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bone scan
Good morning, any info would be helpful, quick summary I'm 67 years old, coming off two previous cancers. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Gleason score of 9, two years ago. Finished my ADT therapy along with 42 x radiotherapy. I had no cancer outside of the prostate. My PSA is great >.3., but my testrone number is zero. I have been having severe pain in my joints ( wrists , hands, knees) also pain in my hip and back. My oncologist ordered a full bone scan. Just seeing if anyone had similar experience. I feel like I'm 90 . I know that the ADT effects' the joints, Is there any treatment that can help ?
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A bone scan makes sense when you're on ADT and your PSA is very low — a PSMA-PET scan probably wouldn't work in that situation.
I've had at least 3 bone scans since my diagnosis in 2021. They injected me with a tracer, then I came back in a couple of hours for the actual scan. The challenge is that you have to stay very still for 30–45 min, so they might wrap something around your ankles and even your arms, lightly, to make it easier to hold them in place.
Best of luck!
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1 ReactionAs for mitigating joint pain on ADT, I find that three things help:
1. Keep moving — motion is lotion.
2. Keep the joints warm. Obviously, don't risk heat stroke, but cold A/C indoors might aggravate your joints, as will cool/damp outside. Throwing on a pair of track pants or a sweatshirt might help more than any meds.
3. Don't overdo it, but when the pain is bad, you can rub on a bit of Voltaren or A535 (off-the-shelf topical NSAIDs) just to help you get moving. Ibuprofen in pill form might also help (I can't take that because it conflicts with my Apalutamide).
Obviously, check with your doctor and/or pharmacist before starting any new medication, even if it's off-the-shelf, "herbal", "naturopathic", etc.
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3 Reactions@northoftheborder this is also my third one to ! thanks for the response
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2 Reactions@vinny59 Hope it comes up clear! But even if it doesn't, they can zap hotspots with radiation these days (or if too many show up at once, with Pluvicto or chemo).
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1 ReactionI know people that have had PSMA PET scans, even though their PSA was only .3, Or lower. The bone scan is not really great at finding metastasis, the PET scan works much better.
I was getting some pain in my joints from being on ADT for so long, I think! I am now taking 600 mg of gabapentin three times a day and the joint pain has gone away. I’ve tried dropping down twice to lower amounts, but each time when I got below 400 mg I felt some joint pain again. I’m not sure this will work for you, Something you need to talk to your doctor about.
thanks so much for the response, I will look into the gabapentin
The doctors probably wants a bone scan because you reported hip and bone discomfort. They are probably trying to make sure the cancer has not metastases to the bones. Are you on any bone building agents. ADT does make your joints and muscles sore. I am on xgeva and it can also cause some bone discomfort. I am scheduled for my annual bone and CT scan in October.
@wooldridgec hi, only think I'm on is calcium and magnesium over the counter vitamins , thanks for the response
I have had about three bone scanning during the 11 years I have been dealing with prostate cancer. This test may have the highest level of radiation, but it is necessary when the medical team wants to locate the cancer. Having bone pains can be a good reason to order it.
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1 Reactionthanks so much for the response going Wednesday