Bone Mets

elizarose
elizarose Member Posts: 124
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was recently diagnosed with bone mets. My tumor markers went from 26 to 117 in August. I started Zometa and Faslodex and 2 weeks of radiation to my spine. My tumor markers are 405 now. I am really depressed and worried. Can anyone help me understand this better?

Thanks,
Beth

Comments

  • meena1
    meena1 Member Posts: 1,003
    #2
    Hi, Eliza. I haven't seen
    Hi, Eliza. I haven't seen you for awhile, and reading the above i am so sorry you have to come back. I also have bone mets, i was diagnosed with them in July 2008. I did not have radiation (although I should have) and I have been on Zometa since them. My cancer is at T11, this is the bone it is in, this is also in the spine area. Do you know which bone the mets went to? Are you having any pain? I was having a lot of pain in my back and I am on oxycotin and oxycodone which is controlling it. I have had it for over 2 years now and it seems to be stable. I can understand why you are depressed and worried,and if i remember you have IBC. I have IBC also, and this is such an agressive and destructive cancer. I have been warning everyone on this board that have been diagnosed with IBC to not take their eyes off this disease!! Did your doctor tell you that you were in remission, were you still going to the oncologist? I am not sure what my tumor marker are, i was never told. THe zometa will help to strengthn your bones, and it is good that you are getting radiation on that area. Take care, and let us know how you are doing.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #3
    meena1 said:

    Hi, Eliza. I haven't seen
    Hi, Eliza. I haven't seen you for awhile, and reading the above i am so sorry you have to come back. I also have bone mets, i was diagnosed with them in July 2008. I did not have radiation (although I should have) and I have been on Zometa since them. My cancer is at T11, this is the bone it is in, this is also in the spine area. Do you know which bone the mets went to? Are you having any pain? I was having a lot of pain in my back and I am on oxycotin and oxycodone which is controlling it. I have had it for over 2 years now and it seems to be stable. I can understand why you are depressed and worried,and if i remember you have IBC. I have IBC also, and this is such an agressive and destructive cancer. I have been warning everyone on this board that have been diagnosed with IBC to not take their eyes off this disease!! Did your doctor tell you that you were in remission, were you still going to the oncologist? I am not sure what my tumor marker are, i was never told. THe zometa will help to strengthn your bones, and it is good that you are getting radiation on that area. Take care, and let us know how you are doing.

    Hi Beth i wondered how you
    Hi Beth i wondered how you were, as i always loved your name. did you ask your doc why your markers are up? does it have anything to do with zapping the bone tumors? Wish you were back to just say hi, hugs to you! let us know how you are!
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #4
    carkris said:

    Hi Beth i wondered how you
    Hi Beth i wondered how you were, as i always loved your name. did you ask your doc why your markers are up? does it have anything to do with zapping the bone tumors? Wish you were back to just say hi, hugs to you! let us know how you are!

    BUMMER!!!
    I'm so sorry. When the cancer went to my sister's bones her tumor markers were over 1,000.
  • shy violet
    shy violet Member Posts: 167
    #5
    Ok need some questions
    Ok need some questions answered...you guys know I have had BC 2X...out of treatment for 11 months, too burned out to go back and too stressed over the deductibles from medicare...will try to set a goal to go in first of year. Ok I understand the bone met T words, but what is ibc. Also did you have hip and pelvic pain? Having trouble after sitting to stand and pain in hips and pelvis. I quit the femara as that reaally caused bone pain. A year ago I had the pain but the ct came back neg for bone tumors...thanks...love, shy
  • elizarose
    elizarose Member Posts: 124
    #6
    meena1 said:

    Hi, Eliza. I haven't seen
    Hi, Eliza. I haven't seen you for awhile, and reading the above i am so sorry you have to come back. I also have bone mets, i was diagnosed with them in July 2008. I did not have radiation (although I should have) and I have been on Zometa since them. My cancer is at T11, this is the bone it is in, this is also in the spine area. Do you know which bone the mets went to? Are you having any pain? I was having a lot of pain in my back and I am on oxycotin and oxycodone which is controlling it. I have had it for over 2 years now and it seems to be stable. I can understand why you are depressed and worried,and if i remember you have IBC. I have IBC also, and this is such an agressive and destructive cancer. I have been warning everyone on this board that have been diagnosed with IBC to not take their eyes off this disease!! Did your doctor tell you that you were in remission, were you still going to the oncologist? I am not sure what my tumor marker are, i was never told. THe zometa will help to strengthn your bones, and it is good that you are getting radiation on that area. Take care, and let us know how you are doing.

    The cancer was in T1-T7,
    The cancer was in T1-T7, mostly in T6 I think. I also had some in my skull, pelvic bones and colarbone and possibly a couple other areas including some lymph nodes. It was found during my 3 month check up because I was having back pain. Had a bone scan, biopsy, MRI and PET scan. I was really hoping the faslodex would work. I haven't talked to the onc about the recent increase but should by tomorrow. I'm hoping the increase is due to tumor death.
    Thanks so much for responding!
  • elizarose
    elizarose Member Posts: 124
    #7
    shy violet said:

    Ok need some questions
    Ok need some questions answered...you guys know I have had BC 2X...out of treatment for 11 months, too burned out to go back and too stressed over the deductibles from medicare...will try to set a goal to go in first of year. Ok I understand the bone met T words, but what is ibc. Also did you have hip and pelvic pain? Having trouble after sitting to stand and pain in hips and pelvis. I quit the femara as that reaally caused bone pain. A year ago I had the pain but the ct came back neg for bone tumors...thanks...love, shy

    IBC is Inflammatory Breast
    IBC is Inflammatory Breast Cancer, it's relatively rare and usually aggressive. I have some pain now in my lower back but I'm not sure if it's due to cancer or just my typical back pain that I have to deal with. Yoga seems to help my back pain.

    Beth
  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby Member Posts: 615 Member
    #8
    Bone mets
    I currently have mets to by spine skull and in the fluid in my spine and around my brain. NOT IN MY BRAIN (stress intended ;) ) I had mets in my liver, ribs and pelvic/hip area those are all gone. Did radiation too it releived so much pain but now worried that is what causes me to be so stiff feeling. Also do zometa but only once every 90 days since I did it monthly since April 08 until this past June. My onc said I could not take every month anymore, that you cant be on it that long.

    GOOD LUCK!!! ♥ Libby
  • Marlene_K
    Marlene_K Member Posts: 508
    #9
    Oh, Beth! I'm so sorry
    Oh, Beth! I'm so sorry you're going through this! You had left the site long before I did, but I missed you. I knew you were busy going to school and was hopeful you were just getting on with life. I haven't been to the site in quite some time. I had a difficult time with exactly what you're going through. I can't offer much of anything on the subject but I CAN say that you're in my prayers! They have come so far in treatment that I do know you can go onto live a long life with this. I pray for the best of news when you see your oncologist and please let us know! Mar
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294 Member
    #10
    Marlene_K said:

    Oh, Beth! I'm so sorry
    Oh, Beth! I'm so sorry you're going through this! You had left the site long before I did, but I missed you. I knew you were busy going to school and was hopeful you were just getting on with life. I haven't been to the site in quite some time. I had a difficult time with exactly what you're going through. I can't offer much of anything on the subject but I CAN say that you're in my prayers! They have come so far in treatment that I do know you can go onto live a long life with this. I pray for the best of news when you see your oncologist and please let us know! Mar

    Beth
    I am really sorry. We miss you here. As far as I remember you have a good oncologist. I am sure your doc will explain your labs to you and maybe propose a new treatment plan. Please stay with us we will support you through your journey. You have many fiends on his board. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
    New Flower
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #11
    meena1 said:

    Hi, Eliza. I haven't seen
    Hi, Eliza. I haven't seen you for awhile, and reading the above i am so sorry you have to come back. I also have bone mets, i was diagnosed with them in July 2008. I did not have radiation (although I should have) and I have been on Zometa since them. My cancer is at T11, this is the bone it is in, this is also in the spine area. Do you know which bone the mets went to? Are you having any pain? I was having a lot of pain in my back and I am on oxycotin and oxycodone which is controlling it. I have had it for over 2 years now and it seems to be stable. I can understand why you are depressed and worried,and if i remember you have IBC. I have IBC also, and this is such an agressive and destructive cancer. I have been warning everyone on this board that have been diagnosed with IBC to not take their eyes off this disease!! Did your doctor tell you that you were in remission, were you still going to the oncologist? I am not sure what my tumor marker are, i was never told. THe zometa will help to strengthn your bones, and it is good that you are getting radiation on that area. Take care, and let us know how you are doing.

    Hi Beth! I just want to say
    Hi Beth! I just want to say that I will be praying for you. Please take care and keep us updated when you can.


    Sue :)
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #12
    New Flower said:

    Beth
    I am really sorry. We miss you here. As far as I remember you have a good oncologist. I am sure your doc will explain your labs to you and maybe propose a new treatment plan. Please stay with us we will support you through your journey. You have many fiends on his board. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
    New Flower

    Beth .. Meena .. BJMom .. Pinkflutter .. and Marsha .
    any of you wonderful and Spirited Warriors - is my friendship, love, and prayers.

    Strength, Courage, Health and new clinical trials med's -- I ask my Lord to provide all of you --that result in miracle healing -!


    Vicki Sam
  • elizarose
    elizarose Member Posts: 124
    #13
    VickiSam said:

    Beth .. Meena .. BJMom .. Pinkflutter .. and Marsha .
    any of you wonderful and Spirited Warriors - is my friendship, love, and prayers.

    Strength, Courage, Health and new clinical trials med's -- I ask my Lord to provide all of you --that result in miracle healing -!


    Vicki Sam

    My onc sent me a long email
    My onc sent me a long email last night explaining what he intended to do next. I am scheduled for a PET Monday and if cancer has spread or grown I'll be switching to chemo. I am worn out from all the worry and I know I shouldn't worry. Thanks so much for the prayers!
    Beth
  • cookie97
    cookie97 Member Posts: 200
    #14
    elizarose said:

    My onc sent me a long email
    My onc sent me a long email last night explaining what he intended to do next. I am scheduled for a PET Monday and if cancer has spread or grown I'll be switching to chemo. I am worn out from all the worry and I know I shouldn't worry. Thanks so much for the prayers!
    Beth

    I too have bone mets
    Unfortunatley I also have bone mets from get go, so I didn't know anything but chemo. I've had 6 taxotere/cytoxin along with zometa my last scan showed only one spot on my left axilla. So the chemo does seem to do the job. I will have 3 more rounds of chemo then another PET scan in November. I'm hoping that all goes well. Original dx was L4,L5, T11, T12,Pelvis, both femurs and both axillae. Down to one spot as of early September is pretty spectacular. You can do this and you will be happy that you did.

    Peace and Love,
    Edie
  • elizarose
    elizarose Member Posts: 124
    #15
    cookie97 said:

    I too have bone mets
    Unfortunatley I also have bone mets from get go, so I didn't know anything but chemo. I've had 6 taxotere/cytoxin along with zometa my last scan showed only one spot on my left axilla. So the chemo does seem to do the job. I will have 3 more rounds of chemo then another PET scan in November. I'm hoping that all goes well. Original dx was L4,L5, T11, T12,Pelvis, both femurs and both axillae. Down to one spot as of early September is pretty spectacular. You can do this and you will be happy that you did.

    Peace and Love,
    Edie

    so the chemo actually got
    so the chemo actually got rid of your bone mets to some of the areas? This is encouraging! I have been feeling really discouraged.
    Thanks,
    Beth
  • cookie97
    cookie97 Member Posts: 200
    #16
    elizarose said:

    so the chemo actually got
    so the chemo actually got rid of your bone mets to some of the areas? This is encouraging! I have been feeling really discouraged.
    Thanks,
    Beth

    Sure did
    Absolutely worked for me. Onc says that we'll finish the next 3 chemos do another PET scan and if alls clear there I will only be doing the Arimidex and the Zometa every 3 weeks. I was hoping to be done with chemo at 6 mark, but he wants to do 3 more I wasn't real happy but as I said it is managable.
    Good luck to you and please try to relax (Easier said than done I know)See if your onc can give you something for anxiety it really helped me.

    Peace and Love,
    Edie

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