My bone mets were dx’ed by MRI and CT scan before Christmas and I’m having three-weekly Pamidronate which seems to be helping a lot with the pain. My onc has decided I should have a bone scan anyway though, just to highlight any further hot spots - I have a feeling I have more than have been picked up so far but just wondered what people’s experience of bone scans are and how quickly you get the results. My scan is on Tuesday and I’m a bit nervous
Lesley x
Hi Lesley
My bone mets were picked up by bone scan and CT scan back in April last year. I got the results of both pretty quick. I think I had them done on Tues/weds of one week and then saw the consultant the following Monday. The waiting is the worst bit so if you’re anxious you could ask when you will get them or see if one of the BCNs may be able to phone you with them if you’re not seeing the consultant quickly. Glad the Pam is helping and hope nothing too bad shows up on Tuesday. Good Luck
Nicky xx
Thanks Nicky - I’m assuming the bone scan will show a lot more detail than the CT in terms of affected areas? My bcn is very helpful so I will probably get her to ring me with the results. Lesley xx
Yes, I’d assume so however the small spot on my spine only showed on the CT scan and not the bone scan - strange! I’ve not had a bone scan since so I expect I’ll be due one soon, but have had 2 more CT scans to see how my chemo went (I’ve also got a local recurrence which shows up on these).
Fingers crossed for Tues.
Nicky x
The CT scan showed areas on my spine and ribs - but I don’t think it covered my shoulders and collarbone and I’ve been getting a bit of pain there so I think that’s why she’s ordered the bone scan. I’m hoping it’s just referred pain or the fact that I have been holding myself in a very tense manner ever since dx!
At least CT and bone scans aren’t as claustrophobic as MRI which I absolutely hated.
Lesley x
I’ve not had an MRI but have read what they’re like - noisy and closed in - not nice! Depending on the type of bone scanner you have you may get a large flat ‘plate’ very close to your face at the beginning as it travels over your body. I can’t remember what the other type is like. It’s open at the sides however and you can move your head etc once it’s passed over that part of the body. I didn’t find it that bad at all. I know what you mean about aches though. I’m so tense after my dx last year, subsequent chemo and other treatments plus general worrying about things that my shoulders ache all the time. I don’t think it is anything other than tension and I’m hoping to get some help when I go to the local hospice today to start a course of complementary therapies - can’t wait!
Hope you’ve been able to relax a bit and not think about the scan all the time - very difficult!
Nicky x
Thanks Nicky - I think that sounds bearable! My bcn told me last week that Tamoxifen causes joint stiffness as well so I’m also putting part of the problem down to that. That’s interesting about the complementary therapies - I have a real mental block at the moment about going to the hospice but I think I’m going to have to get over it if I want these treatments 
Let us know how the treatments go and if you really find they help - I’m pretty sure they will
Lesley x
Hi Lesley, think I waited a week for my bone scan results. Good Luck and yes Tamoxifen can cause lots of joint pain…I did find it got better over time. I had the flat plate scan…I didn’t like it passing so close to the face but once it had passed there I was ok! Apparently it responds to your breathing but it’s still too close for my liking. Good Luck with your results. Have you chosen which Bristol course to go on?..I liked the sound of the food for the soul one (was it was called this or something similar?)
I haven’t ever visited my hospice either…it’s just down the road from me too. Is there anywhere nearby that you could visit for any complementary therapies?..not free I know but perhaps you could have a short taster session. I used to work at a further education college and the Health and Beauty students used to practice on the public. You could make an appointment for all sorts, head massage, aromatherapy etc.
Hi Nicky I’d love to know if you find any of the complementary therapies especially beneficial.
Belinda…x
Belinda, I’ve sent you a PM!!
Lesley x
Anyone living in the Bristolish area can get a referral to the Bristol Homeopathic Hospitl - this is free as it’s NHS.
That sounds good!! I shall definitely look into that. The Penny Brohn centre rang me back this morning to say that all their nutrition courses were fully booked with waiting lists and that there were no others planned yet, so will have to wait probably until the summer to do that now
Lesley - you can probably still just go for lunch (they are great!) and a look around at the new centre if you want to. I’ve got my scan in Bristol this week and I’m thinking of having lunch there before it.
Lesley I have just sent you a l-o-n-g PM…sorry so long!
Belinda…x
Lesley - hope all goes OK today and you’re not too nervous.
Belinda - I went to the hospice yesterday and had the most lovely aromatherapy back massage - bliss! At least I’ve now had confirmation that I’m tense! She said it was like popping bubble wrap all up my spine! Still feeling very tense but hope that will ease over the next few weeks as I’ve got another 5 treatments I can have - and all for free! She also gave me some gentle stretching exercises to help my neck, shoulder and back muscles - all of which have seized up since the onslaught of a secondary dx! By the way, I have meant to ask before, did we meet on the Secondary day in September?
Nicky x
ps too many '!'s but can’t be bothered to edit!!
Thanks for the feedback Nicky…I can’t resist popping bubble wrap so maybe I should try some of these therapies. I used to get a lot of neck, shoulder tension. Hope you carry on feeling the benefits from all the lovely treatments lined up for you.
No we haven’t met I didn’t go to the Secondaries day.
Good Luck with the scan today Lesley.
Belinda…x.x