Ortho doctor visit, possible mets

Today I visited a top notch Orthopedic Surgeon, considered one of the best in my area.  We spent about 40 minutes together.  After a thorough and painful examination of my right hip, right side, and right leg, he told me that, using his words, that the recent x-rays that I had done for the Oncologist were the "crappiest" x-rays he had ever seen.  They were done at the small local hopsital near my house.  So he had me do new x-rays on some very advanced machines.

He ruled out what I was hoping for, something benign and simple, like arthritis or buritis (?).  Know that is not spelled correctly.  He saw one small area of bone degeneration on the outer hip, but he said there was no way that it could be causing the pain I am and been experiencing for the past 8 months.  He was concerned that the true source of the pain extends from deep near the prostate bed and hip joint and radiates outward, not inward as expected for arthritis.

On his x-rays, he spotted at least 2 suspicious shadows deep inside the inner hip.  He explained to me, that mets can start on the inside of the bone and work outward, or they can start on the outside and work towards the inside.  He said the inside ones are all but impossible to spot with scans until they are really large.

He has ordered a special series of MRI's to see what is going on in the same area in detail.  He said despite my current PSA number, post SRT failure, that its still possible he was seeing mets.  For an ortho doctor, he was well versed on advanced PC, and has dealt with other men in this situation.

For now, until he can see better what is going on, he's keeping me on the same pain meds and wants me to continue with my Oncology PT, unless, as he said, as long as the PT isn't aggervating the problem.

As soon as the new MRI's are done, he wants to see me immediately. He's ordered fresh copies of my last 2 bone scans as well to compare with.

So the jury is out.  I was hoping for a break here, with something common causing the pain, but doesn't seem to be the case.

PC is such a fun journey.

David in SC

P.S.  He said that if mets were found, I would be between a rock and a hard place, as they would not be able to do spot radiation that close to where I had all the radiation problems.

thanks for the link, don

I've nothing to say except I am so sorry David.

I hope that these are not mets and if they are I hope there is a solution.

An

Sephie, I guess different doctors have their pet peeves, this guy being a bone doctor, must be use to seeing x-rays done a certain way, he didn't like the "poses" that were taken. This time, they had me all contorted at the hip, and I felt like Gumby when they got done. That's why I like having more than one doctor's perspective on my situation, they are all looking at it from different angles. Even though he's a blasted Yankee, I can't knock Jeter's record, he's a great ball player, just on the wrong team.

Me too An, thanks.

Thanks, Sheldon. I feel fotunate, that all my doctors in my current team are the kind that are willing to spend real time, and are good listeners. I pity the guys that have docs that feel like they are doing them a favor for seeing them for 5 minutes.

This was the most swank specialist office I have ever seen. Looked like a palace inside. He said that there were 80 people working there, and they were still out of room. When I went to leave, I bet at least 10 different workers told me good bye and good luck. And they never asked for a cent, not even a co-pay.

To answer the other question, the ortho doc wants the MRI's done immediately, so as soon as it can be arranged, it will be done, I would assume early next week. Then I am to call him back, and he wants to book an immediate followup with me to go over all the scans together.

thanks, bronson, don't see much of you these days. hope you and steve are hanging in there.

David,
I guess the doc's own x-rays were not conclusive. The MRI will provide more info so until then the status quo is holding. Let's hope for pain caused by OA...and that is coming from one who is well aware of OA symptoms.

Be positive!

RalphV

David -- i'm with Ed C. i don't know what to say except i hope the very best for you.

ed

Dan - I am under Blue Cross through my wife, and on Medicare under Disability, so right now, I have double coverage

Thanks Paul, I am sure the Ortho doc would consider all possibilities

Oh for God's sake (if there is one!) are you ever going to get a break?  Here i am wondering is this what is before me over the next number of years, etc.  BUT i am conscious of not feeling too sorry for myself and instead empathise with others who have gone through the mill just to prepare for the next milestone.

Here i am on my HT for another two m,months.  Feeling ok really with no symptoms at all - that's what is difficult to take in - I have always enjoyed a social drink (four pints) at week ends but i decided to give it a miss until i went off my present medication for HT to give my prostate evdery chance to shrink.  Tonight i intend to succumb to temptation and say yes to my drinkin budddy when he calls - after all my doc. agrees with me not to change my present lifestyle too much!

Purgatory, you keep me sane and on my toes when i begin to wallow in my own uncertainty.

Best of luck with next appointments

CJD

Dave, very sorry to hear about your current situation. The lowest point in my journey to date was when possible mets were picked up on my lower spine by both an MRI and bone scan. Both my uro and radiation onco were convinced it was PCa because of the location. I had two very bad weeks until a second MRI with a chemical called gadolenium (SP?) showed that it was just a hemangioma. I very much hope you finally get a break on this one. Best of luck.BB

cajun jeff, thanks, one would think you could catch a break at some point in the great PC battle, still waiting for mine to happen

cjd - thanks, glad you are doing well, if i drank - would join you!

alf - thanks, hope your back gets to feeling better. i wake up hurting, go to sleep hurting, despite pain meds, got to be an answer out there

thank you, hope

bb, thanks, i am hoping its something beneign myself, dont need a new problem

thanks, clock, at least the MRI isn't loading me up with more radiation, hope it shows something clearly that can be dealt with

Hi:

Thanks for raising this issue, and I hope that your luck turns for the better.

I have just been dx with GS 8-9. Two bone scans, two X-Rays and one CT Scan over 3 months all point to a single mets in my left acetabulum/ischium. However, I have no symptoms, no pain, and I am a very active 72 year old in great shape. Nevertheless, with my GS and PSA of 50, my uro and radiologist have both concluded mets with a px for ADT.

Does anyone know if an MRI is more definitive as to whether it is mets or not?

Houseboy

Blast, dang and TARNATION! Geez David I certainly hope they find out it is anything but mets.

Wishing you well!