For those getting bone metastasis, please share your initial symptoms.

[CLTann]

I had some aches around various parts of my body. Many of us always began to think the worst. Some of the aches go away when I lie down or start walking. The worst posture is long time sitting. From what I read, actual bone metastasis does not get relief no matter what posture you take and the pain is worse at night in bed. Would any of you who had the unfortunate experience share with me how you first felt before bone scan confirmation? I really appreciate your inputs and hope your treatment has been successful and you are doing well. Thanks in advance.

[Ruth Ann]

The only thing I have to say is maybe the Femara is making you have those symptoms. Please google femara side effects. I have a hard time getting out of bed and walking in the morning due to pain in ankles or knees...I feel like a 90 yr old women until I get up and moving around. Same goes for trying to get up and moving after sitting for a period of time or standing. I also get joint pain in the hands and sometimes numbness. I did start using the treadmill and that seems to help along with Aleve every now and then to help with the pain and stiffness. This all started after talking the Femara and I have been on it for over a year and will continue to take it because of being erpr+.
Good thoughts that it is nothing but the side affects of the medication..especially if your scans are negative.
Ruth Ann
2/2007 dx IDC of the right breast - ER+ PR+ HER2+
1.1 cm tumor
2/07 and 4/07 Lumpectomy x's 2 for clean margins and SNB
4/07SNB plus one other node -NEG
4/7 Mammosite placement with radiation twice a day for 5 days
(seroma only complication of treatment )
5/07 TCH dose dense x's 4 However had to stop carboplatin as I am allergic to it...and doses changed to 1/3 every week instead of every 3 weeks do to problems with rapid heart rate... with herceptin for 1 year every three weeks
4/08 Herceptin completed
10/07 Femara for 5 yrs
9/07 CT of chest,abd, pelvis, Bone Scan, mammagrams all neg
6/08 CT of chest, abd, pelvis, bone scan, mammagrams all neg
9/08 MRI of head - neg for ca...few spots do to the MS
I also have MS (which is status quo) and Hypothyroidism both being treated with medication

[Jean]

Ann,
Since you are on the AI, do you take any form of bone health drugs, such as Actonel or Boniva?

I too experience pain in my hip area after sitting too long or on long drive. (Every since starting on the AI's)
What has offered me great help is taking CosaminDS,
and exercise, especially walking.

I was finding the hip pain in the middle of the night in bed. That stopped when I added the Cosamin.

The bone ache is 99% from the AI.
Wishing you All the best.
Jean

[ElaineM]

The calcium levels in my cousin's blood chemistry blood tests (cmp) were elevated. I think the calcium in the bones start to go into the blood stream when a person has bone mets. Maybe you would like to ask your doc to check your calcium levels and/or order a scan.

[CLTann]

Ruth Ann, Jean and Elaine,

Thank you so much for quickly responding to my problem. I immediately took glucosame and now this is the third day. The improvement has been dramatic. My usual pain after sitting for a while is basically gone. Your diagnosis of the pain being the side effect of Femrara is sound and credible. Thank you again.

[MJo]

Your pain sounds like mine. Mine is arthritis as well as remnants of disc trouble. Had a disc removed 20 years ago. A woman in my support group has bone mets. She got no relief lying still in bed. Pain kept her awake at night.

[Brenda S]

I had the flu in early December with the accompanying bone aches. The flu went away the bone aches did not. My oncologist was adament it was not cancer or herceptin related. However, the nighttime aches became worse and were accompanied by the cancer demons. I was very afraid. I tried tylenol and darvocet...no relief. My husband finally demanded a bone scan. It was done on February 9 and came back completely clean!! My mind is now at rest...but my bones still ache.
Thanks to all who post on here. You are a wonderful source of support.
Brenda

[Jean]

ClTann
So glad you are already seeing improvementby taking
glucosame.

All good wishes,
Jean