Forum Discussion

mmcc3's avatar
mmcc3
Member
9 years ago

Back pain during chemo

Hi all,

I have had on and off mild pain in my mid-lower back throughout chemo.  Sometimes I am very aware of it, other times I feel little to no pain. Feels like there is a muscular component to it as I get twinges to the side of my back also.  Its a very general soreness - doesn't feel like bone pain as such but hard to describe (I have been terrible at describing how I feel each week to my oncologist, she always looks puzzled!)

I had a mastectomy and 1 sentinal node removed.  Final pathology showed a small trace of cancer in the sentinal node but no further nodes were removed and I am doing 6 months AC & Taxol chemo (almost finished) followed by 6 weeks radiation.  I am finding it really difficult to stop myself from worrying constantly whether there is spread further than my lymph node with every twinge of pain I feel - I am suffering from a reasonable amount of anxiety also so wondering how much that is playing a part in my back pain also. 

Just wondering whether many others have experienced any back pain through chemo?  I will discuss with my oncologist re whether it is worth doing another bone scan, so far she seems to think its not necessary (scans were clear in February prior to starting treatment)...just thought knowing others had experienced this might ease my mind...and in turn perhaps my back!

Thanks ladies - lovely to have people to reach out to...

chemotherapy
pain

4 Replies

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    Yep. I had it all the way through and sometimes when I twisted it would spasm. I put some of it down to my reconstruction but it virtually dissappeared after chemo. I have boney back pain from arthritis that was present years before cancer and you have to self talk through with logic.  I think it will always be there but the fear does lessen over time. Kath x
  • Molly001's avatar
    Molly001
    Member
    9 years ago
    Yes, I started getting this exact pain along with sciatica pains in the buttocks 3wks after finishing TAC chemo. The sciatica has gone but the back is still troublesome. I also have pain in muscles & joints all up & down my legs & feet, especially if I've been sitting a while. I attribute it to chemo plus the 12kg I gained from dexamethesone. Hoping it will go away with time & weight loss. I'm only 39.
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    @mmcc3 I had a dodgy lower back prior to starting chemo, but chemo made it much worse. I had narrowing in the spine where the nerve goes through so depending how I move I get jolts OUCH! Ive managed pretty much but its always there. Bone Density Scan after Chemo showed I had Osteoporosis in my Neck and lower back and just a worsening all chemo related. Hard to not think of spread with every twinge, however a scan only in Feb, I really think you are ok. Could very well just be muscular or your sciatic nerve playing up as they do from time to time. Definitely get it checked out though, I dont think its related to chemo as in a side effect. So maybe a scan to see if discs etc are in place? Hugs M x
  • viking1's avatar
    viking1
    Member
    9 years ago
    Sorry to hear that. I'm only new but never had back pain till my first chemo infusion and steroids. Not looking forward to the next one ... not sure if steroids or chemo to blame! xx