, today I had my first bone scan. My GP ordered it for mid upper arm pain that I've been having since the start of the year with no relief from cortisone injections etc.  after the second stage of scanning they said they had found some hot spots in my spine and so I had to have a further 60 min 3D scan of spine followed by another full body CT. 
i do have a lot of back pain which almost makes me cry in the night.. ( hence I don't sleep much) but I've always put it down to arthritis which I have been dx with many years ago and just thought it was getting worse with age.   
My breast ca was only stage 1c T1c N0 M0 ....treatment was total mastectomy with no further treatment. 
Im feeling a tad anxious now 😕. Does anyone have any similar experiences? 

kmakm

Oh dear that just sounds like an absolute clusterf**k of pain, testing and worry! You poor love. I haven't had a similar experience, but I wanted to reach out and say I hope you get good news very very soon. Big hug, K xox

kezmusc

Your're not on any hormone therapy @Cavemouse?  I have chronic lower back and left hip pain since starting HT.  Have had 2 x bone scans and CT's because I have myself convinced it was something horrid.  It's not.

arpie

Sorry you are going thru this pain, @Cavemouse - but try not to overthink it ..... wait until you get the results & discuss it with your GP or the specialist. Hopefully, it will all be good news (if arthritis is ever good news!  I also have it 24/7 & it is the pits!)   Try not to work yourself up too much ..... all the best for good results xx

Spiv1803

I will be following this, as my knee hurts so bad. Aches and feels like I've twisted it. Anyone else get bad pain after their hot flushes stopped?

Giovanna_BCNA

hello @Cavemouse checking in to see how you are going?  Dont hesitate to call the helpline on 1800 500 258 if you would like to speak with a cancer nurse for information and or support.

iserbrown

Hi @Cavemouse
How are you? Hopefully the scans gave a clearer picture of the reason for all the aches and  you are feeling much better 
Take care

Blossom1961

Hi @Cavemouse Try not to worry about it as that doesn’t help. I started getting severe cramps in my upper legs and glutes four weeks after my final chemo. The nightly pain keeps me from sitting, laying down or standing still, but I can hobble. All the doctors just shrugged at mewith no idea of cause. Four weeks later again I saw the onco for my follow up and she says it is delayed reaction from the taxane and doesn’t know how long it will last. In between times I googled it and found all kinds of scary things so am very happy the onco sorted it for me. Follow up tests are this week to confirm it but I am much more relaxed about it now.

Patti J

I don't have any bone pain at all. This is despite the fact that I  have  very extensive bone mets.
My oncologist told me that the only time I  would have bone pain was if the cancer was in my bone marrow.

Silba

I have 2 spots on my hip, one is 100% mets which they did radio on the other one right on my hip joint which is painful to walk with they are not sure, even after a PET scan whether is arthritis or mets so they are just going to monitor it, which frustrates me as I think how can they not tell the difference, apparently is tricky ???

 So I have also told them I have severe pain in my tail bone , they just shrug and say nothing shows on the scan ???

So take my pain meds and trying to keep active , and just swear a lot when the hip just doesn't want to move......

TonyaM

We are always going to worry about new aches n pains- it comes with the cancer package! I have shoulder and lower back pain that was getting worse so had a ct scan of my spine.Turns out it’s arthritis with nerve impingement-yay! not cancer.
It’s worse at night so I either take panadol or Mobic. I’m also thinking I might need a new mattress?

kmakm

We're due for a new mattress too @TonyaM. Pity they're so expensive. It's going to have to wait.

arpie

Be very careful of Mobic @TonyaM ... it nearly gave me liver failure some years back when in pain for a hip injury and I ended up in hospital having an uppie and a Downie as well!   I thought it had been pulled from the shelves!  Not everyone has bad side effects from it tho

https://www.drugs.com/comments/meloxicam/mobic.html

Sometimes, just a mattress Topper can do the trick - a sort of ‘pillow top’ that gives more comfort, but still has the required firmness underneath from your original mattress?

primek

@Silba Ive had years of tailbone pain (mainly noticed if sit on upright  chair for too long ) had for years pre cancer. It is disc degeneration of my tailbone and at times it gets inflamed  and doesn't move properly so its painful. Walking and stretches of leg bent and touching knee and pushing knee outward (on floor if okay) really helps as do cat streches and lifting bottom off floor into a bridge. 
Can be difficult with hip issues.

TonyaM

Thanks arpie, I’ll do some research on Mobic.I only take it occasionally but still.....
I have a foam topper but I think it’s wearing out.

Silba

Thank you , getting re scanned on Monday  1st check up after active treatment, hopefully it will be arthritic , can't get hip /leg to do the  knee side stretches , but I do do the cat stretch  , my dog thinks I want to play with her everytime  I do it .

I am over walking, don't have a car , so public transport and walking are my mode of transportation .....