Back & Spine Side Effect from Chemo?

[chrissyrice]

I have had severe back pain in my spine from my 4th round of chemo and the pain continuing on after finishing chemo.

Has anyone else had damage to their spine or back from chemo?

Can colon cancer spread to the bones in the spine?

My onc and the nurse kept telling me that the deep bone pain in my back/spine was from my bone marrow regenerating and the Neprogen shots.

But my chemo has been done for more than 2 months now and the onc finally ordered an MRI of my back and spine....

Still waiting on results, but I keep wondering what chemo can do to a person's spine??

Chrissy

[waw4]

Just a lay person here, but 2 months does seem like a long time to me and I wonder why the pain is mostly in the spine and not also in the other red blood cell producing bone marrow sites, such as the skull, sternum, hip, and shoulders. Do you have any pain in these areas as well?

I would ask the onc if all these bone marrow sites produce red blood cells, why is it only your spine which is painful? Also, the bone pain from the shots I have heard about only lasts a day or two and is relieved by ibuprofen.

Also I would want to get a new complete blood count and compare it to previous ones to see if it shed any light on what's going on. Have they done any blood tests on you since chemo finished?

Finally, I see you apparently gave up on the Oxaliplatin. Was that due to side effects?

[chrissyrice]

Yes, I had toxic reactions to the Oxi and I think all this pain in my spine and the neuropathy in my feet are from the chemo.

I am still waiting for the doc to let me know the results of my spine MRI. I am concerned that it could be bone mets.

But, hopefully it's just a disc problem. In any case I am gratefully not to be on chemo!

[Jen]

I had terrible lower back pain after chemo and radiation. I think it turned out to be sciatica but no one knew what it was. I was so concerned it was a recurrence. I would take a step or shift the weight of my hips and I'd get the sharpest pain right at my tailbone that I couldn't help but wince or cry out. I think mine was from radiation - but it's hard to say because I had just finished chemo too. I had a pelvic xray that turned up nothing. Then eventually it went away. I could not believe how painful it could be and be nothing that resolved itself....I had a whole new empathy for those who suffer chronic back pain.

[chrissyrice]

Jen:
Your post helps me a lot ...because I think the Onc just thinks I want attention!!

I am in such pain too! I call the doc and told him to get me the results today as I am moving on to a spine clinic if it's not cancer in the spine. The guy is probably trying to "milk" another office visit out of my wallet

I got my MRI scan on CD and from what I see I have a big bulging hernated disc that can be treated by laser surgery on an out patient basis and I could be living my life again in just 5 days!

Does anyone else have back issues from chemo with bone degeneration??

I truly appreciate this place for being able to vent and move on with great ideas and experiences from everyone.

Chrissy

[airic]

I had lower back pain during chemo. I would get it once a week, sometimes a few times a week. Thought I had kiddney stones, CT scan and no stones. I think it has to do with the chemo drugs. Since I finished my 12 rounds no back pain. Hands and feet still have issues.

[chrissyrice]

Just an update -The doctor finally sent me my MRI report.

- No Bone Mets in the spine.

However, my back has several herniated disks that need to be healed.

The pain is awful but at least I am still cancer free!

Moving on to a spine expert in Atlanta area. I guess this is a "normal health issue" thank you Lord!

I probably got those herniated those disks trying to POOP!

Chrissy