Hello. I’ve been driving myself crazy now for 3 months over on and off lower back pain. I’ve had it since 3 weeks post surgery (bilateral mastectomy), 2 weeks before I started chemo. I’ve so far had 4/6 FEC cycles. The pain’s around my sacroiliac joint(s) and sometimes radiates into one of my buttocks and occasionally into my thigh. I know I probably should have done something about it sooner, but I kept telling myself the odds of it being bone mets must be very small because I had a small (11mm) tumour with no node involvement, and also because it came on so soon after my dx and surgery. I’m hoping it’s something to do with a change in my posture and/or being manipulated whilst on the operating table, but obviously I’m in total fear that it could be something sinister. Anyway, I’ve finally decided to get a bone scan but would welcome any words of encouragement in the meantime as I’m so scared of what the results may show.
Caro x
Hi
I had lower back pain on and off, sometimes severe prior to my operation but had very little pain for about a year prior to it. When you are in surgery there is no support to your back at all and it is common to experience back pain, pain going into your thigh may be sciatica which comes from the sacrotic joint area. Try some gentle stretches to loosen off any tightness there is there. However, if you are worried about mets then see your onc or your doc.
All the best to you.
hi Caro
I had lower back pain following surgery, exactly as you describe, mentioned it to my onc who said my dear you will feel like an old woman for some time to come LOL only 43. Anyway self medicated with regular voltarol and it does seem better, I still get it occassionaly.Also looking back it came on when i started driving again, BUT like you i still worry! Mand
Hi Caro,
I think you have been wise to book a scan because you do need to find out what is causing the pain, and hopefully to rule out bone mets. There are a lot of things that could cause that sort of pain - I have very similar but mine I know is bone mets - which I was dx with back in 2002. Mine is very extensive but well controlled with bisphosphonate drugs for a number of years now. I know this isn’t what you want to hear because I am sure you don’t want it to be secondaries but it can be very manageable. The important thing is to find out why, and though most of us wouldnt want to be told it was arthritic in origin it can be the better option LOL.
Dawn
xx
Hi Caro,
I was just posting on another thread and saw your post. I developed lower back pain back in April about 4 weeks after surgery (but I had already had my chemo). Pain also radiates - mainly to my thigh. Today I got my results from my MRI which were clear. Such relief!! It is worth getting checked out because it will either get you started on treatment or put your mind at rest. I know now that I left it too long to get checked out, but I was just scared. However, the fear and worrying was getting too too bad! As you know back ache can be lots of things … surgery related, stress related…you may have injured yourself…slept badly. It’s just hard to believe any pain is innocent after a diagnosis! Chiropracter also helped me!
Good Luck with your scan.
Gx
Hello Caro
I had a mastectomy 12 years ago and let a problem like yours develop without seeking treatment - I ended up flat on my back for weeks before physiotherapy sorted me out! hope your scan works out well and you are soon feeling good again
monica xx
I’ve had lower bach pain and my gp thought it was referred pain from my ovaries. I’ve had a scan and it turns out I have a cyst which is now being monitered. I’m to have a bone scan also next month. I think you should have a scan because you will only worry and better safe than sorry. Fingers crossed that alls well and that it’s post surgery stiffness.
good luck
Katie x x x
Thanks ladies for all your replies. I’ve requested a bone scan and am awaiting an appt.
Gemdancer; Congratulations on your clear scan! How come you had an MRI and not a bone scan…? I did wonder about whether I should request an MRI instead, but bone scans seems to be the thing. Do you still get the pain, and are you doing anything about it?? Like you, I’ve put off getting a scan out of sheer fear!
Mand; I started driving again about the same time the pain started, guess it could be related?! I thought about taking Voltarol but am concerned it may not be a good idea whilst on chemo…? How long ago did you have your surgery? Have you considered a scan??
Dawn, I’ve read your posts on many other threads, so am quite familiar with your story. Someone told me that bone mets aren’t usually painful until they’ve been there for a while; I wonder if that’s true? I also hope it isn’t arthritic as I’m only 36!
Katie; good luck with your bone scan. Let us know how it goes and I’ll do the same.
Anyway, guess I now have to play the waiting game…
Caro xx
Good luck Caro, hope it brings reassurance
monica xxx
Caro,
I had surgery on Oct 1st, rt max with full clearance. I had a bone scan 1 week before my op due to some rib pain whilst on chemo, the scan was clear. I have discussed the pain with BC nurse and onc who said it was unlikely anything would have developed since the scan, however this s… disease makes me paranoid. Just waiting to start rads. Mand