First compression fracture

[Bettybuckets]

Hi Ladies- I need your help! Today-My chiropractor told me my MRI shows first compression fracture! Tomorrow I am seeing the Orthopedic doctor who might give me some options. I am digesting the news and glad I got a heads up and want to use the time see if I can ask the best questions. Please some of you who have had experience with compression fractures already… what would you want to ask or learn from Orthopedic early on? If you were lucky enough ti schedule an appt with an Orthopedic just as your first compression fracture what is it that I need to know… how to protect from others? I just don’t know what I don’t know… please share your experience and suggestions!. Meanwhile I am just about to move to my new house…( I shouldn’t lift any boxes!) and have one more week in my old summer cottage while new floors get sanded. It has been a blessing to see the cottage in winter!

[kokopelli2017]

hi Betty,

i am so sorry to hear of your compression fracture to lumbar spine...and the pain you are experiencing! i do not know your history but i am assuming you are 'bone-only' thus far? and wondering if yours are mainly 'blastic' or 'lytic'? just curious.

i can't think of a particular question to ask besides the obvious.....what activities you should avoid, how long to heal etcetera and are your present pain meds helping or do you need an increase?

i recently moved two months ago and that timeline coincides with my increase in pain and decrease in mobility in my spine. DO NOT LIFT ANYTHING!!! you will be tempted, but in the end, it will bite you in the butt. even though i tried not to do anything, i know i did overdo. i can't stress that enough. please just sit in a chair and direct the movers and those helping. i know it is easier said than done.

btw....i love that new england cape cod style cottage....and omg....right on the water! so charming! i know you said you live in Plymouth. my older sister lives on the cape. such a beautiful area.

sending a big hug...

carole xo

[Bettybuckets in reply to kokopelli2017]

Thanks so much for answering.. i prob did too much with boxes already even though I tried not to… but I didn’t touch furniture and won’t do any more boxes. I don’t know if blastic or lytic.. and I don’t think the orthopedic dr will know from the MRI. But I also had a CT and bone scan recently… oncologist said it was stable BUT something going on in my abdomen… so now they will schedule PET scan and find it. We’re all just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Yes the cottage is in a very healing spot! My mom started coming summers when she was a little girl…and she is 87! I was glad to experience for the first time in winter while new house floors getting polished.

Cottage and snow

[Hidden]

Hello. You have been on my mind. I am sorry this happened.

I can’t answer your specific question. I will share old advice my wonderful sister offered when I was a new mother: When people offer to help, say yes. They want to help and appreciate a suggestion.

So — no lifting and remember this please.

Finally, you are moving to the Pinehills in Plymouth, right? I hear it’s a nice community with a lot of support for lawn work etc. It’ll be good to not have that responsibility

Wishing you well.

[rsparks984]

Hi Betty, so sorry to hear about your compression fracture. I too have a compression fracture- mine is at T9 and upon further scans I had mets in several places on my spine. I would proceed with caution if you are considering surgery of any kind. I sought out multiple opinions. The back surgeons had very invasive suggestions. I spoke with an oncology surgeon and his advice was not to do any type of surgery. Surgery might be an option if your looking for stability. Surgery won’t solve any pain issues. There is damage to the bone and the pain will be there. It will get better over time. I was on pain meds for quite a while but no lone take any. I am not concerned about stability around my T9 - you’d be surprised at how strengthening the muscles around that area will really help. I’m 9 years out from my compression fracture. I know it’s a scary time for you and I know how much pain you are in - I was seeing stars when my fracture happened. I’d be happy to answer any other questions you might have. BTW - I love your new cottage! Congratulations.

[Bettybuckets in reply to rsparks984]

Oh it is my OLD cottage from my youth… new only in that I used to spend summers here… and now staying here thru the winter for the first time… while I wait for my belongings to being sent from New Zealand and our new house gets painted etc. glad to hear you are managing 9 years after! Wow! Did you keep having them over the years? Or just the one? Thanks for answering to help me understand.

[rsparks984 in reply to Bettybuckets]

I had just the one compression fracture- if I would have pressed the issue harder with my back pain I could’ve caught the tumor growth on my vertebrae before it became a fracture. It definitely makes you a better advocate for yourself to be more alert when you do have pain and push doctors to figure out what is going on before it gets to that point.

[Laskia in reply to rsparks984]

Nine years! That's excellent. I gives me hope when I read stories such as this, and I guess that's why were are all here. I had the issue with my spine all through the lockdown and my GP would not see me and basically told me I would have to wait until the pandemic was over before he would refer me to hospital because it 'wasn't urgent'. He 'helpfully' prescribed some anti-depressants though.

The delay led to the fracture along with a massive increase in pain and I'm still pretty bitter about that, but hey ho! My pain is better now and hearing other people's successes is good for morale.

[rsparks984 in reply to Laskia]

Oh my gosh - that is so frustrating. The mistake I made was not being enough of my own advocate to push for the reason my back was hurting so bad. By the time the compression fracture happened at T9 I had bone mets from T6-L3… basically most of my spine. I was very lucky there were not more compression fractures. We definitely have to be aware of our own needs and have to demand answers when we know something isn’t right. Stay strong. Be good to yourself. 😊

[Bettybuckets in reply to Laskia]

Oh dear that all sounds bad. I am so thankful for my wonderful onc in Boston… he called me often when I was dx’d with MBC while living in nz! And even called last month while I had covid with back pain worried about spread.. and today was in a car accident and again on the phone. I am so thankful to have a very responsive team.

[Remyan]

Dear Betty, Do you have osteoporosis? I do not know what cancer treatment you are on. You do not necessarily have to have MBC metastatic to bones to fracture. Letrozole and other drugs that are estrogen blockers can cause you to have compression fractures due to osteoporosis.

That is what happened to me. I no longer am on letrozole but have had 4 compression fractures in the thoracic and lumbar spine and numerous tiny ones in the coccyx.

They were extremely painful and debilitating. Only being propped up in bed, percocet and a heating pad gave me any relief. I just had to get through around a month until the fracture healed. I have been to an orthopedist specializing in cancer, spine specialists, etc. and was told that I "have to live with it and do my best." At present I am only on fulvestrant for stable MBC to lungs having gotten ulcerative colitis from piqray for which I take entyvio infusions.

My oncologist tried to push xgeva but I would not touch it because of side effects like osteo- necrosis of the jaw for example. I say "better the devil you know than the devil you don't."

None of the orthopedists recommended xgeva to prevent compression fractures. You can also try a soft brace for comfort. They sell them on Amazon. That has been my experience so far. Once the fractures heal it is back to normal again, moving around and walking as much as possible.( I do have to use a rollator now.) See what works for you to get comfortable. Please, if you need a good pain killer make sure that you get one so you will not suffer and heal faster. You can only do your best. God bless you.

Sincerely,

Andy

[Bettybuckets in reply to Remyan]

Hi Andy- I had strong bones before cancer so no osteoporosis… just skeletal tumors. The healing of the compression fracture is something to look forward to. I thought it would just keep crumbling. I’m seeing the orthopedic doc this morning so will ask what to do to help heal.

[Justme153]

Can't help with any advice but have to say what a lovely cottage!

[Bettybuckets]

Wonderful refuge for me now… just one week left and I am trying to savour it… it is also just a mile from my mum and sister!

[lsb99]

I had kyphoplasty. Very easy. See an interventional radiologist

[Photo-Bug in reply to lsb99]

My sweetie saw the IR about this treatment. He said it was a painful treatment. Did you think so?How soon did you get relief?

Thanks

Sharon

[lsb99 in reply to Photo-Bug]

I thought it was pretty painless. Full anesthesia though. Took about 2 hours. Was home that night.About two years ago. T8 and T9. Occasionally some residual backache but pretty much immediate relief.

You are radioactive for a few days…. Lol.

[Bettybuckets in reply to lsb99]

Sharon- wow! I was in my way to see the orthopedic guy to hear about that procedure when I crashed my car… just what my bones did not need. And so I of course missed thst appt!

[Contrarielle in reply to Bettybuckets]

!!!! Hope you are ok.

[Photo-Bug in reply to lsb99]

Thanks for that info. Did you have it done near Halloween and glow in the dark?😂😂😂

[mariootsi]

All the best to you in your new home. How exciting!

[life8888]

I have multiple spinal compression fractures, and their effects - back pain and eventually inability to move my leg - led to my ER admittance and my diagnosis. After whole spine radiation I was able to move my leg again, and most back pain went away. I would recommend finding a physical therapist to help you maintain/improve mobility and reduce pain. A good one can be hard to find, but it made a lot of difference for me.

[SMPG]

In the summer of 2019, I got a sudden, huge pain in my back. X-rays showed a compression fracture. That was the sign that my breast cancer had metastized. Suddenly again, the pain disappeared. I started oncology treatment and subsequent scans showed the compression fracture had resolved by itself. However, a later scan showed o cancer lesion in the socket of my right hip bone. Strange. My initial cancer was in the left breast. I wondered how cancer could have gone from the left breast to the right hip. Not affecting other areas. Strange mysteries in the world of these cancer cells…..

[MaryCos]

I don't know anything about this particular issue, but I did want to tell you that I am thinking of you. You know how to reach me if you want to chat! xo

[Bettybuckets in reply to MaryCos]

Thanks Mary it has been a rough ride… thanks so much

[MaryCos in reply to Bettybuckets]

Thinking of you! ❤️

[Laskia]

Hi,

I have multiple mets on my thoracic and lumbar spine. My T12 crumbled and then fractured. It sounds quite terrifying as I just imagined the rest of the bone just collapsing like dominoes. I was reassured that the spine does have a strong network of support from various muscles and ligaments, but that I should avoid lifting heavy things and avoiding contact sports or parachuting, bungee jumping! I'm too much of a wimp to ever consider those things anyway!

I was told that the bisphosphonate, Zometa will have a strengthening and stabilising effect. He also said that there is some kind of 'cement' that can be used to elevate the bone if it shows signs of further collapse that might cause problems with the spinal cord or nerves.

It is an option that is obviously not taken lightly as any operation carries risks, and it would mean temporarily stopping the aromatase inhibitors.

It was reassuring for me to know that there are some options that they will consider however

My hostpital has arranged for me to take a yoga and mindfulness course under the supervision of the cancer doctors and physiotherapist starting this week. The aim is to give me some flexibility without undue stress on the spine. So, I'm looking forward to that!

For the pain, apart from the usual pain killers, I've been using a wireless TENS machine in the area when I go out walking. It kind of detracts from the pain and helps.

[Bettybuckets in reply to Laskia]

That tens machine sounds very high tech. I was wondering about the glue.

[Laskia in reply to Bettybuckets]

It does sound high tech but its easy to use. I got it from Amazon: Here's a link if you want to check it out!

amazon.co.uk/Med-Fit-Dual-C...

[Hidden]

Such a beautiful spot.Sorry I am late to reply, but I have just moved house.

Yep I completely overdid it lugging heavy boxes and furniture around. Why we didn’t get removal men I don’t know. Plus my Son broke his foot and couldn’t help.

Sandra’s expertise has very probably answered your question.

I just wanted to add that I see many many elderly patients with fractures of the spine (it is far more common than you think) from Osteoporosis which are also pathological fractures due to that disease, but there are differences between the two. Ultimately though they are both painful and heal themselves (usually).

Here in the UK, the only time you have a brace is if the fracture is at the junction between T12 and L1 (basically to prevent your spine from becoming bent) or if there are numerous fractures.

With all bone healing some loading/weight bearing helps the structure of the bone to heal in the right direction. A good exercise is putting your hands on the wall and doing a mini push up against the wall. I would do these after 4-6 weeks of healing when the bone has got a bit of strength back and your pain has lessened (which it will).

Wishing you a rapid recovery and stealth pain reduction.

Clare

[eoshea]

Hi Betty. All our situations are different so I say this cautiously. When an mri last summer revealed severe compression of two upper thoracic vertebrae - I was sent for radiotherapy immediately which stabilised the vertebrae, prevented spinal nerve damage and greatly reduced the pain. Since then I’m on zometa infusions, painkillers, and hormone therapy same as many others with bone mets. The radiotherapy was the thing for me that made a dramatic difference at the start. And btw I agree with the advice - Do NOT lift anything. Don’t even think about it😊

[Bettybuckets in reply to eoshea]

Good advice… my husband is so good about doing everything- poor man!

[Contrarielle]

Hi, so sorry to hear. I have no helpful advice but wishing you luck and some useful treatment therapies. Your cottage looks so gorgeous. Right now north island hotter even than you'd remember! Good luck! X

[Bettybuckets in reply to Contrarielle]

I miss nz so very much! Especially the view from my sweet small home on waiheke island.

My view from wiaheke island

[Contrarielle]

Gorgeous!

[morty87]

I suffered a fall in 2015 while skiing. I went to the dr, he put me on steroid packs and referred me to PT. I usually like PT and I literally could not handle the pain. I began taking Tylenol like M&Ms to no avail. I couldn't eat, I had stomach issues due to pain meds and I suffered. I was never given an X-ray or MRI. After enduring a great amount of pain for nearly 2 years, I complained enough that I was sent to the Pain Clinic. PT and orthopedist thought I wanted narcotics - I wanted RELIEF!!!! Finally a MRI was performed (2017) and it was determined that I had 2 compression fractures in my back. Long story short - I found an excellent neurologist that took 2 vertebrae out of my back because they were cancerous and the consistency of butter! I have a new plate in my back with 9 lovely screws and I am painfree!!! I had to learn how to walk again and I looked like a stormtrooper in my body armour. That is where it was detemined that my BC was back and now it was MBC. I underwent 10 rounds of radiation. It was grueling but nothing unmanageable after living in severe pain for 2 years! I have been on the Letrozole/Ibrance/Zometa combination since January 2018 with good results. I wish you the best. Back surgery is not what it used to be. I pray you find what works for you!

[Laskia in reply to morty87]

That's an amazing story. There's some very skilled surgeons around. I suffered for a year while trying to get diagnosed during the pandemic. Glad to hear you're free from pain now.

[Bettybuckets in reply to morty87]

I met a gal while living in nz who has a similar story.. had the back bits removed in Australia…which I don’t think they offer most MBC pts… and she is still here many years later.

[stardust1965]

I had back problems for years. I had two partial prolapsed discs and was no stranger to acute, debilitating back pain. In August 2018 things took a turn for the worse and my spine fractured to the point I could hardly breath. The pain was excruciating. I soldiered on and three months later I was diagnosed with MBC.After starting on Zometa and Ibrance and Letrozole my back slowly got better with no other treatment and no intervention. I wasn’t aware there were other options tbh. I have more spinal mets now and can “feel” them. I feel some of my mets in other areas but not all of them. Radiotherapy is an option if they get too painful but I think I have a high pain threshold.

I hope you get some answers after your appointment in two days time. It sure is a rollercoaster ride and I hate rollercoasters!!

[debbiedo2063]

Don’t have any helpful advice but sending hugs and best wishes for helpful treatments in the future. Lovely photos . Debra xxx😍