Bone Mets and Pain etc.

Hello brothers, i would like to ask you fellows about bone mets, i have bone mets in my ribs and spine
etc.. i have pain in my ribs and chest area, i require some minimal pain med's now for constant pain
in my chest, i am worried and would like to hear from others who might be in similar situation
i am concerned that i may be disabled and unable to move soon,
i could loose the ability to move my arms, legs , i might loose the ability to control my bowels and urine
i just started chemo with taxatere , i have a bone scan coming up next week so we can take a look
but i am surprised at how fast the pain in my chest came on, it came on rather sudden
i guess i am always trying to figure out how long do i have before i become bed ridden
anybody care to share on this bone mets topic and the speed as to the progression of the disease.

thank you all
God Bless
jack

Hi Jack, as Beth said, the most dangerous complication of the bone mets is the spinal cord compression. It does not happen to all patients with bone mets, but it is certainly a concern to be monitored. There is surgery and radiation to strengthen the spinal cord if the doctors become concerned. Other than that, from my understanding, bone pain + muscle loss from HT + decreased appetite and wasting may be forces that would keep you more prone to bed rest. The approach would be to excercise, keep pain under control and try to eat well in order to keep the strength. Don´t think you will be disabeled, but give yourself a break when you need it. We are here for you.

Hello Jack,

I'm mindful of what you are going through, after reading your post. Be sure to stay in close connection with your doctor, and I believe they will work closely with you, in terms of pain management. You have my prayers and thoughts, as I write this to you.

From another angle, you mentioned that you just started TAXOTERE chemotherapy treatments. With that in mind, I'd like to direct you to a helpful thread that many of us here from the "Chemo Club" put together to help our other brothers here navigate through chemotherapy treatments.

In the upper right hand corner of your screen, you will see a SEARCH box --- simply type in this thread title as follows: TAXOTERE SIDE EFFECTS.

That will directly lead you to the thread that was created to help you mitigate side effects from the chemo treatments --- it also describes our collective experiences, written in "one brother to another brother" style --- and I think you would find it helpful, insightful, and informative. Chemo treatments can be like walking down a gravel road in your bare feet sometimes, so check out the thread and find some helpful tips to navigate through your series of TAXOTERE treatments.

I'll be thinking of you, Jack --- chemo treatments helped bring my PSA down to the lowest level I had experienced, at that point in time. It has also helped other fellows here, and there are quite a few of us who are now members of the "Chemo Club" --- and we are here to SUPPORT YOU through every step of your treatments, Jack ---

With that being said, please check in often --- let us know how you are faring. Meanwhile --- we'll leave the front porch light on for you, Jack.

Handshake of support, from across the miles, as your treatments continue,
"Cyclone Fan" ~ Iowa State University