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Anyone experience acute low back pain/inflammation due to AI drugs?

Posted by lifetraveler @lifetraveler, Feb 27 6:00am

My dear comrades in the war of fighting cancers:

Hope you are doing well:) Need your kind advice; for I seemed to experience a new side-effect of an aching back pain (afraid to be inflammed) near my lumbar section suddenly:( I am wondering whether this new issue of health could be caused by those cancer-treatment medications...

I had my breast cancer surgery done on 12/26/2023, and have been taking Anastrozole since 1/18, had the Zoledronic acid via infusion on 2/15. Unfortunately for me, in addition to those known side-effects such as: stiff & triger fingers, aching hands and joints, etc., I suddenly developed an acute low back pain 2 days ago. When this new aching pain in my back spine became so severe last night, I used my own hands to feel the exact aching spot on my spine and shockingly discovered that there's a soft bump on my lower spine near the lumbar section! Could this new sudden acute low back pain/spinal inflammation be caused by these medicines that I've being given? What should I do to relieve this new aching back?

Any experienced advices are highly appreciated. Thanks!

Wishing you all healthier, happier and fulfilled days ahead!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 27 7:29am

Either med could possibly cause this but it seems wise to have it checked out for other causes with your PCP or an orthopedist. An x-ray might be reassuring and you could maybe get an Rx for PT.

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1 reply
lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | Feb 27 7:44am
In reply to @windyshores "Either med could possibly cause this but it seems wise to have it checked out for..." + (show)
@windyshores

Either med could possibly cause this but it seems wise to have it checked out for other causes with your PCP or an orthopedist. An x-ray might be reassuring and you could maybe get an Rx for PT.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your prompt advice! I'll do accordingly.

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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Feb 27 4:08pm

Here is a good article about what it might be:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/spinal-cysts
Until you can get to the doctor, see if you can find a position that puts less pressure on that area. If it’s a cyst it may be pressing on a nerve.
If it were me, I’d take the strongest anti-inflammatory OTC med that I had in the cabinet. But I’m not a medical specialist.

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lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | Feb 27 4:57pm
In reply to @triciaot "Here is a good article about what it might be: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/spinal-cysts Until you can get to..." + (show)
@triciaot

Here is a good article about what it might be:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/spinal-cysts
Until you can get to the doctor, see if you can find a position that puts less pressure on that area. If it’s a cyst it may be pressing on a nerve.
If it were me, I’d take the strongest anti-inflammatory OTC med that I had in the cabinet. But I’m not a medical specialist.

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Hi! @windyshores and @triciaot:

Thank you so much for your kind and wise advices! I'd made an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow. Your caring kindness is highly appreciated:)

My love to you all!

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mossa | @mossa | Feb 28 7:39pm

I hope your physician is helpful. A few weeks after starting Anastrozole my back, hips and knees became stiff and aching. Not as bad now (after nearly a year) and I have found keeping my joints moving really helps.

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lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | Feb 29 5:48am
In reply to @mossa "I hope your physician is helpful. A few weeks after starting Anastrozole my back, hips and..." + (show)
@mossa

I hope your physician is helpful. A few weeks after starting Anastrozole my back, hips and knees became stiff and aching. Not as bad now (after nearly a year) and I have found keeping my joints moving really helps.

Jump to this post

Dear @mossa :

Thanks for sharing your valuable experience and encouragement to help me; for I really appreiciate your caring kindness!

I did experience those known side effects such as: stiff & aching fingers and joints days after taking Anastrozole; however, it is this new experience of "a soft bump on my lower spine near the lumbar" scared me the most, thus prompted me to ask our comrades for help. Thanks to everybody that offered caring support and great advices! I saw the medical oncologist yesterday and he ordered the Lumbar spine MRI for me, it had been scheduled for next week. Due to the fact that I declined any radiation treatments, I need to take those AI drugs faithfully - regardless of any awful side effects that may come:( But life is a journey...

Wishing you all, my dear comrades: a healthier, happy and fulfilled journey ahead!

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