HIP PAIN AND POSITIVE SCAN

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flyerette65
flyerette65 Member Posts: 65

I have had hip/groin pain for a month.  It was so painful with sudden onset of pain that I could hardly stand the pain for the first two weeks, even with staying off it as much as possible, using crutches and taking Vicodin.  Today I had an MRI and before I even got home they had called to tel me that they found something on my MRI and that I needed to call them as soon as I got the message.  For some reason, I thought they were calling about my follow up appointment on Wednesday so I didn't listen to the message immediately, busy with fixing dinner, eating, so that when I finally listened it was too late and now I'm left hanging.  Of course with being diagnosed withUPSC 3 years and 11 months ago, that's where my mind is at right now.  I know it could be a hip stress fracture or something along those lines but I've been very lucky with no recurrences to this point. Since my abdominal wash was positive of course cancer cells could have gone ahywhere in my body and I'm a bit concerned. I have no spouse to support me, we were married less than 2 years andwe're having our dissolution hearing this Friday, and I'm also taking care of my terminally ill 94 year old mother, who is so senile and dependent on me I don't know what's going to happen to her if I am out of commission.  I guess my brother will finally have to step in. Has anyone had mets to the bones after UPSC diagnosis?

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  • Kathy G.
    Kathy G. Member Posts: 244 Member
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    Flyerette,
    I am sorry to read

    Flyerette,

    I am sorry to read your post that brings up fresh concerns...our 'new normal'...always thinking the worst.

    I will keep you in my prayers that it is nothing serious.

    I am sure some of the other ladies are better equipped to answer your question.

    Kathy

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
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    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers

    Flyerette:

    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and hoping all turns out in your favor.   So sorry you have to deal with this by yourself.  You seemed to be a very strong person with all that you have had to deal with.   I can just image what must be going through your head.   Take a deep breath.

    My best to you with your appointment tomorrow too.

    Hugs

    Kathy

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,371 Member
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    flyerette, I can't offer any

    flyerette, I can't offer any insight on the mets question but wanted to you let you know I am thinking of you.  Please let us know how the MRI turns out.

  • pinky104
    pinky104 Member Posts: 574 Member
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    flyerette 65

    Two or three years ago, I had some pain in my left hip.  I went through a work-up for it, and nothing was ever found.  My orthopedic surgeon told me that it's very rare to have mets to the bone from a uterine cancer.  But right after he told me that, I think I saw a thread on here where someone did have mets to the bone.  I hope that isn't what you have.  Is there any chance you might have some kind of bone changes due to osteoporosis instead?  My husband's ex-boss is having surgery for that next week.  He was told that hip replacements are sometimes being done now by cutting through the front of the body, not through the muscles on the side, and the recovery period is much shorter.  He'll be getting out of the hospital the very next day.  It must be very scary for you to have gotten this call.

     

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
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    pinky104 said:

    flyerette 65

    Two or three years ago, I had some pain in my left hip.  I went through a work-up for it, and nothing was ever found.  My orthopedic surgeon told me that it's very rare to have mets to the bone from a uterine cancer.  But right after he told me that, I think I saw a thread on here where someone did have mets to the bone.  I hope that isn't what you have.  Is there any chance you might have some kind of bone changes due to osteoporosis instead?  My husband's ex-boss is having surgery for that next week.  He was told that hip replacements are sometimes being done now by cutting through the front of the body, not through the muscles on the side, and the recovery period is much shorter.  He'll be getting out of the hospital the very next day.  It must be very scary for you to have gotten this call.

     

    Thinking about you, flyerette

    flyerette, I am hoping that you have learned by now that your hip/back pain is not associated with UPSC.  I also had a positive UPSC wash and I frequently wonder what is going on inside my body that no one can see or detect. Every prolong pain I have is suspect, as I know you know.  You have enough on your plate as it is and hopefully this new symptom will not add more to your situation.  When I was going through the 6 cycles of taxol/carboplatin, I experience excrusiating hip/back pain to the point that I could barely stand/walk long enough to take a shower.  I ended up having two epidural shots while going through the chemo. What a nightmare that was! This back pain was the worse chemo symptom I experienced.

    I am wishing continued good health for you!  Keep us posted, please.

    Cathy

  • flyerette65
    flyerette65 Member Posts: 65
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    Abbycat2 said:

    Thinking about you, flyerette

    flyerette, I am hoping that you have learned by now that your hip/back pain is not associated with UPSC.  I also had a positive UPSC wash and I frequently wonder what is going on inside my body that no one can see or detect. Every prolong pain I have is suspect, as I know you know.  You have enough on your plate as it is and hopefully this new symptom will not add more to your situation.  When I was going through the 6 cycles of taxol/carboplatin, I experience excrusiating hip/back pain to the point that I could barely stand/walk long enough to take a shower.  I ended up having two epidural shots while going through the chemo. What a nightmare that was! This back pain was the worse chemo symptom I experienced.

    I am wishing continued good health for you!  Keep us posted, please.

    Cathy

    MRI Results

    Thank you all for the kind, encouraging words! I saw my orthopedist yesterday.  She and I had a long conversation.  She wanted to know all about my cancer, any weird symptoms I have had and then she told me it appeared that I have a nondisplaced fracture in the left parasymphysis (I think of it as the pubic bone don't know if this is correct), because the MRI showed "intense marow edema in the left parasymphysis suggestive of stress change or non displaced fracture. All I know is it hurst, even when I'm at rest. She wanted to know when I had my last PET scan and I told her January 2012.  She was very surprised by that and suggested that I have another one., so I guess I will run that by my oncologist today.  I also have a medium grade tearing of the left gluteus minimus tendon at the attachment to the greater trochanter.  What she was most concerned about was the finding of "prominent diverticulosis w findings suspicious of accute sigmoid diverticulitis" accompanied by focal edema which courses along the mid sigmoid colon posterior to the bladder", so I'm having (another) CT scan with contrast as soon as I can schedule it.

    I don't really have symptoms of diverticulitis, I have some abdominal discomfort, a lot of nausea but that's it, oh and sometimes I'm a little constipated, no bleeding or anything like that so, of course, I'm scared. Opinions, please! Thank you!

    Barb

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
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    MRI Results

    Thank you all for the kind, encouraging words! I saw my orthopedist yesterday.  She and I had a long conversation.  She wanted to know all about my cancer, any weird symptoms I have had and then she told me it appeared that I have a nondisplaced fracture in the left parasymphysis (I think of it as the pubic bone don't know if this is correct), because the MRI showed "intense marow edema in the left parasymphysis suggestive of stress change or non displaced fracture. All I know is it hurst, even when I'm at rest. She wanted to know when I had my last PET scan and I told her January 2012.  She was very surprised by that and suggested that I have another one., so I guess I will run that by my oncologist today.  I also have a medium grade tearing of the left gluteus minimus tendon at the attachment to the greater trochanter.  What she was most concerned about was the finding of "prominent diverticulosis w findings suspicious of accute sigmoid diverticulitis" accompanied by focal edema which courses along the mid sigmoid colon posterior to the bladder", so I'm having (another) CT scan with contrast as soon as I can schedule it.

    I don't really have symptoms of diverticulitis, I have some abdominal discomfort, a lot of nausea but that's it, oh and sometimes I'm a little constipated, no bleeding or anything like that so, of course, I'm scared. Opinions, please! Thank you!

    Barb

    Hi Barb:
    After my PET Scan it

    Hi Barb:

    After my PET Scan it said I have Sigmoid diverticulosis.   I also have a soft tissue mass which runs along the left rectal walla nd perirectal space and posteriorly abuts the left levator plate and the lower sacrum/upper coccyx while anteriorly it abuts the vaginal cuff and sigmoid colon.   it has grown the past year, but I have had it for many.  It is now 6 cm.   I had part of it biopsied.   It was negative.   The other part does show FDG avidity at 3.4 currently (kept increasing).  They do not want to do anything.  No treatment or such.

    My bladder was effected by brachytherapy and caused a blockage so now I have a ureter stent.

    I guess what I am trying to say is it can be scarring and soft tissue stuff.   Its more of a bother and uncertainty that I have and annoyance.

    Anyway, I am sending you many hugs (((HUGS)))).   

    Kathy

  • flyerette65
    flyerette65 Member Posts: 65
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    Kaleena said:

    Hi Barb:
    After my PET Scan it

    Hi Barb:

    After my PET Scan it said I have Sigmoid diverticulosis.   I also have a soft tissue mass which runs along the left rectal walla nd perirectal space and posteriorly abuts the left levator plate and the lower sacrum/upper coccyx while anteriorly it abuts the vaginal cuff and sigmoid colon.   it has grown the past year, but I have had it for many.  It is now 6 cm.   I had part of it biopsied.   It was negative.   The other part does show FDG avidity at 3.4 currently (kept increasing).  They do not want to do anything.  No treatment or such.

    My bladder was effected by brachytherapy and caused a blockage so now I have a ureter stent.

    I guess what I am trying to say is it can be scarring and soft tissue stuff.   Its more of a bother and uncertainty that I have and annoyance.

    Anyway, I am sending you many hugs (((HUGS)))).   

    Kathy

    Hip Pain

    Thanks Kaleena and everyone else for your input.  My oncologist's P.A. initially told me that "PET scans are not a good test for your type of cancer" (I have no idea why she would say this), but then she called me back and said due to the intense marrow edema that doc wants me to have a PET/CT scan b/c he wants to rule out other fractures but he wants the orthopedist to order it since it was her idea. Geez!

    Kaleena, if you could elaborate on your PEt scan showing diverticulitis, I have no idea what you mean by FDG avidity at 3.4?? The report reads: prominent diverticulosis with findings suspicious for acute sigmoid diverticulitis.  There is focal edema which courses along the mid sigmoid colon posterior to the bladder. Sort of sounds similar to what you have. They also want me to get a CT scan with contrast and really want me to get a colonoscopy. I say do the CT scan with contrast first! Thanks, everyone for your input.  I get the best advice here from actual women who are going through USPC and know what you think when you hear all of this. What else is going on seems to be a common mantra, alll we can do is live life to the fullest of our ability and enjoy each day.

    Barb

  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
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    Hip Pain

    Thanks Kaleena and everyone else for your input.  My oncologist's P.A. initially told me that "PET scans are not a good test for your type of cancer" (I have no idea why she would say this), but then she called me back and said due to the intense marrow edema that doc wants me to have a PET/CT scan b/c he wants to rule out other fractures but he wants the orthopedist to order it since it was her idea. Geez!

    Kaleena, if you could elaborate on your PEt scan showing diverticulitis, I have no idea what you mean by FDG avidity at 3.4?? The report reads: prominent diverticulosis with findings suspicious for acute sigmoid diverticulitis.  There is focal edema which courses along the mid sigmoid colon posterior to the bladder. Sort of sounds similar to what you have. They also want me to get a CT scan with contrast and really want me to get a colonoscopy. I say do the CT scan with contrast first! Thanks, everyone for your input.  I get the best advice here from actual women who are going through USPC and know what you think when you hear all of this. What else is going on seems to be a common mantra, alll we can do is live life to the fullest of our ability and enjoy each day.

    Barb

    Barb

    I am so sorry to hear about your stress fracture.  I am sure it is painful.  I don't recall anyone who has had metasisis to the one from the Uterine cancer.  Others have talked about the importance of bone density and having vitamins n D levels checked.  Don't know if you have had these checked.  

    Sorry to hear you have lack of your brothers support with your Mom.  You definitely have had a "full plate" for a long time.  I pray things will get better for you soon.  In peace and caring.

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
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    Hip Pain

    Thanks Kaleena and everyone else for your input.  My oncologist's P.A. initially told me that "PET scans are not a good test for your type of cancer" (I have no idea why she would say this), but then she called me back and said due to the intense marrow edema that doc wants me to have a PET/CT scan b/c he wants to rule out other fractures but he wants the orthopedist to order it since it was her idea. Geez!

    Kaleena, if you could elaborate on your PEt scan showing diverticulitis, I have no idea what you mean by FDG avidity at 3.4?? The report reads: prominent diverticulosis with findings suspicious for acute sigmoid diverticulitis.  There is focal edema which courses along the mid sigmoid colon posterior to the bladder. Sort of sounds similar to what you have. They also want me to get a CT scan with contrast and really want me to get a colonoscopy. I say do the CT scan with contrast first! Thanks, everyone for your input.  I get the best advice here from actual women who are going through USPC and know what you think when you hear all of this. What else is going on seems to be a common mantra, alll we can do is live life to the fullest of our ability and enjoy each day.

    Barb

    Hi Barb:
    I actually had a

    Hi Barb:

    I actually had a PET/MRI that indicated the sigmoid diverticulosis.   The PET/CT scans didn't report that so it must show with the MRI part.  With regard to FDG avidity, when you take a PET scan, the radio isotope that you take will glow if cancer is detected and is measured by SUV reading.   My SUV reading was 3.4.   With mine, they are saying that I have persistent mild to moderate FDG avidity.   They are still undetermined whether or not it is active cancer as the only way to get to it would be through major surgery and since it has been contained and only growing minimally, we are still watching and waiting.

    But as Ro indicated do get your Vitamin D checked.  I was deficient and had to take 50,000 units for over eight weeks.   Then I was done and I was low again so now I just take 1000 units daily.  It has helped with the daily aches and pains.  

    The CT scan will show the diverticulitis/osis better.   PET scans are used to find active cancers.   However, if you are diabetic it can cause false readings.   Also, you can still have active cancer but it may not be prominentl as the FDG could be within the normal ranges (under 2.0).   Just know these scans are a great tool but other symptoms and factors should be considered.

    I too am supposed to get that colonscopy but have been putting it off.  I am opting for July after I get back from vacation.  I dont want to do it before vacation.

    Yes, our do sound similar and I am glad for this site because here you know someone is listening.  Hang in their Barb.

    Kathy