Peggie,
It wasn't until after I made my post that I saw yours-I'm still learning how to navigate this site. Thank you for your kind reply, it was encouraging, as far as the CA not being very trustworthy, especially when I read that most women's numbers are in the low double digits. My wife, Jen, will be 61 in Feb., her pain is all over; joints, spine, ribs, hips, metatarsals, etc., the most severe pain recently is at the base of her skull and throughout her cervical spine. Being that most of the cancer is in the spine and that she had the fractures, nerve pain is a huge possibility, she tried Gabapentin, but didn't like the side effects. At diagnosis she had multiple compression fractures in her spine. About 8 months ago she went to see a rheumatologist, he prescribed Diclofenac, the assumption was that as her bones were healing from the treatment it was causing arthritis, the diclofenac has helped. Her last Onc. appt. was almost two weeks ago, she is waiting to hear back from someone to get a consult on radiation, my concern with radiation on the neck is that the esophagus is so close, but I'll wait until we get a consult so that I can get fully educated on the pros and cons of the procedure. How long ago were you diagnosed ? I'd love to hear if the radiation on your femur helps. May I ask if you have LDH and CEA tests as well, if you don't want to share-no problem. Jen's LDH was 1000, and the CEA was 13 on her last visit. Thank you again, Sam