Stopping treatment due to also having severe pain from sciatica due to bulging disc

Hi Mazz,

Thanks for responding, So interesting to hear you finished your Chemotherapy early. Did you continue with other treatments? I’m going to see what the team say to me stopping at 5 , I think I know the answer, but I also think they are surprised that I’ve got this far, because at my last review the oncologist said he wouldn’t be surprised if I didn’t end up in A&E this time. I did question why he would say this to an already very anxious person?  My main concern has always been my back pain and being able to get through the chemotherapy with it and I don’t think I can take much more. I’ve had months of just being in my bedroom laying in bed (as I can’t sit) and I really can’t take much more mentally and physically. I do regular physio and do all the exercises given . I’m pleased to hear you have no regrets and are enjoying life!  Thanks for your support greatly appreciated xxx

Hi, I’m so sorry you have a lot going on at the moment and chemo is enough on its own! Years ago my husband had 2 bulging discs and the specialist told him that the inflammation, which causes the pain, lasts approximately 3 months without surgery. I hope this is the case for you and a light at the end of the tunnel might help a little. Take care and get your rest in when you can x

Yes I had 5 sessions of radio therapy then followed by Anastrazole for 5/10 years which are absolutely fine. So sorry you have back issues; I too had back issues which were fixed with back surgery. Luckily that was before my cancer diagnosis, it must be difficult coping with them both together. Wishing you lots of strength, it’s hard to imagine, but it will pass and hopefully you’ll feel better than ever xx

Hi tcatz,

Sorry to hear your diagnosis and you suffer with sciatica. I finished my chemo treatment in April 2022 for breast cancer, I too was on docetaxel and I suffered the worst side effects ever. Ever since my joints haven't been the same terrible stiffness and aching and severe pain in my lower back. I also suffered the onset of sciatica after treatment finished and steadily got worse over the next year. My doctor prescribed amitriptylline which is good for nerve pain and it has taken the sciatica pain away completely. He started me off on 10mg and then gradually increased it to 25mg a day. It has worked wonders for me.

Hope this helps and I hope you're not suffering too much and good luck with your surgery, stay strong, many hugs. 

Hi

I had dreadful sciatica in 2019 and after lots of failed injections, was eventually prescribed Pregabalin which sorted me out. But I was pretty much bedbound for seven months. 

Is it not possible for the hospital to lay you on a bed? Or take a fold up bed with you so you can lay down. I certainly couldn't sit when I had sciatica. The pain was dreadful. Better you find a solution with the hospital than miss your chemo.

I had a double mastectomy five weeks ago and have not laid flat on my back. I bought a wedge cushion which I adapted to very quickly. Hopefully that might work for you. D x

Hi Dee Dee,

Thanks for responding. I’m taking gabapentin, unfortunately not really worked for me, maybe taken the edge off, also taking MST, it’s just too annoying. Yes sitting it’s unbearable and I cry  every time I have chemotherapy.  I’m seeing the oncologist this week and am going to have to insist that I have to lay down, otherwise I can’t see myself going through with it.  Also thanks for the advice after your mastectomy it’s been playing on my mind. I cannot lay in my back at all at the moment . I’m hoping by then this flare up will be more manageable by continuing with physio and maybe an injection when I finish chemotherapy 

It has been the worst time of my life. Going from a confident active women to someone I don’t recognise at all. GP prescribed antidepressants today hopefully that will help get through the mist a little.

Any more advice on having a double mastectomy would also be greatly appreciated.  Hope your recovery continues to go well. Xxx

I am a breast cancer patient with secondary bone cancer. I also have osteoporosis and suffer from sciatica. I have a tumour which responded to treatment on L5 on my spine, with other tumours thankfully not impeding on the chord just now. 

My story is not exactly the same but my pain management has been the biggest issue for me, but I am lucky having an Oncologist and GP whose first priority now is reducing my pain. I was reluctant at first to take Morphine or any other powerful pain meds but now I've been on Morphine for a while and then the additional Gabapentin I am beginning to get there though my recent pelvic fractures have set me back a bit. I am now on 30mg slow release Morphine 2 times a day and now up to 300mg Gabapentin 3 times a day. My advice is don't be scared to increase the meds. It's the most important thing.