Breast Cancer Now Forum

A little over a month ago I developed a pain in my face, I wasn’t sure exactly where the pain was coming from but when it started to swell I visited my dentist.  He checked my teeth and found a loose back molar but because I’ve been on biophosphates for 5 years I wouldn’t allow him to extract it.  There was no abscess, just a wonky tooth. i put up with it for a couple of Days and then the swelling under my jaw came to a head and started to leak.  My GP checked it carefully, examined inside my mouth and very gently pressed my teeth.  Still no tooth pain.  At that point he said it may be an infected salivary gland and gave me co-amoxiclav.  After the course was complete it was very much better but still a small amount if discharge.  I left it a few days to see if it would resolve but it hadn’t, so I contacted GP again who prescribed another 5 days of the antibiotic.  Once again it seemed almost resolved so I left it a week and then suddenly (almost overnight) my neck swelled and I could barely swallow and now my face was very painful. my GP spoke with the Max Fax team at the hospital and they suggested I come in for some tests. i was admitted into a ward, given a CT scan, a dental scan and an ultrasound scan. Later they took a biopsy from the site of the leakage from the jaw bone.  I stayed on the ward 4 days and the diagnosis is that it’s either cancer mets that have spread to my jaw or it’s infected Osteonecrosis. im now on amoxicillin and co-amoxiclav and mouthwash.  The jaw pain became worse after the biopsy and Under my jaw is still very swollen.  I go back next Friday to be reviewed. The Max Fax team seem convinced that it’s ONJ but I can’t help thinking that if it’s a growth/change in mets, it may not only be to my jaw. has anyone else had this situation where there is no visible infection in the mouth but it was still infected ONJ? Im pretty worried so any info you can share would be appreciated. Liz ... View more

I have extensive bone mets and been having zoledronic acid every three weeks, but now I’m starting to get lower jaw problems so my oncologist has taken me off zoledronic.  I’m trying to find out is this means the bad nine pain will come back.  Has anyone been on zoledronic and then come off?  Did your bone pain return?   Thanks for any feedback Liz ... View more

I have only posted a couple of times but really need advice on neuropathy. it started in my hands and feet back in 2014 when I was on Abraxane and it is still just as bad today (Herceptin, pertusamab and zoledronic acid).  My finger tips are quite numb some times and it's a bit like I've had an injection at the dentist up to my wrists.  My feet always feel they are burning, Pins and needles and shooting pains up my legs.  It goes up to about mid calf. walking is painful and makes it difficult to walk far.  It also affects my balance I can be standing still and then suddenly I stager.  I've told my GP, my oncologist and the nurses at the day unit but I have been told there isn't much can be done about it.   does anyone else have this, and how are you coping with it?  It is driving me crazy thank you for any advice. Liz ... View more