I haven’t been posting much on here lately so please forgive me for turning up out of the blue and asking for a bit of support …
I have had bone mets, dx’ed at the same time as my bc, for 18 months now. I’ve been doing really well, have had chemo and rads which shrunk everything massively and have been on Arimidex and Zoladex for 10 months. Tumour markers have been steadily decreasing, 22 at the last count from a high of 140, and all blood tests are in the normal range.
For the last couple of weeks I’ve had a niggly feeling under my right rib, it’s not exactly painful, more like a stitch pain, and it comes and goes, seems to get worse when I’m tired or stressed and also after I’ve eaten. I’ve also got a pain in my right shoulder which set alarm bells ringing, but it’s not under the shoulder-blade (which seems to be a sign of liver problem), it’s more on the top of my shoulder and upper arm. I’m still scared this could be liver-related though 
even though TM’s and liver function tests are all good. I do have bone mets in my ribs and shoulder, so it might be that, I suppose …
Just getting really down at the moment as I’m totally on my own, single mum of 2 teenage girls (who are always out!) and only real family is my 87 year-old mum who’s in a nursing home. I have some good friends but they’re all busy with their own families and don’t want to keep whinging (sp) to them …
I’m thinking my problem could be more of a gallbladder thing? (Praying) Having Pamidronate on Tuesday so will get blood taken again and will mention symptoms, see what they say.
Just feeling very down and really not like myself at all
Hi Lesley, I have loads of Gall Stones according to a scan I had, and I get the pain just as your describing, I also get it in my right shoulder area. When they are playing up its like a niggly pain and I want to keep stretching my rib cage if you know what I mean. You must go to see your doctor about it but I hope that’s all it is. I can understand you worrying it must be hard being on your own, and I can remember what my daughter was like when she was a teenager. I am sure your friends don’t mind you having a whinge sometimes, we all need a good moan.
I really hope you can get sorted Lesley
Love Heather xx
Hi Lesley,
I too have bone mets (had them since July 07 at diagnosis) and have been on arimidex and zometa since Oct 08. I seem to get similar ‘niggles’ in that area too. Mentioned them at checkup a couple of weeks ago (along with a few other minor niggles to make me look like a hypochondriac while I was there!) and the registrar was so lovely and didn’t make me feel like I was wasting her time. She did blood tests, had a bone scan the other day, annual mammo on remaining side due on Monday and am having u/s next Fri - bit like an MOT really. Then she got the surgeon in to see me but they both think it’s probably gall stones if anything. My concern was that bone mets are in spine and ribs on both sides, esp near bottom of right ribcage and I was worried there may be spread to liver - think that type of worry is inevitable when you have mets. Otherwise I feel fine.
Guess I’m trying to say you’re not on your own and go and pester them next week - better to be safe than sorry as they say. I’m just waiting for the rest of the tests and then results but am quite calm about it.
Hope all goes well, Liz
Thanks Heather and Liz - I really do think it’s probably a gallbladder thing, but you know what it’s like, every little ache and pain and you think you’ve got progression/spread
I feel really well when I’ve had plenty of sleep and am not too stressed, so think that has a lot to do with things. You just read horror stories sometimes of spread occuring even when TMs are really low, so it’s always a worry, as we all know, only too well
xxx
Hi, I have gall stones too. I can’t tell you how many times I have had liver function tests, ultra sound and even a CT as have been convinced I have had Liver problems. I get right side pain under ribs and sometimes bad pain which is more in the middle. Its been Gall stones every time.
I find some drugs set it off. I had morphine (bone mets) the other weekend and had a terrible attack, worse then the pain I was taking the morphine for. I have been put on the Synthetic morphine now and thankfully that hasn’t triggered the gall bladder off. I think some of the drugs we take may irritate the gall bladder, I haven’t got any proof of that just by experience really.
I would ask for a ultra sound to put your mind at rest.
Best wishes
Paula x
Hi Lesley,
Good to see your post again, but really sorry it’s because you are having problems/pains. Was wondering how you are getting on!
I’ve got no gall stones experience, so can’t comment much on it. But it seems you’ve got some good advice from other ladies. Asking for tests and put your mind at ease does sound like a really good idea.
Just to say I’ll be thinking of you and sending you lots of positive thoughts and good wishes.
Take care xx
Thank you Paula and m1yu - all these comments are making me feel much more positive 
I will definitely mention it on Tuesday and ask for an ultrasound scan
M1yu, I know you’re having a bad time with your chemo but I really hope that it’s all working brilliantly and kicking those liver mets into touch. Have a good time at the zoo tomorrow, it’s going to be gorgeous weather so you should have a great day
Take care all
xxx
Hi Lesley, a couple of months ago I experienced stitch like pains just as you describe but on my left side. My TM’s are 24 at the moment and my liver function is fine. The stitch like pains lasted 4-6 weeks and then just vanished…and at the time of writing this they haven’t returned. I think my pain was nerve pain and it sort of righted itself. Your markers are so low so I hope this cannot be anything to worry about…I know it’s so hard not to always think the worse.
Belinda…xxx
Hi Belinda - thank you - it seems quite a few people have experienced this sort of pain so I’m calming down a bit - it’s back this morning though but didn’t sleep much last night and it does seem to get worse when I’m tired. I hope you’re right about the markers - I know not everyone has faith in tumour markers, but mine have seemed reliable up until now - just have to hope they haven’t shot up when they’re tested on Tuesday. Glad your pain went away, hope mine does too!
Lesley xx