As someone who has suffered for years with back issues, it sounds more like a disc issue than anything sinister. Now, until you get it checked out, no one can actually tell you categorically what is going on, but yeah, could be a whole new separate issue.

A tell tale sign of a disc issue is pain when sitting down. When you're sitting down, your disc becomes even more compressed. When my back is bad, i can't sit at all. The shooting pain can also be a classic sign of a disc herniation. It can mean that disc is hitting against the sciatic nerve.

The seizing up sounds like muscle spasms. Believe me, muscle spasms can be debilitating. I've been bed ridden for 2 weeks, 1 week etc here and there.

My advice, do not wait until January, go see your gp. Sounds like you would be served well by an MRI (xrays are absolutely useless for disc issues) to see what is going on with your discs. More so because you have nerve involvement.

Not pleasant, but it sounds very similar to what I get periodically. But an MRI is a very good tool for back issues. During the acute stage of back problems, it's always better to rest. Sometimes that means lying down taking the strain off your spine. Never ever push through the pain, and if doing certain things increase the pain, you have to stop doing whatever it is you're doing. Pushing through pain and doing things that increase the pain can make the problem worse. Think of it as a cut. The more that inflammation is being irritated, the longer it will last. My acute stage lasts between 1-2 weeks. After that, exercising helps a lot, but only if it doesn't aggravate the issue.

If you ignore all of the above, because i like to write novels, I would make an appointment with the gp regardless.

I was stage one and opted to have a double mastectomy. That was at the start of 2020, just before covid. Then, 5 months later I started with what felt like sciatica only the pain got so bad, I ended up on maximum doses of tramadol, pregabalin and ibuprofen. My BC surgeon agreed to see me and did no tests but reassured me that this was unlikely to be connected. I then saw an orthopaedic consultant who did an MRI and didn't find any nasty culprits so he referred me to a neurologist. He concluded that during mastectomy surgery it was likely that a tiny branch of nerves called the plexus were damaged and that this would ease eventually. After 6 months, the pain definitely became more manageable and I came off all the drugs. But I've recently had another MRI and low and behold they have now find canal narrowing, nerve entrapment and disc bulges!!! Basically my back is a mess. But, no malignancies have been found! I hope that your issues are back or surgery related and not breast. Maybe go to your doctor. Whenever I mention a new pain to my GP, they always say that given my history they'd like to send me for a scan. It beats waiting until January. Good luck x

Thanks for responding ProfBaw.  I suppose it could be so many things other than BC spread as I keep telling myself!  I'm 55 so some arthritis isn't out of the question after years of riding in my younger years!  Tamoxifen can also cause stiffness.  
My breast clinic seem to be under the impression that they've done all they need to do for now and sent me on my merry way.  They recently refused me an ultrasound for a definite lump so I doubt they'd give me an MRI!  I paid privately for the ultrasound which thankfully was fine.  

I think you're right I should mention it to my GP.  Its awful to have the nagging worry and the only way to know is to have a scan for sure.
 

Thanks again, and all the best

Mary

Hi CazStu

Thanks for responding.  Sorry to hear you've been in so much pain.  Back pain can be dreadful but it's good to know that it's back related and not BC related.

Interesting what your neurologist found.  I suppose it makes sense that nerves will be severed and damaged during a mastectomy.  My pain seems to radiate from my groin and deep inside my hip (opposite side to the mastectomy).  It eases during the day but seems to play up at night which is why I'm worried.

Ill go to my GP as I think I've got more chance of getting an MRI referral from him rather than the breast clinic.  As far as they're concerned I'm file closed except for the yearly mammograms!

Wishing you all the best.

Mary x

Definitely go to your GP. I too am file closed as far as my breast consultant is concerned. I got diagnosed in Nov 19, the all clear in Feb 20 and saw him once when I was in all that pain in June 20 and nothing since ... even though I was told to expect yearly follow ups. I now have a tumour on my thyroid and when I contacted my breast consultant ( as I was worried it was secondary breast given my cancer was er+ and the thyroid is a hormone gland) he simply referred me on to a thyroid consultant without seeing me. I feel a bit lost in the system but thank god my GP took me seriously. Let me know how you get on x

Hi CazStu,

Sorry to hear about your thyroid, how was that found if you don't mind my asking.  Did it show up during an MRI?  Totally understandable that you were worried.  I'm strongly oestrogen + as well 8/8.  My husband said I should contact the GP too as he said it could be a blood clot.  I do get a throbbing pain in my hip and down my left leg.  Tamoxifen increases the risk for clots.

More tests, here we go again!  It would be nice to have some peace of mind for a year or so!  I'll let you know.

Take care.  Mary x

I wasn't getting over Covid and felt really run down with a new pain in my spine. So my GP sent me for an MRI in February and that came back as clear though it did highlight that a thyroid nodule, previously marked as one to watch in 2020 (though no one told me and no one watched) had grown. My GP put me back on the cancer pathway back in February and I'm still waiting to find out if it's cancer! Yes, like you said, I too am longing for a worry free year. Let's pray it happens soon x

Yes, absolutely.  I hope you get some answers soon.  It's hard to move on and be happy when you've got niggling worry.  Thanks again for replying.

Mary xx

The MRI is separate from any previous cancer diagnosis, or at least it should be, so it should be down to the gp whether you warrant one or not, not the actual hospital. Some back issues warrant an MRI based on their own symptoms. Usually when there's nerve involvement. Could be a herniated disc, a compressed cord, anything.

Back pain usually falls within the remit of two specialists, a neurologist or an orthopaedic doctor. A neurologist is usually the preferred one if there's obvious nerve issues. A lot of gps take the cheaper route at first and send you for an xray, but from personal experience, X-rays are useless because they only really show up issues involving bone. Then you get told nothing is amiss because they don't show up problems with the soft tissue (discs in this case). So do press for an MRI if things don't improve. I know it's a worry with your history, but you're at the age where actual issues involving the lower back are very common.

Your symptoms really do sound similar to mine and probably is nothing more than a disc issue at worse.Disc issues usually do resolve with time, but sometimes they don't without intervention from a physio or targetted exercises.

Hi ProfBaw,

im seeing my GP tomorrow because it was sooner that seeing the practice physio.  Apparently physios can refer for MRI's too so if I get no joy from the GP I can put the 'thumb screws' on the physio!  I don't want an x ray.  I think you're spot on about that as x ray wouldn't show any soft tissue issues.  I'm going to specifically ask for the MRI.

I hope your back issues settle and aren't too bad for you.  Thanks for the advice and best wishes.

Mary