Hi All
Is there anyone that could answer my question please?
I went for my three monthly check up last week and mentioned that I had back ache for the past four weeks so my conultant suggested I have some blood taken and a bone scan.
My blood test came back normal so what could the bone scan show any different?and is there a need for this to still go ahead?
Thank you to anyone who could help me
Jackie xx
Hi Jackie,
I think it is good that your onc has listened to what you are saying and is being thorough in checking it out. We all know backaches can be for all sorts of reasons but you have had breast cancer and it is right that he rules that out for you. Sometimes a very small met in the wrong place can cause a lot of pain and if that is the problem then they can deal with it. I have had bc now for 19 years and extensive bone mets since 2002 which respond well to treatment and are stable all this time. I guess I am saying you should go ahead 
Hope they don’t find anything but best to know.
Dawn
xx
Hi Jackie - me too!
I have had a sore burning type of pain in my spine for the past 5 weeks or so and will have a bone scan next Tuesday to see if this is due to mets in the spine or not. I have had xrays and bloods last week but will not know the results of all of the tests until I see my Onc on 26th June! The bone scan is vital to ensure nothing is going on so please do not cancel it!
Good luck with it all,
Clarabelle x
Hi,
Just to say hope all goes well and that it is good they are doing all the checks even though it is such a nerve wracking time for you.
I’ve had bone mets since diagnosis in July 07 and they’ve never given me any pain. I am having Zometa monthly as the bone strengthener and also have Arimidex and Zoladex. Last week I had my first bone scan since last summer and the change to the new medication.My onc wanted one before I see her this week for my 3 month check up to monitor things. For the last 3-4 weeks I’ve had backache when sitting/standing for a while so of course I am now concerned it’s a spread ! Think it’s all in the mind though…Plus lots of my joints ache and I’m very stiff but I’ve put that down to the joys of arimidex. I have 3 monthly blood tests because of the Zometa and they’ve always been good so I’m focusing on that !
Anyway I’m going armed with a long list of questions for each scenario and crossing my fingers and toes.
Liz
What bone scan is it?
I found bone/joint aches when I started Arimidex - so bad I wanted to go back on Tamoxifen, but as I’m post menopausal now they changed to another aromatose inhibitor called Aromasin and it’s eased it slightly.
However, they did a bone density (DEXA)scan before as a base line because these drugs can lead to osteoperosis, so they keep an eye on it. I had 2nd DEXA scan after 2 years and all was ok.
Good luck anyway, hope all goes well.
xxx
Hello Everyone,
Thankyou all so much for your help and comments and I will go through with the scan although the blood result was normal,were any of your bloods normal but scan showed up problems?
CazMc I have had the DEXA scan last year and that was ok also on Arimidex which cant be changed due to recent thrombosis.
Good luck Clarabelle on Tuesday and I hope all will be fine ,please let me know how it goes,I am more than happy for you to PM me if you would like to.
Liz I too am crossing everything for you for next week Good Luck I have not had my appt yet and keep hoping the back ache will go before it comes!!Please let me know how you get on .
Dawn I am pleased your treatment is keeping you stable and its good to know treatment is available if I need it.
Thankyou all once again
Best wishes Jackie xx
Hi All
I now have my appt for next Tuesday and will have this done just to be sure although I feel I am wasting their time just hoping my back ache is sciatica!!
How long do the results take to get back?
Sorry for being a pain but I am a bit worried as I had so many problems throughout past treatments.
Thanks again
Jackie xx
Hi
I had to have the same about a year ago, my bloods were normal as were the results of the scan, I had an MRI and it showed bad wear and tear as they say. I was worried but felt relieved by the result. I still have the pain which they found out comes from my hip. I am 35 and never thought I would have osteoarthritis in the hip. I also have nerve end damage due to the treatment and initially I was worried about that. We are all hopefully in good hands and precautions is good. I hope you are okay.
Take care
claire x
Hi Claire
Thank you so much for this hopefully things will be ok,I am sorry that you have osteoarthritis now and at a young age I hope you are receiving good treatment and pain relief when you need it.
Take Care
Jackie xx
Hello Jackie. I can sympathise as I just mentioned to my GP that I had mild sciatica-like pains and the next thing I knew I was under the scanner! Got the results at my routine hosp check-up a week later - blood tests ok but a hot spot on my spine (oh shit!) But within 10 minutes had the delightful split-down-the-back gown on and a plain x-ray to check for wear and tear or old injuries (everything that’s going on shows up on a bone scan). I had the results 3 days later and thankfully it was ‘a couple of manky discs’ (obviously didn’t think I could cope with too much medical jargon!)So it was just wear and tear. Now have to have bone density, VitD and phosphate tests done, but no nasties so try not to worry (dead easy I know!)
Thank you highball I feel much better now I know what to expect,
everyone here has been so helpfull and I wish to thank you all.
I will let you know how it goes next week.
Take Care
Jackie x
Hi Jackie,
My scan results - existing areas on spine and right ribs show signs of improvement (good) but there is a new small area on a rib on left side (not so good!). At least there are some signs of improvement, especially in the area of backache which has improved a bit - think I may have jarred it when sneezing through my cold ! They aren’t unduly concerned about this and overall it looks like treatment is working so I’m regarding this as a positive. So it’s off for next bone strengthening drip tomorrow morning.
Thanks for your interest and good luck with your scan.
Liz
Hi Liz,
I hope all went well yesterday,keep positive about your results hard as it might be.I am so pleased there are signs if improvement,what will they do about the rib on lt side?
I hope you dont mind me asking but was your backache constant?mine seems to come and go which seems odd if I carry something like a shopping basket it becomes painfull esp when I walk,once I sit down it will ease,not so good when in the middle of tesco!!
Still no good moaning until I have the scan,how long do results take and will they go to my gp?
Thanks Liz
Please take care and keep in touch
Jackie xx
Hi Jackie,
No problems with you asking anything !! My backache seems to come and go like yours and is worse if I’ve been sitting, standing or walking for a while - get a batmobile to go round Tesco in or a slave to go round for you with a list, it may save a fortune cos you won’t see tempting things !!! Mine isn’t a apin, it’s more of a muscular ache. At least I know it’s not the spine hot spot causing it.
As far as the rib bit on my left side, they’re just leaving it at the mo and perhaps check it on the next scan whenever they decide that will be (prob 6 months this time). In a way I think that’s better as that is my ‘cancer’ side and when I had the mx, they took all my lymph and extra muscle and nerve tissue as well as there were signs of spread so some bc cells in that area may be expected. I now have a very neat 9 inch scar that medical folk always admire !! I may ring my bcn next week to chat to her about it - haven’t spoken to her in ages and she’s very nice and understanding.
As far as the length of time is concerned, the radiologist writes a report to the onc in my case as the onc is the one who has ordered it. The radiographers can tell things but aren’t allowed to tell you - in the past I’ve tried to work things out by their casual questions. My reports have been done within a day but I’ve only had results when I see the onc about a week later as the scans are arranged to coincide with appointments.
A lot of the time the hot spots that can show up are just wear and tear - my mum has those and I had a major area that showed on my foot last year but it was trauma from spraining my ankle and breaking a small bone in my foot and that has completely gone now.
Sorry I’ve rambled on. Good luck with the scan - let us know the results whatever and get someone else to do your shopping !!
Liz x
Hi Liz
Thanks for that I will keep in touch if thats ok you have been brill.
Take Care
Jackie xx
Jackie,
Good luck with the scan tomorrow ! Remember to drink plenty and you’ll be glowing…
Liz
Hi Liz
Had scan all went well just wait for the results now I sat in the car with flask and sandwiches for the 3hr wait between inj and scan and really enjoyed it How sad is that !!!
Hope you are well
Speak soon
Jackie x
Jackie,
Any result yet ?? Hoping no news is great news. I’ve had an emotional meltdown for no real reason this last week so haven’t been on here.
Liz x
Hi Liz,
No results as yet,I have taken it easier over the past couple of days so pain not so severe.
Are you ok?please im me if you just want to chat,anytime.
Its very understandable for you to get emotional you are going through enough at the moment but hope you feel brighter now.
Will keep in touch and take care,
Jackie x