new symptom

I pray that you do NOT have mets, but hoping some of my experience may help!  Big hugs and prayers!

It may be a wise thing to tell your onc and think about a bone scan or PET.   It took me 4 years to get the diagnosis of bone mets (3-4 CT scans, 2-3 PET scans and 2 bone scans, not to mention xrays).  Confusing everything was that I broke 3-4 right ribs after lifting heavy furniture and boxes after Hurricane Katrina.

In 2009 a second bone scan diagnosed my rib mets.  Rib biopsy confirmed it. My tumor markers shot up at this time.

Rib pain mets is tricky as it starts out less intense and there are periods of no pain.  Eventually the pain became severe and I ended in the ER with the final bone scan that correctly diagnosed the mets.

Here is a pretty good description of my rib mets pain:

"Bone metastases can cause the following symptoms:

• Bone pain. Pain is the most common symptom of bone metastasis. It's usually the first symptom you notice. At first, the pain may come and go. It tends to be worse at night or with bed rest. Eventually, the pain may increase and become severe. Not all pain indicates metastasis. Your doctor can help distinguish between pain from metastasis and aches and pains from other sources.

• Broken bones. Bone metastasis can weaken bones, putting them at risk for breaking. In some cases, a fracture is the first sign of bone metastasis. The long bones of the arms and legs and the bones of the spine are the most common sites of fracture. A sudden pain in the middle of the back may indicate a cancerous bone breaking and collapsing."   http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=34&ContentID=25952-1

I too get a lot of lower rib pain both sides Also radiates to back.  Bilateral.  Comes and goes.  I had full body bone scan last December, clear, before this started.   But something is causing this.  Tender to touch.  I do not see Oncol until March next year, as I have come off meds.  Came off because I wanted to clear up different issues whether treatment caused or normal stuff.  Found out have TMJ, arthritis, tennis elbow, hip pain due to one leg shorter than other.  Had what I suspected erupted ovarian cyst, was right.  Now uterus lining thickened and had biopsy of that.  So will ask Oncol about ribs again in March in case it was too early to pick up a problem first time.  Trust yourself, everything I have suspected has turned out right.  But it is true it could be something less sinister too.  Dig your heels in and insist on being taken seriously.  Luckily my Oncol and just now got a gynecologist, both are good, listen and act on info I give and tell me if I am on the wrong track.  Our every day doctors just are not so savvy in these areas.  eg.  a stand in doctor told me my lump was likely nothing.  Another told me thickening of uterus lining was normal for age, gyni was not amused.  My husbands doctor didn't recognize he was having a mild heart attack right in front off him until an emergency the next day.  These people are paid well for making mistakes.  Good luck follow your instincts.

ksf56 said:

Thanks

I have been in the denial state since this pain started and wondered if I should tell someone about it.  You all helped me to make the decision to let me onc. know what's up.  I hate to even think of the possibilities but I know having my head in the sand isn't in my best interest.  You all showed me that it can be treated if it comes up as mets.  I've never had a PET scan.  My doc doesn't think they're necessary unless there is a symptom.  I've had MRIs for my lower back and upper back for regular old back troubles.  I hate those things.

I'll update here when I find out what's going on.  Hopefully, it's just arthritis or something along those lines.

Karen

Karen, a PET scan is just like a CAT scan (or like a quiet MRI).  It measures increased glucose (sugar) uptake because cancer cells eat sugar, more and faster than normal cells.  A bone scan is similar but just concentrates on bone.

Your pain may well be arthritis, but it is always best to be vigilant after a breast cancer diagnosis.  I have been 8 years with bone mets that is in remission, so there is hope even if it turned out to be cancer (which it is not, but we are going to check anyway, right?).  Hugs and prayers!