I'm a little worried about my neck...

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CypressCynthia
CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
Some of you may remember that I began to have neck pain after I started arimidex, so I figured it was the arimidex. The pain is a dull right sided ache that was intermittent. It is now no longer intermittent. It hurts all of the time, no matter what I do. I am now having trouble turning my head to the right--it is hard to turn my head to check my blind spot when driving.

D**n! I have an appointment with the neurosurgeon who did the surgery on my lower back (spondylolisthesis with severe stenosis). I am worried because, in my lower back, the facets (bone) had disintegrated and I fear it's happening again. Fortunately, the surgery was a complete success and I went from crippling pain and being unable to walk for more than 15 minutes to no pain or disability at all.

No cancer has ever shown up on my PET scans, so I am hoping this is not cancer. But I do have bone mets in my ribs (now in my remission). Worrisome....

I know I my problems are minor compared to many, but I just hate to face surgery again. And I hate chronic pain, wimp that I am ;-). Ugh!

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  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #2
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    Possibility?
    Could you have fractured a vertebra in your neck? I hope it is something simple.

    Doris
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #3
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    Cynthia,
    You are totally not a wimp! I was gripped with fear at the thought of having a 7th surgery! I kid you not, I thought about sprinting out of the office several times while waiting for the sonogram results last Friday. I too have had right shoulder discomfort and some pain around the right rib area and I HATE the fact that the "C" word creeps back in your mind...we ALL hate it. And the problem I have is that you don't know what pain is normal and what pain is not?!?! Do you insist on a scan or just wait?

    I know that I personally, had to get off Arimidex because I could not tolerate the bone/joint pain. So, maybe that's what the problem is. That med just didn't agree with my body at all. Some people are not having a problem being on it so everyone is different.

    I pray this is something that can be treated with physical therapy. Sending prayers and positive thoughts! For me, prayer gets me through it all.

    Hugs,

    Sylvia
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    #4
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    I really hope that its
    I really hope that its something simple and they can fix without another surgery, but most of all NOT the "C" word again!
    Cyber hugs
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #5
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    jo jo said:

    I really hope that its
    I really hope that its something simple and they can fix without another surgery, but most of all NOT the "C" word again!
    Cyber hugs

    You know the drill... lol
    Get it checked out! Let us know what the doctor says.....as you well know, it can be a multitude of things, other than the "c" word....

    You know we care so keep us posted!
    Big 'ole hugs, Nancy
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #6
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    CC you are so in my prayers.
    CC you are so in my prayers. You are the medical expert but I do believe arimidex affects the bones. I pray for no surgery and none of that dastardly C. ((((HUGS))))
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #7
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    Wimp you are not!!! I hate
    Wimp you are not!!! I hate neck pain too....I'm glad you're getting it checked. Let us know what the doc says.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #8
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    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    Wimp you are not!!! I hate
    Wimp you are not!!! I hate neck pain too....I'm glad you're getting it checked. Let us know what the doc says.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    WARRIOR, yes ... Wimp, not at all!
    I so hate that you are in pain, CC. Happy that you will be having it checked out soon.

    Gentle hugs,

    Vicki Sam
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #9
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    Please don't even mention
    Please don't even mention comparisons! What is happening to us simply is~ and it is important! A stubbed toe would probably be no less painful to me than a torn hangnail would be to you...know what I mean? It hurts and is of consequence to us!

    I hope of course that you get to the bottom of this sooner rather than later, and that the solution is simple in nature. I am so sorry that you are in such pain~ I can only begin to imagine how debilitating it is to you.

    Gentle, gentle hugs...
    Chen♥
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #10
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    chenheart said:

    Please don't even mention
    Please don't even mention comparisons! What is happening to us simply is~ and it is important! A stubbed toe would probably be no less painful to me than a torn hangnail would be to you...know what I mean? It hurts and is of consequence to us!

    I hope of course that you get to the bottom of this sooner rather than later, and that the solution is simple in nature. I am so sorry that you are in such pain~ I can only begin to imagine how debilitating it is to you.

    Gentle, gentle hugs...
    Chen♥

    My fellow pink warriors are
    My fellow pink warriors are some of my very best friends in the world! I love you all so much and you make me feel a lot less wimpy. My appointment is December 6th, so I will keep you guys posted. I have been off of arimidex for >2 months, so I know it is not arimidex-related.

    My best hope is that it is just something that can be treated with a steroid shot and PT. But this time, after my back fiasco, I am heading to the expert first. Last time, I did 3 years of PT only to find out that all of the PT in the world wasn't going to fix broken facets (bone).

    Work just phoned while I have been typing to tell me that I have a bunch of Xray orders (Xrays and MRI) sitting on their fax machine, so I guess it's heigh ho, heigh ho to Xray I go!
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #11
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    CypressCynthia said:

    My fellow pink warriors are
    My fellow pink warriors are some of my very best friends in the world! I love you all so much and you make me feel a lot less wimpy. My appointment is December 6th, so I will keep you guys posted. I have been off of arimidex for >2 months, so I know it is not arimidex-related.

    My best hope is that it is just something that can be treated with a steroid shot and PT. But this time, after my back fiasco, I am heading to the expert first. Last time, I did 3 years of PT only to find out that all of the PT in the world wasn't going to fix broken facets (bone).

    Work just phoned while I have been typing to tell me that I have a bunch of Xray orders (Xrays and MRI) sitting on their fax machine, so I guess it's heigh ho, heigh ho to Xray I go!

    Wimp... not you
    But I will also pray that this is something pulled or pinched and that you will remain in remission forever. Glad to hear that they already lined you up for the xrays and mri.

    Any pain or trouble is as important to you and your family as the next person. All of this is as relevant to you as to any one of us!

    Hoping for really good news! Prayers to you!
    Carol
  • gami43
    gami43 Member Posts: 281
    #12
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    camul said:

    Wimp... not you
    But I will also pray that this is something pulled or pinched and that you will remain in remission forever. Glad to hear that they already lined you up for the xrays and mri.

    Any pain or trouble is as important to you and your family as the next person. All of this is as relevant to you as to any one of us!

    Hoping for really good news! Prayers to you!
    Carol

    OK, I've never prayed for
    OK, I've never prayed for any of my friends to need a steroid
    shot and PT; but that's what I am praying for you. Actually,
    maybe just a good massage! Glad you are getting it checked out.
    God bless;have a great Thanksgiving.

    Luv & hugs, Teresa
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #13
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    gami43 said:

    OK, I've never prayed for
    OK, I've never prayed for any of my friends to need a steroid
    shot and PT; but that's what I am praying for you. Actually,
    maybe just a good massage! Glad you are getting it checked out.
    God bless;have a great Thanksgiving.

    Luv & hugs, Teresa

    Pain in the neck?
    Pain is pain - and it doesn't matter what this is, it is obviously at least somewhat debilitating and worrisome. I'm glad you posted for some support, because you've sure got it.

    Suzanne
  • Nana C.
    Nana C. Member Posts: 108
    #14
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    Neck Pain
    Dear Cynthia,

    I had the same pain that you are describing, right down to not being able to see my blind spot when driving. Mine started just as I Started Tamofin. I had been fighting Neurapathy, but my doctor said the neck pain just didn't fit. The pain went all the way down my arms. My Doctor sent me to a pain Doctor. On my first visit he ordered a MRI, Came back that I have 2 buldging discs. He gives me a shot about avery 2 or 3 months. It is so much better. When I first get the shot, the very next day, that horrible pain is gone. You know your life has changed when you are happy you have a bulging disc!

    I hope this helps. I will be praying that this aweful pains goes away.

    God Bless,
    Nana C.
  • Just_Lisa
    Just_Lisa Member Posts: 16
    #15
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    Nana C. said:

    Neck Pain
    Dear Cynthia,

    I had the same pain that you are describing, right down to not being able to see my blind spot when driving. Mine started just as I Started Tamofin. I had been fighting Neurapathy, but my doctor said the neck pain just didn't fit. The pain went all the way down my arms. My Doctor sent me to a pain Doctor. On my first visit he ordered a MRI, Came back that I have 2 buldging discs. He gives me a shot about avery 2 or 3 months. It is so much better. When I first get the shot, the very next day, that horrible pain is gone. You know your life has changed when you are happy you have a bulging disc!

    I hope this helps. I will be praying that this aweful pains goes away.

    God Bless,
    Nana C.

    Neck Pain too
    I also have neck pain which is completed unrelated to cancer. I have a narrowing of the spinal canal and bone spurs which press on different nerves. Which has an affect and my left arm sometimes my right. It does cause a lot of neck pain mainly from muscle spasms. Not a good thing, but not C. Probably not the same issue you have but just wanted to let you know it could be many other things =).. Nana is probably right just a bulging disc. Wishing you luck. Lisa
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #16
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    CC
    9 months before I started falling down, I had a severe pain that went up the back of my neck into my skull. Eventually found out 3 discs had collapsed and I had surgery to correct it. Unfortunately I fell 6 times before dx and fractured both shoulders. The left side of my neck and face were numb for 3 months and I had therapy. I'm unable to turn my head much but I manage. Recently I have felt an intermittent ache in the right side of my neck but I'm hoping it's nothing. I'm getting the first of 2 injections in my lower spinal area. I hope it relieves the pain that shoots down my legs. You are always such a positive person and I hope that the ache you are experiencing is nothing to worry about.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #17
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    Just_Lisa said:

    Neck Pain too
    I also have neck pain which is completed unrelated to cancer. I have a narrowing of the spinal canal and bone spurs which press on different nerves. Which has an affect and my left arm sometimes my right. It does cause a lot of neck pain mainly from muscle spasms. Not a good thing, but not C. Probably not the same issue you have but just wanted to let you know it could be many other things =).. Nana is probably right just a bulging disc. Wishing you luck. Lisa

    See,s unlikely it would be
    See,s unlikely it would be cancer considering yu just went through a battery of tests. I hope you get to the bottom of this and it is a simple cure. you are certainly not a wimp!
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #18
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    pain in the neck
    Praying that the pain in the neck does not become a pain in your wallet. It would bug me something fierce if I could not turn my head to check the blind spot. It is such an important function of driving and hence independence.
  • epark
    epark Member Posts: 339
    #19
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    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    Wimp you are not!!! I hate
    Wimp you are not!!! I hate neck pain too....I'm glad you're getting it checked. Let us know what the doc says.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    You are far from being a
    You are far from being a wimp. With all that you have been through in the last few years to me you are one of the strongest ladies I know... I hope and pray they find what causing the pain and like your back they can relieve the pain.

    Take Care & God Bless
    Eva
  • sweetvickid
    sweetvickid Member Posts: 459 Member
    #20
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    Do you have a port? I
    Do you have a port? I started having neck pain and then got where I couldn't move my neck. Found out the lead wire from my port had shifted and was poling my neck muscle! Once port removed pain went away

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