Hi GalsI was diagnosed almost a year ago with stage 3C DCIS - (Beryl for those in the know!) Beryl was pretty busy and managed to have 13 not so darling babies (lymph nodes). So a mastectomy was on the table and as I was awaiting test results for BRAC gene I decided to go for gold and do two for the price of one - I do love a bargain!Results of the test came through the day after my surgery and I was indeed positive for BRAC2 gene.So Beryl and her kids had been rendered homeless and I had the usual chemo, rads and AI’s to ensure they did not come back. All was good until about 3 weeks ago when I started to feel persistent pain in my rib (same side that Beryl and the kids popped up on). I have a CT scan on Friday but just wondered if anyone could describe the pain. I have pain that comes and goes (mostly there) and goes from a sharp pain to a dull ache. I am hoping the Beryl has not decided to return! Any advice?

Oops sorry - no bone Mets but had dark areas?? (Forgotten the technical name!! )on my lungs that were caused by radiation. One round of antibiotics and all clear :)

I can’t answer your question but I have my fingers and toes crossed for you that there is nothing nasty going on xx

and best wishes from jennyss in Western NSW

Hi I have bone Mets . The first pain I got was muscular, I now know it was my body protecting the area of my spine that had disease . It was severe and persistent nothing would stop it physio was a waste of time. I then got really bad spasms in my neck. The bone pain started once I had been diagnosed. It is hard to explain except to say it was different to any pain I had ever experienced. It took 6 months for mine to be diagnosed, I was 10 years cancer free. My advice is if any pain is persistent insist on an X-ray of the spot. That is what I ended up doing. My doctor was devastated that she did not pick it up earlier.

What do bone Mets feel like? | BCNA Online Network

36 Replies

jackie_4
Member
5 years ago
@Lisa1407 that is my issue. How do you tell???? Think docs also put it down to side affects and you try to tolerate. The initial CT scan that picked it up for me was not related to the cancer directly but from plastic surgeon on another matter. I would never have found out otherwise. Not sure if I'm lucky or unlucky that I found out ???
The area which is now painful and was the area of the bone biopsy is an area I have had problems with for years, pre cancer diagnosis. Have had physio and
x-rays (which I guess would not pick up anything sinister). Both breast and hip have been areas of past trauma but you get told it is coincidence. I'm not sure now, big coincidences.
Dory65
Member
5 years ago
Thank you @Lisa1407, good to know what to look out for. All the best, L x
Lisa1407
Member
5 years ago
@Dory65 I was diagnosed with bone mets right at the beginning. I had been having hip problems for over a year and had been seeing a physiotherapist regularly. With the benefit of hindsight, my hip problems were from the mets. My GP said any pain that persists longer than 5-6 weeks should be X-rayed and particularly pain that keeps you awake overnight.
arpie
Member
5 years ago
You’ve been dealt a cruel hand, @"jackie 4" ... we hope that the treatment will stabilise the lesions and it is then treated more as a ‘chronic’ condition xx

Yes, we all need to be vigilant of unexplained aches and pains .... can a GP order a PET scan, or must it be a specialist?
Dory65
Member
5 years ago
I'm sorry to hear that @jackie 4. How are on earth are we supposed to tell the difference between one pain and another? I hope it's early and very treatable. L x.
jackie_4
Member
5 years ago
A CT scan picked up some suspicious areas on the bone. Bone scan showed nothing. PET scan picked lesions up. Pain I attributed to side affects from letrozole. Does not pay to be a martyr, get checked :)
ChezaH
Member
5 years ago
Sending big hugs
Cheryl
Not_good_63_57
Member
5 years ago
Thankyou all for beautiful comments
I seen my psychologist today and she said never be negative think positive think that there’s people like me that made it through there’s people that are worse than me made it through she also said I will get through ... she made sense so that has helped
positive thoughts ..I can do this
Dory65
Member
5 years ago
Thinking of you @Not_good_63_57 . Waiting for appointments, waiting to find out your treatment plan - it's tough. Anything that brings you into the present moment can help ease the anxiety. Google "bubble breathing mindfulness" exercises. I also like Insight Timer. As ddon said, just hang in there. L xxx
ddon
Member
5 years ago
Sending you a massive hug. And a promise that with some time the shock and fear will settle and you will go forward. My oncologist sees a lady who was diagnosed with spinal Mets in 1993 and she still comes in for her yearly check. Hang in there xx