Forum Discussion

Yango's avatar
Yango
Member
6 years ago

Bone pain

Can anyone tell me what bone mets feels like? I have pain to my ribs which started about four months ago. I was diagnosed with stage one hormone positive BC earlier this year (no lymph node involvement). My doctors don't want to do any body scans as they think given my initial diagnosis it is unlikely to be mets.

The pain comes and goes and tends to hurt more when I sit than when I stand or lie down. There is sometimes a sharp shooting pain, but mostly it's a mild, dull pain. I don't need pain killers. When I massage the area I can sometimes hear a 'clicking' sound.

I'm otherwise fit and healthy and in my early thirties, so I don't think it will be arthritis.

Is this type of pain consistent with bone mets?
bone-metastasis
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    6 years ago
    If in doubt - get checked out. 

    I recently have had numbing in my left leg/foot & arm/hand ..... I mentioned it to my 'locum' Oncologist last month (mine is off on maternity leave) and he referred me for an MRI of lumbar & thoracic.  I had it on Monday (Bulk Billed.)

    I am awaiting results as I type.  It could be caused by numerous things including an old injury, as I didn't have chemo so don't have neuropathy.

    All the best - I hope you get it sorted xx
  • Charlie2019's avatar
    Charlie2019
    Member
    6 years ago
    I had early breast cancer and a mastectomy in March this year no lymph node involvement. It was a recurrence of early bc I had 8 years ago. I have had pain in my back ribs for some time that is not constant but I feel it when I move a certain way. Like you I was very worried about it. I got my  physio to check it and he believes it is stiffness where a rib joins my spine. He massaged it and gave me some rotational exercises and it has improved a lot. His view is after a certain age we all have deterioration that is not necessarily arthritis. I am 59 so definitely old enough to have deteriorated🤣 
    This doesn’t really answer your question but I understand your concern and just suggesting a physio check could see if it is a physical issue. If you are still worried your drs should understand and support you getting scans. I did insist on a pet scan when I found out the bc had come back this year as I was worried about metastasis.

    all the best
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    6 years ago
    Anything that is causing you concern is worth having checked. I don’t have mets (to my knowledge!) but my surgeon’s comment may be worth knowing - cancer pain constantly gets worse. Not coming and going. Chances are it’s something else, but all the more reason to have it checked as it may be eminently fixable. Best wishes.