Back pain .

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Hello was diagnosed April 2021 did lumpectomy chemo double mastectomy with implants and all my lymph nodes removed as carry both genes BRAC1 and PABL2. Then 16 radiation treatments now on hormonal tablets & injection once ever 1/ weeks untill my hysterectomy . Unfortunately 8 weeks ago I lost the bad side implant due to septic & cellulites I was always high risk for implants as I have Crohn’s also. So we deciding what’s best for breast soon maybe fat. But in the meantime I went to my oncologist yesterday as for months now I am having lower back pain worst at night goes down both legs hands and fingers swallowed. In the morning can’t pull myself out of bed have to use bed rail. I have a 2 year old baba and my mum helps me dress her etc . All the tablets and nothing is helping my back.  So yesterday he has ordered an emergency MRI and CT of my back I said I had X-ray two weeks ago and showed nothing he said X-ray would not show in detail anything bad . I ask him straight does he think the cancer is back in my spine and he said at this point he could not say . I then ask what eles can I take for pain he said nothing untill we know what’s happening then I will see pain management team. I was off my hormonal tablets as we thought maybe was them but nope pain is still unbearable. To be honest am so scared it’s back in my spin anyone any thoughts to ease my mind . Scan will be nxt week and results are very quick now coming back he says. Last year Xmas eve i got the best news I was cancer free now am so scared it’s back . Am 37 now was 35 when was diagnosed. Many thanks if someone see this just maybe need reassurance x 

  • Hi Neevy35,

    I’m Kirsty one of the cancer information nurse specialists that work on the Macmillan support line.

    Thanks for getting in touch. I can hear how worried you are as you wait for further scans and results. I appreciate how difficult it is to know that the scans requested are to actively look for cancer. Your consultant needs to understand the reason for your pain before they can suggest a treatment plan.

    This will vary depending on the cause of your pain, which sounds complex and has been difficult to manage. There is a condition called spinal cord compression that can occur when cancer is seen in the bones of the spine. Symptoms include nerve pain, similar to what you have been experiencing.

    I say this not to alarm you but to make you aware of the importance of the detailed scans results, so that if this condition is diagnosed, treatment can start straightaway. Steroids are used initially that help manage pain and inflammation, while other treatments are being considered.

    The reassurance I can give you is that if suspected, this condition will be diagnosed and treated urgently.

    If your pain does worsen please call 111 for additional advice.

    Why not give us a call on the support line so we can talk through your concerns and the information shared in this reply. We are here to support you and sometimes having a chat can help you feel less alone while you wait for results.

     

     

    Best wishes.

    Kirsty, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

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