Is my back pain because the cancer has spread

Hello Eiluj,

So sorry you’ve found your way here....yes if there is a spread it would show on the MRI; however, there’s a very high chance that it’s a result of your body fooling you and the stress of the diagnosis has fooled your body! Breast cancer is generally pretty slow growing so could well have been starting for months, maybe years.

this waiting time is frustrating and worrying, but your team need to wait for all your results to decide together the right treatment specific for you. And I remember the HER result does take some time to come back. 

Try to occupy yourself in the meantime, take some exercise (it will actually help your thought processes and also, oddly, in turn help you sleep.)

Hugs xxx  

Hi Eiluj

After diagnosis it is normal practice to have an MRI and/or a CT scan. They do this to ensure that they can plan accurate treatment for you, to use as a baseline and to check if there is any spread.

Have you met your oncologist yet? As you say you are starting out on this treatment and it takes a while to grip the  jargon as before this you probably hadn’t heard of ER PR HER - I certainly hadn’t ! It takes time to understand what is happening and having tests and waiting for results is a very anxious time. Once you know the treatment ahead and meet the team who is looking after you I am sure you will feel much better. 
Some people do have surgery first and many have Chemo first. It depends on the HER2 results which can take a time to come through. I was HER + so had chemo first to shrink the tumour. And then had surgery. I know it seems ages to get the plan but the doctors need lots of info to plan your treatment. That is why it is a bit uncertain for you at the moment.

23rd December seems a while to wait for MRI results so maybe phone your BC nurse or the consultants secretary if you are worried. I am finished treatment now but learned through the process that if you are upset or scared you have to ask. Don’t bottle it up. It’s also not the greatest date to have a merry Christmas either ! But think it’s the first step in the road to recovery.

I advise you not to google as information can be out of date. Macmillan have lots of information available and this site is a very reassuring place to be. Friends and family are great but they don’t really understand what you are going through. We do ! So ask away.

Best wishes

Jojodot X

Thank you for your reply. 

I have met my oncologist and other members of my team.

My understanding was that MRI was a baseline for measuring the cancer. I don't know when or if I will get the results of it. I'm now wondering if my treatment plan might change again. 

Currently my treatment plan is 6 rounds of chemo followed by surgery. Prior to ER and PR results coming back negative I was planned for a mastectomy on 4th January.  

I suppose I am just paranoid now thinking any ache or pain is due to the cancer having spread! 

I know what you mean about family and friends. They all want to help, but as you say unless they are in the situation I don't think they can fully appreciate what we are going through. It's a club I hope they never join! X x

Got my HER2 result back now. It's positive. Apparently that is better because I would have been triple negative otherwise (??).

Anyway, only difference it's made to my treatment is the addition if herceptin after third round if chemo.

Blood tests and swab test on Monday! 

How’s your back pain ? I’ve the same and feel scared I’m not sure if mines from running and bras tight xx

My back pain is not what it was. I hope it was my mind playing tricks!

I'm interested to hear that you are running. Are you running whilst having treatment? 

I want to but am a bit wary  x 

Hi Eiluj

My treatment was several years ago but I ran through 4 rounds of chemo - check with your team that they are happy for you to do it - they probably are. My oncologist laughed and said yes, if you feel up to it, do it. As long as you don't overdo it, it's usually fine.

R