Hip Pain (Continued and Continuing)

[Omayana]

Hi there. I wrote a few days ago about pain in my hip. I’m new to all of this. I started Ibrance and Letrozole on 1 August and started a gentle exercise regime by two walks, one 3 km and the other 5 km. The third day of taking the drugs, I had a horrible pain in my hip - just when I put weight on it, full movement everywhere else. I have been using two sticks ever since. I am now taking an Ibuprofen 3 x a day (self-prescribed) which is helping but does not take all the pain away and I can’t walk without at least one stick. I go back to the hospital on 29 August. Apart from this, I have had no side effects from from the drug combo and am feeling fine except for the shock of becoming someone who can’t walk overnight! Can anyone offer any experience of this type of pain - am assuming inflammation at cancer site? Is it likely to go away over the course of the treatment?

I’m loving this site and the wonderful people who are contributing to it.

[MaryJ-S]

I have experience that type of pain when starting a new treatment. Not always, as it depends on where the cancer may be located. And, unfortunately, Ibrance plus Letrozole didn't work for me so I felt no change at all that I recall. Give you treatment at least a couple of months to see if there could be some change. Cancer in the bone can be painful and you are doing the right thing by starting to take Ibuprofen. But, be sure to let your doctor know how it is interfering with your life. I am assuming that a scan showed cancer in the hip? If not, it could be arthritis which can be just as painful. Best wishes, Mary

[Omayana in reply to MaryJ-S]

Thank you, Mary. As far as I know, I had no arthritis - not a twinge anywhere. I haven’t had a sensible conversation with a doctor yet since my first consultation. The second one was with a locum before I started treatment who told me what the treatment would be and showed four images (I’m assuming from the PET scan I’d had the previous week) of patches on both shoulder and both hip areas. I don’t think she realised I hadn’t had any feedback since initial diagnosis. Roll on 29 August when I see the original doctor again. Thanks again for replying. Best wishes Diana

[MaryJ-S in reply to Omayana]

Oh Good, you have scans! That should help in your discussion regarding pain with your doctor. Good Luck!

[Omayana in reply to MaryJ-S]

Thanks, Mary. All the best to you too!

[Boogitymom]

I too have have bone Mets in my hips and spine. I’ve been on Ibrance/letrozole since March 2016. I had terrible hip pain last September and was sure the cancer was back but after scans they said it was arthritis, I’d never had it before either. I did an 8 week course of water physical therapy and it helped so very much. I walk every day now 30-45 minutes, they say weight bearing exercise is good. Keep the faith that things will get better

[Omayana in reply to Boogitymom]

Thanks so much, Boogitymom. Good to hear your experience. At the mo I think I’m never going to be able to walk without a stick again. Hope not! Have a great Sunday.

[Julie2233]

Hi, I have widespread bone mets mainly on my spine and hips. Before diagnosis I was told the pain was due to arthritis and I saw a orthopaedic consultant who did an MRI and found no arthritis just mets.

I had a dose of radiation to my spine which eased the pain immediately and I've been on ibrance and fastlodex since march and am now pain free (in January I couldn't get out of the car because of the pain). A couple of weeks ago on holiday I managed to walk 10 miles a day with ease and without sticks. My oncologist said this was too much but it made me very happy

[Omayana]

Hi Julie. Thanks so much for answering and I’m so glad you are better. 10 miles a day - wow! When you were in pain, did you take painkillers and, if so, which ones, please? I’ve gone overnight from a person who walked 3 miles to one who hobbles about with two sticks (and no-one tells you that you are virtually useless especially in the kitchen - which might be a good thing, depends on your point of view) and only ever took Anadin a hundred years ago for period pain! I really appreciate you replying. Best wishes Diana

[Julie2233 in reply to Omayana]

The orthopaedic consultant recommended a prescription painkiller but the oncologist told me to only take paracetamol, 2 tablets 4 times a day even if I didn’t think I needed it as she wanted me to maintain the level of pain killers in my system. I don’t like taking paracetamol as I think it is dangerous but I did as told.

Once I had the radiation and got settled on the ibrance the pain started to reduce.

I will never forget being out with the camera in May and without thinking kneeling down to take a picture and standing up again - I hadn’t been able to kneel, let alone get up again for probably 7 or 8 months! I was so excited! I had started to think that I was never going to be out of pain and I was finding that very difficult to cope with, but I was wrong.