False Alarm!!!

[Billash]

Bone scan shows bright met spots on 2 ribs according to radiologist. Monc orders needle biopsy. 2nd radiologist calls & requests I come in early for biopsy he is suspicious of the spots. He runs a brief CT & discovers 2 healing bone fractures, no Mets. Really relieved, PSA still declining, organ scan scheduled for Feb. Severe joint pain continues, only relief is ibuprofin.

[Dr_WHO]

Sorry about the joint pain but glad to hear it was healing bone. Similar thing just happened to me. Had a CT scan where they said massive tumers in lymph nodes and return of metastatic cancer in the abdomen. Then, about two weeks later find out that they forgot two words, noand not. It should of read no massive tumers and the remission did not end.

Yes it’s suck that mistakes were made but at least we both are better for it!

[Hidden]

Happy for you! Just remember pain is weakness leaving your body.

Of course what do I know?

[Dan59]

Glucosamine can be good for joint pain. Just goes to show that not all they think is cancer on scans is really cancer. Happy for the good news.

Dan

[Don1157]

Good for you! I too had a false positive on a rib.

[Hidden]

I have 3 ribs with such spots, but the nuclear-med tech who runs the bone scans asks me about them every time, so the radiologist is alerted to these past breaks and does NOT make a false report of bone mets. Surprising what a little communication will do.

[yucca13]

I have had many tests for bone metastasis. CT with and without contrast and a bone scan 6 months ago. Then a PET scan 3 months ago. Changed doctors and they ordered another CT scan without contrast and MRI with 3 views. The first result was the third rib area looked suspicious, then the bone scan showed it was arthritis. PET was suspicious and radiation doc wanted to do 18 rounds of radiation for the one suspected bone met located in third rib. Sought another opinion and the result was MRI showed nothing and the CT showed nothing until the oncologist got on the phone and told the radiologist where to look for the bone met. I have no other symptoms except for PSA 20.

Is a bone biopsy as painful as they contend? I am conflicted about having radiation if there is so much uncertainty that the area of my third rib having a small bone metastasis. I have been told it is for palliative treatment only so if I am not in a lot of pain why risk the side effects of radiation?

I wondered if anyone else has had all the different opinions about what looks like a bone met? Thanks.

[Roland632017 in reply to yucca13]

Hi yucca13

I am Roland I will like to continue to follow on you. My last PSA on 10 Dec 17 was 19.31. This is 4th PSA that I have done over 4 years 😁. I am an Advanced Stage 4 PCa survivor like you. I intend to test again in about 12 days time. With the festive season around the corner and my huge appetite I hope I don't get an inaccurate results the next time,

[AlanMeyer]

I found that I could alleviate joint pain in my hands (caused by Lupron treatment) by alternately running them under hot water and cold water. But I guess that wouldn't work too well if the pain is in your back, hips, or shoulders.

For finger joints, careful exercise is a big help too.

Alan

[Robertleeb]

I had a CT scan before any protocols were started and I had a mass on my lower back. it didn't light up and I knew it wasn't cancer mets because I got into a car accident in my 30's and I always had minor problems from the accident and it seems now that I am 67, it came back to haunt me again. I have to wear a belt for my back so I don't pinch a nerve or I will be in bed for 3 days with the heat pad and Ibuprofen and walking around with a cane. I went to a chiropractor in the 90's and he told me I didn't have any spinal problems except the scarred tissue that will cause a pinch nerve because the lower back muscle wants to pull to my right , and when I bend over to pick something up that is when I get a pinch nerve. the belt seems to keep away the problems of a pinched nerve.Glad to hear you PSA is going down, mine is too.

[j-o-h-n]

I've got a bone to pick with my doctor also...

j-o-h-n Thursday 12/14/2017 6:28 PM EST