Bone pain, trouble walking

[Klamato]

For the past month or so, I have considerable right leg pain and need a cane to support me when walking. With an MRI they tell me that my bone Mets on my femurand pelvis may be causing this discomfort. I am presently taking Verzenio and tamoxifen. My recent PET scan showed overall decrease in the liver, bone and lung. But after that, I’m experiencing so much pain and inability to walk without a can. Has anyone with bone Mets had this experience? I’m meeting with the radiologist to see if perhaps radiation to that are could alleviate this present problem. Any thoughts or experience would be helpful! Thanks everyone! Kathy

[Hidden]

Hi Klamato -

My gosh, I'm so sorry for what you're dealing with! I imagine that, if it weren't for the extreme discomfort, you could really enjoy the positive response to treatment!

I don't have similar experience, but I'll mention that I had a convo with my secondary onc recently and we were discussing bone mets, in general. Be raised the topic of some things they can do to deal with the...structural?...issues caused by bone mets. Cement (?) in compromised vertebrae, etc. (I'm don't need this yet....). But my point is, since the cancer itself seems to be improving, this might be a good time to look into options for dealing with the other issues? I know I've seen posts here from women who have had the cement (again, not sure I'm using the right word) and other methods to reinforce the bones. Even radiation for any tumors that might be causing the pain...

I do hope you find some relief...Even pain meds. There's lots of discussion here re: how life-changing it can be to reduce/eliminate the pain...

Very best regards,

Lynn

[Klamato in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Lynn for your good information. I am seeing the radiologist on Friday! Wish me luck. Thx again. Kathy

[syl70]

Hi Klamato, I had a similar experience in early 2019. I had terrible pain in pelvis and both femurs. It was difficult to walk & my legs became weak. I went to PT, but had minimal improvement. While my CT & Bone scans were stable, the bone pain was due to Mets. So I had 10 radiation sessions. The pain stopped after 3 sessions. However, my intestines were fried & it took months to recover. Ask the Radiation Oncologist how he/she will protect your intestines. Despite this, I’m glad the pain was gone. I hope this helps. Good luck.

[Klamato in reply to syl70]

Thanks so much for your reply and good information. I am meeting with the radiologist on Friday to see what they say can help. I’m glad to you mentioned the intestines thing. I already have issue with that, so I will bring that fact up. Thanks so much for sharing with me! Stay well. Kathy

[mariootsi]

Hope you get some relief.

[Red71]

I had the same problem with T10 and 12 mets causing a great deal of pain. I had 10 rounds of radiation which helped a great deal. It bothered my esophagus just a little bit, so that I had trouble if I tried to swallow to large of a bite but that has gone away. I still have pain and am on heavy opioids, but it is now controlled so that I can do pretty much anything I want. The mets I had radiation for were not controlled by pain meds and I couldn’t walk or get in and out of bed with those. I’m on a Fentanyl patch and Dilaudid but it doesn’t make me groggy. I still drive and do normal activities but those are for general bone pain that can’t b treated with radiation. Feel free to ask any questions, I don’t feel like I’m doing a great job of explaining! Elaine

[Tantalon7211 in reply to Red71]

Hi I was reading some old posts and saw yours- and thought i would ask a question- as I am fairly new here and mets in my Pelvis that is affecting me walking as well- I’ve just started Ibrance and pain seem to get worse after starting it - I just got a prescription for dilaudid as well- and wondered if it still works for you and you’re able to walk ok -hopefully this helps- did you also take Ibrance

Thanks hope you’re well

[Klamato in reply to Tantalon7211]

I ended up breaking my other femur bone on 12/28/2021! I also have since been diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the jaw bone, due to the side effects from Xgeva injection! So looks like I won’t be doing that again! Yes, I did take Ibrance, but currently due to some activity, I’m now on the chemo pill called zeloda and doing okay! I have a lot of discomfort in my legs so walking properly is a problem! I take 3 Advil and that gives some relief but overall I just don’t feel like myself yet! Sometimes the side effects from these cancer drugs are worse than the damn cancer, but what can we do! I am on Weight Watchers now to lose 20 pounds, but it’s difficult to say the least! I will try Yoga again in hopes that that will help with my muscles and bones! This is a journey that we are all on and I try to keep the faith and am grateful that after 4 years of the 4th stage diagnosis that I’m still going strong no matter what! Hang in there and continue to BELIEVE, God is our strength! Kathy, Syracuse, NY

[Julie2233]

I had one session of radiation for pain when I was first diagnosed and the pain reduced immediately. I was in severe widespread pain when I was first diagnosed And I also had a undiagnosed broken vertebrae. The vertebrae healed.

I started getting twinges again in my pelvis and back a few weeks ago so my oncologist thought it would be beneficial to have another dose and I’ve been for it this afternoon. The pain wasn’t at the same level as previously but I don’t want it to progress again. I have been warned that it may be worse for the next couple of weeks.

The radiation won’t do anything to heal the bone mets it is only for pain reduction.

[hope4mbc]

I discovered I had bone mets when my femur broke, and they had to put a rod in my leg so that I could continue to walk. Following that surgery I had radiation on the leg. About a year or so out from surgery, I started having trouble walking like you and began using a cane. They could not find any structural issues that might be causing the problem and ordered PT. PT really helped a lot. I finished shortly before the COVID-19 crisis, and was doing great. Unfortunately, many of my PT exercises were done at a local YMCA which has been closed for months. I am still walking without a cane but am concerned that I have not been able to do all of my PT exercises. If PT is offered, I would recommend trying it.

[Aquadog]

Hi Kathy. So sorry you're hurting. I know what that's like. My current pain isn't exactly like yours. I had pain down the outside of my hip and across the front of my thighs. I was convinced it was progression in my bones, but CT scan, PET, and bone scan were negative - it's probably one of Ibrance or letrozole's lovely side effects. Had to stop my long walks, so I began doing yoga and stretching (on DVD). What a difference! Still have some pain, but I'm mobile again - walked 3 miles at a wildlife refuge this past weekend.

Sure hope you find some relief. Sounds like the treatment is working otherwise.

Fingers crossed for you!

Take care,

Susan

[Klamato in reply to Aquadog]

Read my post today! I needed up falling and breaking my femur! Bones of mine but be very brittle because the surgeon doesn’t believe the bone lesions were bad enough to cause such a terrible break! Now I have a steel rod down my le and maybe that will make it stronger! This crazy disease has all kinds of complications. I count on my good doc, but most of all I’m counting on the Good Lord to give me the strength I need to keep going! Thanks for your note. Kathy fromSyracuse, NY

[Tantalon7211 in reply to Aquadog]

Just reading an older post by you- and wondered about your stretching exercises and what type you did- I started Ibrance and letrozole recently - have met in my Pelvis- and have severe pain and can hardly walk- using a cane and hope Maybe it is side effects that will go away from those pills Did you do stretching daily and work your way to note where you could walk etc- i so miss walking

Hope you get this message - was glad to find your post

[Aquadog in reply to Tantalon7211]

Hi! I understand about missing walking - I love to walk. I still walk my dog for about 45-60 minutes every morning. Not going to win any speed contests, but I'm still moving. I use Jane Adams DVDs, gentle yoga, and I'll search Youtube for some stretching that might feel good. I've had two MRIs on my back and it's not cancer causing my pain. I'm convinced it's Letrozole (and maybe Ibrance), but I'm not giving them up since it's been working for over 5 1/2 years. Have you and your doc considered radiation? It was a game changer for me on my sternum and shoulder.

Sending hugs and best of luck finding relief

Susan

[Hidden]

My cancer was diagnosed because of hip pain and loss of use of my hip and leg. I did have radiation to my hip but I found it didn’t help. It does help a lot of people my radiation oncologist told me. I ended up with a hip replacement as my hip was disintegrated by the time I was diagnosed. That took away all the pain although I still have a limp and have to use my cane. I take prescription pain meds for the other bone pain and it helps a lot. Don’t let your self be in pain. Ask for something to help you as it makes no sense to be in pain.

[Klamato in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for your response, I was beginning to feel that I couldn’t get out of this! I have since fallen and broke my femur. Now have a steel rod and perhaps after therapy, I might be better! I really sucks. Thx for your encouragement. Stay well! Kathy

[Hidden in reply to Klamato]

Oh no!! How horrible for you but as you said maybe this will be for the better once you recover. If your leg is now supported maybe you will walk easier and have less pain. Rest and recover ❤️Sarah

[queeneee]

I found this post looking up bone pain - thanks for your useful responses.. one this I could add, is that I find cycling is fine, even if I cant walk far without pain