On Chemo but 1 Rib giving me pain.

[abmicro]

Did 3rd infusion Taxotere. Pelvic pain completely gone and not limping anymore. PSA started going down a little from 23 to 17. Oncology said because Chemo is working, wait until completing all 6 infusions before doing anything about that Rib. That Rib lit up on a bone scan prior to Chemo along with the rib next to it, and has been giving me a little pain for a long time, but tolerable.

Any comments or disagreements? Anything new out there that can be safely done on that rib while I am doing Chemo?

[Hidden]

Has your Alkaline Phosphatase also gone down on chemo?

The only time I was completely pain free was when I was on chemotherapy. I also have rib mets and they got better during and after chemotherapy. My intial bone scan looked like a Christmas tree with lots of "lights" in the ribs. My post-chemo bone scan shows a big improvement and quite a few of those lights are out now. Hopefully yours will do the same.

In the meantime, you can take something for pain relief. I found that Ibuprofen helped a lot, but it depends on how bad your pain is.

If the chemo doesn't do the job on one or two mets, they may be able to zap the rib(s) with radiation later on.

[abmicro in reply to Hidden]

ALP went down a little since 5/21 when I started:

5/21 pre Chemo ALP 62

6/12 ALP 53

7/3 ALP 54

Pain not too bad on the rib, but I dont like leaving active cancer there waiting. Looking to see if anything safe that can be done on that rib while still on Chemo without stopping Chemo.

[Tall_Allen]

I think you received good advice to wait. Both chemo and radiation can suppress immune function, and the chemo may interfere with healing. Some have experimented with ablative treatment to mets if they are in a convenient place. The ribs are not weight-bearing, so there is less urgency. It will only take 1 or 2 zaps to get rid of the pain.

[Stegosaurus37]

I also had some shoulder pain while on chemo and my MO said the same thing. The pain was easily bearable so it wasn't a big problem. My MO is the most close-mouthed guy in the world. Like Tall-Allen he said it would interfere. Why a spot radiation would have any general interference is still not completely clear to me, but so be it.

[PLASTICMAN]

Pain is readilycontrolled with pain killers, folks. Tramadol, diclofenac, etc. Go to a pain control specialist. Am on taxotere after Xtandi had noeffectafter 4 months. Still on Eligardevery 3 months. Mets on hips, spine, rib. Pain under control. Weakand fatigued. Sweat like mad with any minor physical activity. What next?