Extreme Back Pain

Posted by mmiles04 @mmiles04, Dec 15, 2024

Husband is stage four. He had a CAT scan a few weeks ago and doctor said he is stable, but he has been experiencing extreme pain in his muscle near his shoulder blades. The oncologist said it’s muscular but his pain is off the charts. The pain management doctor prescribed him something and it’s helping a little bit. I feel helpless and don’t know how to help. He uses a tens unit to try to help with the pain, but that doesn’t help for very long. Could the scan have been wrong and missed something?

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davidwrenn | @davidwrenn | Dec 19, 2024

I too experienced mets to my scapula and the head of my humerus. I had a pre-existing rotator cuff injury from various athletic and weight training exercises. Fortunately, aggressive radiotherapy and chemotherapy with FOLFOX markedly reduced the size and PET intensity of the bony lesions but the rotator cuff and referred pain to other muscle groups remained. I was referred to a physical therapist who designed a rehabilitation treatment regimen that was quite effective in improving my shoulder mobility, strength and reduced my constant pain. I've also used a number of supplements with documented anti-inflammatory activities such as turmeric and Palmitylethanolamine (PEA) which has helped lessened my dependence on other perscribed pain meds and NSAIDs. Salinas lidocaine adhesive patches are also effective in combination with the supplements mentioned above have worked well for me.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 27, 2024

In reply to @mmiles04 "Oh boy I’ll answer what I know. Doctors said it was inoperable which I believe was..." + (show)

@mmiles04, I wanted to check in and see how you and your husband are doing. I noticed that you mentioned palliative care. Palliative care is offered for symptom management. Being offered palliative care doesn't equate death sentence or giving up. Stage 4 by definition may not be curable, but people can live well for many years with advanced incurable cancer. By the same token, I also understand when a patient may decide that the treatment is too much and negatively affects quality of life. It can also help at that point to look into hospice care.

Getting back on topic: Great tip from @lionsfan to consider physical therapy. Was he able to get a consult with a physical therapist? How is your husband's back pain?

mmiles04 | @mmiles04 | Dec 28, 2024

In reply to @colleenyoung "@mmiles04, I wanted to check in and see how you and your husband are doing. I..." + (show)

Thank you for reaching out. I reached out to physical therapist twice and have not heard back even though she offered to guide/help us. He’s actually doing much better. Not sure what happened other than divine intervention! He seems to be in a better place now emotionally as well. So hopefully that will stay that way. We have enjoyed seeing our young grandsons this Christmas which brings him joy. We also have a beach trip planned starting next week. He is actually looking forward to that. Maybe all the distractions have helped him.