Bone Mets Thread
Comments
-
Olma, thank you. I know you’re tired of doctors like me, but maybe you might want to make sure you’re not bleeding internally. I’d make the appointment. I’m going to probably make that appointment with an ENT.
S3K5, thank you for that info. I take Miralax too. Was taking it every day, but I’m going to switch to every other. Every day is a little too much.
0 -
I was wondering if those of you with rib mets found them because they were painful? For the last month or so I have a consistent sharp pain on the left side, conveniently where an underwire might sit if I were still wearing bras with wires. Its just to the lower side of that left breast. I have no lumps and the pain will come and go even when I wear a cotton sports bra or nothing at all. I have a PET scan coming up. It's currently in the insurance authorization process so no set date yet. Just curious. Thanks.
0 -
Hello ladies. I hope you don't mind if I ask a question on behalf of my wife, Polly. The METS in her lungs and liver recently have spread to her spine. In fact, she has an L1 vertebrae fracture as a result of weakening due to the bone METS. She starts Abraxane in the next week or so and they are going to supplement that with Zometa. My question is what you all recommend for pain relief? She was taking Tylenol but that's no longer working. She has a mild dose of oxycodone prescribed to her, but she's been trying to avoid that if possible. Is there anything else you all have found for pain from bone fractures due to bone METS? Thanks in advance.
0 -
KBL. thinking of you and hoping your phone consult sheds some light!
emac877. Rib pain was the very first kind of pain I had....went on off and on for 8 months before I had to switch primaries to get a doctor to actually examine it. A spine xray shwed a compression fracture, and then for several months the rib pain was attributed to referred pain from that until one night I reached across the bathroom for something and heard a big crack in my right side. At that point I demanded that they stop attributing my bone problems to osteoporosis (which a DEXA scan showed I didn't have) and my primary started some more tests that led six months after that to Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer, denovo. So, I would definitely get rib pain checked out.
BLMike. I find lidocaine patches helpful for my pain due to compression fractures, though I needed more when they were newer. I took Sulindac (a prescription anti-inflamatory) and a muscle relaxer for awhile.
0 -
Hi Ladies....a BEVJEN update:
She was moved to a subacute rehad bed in a nursing home but it wasn't a good fit so they are moving her to a acute rehab place where all they do is rehab you. She basically needs to learn to walk again. its an intense program but she is very hopeful and sounded optimistic. I did ask her the other day if her pain was bad and she said no...so that is good too! I will cross post
0 -
Nicole: Thank you for the update on BevJen. I'm glad to hear BevJen's pain is under control. An acute rehab will provide at least 3 hrs of therapy per day. She will be up and moving in no time. Hope you are doing well 2.
0 -
Wow, just wow. Haven't been here for a few weeks and I mised so much. Sounds like many of you are miserable with pain like me. Very scary it could get worse. Hopefully tomorrow I get results of Fridays scans. I was thinking my severe back pain was muscle strain from overdoing it outside. MRI showed all clear. Got relief from bad back spasms adding diazepam to oxycodone. Not quite so bad now.but that would have been muscle, not bone in pain. Or nerve maybe. Am anxious to hear on arm pain as there are 3 distinct areas of pain. One could be elbow bursitis, one could be fracture and one could be cancer. The oxycodone helped as does a heating pad. Any lymphedema seemed to calm down. Lidocaine patches work great but I think I used too much, now any of those gels cause heart palpitations. Dang this is just no fun. CBD cream has helped a little. Got a free sample from my local pharmacist. Just haven't invested in more. THC not legal here yet. This is scarry cause of the side effects. Always seems to be something.
Gailmary
0 -
Thank you prairiesea. I am hoping to get an answer on it with the PET scan. I have to call them this week to see where we are at with the authorization.
BLMike. I combine Tylenol and ibuprofen most of the time for my spine mets. They work on different receptors so sometimes the combination will help more than if taken by themselves. I also use Lidoderm patches and a heating pad. I have a prescription for Norco (tylenol and hydrocodone) but for me it's hard to function on opioids and in Oregon it can be hard to get a prescription for long term use.
You might consider trying a pain management doc. A lot of times they are anesthesiologists who can use different therapies to work with specific nerves and provide direct relief without having to deal with side effects of medication.
0 -
Thanks prairesea and emac877. We'll try some Lidocaine patches.
Emac877 -- How strong of doses of Tylenol and ibuprofen combined are you taking?
0 -
I usually take 500 to 1000 mg of Tylenol with 400 mg of ibuprofen. I have to watch the ibuprofen because that can wreak havoc on the stomach. I typically do that combo in the morning and evening. With the patches and/or heat as needed I function pretty well on it.
0 -
Perfect. Polly just tried her first oxy and it pretty much knocked her out. It'll be nice to have an alternative to that.Thanks emac877
0 -
Thank you, prairiesea.
0 -
for those that use lidocaine patches what % is it? Mine are 5% does anyone kniw if there are higher doses?
0 -
BLMike, regarding pain, I found Celebrex to be helpful for my bone mets. Celebrex is a long-acting prescription NSAID, so it's in the same family as ibuprofen. The nice thing about it being long-acting is that my pain levels weren't so "up and down" but I felt more steady and normal. It might be something for you and your wife to ask her doctors about. Best wishes.
0 -
BLMike, as buttonsmachine said, Celebrex is a good anti-inflammatory medicine that doesn't cause drowsiness but this cannot be taken along with any blood thinners. I take Celebrex along with Extended release Tramadol (200 mg and 100 mg) which lasts through out the day and doesn't cause drowsiness. Since I have stomach ulcer, I take a Dexilant (proton pump inhibitor) with it. For night time, I take long acting hydromorphine which helps me sleep through the night. Immediate release opiods causes nausea and dizziness but the long acting ones seems to be tolerable. I hope Polly finds something that works for her.
0 -
Thanks all. We're going to try the Tramadol. I picked up a prescription tonight.
0 -
Hi, all,
Quick check in to let you all know that I'm okay. As you may know, they found issues with both my L and R femurs - did a complete hip replacement on 4.19, did a rod and pins on 4.24, and I left Hopkins on Friday 4.30. All of that time I was IN BED, and I basically lost all functionality. They sent me to a subacute placement (basically a nursing home with an hr a day of PT/OT) on Friday (BAD idea) and I cried all day long. Next day got into an acute rehab place and that's where I am right now -- started intensive therapy today. Hopeful that we will get good results from working hard. Not on any cancer treatment right now until my wounds heal and then we'll revisit.
Thanks for all the notes from everyone. I really appreciate it.
0 -
BevJen, it's so good to hear from you. I don't think a day went by where I wasn’t wondering how you were doing. NicoleRod was so sweet to keep us updated.
I'm so sorry for the horrible time you're having. I hope each day finds you able to feel better and that you can get back on treatment soon.
Hugs
0 -
BevJen, you’ve really been having a time of it! My goodness! I’m glad you got moved to a facility that can hopefully help you get back on your feet! I know that stuff takes time to heal. Are you in pain? Thinking of you and sending lots and lots of good vibes your way. Many hugs to you!!!!!
0 -
Bev, so good to see your post. Thanks for your update, you’ve been in our thoughts, wishing you speedy recovery.
0 -
Bev - so glad to see your check in. Wow, what an ordeal! These next few weeks are going to be tough, with a lot of mental ups and downs, but it sounds like you are in the right place for the right support. On those bad days... just let it wash over you. Acknolwedge its a bad day but not every day will be like that and every day is another day upwards.
0 -
BevJen what a tough time you have had but hopefully with time and hard work things will start to improve. So glad to see you posting again you have been missed. Onwards and upwards.
0 -
BevJen...feel better soon! (((hugs))
0 -
BevJen - Thanks for the update! I have been praying for you! Good for you for managing to get transferred right away into an acute rehab place! You're amazing! Sending prayers and very best wishes for your rehab!
0 -
Aaaww BevJen sounds like a nightmare but like everyone else so pleased to hear from you!!
0 -
BevJen, glad to hear your finding your way out of the woods. Sorry it was such a dark path
Gailmary
0 -
Candy, I haven’t seen you post in a little while. I hope you’re okay.
0 -
BevJen - I agree, it is good to hear from you! Wishing you continued recovery.
0 -
I finally got results of my scans. Both CT and bone scan are negative for new Mets.. YaY! But no explanation of pain.
I figued it out though. It's axillary cording. I had it once before but not as bad. Yes there was some back strain too which probably confused the issue. The back is a bit better and the armpit was doing better till I got covid dose 2 yesterday. Pretty sore again today, much worse than side of injection. I'll work on stretching it myself this week. If I have no luck I will go back to massage therapist at cancer clinic and let her workout. I feelsomuch better just knowing what it is and isn't.
Sure would be nice if all drs were familiar in with it. Yet in all fairness I didn't emphasize the armpit pain.
Here is hoping you all finds answers and easy fixes.
Gailmary
0 -
Gailmary so happy for you about no new mets!!!
0
