lower spine pain from radiation

lisa42
lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi Everyone,
I'm wondering how many of you have experienced pain in your lower spine/sacral/hip bones because of or following radiation and/or chemo?

I just requested to have both my neck and my pelvic bones area x-rayed today. The neck wasn't as a result of chemo or radiation- I fell last week & it's been hurting ever since. My lower right spine, however, has been hurting off and on for a long time (I was told as a teenager I had a slight case of scoliosis), but it's REALLY been bothering me ever since I had radiation on my rectal tumor.
Krista had shared a while back that she had a lot of bone issues following radiation & so that made me think that maybe that's my problem. I wanted a bone density test to test for osteopenia or osteoparosis (which my mom had- not related to cancer though). I was told they can't do a bone density test while I'm on chemo, but they did allow me to get an Xray of the area. I've been reading online of cases of people having soft bones and even sacral fractures as a result of the radiation. I should have the xray results in a couple of days, but I was wondering if any of you have had this problem at all.
I DID have a bone scan (not bone density) test last spring because I was worried the lower back bone pain could mean the cancer was in my bones- that tested out fine for no cancer but did show possible bone degeneration. I was thinking at that time it was maybe an arthritis reaction in that area because of the slight scoliosis in the spine. I never thought about it possibly being from the radiation.

Lisa

Comments

  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #2
    The fun just never ends, does it?!
    I am sorry, I don't have any experience with radiation since, thankfully, I haven't had radiation. I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and think it just SUCKS that you have this added pain! I have osteoarthritis in both my knees and my thumb joints, accelerated by my chemo (that's my theory, nobody's actually confirming that one for sure!). Unfortunately, there isn't anything that can be done for the thumbs, but I certainly could have my knees replaced if i wanted ... NOT!!!! Do you think they can do anything for your pain?
    mary
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375
    #3
    General pain all over
    Hey Lisa,

    Interesting you should ask these questions. Prior to my DX, I had arthritis in my knees. Ya, they were stiff and sore and I wasn't about to run any marathons or anything, but they weren't so bad that I couldn't be out walking with the dog and getting from point A to B. Since the diagnosis, I have had 8 months of chemo and 6 weeks of daily radiation, and my "arthritis" has gotten much much worse. I put it down to the fact the chemo has probably aggravated the arthritis to the point where it has really done a number on my left leg and my right leg, which is stronger, is not that much better. Add to that the neuropathy in my feet and, well, I just don't have the confidence when walking now. No confidence plus pain, pain, pain... and yes, it's in my lower back area as well. And in my shoulders, elbows and sometimes in my hands. Basically, I'm one big ache!! And I'm on a fair amount of pain meds, but still, the pain comes through.

    I am going to have a Bone Scan next week... a week tomorrow to be exact. My oncologist has ordered the scan to see if my bones are damaged in anyway and if that is what is causing the pain.

    She didn't specifically mention that the radiation may have done damage, or the chemo. I think she is just assuming that since I'm really feeling the arthritis and/or pain so much more, she wants to get a Bone Scan to see what is going on, if it has anything to do with the bones, or maybe it's all muscular.

    It never dawned on me that the cancer may spread to my bones. Personally, I don't think that's the case for me. I figure, if it had, then there would be more warnings... like my CEA would be wonky and something would have shown up on the PET scan since they scan from head to knees or thighs or something.

    Anywho... I'll keep you posted as to what we find out :)

    Huggggggs,

    Cheryl
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #4
    Hi Everyone- thanks for your input Mary and Cheryl.
    My Dr. said I couldn't have a bone scan while on chemo- still not really sure why. Anyhow, I had just a general x-ray instead. All was "normal" in my neck, even though it still hurts. I guess I just made it sore from my fall. My concern re. bone damage was more in the lower spine/sacral area. That came back with no signs of fractures, no signs of osteopenia, but it did show a bone spur, in addition to my slightly crooked spine in that location (from slight scoliosis). I was told that could be from mild osteoarthritis & just to take Tylenol or Advil when it hurts. So, I was definitely glad to hear nothing major showed up!
    I am still a little doubtful that there's not an issue w/ thin or soft bones & will follow up with a bone scan someday when I'm done w/ chemo.
    Any thoughts on my results?

    Lisa

Discussion Boards