[Eugenia]

Severe spot of pain - what should I do about it?

by Eugenia on Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:08 am

The last several nights, when I lie on my back, there is a spot about the size of a golf ball on the right edge of my spine – about even with my lowest rib – that makes me wince in pain. I'm losing sleep over this! I often notice it during the day, too. And sometimes I flinch if I sit in a car and lean back on it.

This is not an injury. Should I see my oncologist? My PCP? An orthopedic? Could it be MGUS-related?

I am overdue for my check-up because Cancer Centers of North Carolina closed and I want to change doctors now.

[Tracy J]

Re: Severe spot of pain - what should I do about it?

by Tracy J on Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:49 am

Eugenia,

I would definitely see someone about it. I would not just wait and see if it goes away. I would start with your PCP, but if I were in your shoes I would specifically ask them if it could be progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma. If your PCP wasn't available right away, I'd go to the oncologist.

I hope you are feeling better!

Good luck,
Tracy

[Jonah]

Re: Severe spot of pain - what should I do about it?

by Jonah on Mon Jan 26, 2015 5:07 pm

I agree with Tracy that it probably would be worth going to your PCP to have the pain you've been having checked.

When was the last time that you had bloodwork done? Have you recently had things like your hemoglobin, creatinine, and calcium levels checked, not to mention your free light chains and M-spike?

Also, you mention that the source of the pain is about the size of the golf ball. Is there actually a physical lump about that size, or is there just an area about that size that is where the pain is occurring?

[Multibilly]

Re: Severe spot of pain - what should I do about it?

by Multibilly on Mon Jan 26, 2015 7:01 pm

Eugenia,

Jonah asks a few, really good qualifying questions.

I would try and get an appointment with a doctor ASAP.

Given that you have MGUS and this pain is in your rib/spine area, I might personally consider just going to the oncologist, especially if that oncologist has an imaging machine (xray, MRI, etc) avail­able at their facility. It would beat having to go to a PCP's office, then going to a radiology clinic to get imaged, and then waiting for the PCP to get back to you once he has the radiologist's report. Also, if you haven't had a standard multiple myeloma follow-up screening visit in some time, this might be a really good reason to get your tests updated.

Note that I'm suggesting all this based on my own circumstances, where my PCP doesn't have an imaging machine at his office, and my multiple myeloma specialist works in a facility that has every medical imaging machine known to man, including a staff of radiologists.

Just my two cents ...

[Eugenia]

Re: Severe spot of pain - what should I do about it?

by Eugenia on Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:07 pm

Thanks for your responses. I finally made an appointment with UNC and it's this week. I think I'll feel better knowing if this is "something, or nothing" (hoping for "nothing"). The pain is always there, but sometimes it's really bad. It's worse if I like on my back and it's worse as it gets later in the day. It's also worse when sitting in certain chairs or cars.

The last time I had blood work was a year ago, I think. I really can't remember. I've never had anything but the 24-hr urine and blood work. Maybe time for bone density? I'm 59 and broke one wrist 5 or 6 years ago and one wrist 1 year ago.