Back aching

LivinginNH
LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
Hi all, I'm usually over on the colon board, but I thought that someone here might be able to help me with this question. Quick background, my Rick has several peritoneal tumors, as well as in the liver and pelvis. His lower back has been aching quite a bit, especially when he lies on his back to sleep. It aches near his spine and right hip. He's had to sleep in the guest room for the past month since he flops around for hours before finally falling asleep. The onc. doesn't think it's cancer related, but I'm not so sure... Anyone else having severe back aches like this? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Cynthia

Comments

  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    Back Pain
    Hi: I am a gallbladder cancer person who had spread to the peritoneum and liver. I always have had a back problem and if it worsened I would get it checked out as soon as possible for cancer or some other reason. It could be related to his treatment - you don't say if he is on treatment. If he has colon cancer, he was likely treated with folfox or folfiri and these treatments can cause bone pain. Especially if he was also getting a Neulasta injection to boost up white blood cell counts. I am enduring folfirinox and has 12 treatments along with Neulasta injections and my bones just ached. I would suggest getting it looked at regardless just to take away the stress.
    Cheryl
  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    westie66 said:

    Back Pain
    Hi: I am a gallbladder cancer person who had spread to the peritoneum and liver. I always have had a back problem and if it worsened I would get it checked out as soon as possible for cancer or some other reason. It could be related to his treatment - you don't say if he is on treatment. If he has colon cancer, he was likely treated with folfox or folfiri and these treatments can cause bone pain. Especially if he was also getting a Neulasta injection to boost up white blood cell counts. I am enduring folfirinox and has 12 treatments along with Neulasta injections and my bones just ached. I would suggest getting it looked at regardless just to take away the stress.
    Cheryl

    Hi Cheryl,
    Yes, you're


    Hi Cheryl,

    Yes, you're probably right, that makes sense. He's had a few Neulasta shots along with the Folfiri so I imagine that it's just catching up with him. It's just strange to us that the ache is worse when he's lying down, so falling off to sleep is very difficult. Thank you for the reply - that made him feel better. :-)

    Hugs,

    Cynthia
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member

    Hi Cheryl,
    Yes, you're


    Hi Cheryl,

    Yes, you're probably right, that makes sense. He's had a few Neulasta shots along with the Folfiri so I imagine that it's just catching up with him. It's just strange to us that the ache is worse when he's lying down, so falling off to sleep is very difficult. Thank you for the reply - that made him feel better. :-)

    Hugs,

    Cynthia

    Hi Cynthia
    I have PPC which is presently causing me probelems with my bowel. I too have some pains in my lower back whenever I lie down. I haven't asked my oncologist about thsi but I do have my own thoughts. Since my bowel has been affected I have a lot of pain in my abdomen and back and I can only lie on my side at the moment.

    I think the bulk of the cancer that has attached itself to the outside od my bowel is irritated when I lie on it. Maybe this is completely different for your man, but I think we don't always realise what a massive organ the bowel is and how sensitive it is to things that are a bit out of the ordinary.

    Regarding falling asleep. I have some oramorph (liquid morphine) and I took 5ml last night which enabled me to sleep.

    Hope your man can get some pain relief soon, Tina xxx
  • Best Friend
    Best Friend Member Posts: 222

    Hi Cheryl,
    Yes, you're


    Hi Cheryl,

    Yes, you're probably right, that makes sense. He's had a few Neulasta shots along with the Folfiri so I imagine that it's just catching up with him. It's just strange to us that the ache is worse when he's lying down, so falling off to sleep is very difficult. Thank you for the reply - that made him feel better. :-)

    Hugs,

    Cynthia

    hey
    Really it could be anything. my mom has ppc and when she had her neulasta shot she basically laid in bed and moaned. So, i don't know. She also had her surgery and u figure on how much they actually remove and mess with so many things that u don't realize just how it will affect u for life. I agree with getting him some sleeping meds. Mom was taking restoril. Whch is basicallly like good valium. She would take 2. They did gve us morphne but she never wanted to take it. Good luck!!!!!!!!
  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    Thank you both, we truly

    Thank you both, we truly appreciated your advice and insight. His back aches so much at night now that he's chosen to sleep in our guest room so as to not wake me due to his tossing around in bed all night. I miss him being beside me, but it's more important that he, and I, get enough sleep. He's going to ask his oncologist about the meds that you've both mentioned to see if something can be prescribed for both pain and sleep. Thank you again!

    All my best,

    Cynthia
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642

    Thank you both, we truly

    Thank you both, we truly appreciated your advice and insight. His back aches so much at night now that he's chosen to sleep in our guest room so as to not wake me due to his tossing around in bed all night. I miss him being beside me, but it's more important that he, and I, get enough sleep. He's going to ask his oncologist about the meds that you've both mentioned to see if something can be prescribed for both pain and sleep. Thank you again!

    All my best,

    Cynthia

    Back Pain
    But, Cynthia, I would still get it looked at to relieve your stress and his. Tina is right - your organs get all rearranged and there is scar tissue perhaps and all sorts of things. I can't lay on my side because of a large incisional hernia. Keep us posted.
    Cheryl
  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    westie66 said:

    Back Pain
    But, Cynthia, I would still get it looked at to relieve your stress and his. Tina is right - your organs get all rearranged and there is scar tissue perhaps and all sorts of things. I can't lay on my side because of a large incisional hernia. Keep us posted.
    Cheryl

    Hi Cheryl, Yes, thank you,

    Hi Cheryl, Yes, thank you, you're absolutely right. In fact, Rick told me that he was going to press the issue when he sees his onc. on Monday due to the advice from our friends out here. (Btw, this is the same doctor who dismissed his pain a few weeks ago saying that it probably wasn't cancer related.) Rick will get the results of his recent PET scan during this appointment as well, so if the pain really isn't cancer related, I'm going to strongly suggest that he see his primary doctor. I just really hate seeing him in any type of pain - it hurts my heart, you know.... :-(

    All my best, thanks again,

    Cynthia