Bone Pain - 1262704

sherrys
Posts:212

For those of you who have had pain associated with bone mets, how would you describe the pain? Does it come and go? Does it hurt with movement? How do you distinguish between bone and muscle pain?

Thank you in advance.

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Reply # - March 10, 2014, 08:53 PM

catdander
Posts:

In her blog post Dr. Harman describes some of the hows and why of bone pain, "Why do bone metastases cause pain? While the mechanisms are not completely understood, it is thought that cancer metastases disrupt the normal balance of bone building and bone resorption (bone breakdown); this imbalance contributes to the pain. The pain is usually constant and localized; it can sometimes “refer” or be felt in other adjacent locations. Patients often describe bone pain as an ache, versus the shooting electrical qualities of neuropathic pain, and it often gets worse with certain activity. Should the bone metastasis cause a fracture or damage a nerve, then the pain can become more complex and severe, with qualities of both somatic pain and neuropathic pain." http://cancergrace.org/cancer-treatments/2009/07/26/bone-pain-in-cancer/

I hope this is helpful and mostly I hope the pain you or whomever doesn't have bone mets.

Sending luck and hope,
Janine

Reply # - March 10, 2014, 09:10 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Usually pretty sharp, well-localized, more constant than waxing/waning, and worsening over time. Pain with movement doesn't distinguish the bone mets from benign musculoskeletal pain.

-Dr. West

Reply # - March 10, 2014, 09:23 PM

sherrys
Posts: 212

Thanks so much for the quick answers. About a month ago, I was reaching under the table to get the new puppy and the sock he stole. :) I had a sharp and sudden pain in my upper arm. It seems like the pain is consistent with a rotator cuff injury. It comes and goes, often not hurting at all. But if I move my arm a certain way, the pain is sharp and severe. It's not worsening or constant.

But reading bone met symptoms, they sound similar. I'm trying to decide if I should call my PCP or my oncologist.

Reply # - March 13, 2014, 12:42 PM

catdander
Posts:

Sherry, I know it's probably nothing but with your history there's no reason not to call. My husband's primary tumor pain started in this way. Again quite unusual but what's usual with this cancer? Why not check it out to see if something is aggravating the area.

Here's to overstepping and over vigilant :wink:
Janine

Reply # - March 14, 2014, 07:39 AM

sherrys
Posts: 212

Janine, thanks for the good advice, as always. Info plan to get it checked. I emailed my doctors nurse to see if I should be seeing my onc or my PCP.

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