Differentiating bone pain from other types of pain?

I am a 56 yr old male undergoing ADT therapy thru a clinical trial ( See University of Utah Huntsman Institute Clinical Trial ) for gleason 9 inoperable Pca with a few regional metastasis. So far it is working well arresting the cancer and I am asymptomatic 90% of the time. The pains I do feel come and go and most have been described as a side effect of the ADT by my oncologist. standard NSAIDS are all I need right now. 

I am just curious what to look for if the treatment is no longer working or if I get painful metastasis somewhere. Is bone pain extreme pain? Is it constant or does it comeand go? I have a high pain tolerance and can ignore a lot of pain in my mind. I would like to know what to watch out for.

Thank You. 

foamhand.

GeorgeG said:

If you are at an institution

If you are at an institution doing clinical trials then you probably have access to the proper level of imaging and follow up. If the PC were to spread significantly, your doctors will see it. Also, you might have an advancing PSA without any imaging results or pain that may require a change of strategy to improve your odds. Try to relax and injoy every day the best you can. Hard words to follow I know but being hyper focused on it will not help. 

 

George

 

I am not at the institution but travel there every 3 months for lupron shot and more TAK-700 that I can only get at Huntsman. I'm still living at home and working. There were 2 small new sites on my ribs after one year but the docs are chalking it up to tumor flare response which should now be controlled. As I said, no continuous pain or any pain from the two new sites.

I'm not obsessing on my situation but just want to know what to watch out for. Thanks for your reply.

foamhand.