Bone Scan

[Guest guest]

Hi Debby, I said I would let you know what the results were from my bone scan. Just as I thought, inconclusive is what they said. They also said they can't rule out that my hip may be loosening but they can't tell just yet. If I'm still in pain in the next six months, I'm to have another bone scan before I see my OS for my two year check up. So I'm still in the dark. CarmelCarmel Santos <pureenergy7@...> wrote: Hi Debby, The extension, I guess the word is lengthening. My OS told me he had to lengthen my leg. There was bone grafting involved and my leg was slightly longer than the other. I can still feel it when I try to stand straight. That could be why I'm in so much

pain too. He said it takes times for the device to settle in. I thought by now, it would've settled. Perhaps someone could better explain the lengthening? The nuclear bone scan is where they injected me with a small amount of radio active material so they could see all my joints. They then put me under an x-ray machine which takes pictures of my bones, joints. It took about one hour for the test. I don't know if I could ever go through an MRI? I'll keep you posted on the results of the bone scan. Take care, Carmeldebbyclary@... wrote: Carmel Santos <pureenergy7@...> wrote:Carmel,Yes, please do let me know what you find out. What's an extension? And I might as well ask what a nuclear bone scan

is. Workin' on my MD, ya know??? <G>Debby>Hi Debby,> > I have had the knee pain after my surgery on my right hip, where my knee feels twisted when I walk and I can't walk very far or very long. My OS does not know what is causing the pain. I had more x-rays and bone scans. I am still waiting to hear about the nuclear bone scan I had done two days ago. The pain might be coming from the extension they had to do on my hip, maybe? I'll let you know how the bone scan turned out.> > Carmel>>debbyclary <debbyclary@...> wrote:> ...had this problem? I got my left hip replaced last year. >Everything went well except I started having terrible right knee >pain. I have never had knee problems. Everything looked good on an >MRI so my doc suggested a cortisone shot to the right hip, not the

>knee, the thinking being that I was having referred pain from the >hip. Got the shot, knee pain goes away for three days. Diagnosis: >referred right hip pain.>>So I got the right hip replaced this past Feb, which I direly needed >anyway. But so far I'm still having the right knee pain. My PT >suggested arch supports which so far have aggravated it terribly, even >though I'm trying to get used to them in 30 min. increments, two hours >without, etc.>>Does this sound like anything any of you have experienced?>>Debby>>>>>>>

[Guest guest]

i had a bone scan done, it takes most of the day to get it done, i think the worst part was having to lay still while the machine takes its time going over ur body, but there was no pain with it thank God, since i was a diabetic it took longer for me to heal, but now i have a few bad days when the weather changes but other than that i am doing goodPhyllis Rinehart <shasha45@...> wrote: Hello, Has anyone had a bone scan? My 2nd opinion OS is having a bone scan done. I had TKR in May and still in pain, knee

is very warm and stiff. I also had a manipulation in August. Didn't do much for that. He is looking for an infection. Orginal surgeon wasn't helping me at all. Said I needed to work harder at bending my knee and straightening my leg. Also has anyone ever take Tramadol? Just wondering if that worked for anyone. Thanks for any replies.Phyllis Low, Low, Low Rates! Check out Messenger's cheap PC-to-Phone call rates.

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[Guest guest]

Phyllis, I took a combination of Tylenol and Tramadol in a pill called Ultracet for my osteoarthritis. Because I'm post-op B-TKR, I'm taking other meds now. It's non-narcotic and I had no side effects. I imagine I will be back on it soon for the hips, etc. Donna Phyllis Rinehart <shasha45@...> wrote: Hello, Has anyone had a bone scan? My 2nd opinion OS is having a bone scan done. I had TKR in May and still

in pain, knee is very warm and stiff. I also had a manipulation in August. Didn't do much for that. He is looking for an infection. Orginal surgeon wasn't helping me at all. Said I needed to work harder at bending my knee and straightening my leg. Also has anyone ever take Tramadol? Just wondering if that worked for anyone. Thanks for any replies.Phyllis Low, Low, Low Rates! Check out Messenger's cheap PC-to-Phone call rates.

Want to start your own business? Learn how on Small Business.

[Guest guest]

ive had Rea now for 11 yrs and it is common for me to

have the flares and effect different parts of the body

and

the nature of the pain change also. My pain retutns

immediately after I come off the pred.the bone scan

can show what the density in bone. It seems that

these diseases rob us of our bone density or it may be

that it interferes with our body's ability to uptake

calcium.You'll find that it is a mysterious process

and there seems to be no rhyme or reason. the only way

ive been able to cope is by the suuport of my beloved

wife and living for the moment because the future and

the past are too intimidating. Narcotics have given me

any quality of life. I love the pred. but it is to

damaging to be on long term.find your pssion if you

can and honor it daily even in the worst of times.You

already know more than your doctor about this disease

becuase so little is understood and an experiential

view point will give you more insight than they coud

ever know. Always believe in yourself for there is

much doubt and shame associted with diseases of which

so little is known. take good care of yourself. My

intuition is that the gut has alot to do with what

happens and why the immune system goes so haywire. I

will follow up on this. Doctors are not very intersted

in what we eat and they have few thought on this

because its 'only anecdotal. " Its is not in there

training. Just look at hte food they feed you when

your in hospital. Nutrtional it is not. Our livers

have qite a workout dealing with all the toxins we

take in and the byproducts of our immune system

killing off these bacterias and our connective tissue.

Take care!

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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http://autos./green_center/

[Guest guest]

Dear Kathleen,

I know that from my personal experience that even on a good day

(meaning not alot of pain but enough to annoy you) that it can be on

area of my body one day and the next something else starts up. The

presidsone treatment that you have been on I don't think is a really

good idea. When I had a case of Uvietis, I was on that for nearly two

months! I gained forty pounds. And now it is very hard to work off

due to my Reiter's since there are days that just walking around in the

house is a challenge. That is the reason that I was so reluctant to

take the presidson again this last time when I went to the doctor and

he placed me on it again. I will admitt that it is only a temporary

fix or you can even take it as a quick fix to knocked down your immune

system. But, either way, it is not for the long term.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

So what other meds can I suggest to the dr. so that I am able to function?

Ibuprofen works well at first, but then it seems like the pain is just too

much for it, and only pred helps. I'm guessing I still have at least

another 3 months to fight the pain, if not more....

That is the reason that I was so reluctant to

> take the presidson again this last time when I went to the doctor and

> he placed me on it again.

--

- Kathleen

[Guest guest]

I was given some Vicodin, but it only helps for about 4 hours, and I feel so

" loopy " when I'm on it, I'm afraid to drive or work after taking it. Any

other suggestions?

On 3/11/07, Woodruff <zookalu@...> wrote:

>

> Narcotics have given me any quality of life. I love the pred. but it is

> to

> damaging to be on long term.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathleen

From my experience I can share the following:

Briefly my history with ReA has been 2 flares - 1st flare 1989 lasted 3-4 months

2nd flare Nov 2005, still flaring though I have improved enormously over the

last couple of months - and am hoping for a remission really soon!

With my 2nd flare I had a bone scan as I initially thought it was a sports

injury (left achilles and ankle affected)..all the bone scan showed was that I

had arthritis..it wasnt diagnosed as ReA until 6 months later when my right

ankle and knee blew up.

Prednisone

Last year my specialist added a 5 week course of prednisone to my mix (3000mg

sulfasalazine/100mg voltaren daily) to see if it would bring on a remission -

wishful thinking as the pain recommenced as soon as I stopped the prednisone.

But for the 5 weeks it was a wonderful break from the constant pain!

Pain changing areas

I find this the most frustrating thing about the condition. The pain moves

around my affected areas all the time. One week I can hardly move my left leg

then the next I can almost hop on it. I also get a lot of muscle aches and pain

and in other areas of my body.

Definitely ask your doctor about introducing other drugs - usually a combination

of drugs will indeed improve the condition. Prednisone is not a drug that I

would want to stay on and most doctors will only use it for short periods of

time as it has very severe side effects when used long term.

Good luck and let us know how you fare.

Regards

[Guest guest]

Kathleen,

I have been told that there are combinations of meds that can help.

And since I am seven months into the treatment I am learning as I go.

Another medication that my doctor has me on is Asulphdine (misspelled?)

at 3000 mg a day. It seemed to help at first with decreasing my

symptoms but that was after about two months of taking it. I have

never had full remission, like my doctor is still believing I will

have. The pain has decreased some over time however, since the last

month or longer it has been getting worse again. I do wish you the

best and talk to your doctor or research on your own of the other

medicines that are out there. If I run across anything I will let you

know.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

I was on 'slow release' (12 hour) morphine prior to my hip

replacement. It was very effective and I could still drive

and work without drowsiness.

----- Original Message Follows -----

> I was given some Vicodin, but it only helps for about 4

> hours, and I feel so " loopy " when I'm on it, I'm afraid to

> drive or work after taking it. Any other suggestions?

[Guest guest]

I know - it is so frustrating when the tests that can be done don't always show the source of pain. There have been times when I really started questioning myself about "is this really hurting"...

I just returned from the scan. The radiologist did say that they were looking for possible malignancy, but there isn't - had I known that I don't know how I would have been able to deal with it, and to find out that there's not any cancer, I am thanking God, and wonder how many people have been on that table getting a scan to learn that they do have it. I guess one could call it a good perspective/reality check.

He did note that there was some blood in the area where the pain is and that that was the body's way of trying to heal something. So, perhaps they will be able to identify it, and even better, fix it.

I'll know more when I see Dr. Hey - gotta make that appointment.

I hope your pain will somehow improve or you can get better pain management.

G

[ ] bone scan

I hate to be a "Debby Downer", but a bone scan will not necessarily show the doctor what is causing pain.I've had continual pain since my last of 6 operations.I insisted on having one done just to see if I had any osteroperosis (I'm over 50). Luckily, I didn't have any, but they didn't see anything that would cause pain. I've had CT scans, and X-rays, they don't show anything. In fact, they didn't show that one of the places didn't fuse---they found out that was the case when they operated.I'm on Hydrocodone A/C. I had been taking Viox, too, which really helped with my arthritus in my knees, but then was put on Celebrex, which didn't help much, so now I'm on Relefen. The Hydrocodone A/C is monitored closely, so I have no refills, have to get the doctor to give new prescriptions every time, even though I've been on it for a few years now!I wish there were something better for pain. My Kaiser doctors don't have a Pain Management team, like they did when I went to UCSF Medical Center. I now have Medicare, and have been considering switching to a plan that lets me go back to UCSF. But even those doctors didn't have much to say the last time I went.Accupressure and Accupuncture helped a little, but not really much.Luckily, I haven't had any problems with my bladder.NB

[Guest guest]

,

Its good to hear from you. I have wondered how you were doing after

your last surgery. I am sorry to hear you pain is not being addressed

in a very consistent fashion. It seems so hit or miss with folks as to

if they are going to get a good pain team who will work with them and

get a good balance between function and pain. Its really disteressing

that in this day and age they haven't figured out more about pain than

they have.

I suppose you could switch to a plan that permitted you to go to UCSF

but won't you have to start from zero with them again? AAARRGGHHH!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

, I'm sorry that you have a sacral insuffiency fracture. Is this what you believe is the source of the pain? I know that sounds like a stupid question, but there are times when something is discovered while looking for something else and after all is said and done, the original pain area is still there...not in every instance but I've seen, read about and experienced that scenario.

So you are to cut out most all physical activity for 4 months to allow it to heal? I know that area is hard to treat, can't put a cast around it, I was wondering the other night if they couldn't come up with something like Super Glue to bond fractures ... not a practical solution but I understand that it is difficult to heal those fractures.

I'd bet this is all from the scolio & associated complications rather than osteo. I'm not trying to put false information in your head, but considering everything with your scoliosis and aftermath, that alone could cause a fracture to occur.

I'm glad your "medical team" are being so thorough. I think that all women, even without scoliosis and histories like ours, need to be checked out thoroughly as you are, but unfortunately with insurance coverage being as it is now days, it doesn't allow for such in-depth examinations, unless pain has kicked in which usually indicates there is, and has been long enough to do some damage, some deficiency or existing bone/joint arthritis or osteoporosis or osteoarthritis.

My mom, was diagnosed with one of the two osteo conditions (sorry, I can't seem to retain the specific distinction of the two) after she woke up one morning in her bed with a fractured femur. Her x-rays looked pathetic - you could almost see right through her bones. This was before Fosamax and drugs like that, which can prevent further bone loss and especially restore bone loss. Then, as a result of her years of having this without knowing, she developed scoliosis in the lumbar region which wasn't treatable, mainly due to her age and bone condition. It mainly served as knowledge to us as a family, a learning experience. Her form of acquired scoliosis wasn't to a level where it dehabilited her, but raised my awareness me about how unhealthy bones and the causes can go undetected for years without symptoms, thus no in-depth tests being done until there are symptoms - sort'ove like early detection.

Oops, here I go again, wordy wordy!

I mainly want give you a virtual hand hold and hope that your 4 months of non-weight bearingness will allow your fracture to heal, and that your tests that you're having to wait for the vacationing doctors for is good. I have a feeling that someone would have called, just like they did initially, if there were things you needed to do right away....so I'm hoping that no news is good news...

I still have my feelings that I may have a fracture in my sacrum - my bone scan in Feb. of this year showed uptake - the written report said "significant uptake" but my doctor/surgeon didn't appear to agree with that - and 9 months later I'm still feeling the same pain, same area, taking stronger medications for the pain, pain increasing as the months go by. Do you mind if I send you a private email? I'd like to discuss or compare the symptoms in the sacrum area. I won't take too much of your time, I promise!

Hoping you improve and get some relief,

G

[ ] bone scan

Hi all,The results of the bone scan is in, it appears that I have a sacral insufficency fracture, confirmed by Glazer. He states that is not good and wants me to pursue why? I am too young for osteoporosis. I didn't find out my T-score from the rheomotologist. I am assuming my T-score was done with the bone scan, and he is on vacation now until 12/31. So basically no weight bearing activity, bye-bye groceries and no shoveling for me, barring no complications 4 months to heal. I fell twice over the summer but not since. Anyway if the pain continues then a MRI scan of the pelvis would be next, assuming the bone marrow density study wasn't done. I am not happy but I come from a family of ten and we all have exceptionally strong bones. I mean nothing broken that I can remember on any kid so I doubt it is osteo., I just don't know. Thanks for listening.

[Guest guest]

,

Please send a private email whenever you see fit. Nobody on this site

wastes or takes up my time. I love to converse with you guys. I will

say to answer your question. Yes, they believe it is the increase

source of pain in my groin and hips. Though I really don't see how

the hips relate. My tests results state, " Mild increased symmetric

uptake is seen in the shoulders, knees, feet and wrists, most likely

representing degenerative change. Ther is increased uptake in

bilateral sacroiliac joints as well as horizontal band of increased

uptake in the sacrum. This impression: increased uptake in the sacrum

and bilateral si joints, suspicious for insufficiency fracture and

likely DJD of the joints. " Send me a private email and we can compare

notes.

>

> , I'm sorry that you have a sacral insuffiency fracture. Is

this what you believe is the source of the pain? I know that sounds

like a stupid question, but there are times when something is

discovered while looking for something else and after all is said and

done, the original pain area is still there...not in every instance

but I've seen, read about and experienced that scenario.

> So you are to cut out most all physical activity for 4 months to

allow it to heal? I know that area is hard to treat, can't put a

cast around it, I was wondering the other night if they couldn't come

up with something like Super Glue to bond fractures ... not a

practical solution but I understand that it is difficult to heal

those fractures.

> I'd bet this is all from the scolio & associated complications

rather than osteo. I'm not trying to put false information in your

head, but considering everything with your scoliosis and aftermath,

that alone could cause a fracture to occur.

> I'm glad your " medical team " are being so thorough. I think that

all women, even without scoliosis and histories like ours, need to be

checked out thoroughly as you are, but unfortunately with insurance

coverage being as it is now days, it doesn't allow for such in-depth

examinations, unless pain has kicked in which usually indicates there

is, and has been long enough to do some damage, some deficiency or

existing bone/joint arthritis or osteoporosis or osteoarthritis.

> My mom, was diagnosed with one of the two osteo conditions (sorry,

I can't seem to retain the specific distinction of the two) after she

woke up one morning in her bed with a fractured femur. Her x-rays

looked pathetic - you could almost see right through her bones. This

was before Fosamax and drugs like that, which can prevent further

bone loss and especially restore bone loss. Then, as a result of her

years of having this without knowing, she developed scoliosis in the

lumbar region which wasn't treatable, mainly due to her age and bone

condition. It mainly served as knowledge to us as a family, a

learning experience. Her form of acquired scoliosis wasn't to a

level where it dehabilited her, but raised my awareness me about how

unhealthy bones and the causes can go undetected for years without

symptoms, thus no in-depth tests being done until there are symptoms -

sort'ove like early detection.

>

> Oops, here I go again, wordy wordy!

>

> I mainly want give you a virtual hand hold and hope that your 4

months of non-weight bearingness will allow your fracture to heal,

and that your tests that you're having to wait for the vacationing

doctors for is good. I have a feeling that someone would have

called, just like they did initially, if there were things you needed

to do right away....so I'm hoping that no news is good news...

>

> I still have my feelings that I may have a fracture in my sacrum -

my bone scan in Feb. of this year showed uptake - the written report

said " significant uptake " but my doctor/surgeon didn't appear to

agree with that - and 9 months later I'm still feeling the same pain,

same area, taking stronger medications for the pain, pain increasing

as the months go by. Do you mind if I send you a private email? I'd

like to discuss or compare the symptoms in the sacrum area. I won't

take too much of your time, I promise!

>

> Hoping you improve and get some relief,

> G

> [ ] bone scan

>

>

> Hi all,

> The results of the bone scan is in, it appears that I have a

sacral

> insufficency fracture, confirmed by Glazer. He states that is not

good

> and wants me to pursue why? I am too young for osteoporosis. I

didn't

> find out my T-score from the rheomotologist. I am assuming my T-

score

> was done with the bone scan, and he is on vacation now until

12/31. So

> basically no weight bearing activity, bye-bye groceries and no

> shoveling for me, barring no complications 4 months to heal. I

fell

> twice over the summer but not since. Anyway if the pain continues

then

> a MRI scan of the pelvis would be next, assuming the bone marrow

> density study wasn't done. I am not happy but I come from a

family of

> ten and we all have exceptionally strong bones. I mean nothing

broken

> that I can remember on any kid so I doubt it is osteo., I just

don't

> know. Thanks for listening.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm so sorry you have this sacral insufficiency fracture. What a bummer! Did Dr. Glazer give you an idea of why this occurred? Did he tell you osteoporosis may be the cause, or is that your own thought? By the way, young people do get osteoporosis. I remember telling us that she was diagnosed with it several years ago.

Was this fracture an incidental finding or did you have the bone scan because of the pain in your groin and hips? I know that hip pain can often be referred pain from the spine. Is that also true of groin pain? My cousin had a stress fracture in her lumbar spine (not the sacrum). She also complained to her orthopedist about groin pain and he said it came from the spinal stress fracture. She finally went to another doctor who discovered that her groin pain was due to a deteriorated hip joint; she needed an immediate replacement. So, for her, it turned out to be two issues, the stress fracture of her spine and a deteriorated hip joint. Have you considered having your hip checked out?

I'm sure that having to cut back on your activates for 4 months must be very frustrating. At least it's winter. Somehow, it seems easier to cut back in the winter time when it's so cold and yucky outside. Maybe, when the weather gets nice again, you'll be all better. I hope so.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

I'm going to describe, as briefly as I can, what started going on w/my body when the second part/source of pain started (about 3 years ago) - reason being that I am still perplexed ...

along with the ongoing pain issues that had yet to be connected to scoliosis during the onset, I was seeing a pain management doc (not prescribing any drugs at this time) who put me through a battery of the epidurals, nerve block(s), the typical anything but medication for pain procedures. He recommend the Medtronics Stimulator Implant Trial procedure and as I was willing to try anything, I agreed. It was during this time (abt. 3 yrs. ago) that the other pain had started. Low (sacrum area), on the right side - right side is the side affected w/everything - it is still the same area and type of pain(s) I still experience to this day, even after the revision surgery, and L4-L5 fusion done in 2005 by a neurosurgeon. I had mentioned this new, additional pain to that pain doc and further elaborated on the groin/pelvic pain and other things happening in that area. The onset of the groin pain felt somewhat like an extremely painful period but thru-out my whole groin/pelvic area and seemed to keep moving around in the same areas instead of concentrating in one spot - that is what was going on in the front area, while the knife stab feeling in the sacrum area, going down to the left side of my rectum on the back side. It was during this time I started encountering bladder and bowel control issues, that continue to this day, along with the pain in back side - sacrum/down to the rectum. This part doesn't make any sense but here goes: I made the appt. for the pain stimulator implant (same thing Jerry has) procedure. The trial procedure is for a period of 7 days and if it proves beneficial, they surgically implant the controller part w/the battery, etc. into your abdomen so you're "wireless externally". So, the work they do on the first day will become permanent, as far as the leads getting inserted and run from the lumbar region up your spine to somewhere between your shoulder blades. The trick is getting everything set to where the vibrations and electrical shocks, that feel like when your leg goes to sleep and the feeling is coming back...that "tingling" and you control that level of tingling INSTEAD of pain...in theory, that's how it works.

Ok, finishing up here....getting back to the pelvic and groin pain, and this was the part that I was sort'ove embarassed to tell the doctor, and this was before the discussion of the trial implant...but along with the intense groin pain, I was also feeling sensations of extreme sexual arousal. Out of the blue, once the pain kicked in in the lower part of my back, the groin/pelvic pain would follow, then the arousal. I could go into more detail about all of that, but to try to keep my post here as short as I possibly can I'll skip it for now, except for the doctor thanking me for telling me that part, (we did get a huge chuckle, it was a funny moment), ...

Now, back to the implant procedure...he had to put the leads in, I was lying on my stomach, and normally the leads go in close to the surface, along each side of the spine, but with the Harrington rod and fusion, he had to insert the leads on the back part of my spine? is that the correct way of saying that? In other words, he had to go in deep and then feed the leads up my spine. I had all of the external parts and the remote control in a little purse that I carried like a small shoulder purse that was attached to the wires coming out of my back for the duration of the trial - which was on a Monday. That following Thursday I called to tell them that something wasn't working right, or it quit working totally because I could no longer feel the electrical impulses no matter what I did to the remote control, and it had fresh batteries. They told me to come to the office then, not on an emergency basis, but to come in...this was a 2 hr. ride from my house. The doc wasn't in the office that day but was scheduled to be there that following Monday when I was to return with my report about the 7 days of using the implant. I saw the technicians there - after checking they told me that the leads had come out - completely. Not only were they at least an inch deep along both sides of my spine, but they had been fed from, say, L4 up to the somewhere between my shoulder blades. How this happened? I don't know, I only speculate that because of the rotation and other abnormalities of scoliosis that they had to have worked themselves out while I slept. I knew there were some wires coming out from all of the tape and gauze at the site they put the leads in but I didn't mess with, touch, or even try to see what all of the wiring looked like. When the technician told me the leads had come out I asked him if that was common. He said he had seen it happen one time in his experience. I left the remote control, wires, etc. there and returned home, cancelled the Monday appt. and they were to tell the doctor of what had happened and they'd call me the following week to discuss what was next.

While this was only a trial implant procedure, to manage pain, not to "fix" anything, whether immediate or down the road...BUT, since that procedure I have not had one incident of groin or pelvic pain, None whatsoever. The pain in the back in that area continues on to this day, as well as bladder/bowel control problems, especially bladder, but nothing else. I found that very interesting and still do. When I returned to the doc. I told him this but it seemed to fall on deaf ears because he was already conjuring up his next "experiment" of high-tech things to try.

As far as the sexual arousal aspect, well...I don't exactly know the answer to that yet. Things are a lot different in that department with all things considered, and while hubby and I do have sexual activity, I've not put a whole lot of emphasis on achieving my level of the "O" do I don't know if that part is BROKEN(!) or I just haven't been patient enough to find out - but that's neither here nor there, but since the doctor put those leads in, I haven't felt any of the awful groin/pelvic pain (or arousal). I have mentioned it to other doctors I've seen about my back and none of them even flinch when I say it - either it is deaf ears across the board or it plain just doesn't mean anything, but I think it has to mean something....so, that's part of my perplexity. Come to think of it, I have not told this to my current pain doctor, who along with pain management, specializes in nerve conduction studies, things along that line, so he might be able to help me connect some dots there.

Sorry, so sorry for this long post...

After reading what all you said was in your bone scan report, gee, you've got uptake in many areas. Mine was only in my sacrum. Do you have any hobbies you can intensify on during your 4 month slowdown? I've learned that I love to work with Sculpey clay...I made a replica of from "Castaway", King Kong with a miniature Faye Raye passed out in his hand...silly things but it does pass the time.

Bonnie, like you said, hopefully when the weather is better, will be as well Also, about your cousin's incident - that just goes to show that we can't always stick with what just one doctor says - and how complex things can be. I hope your cousing is doing well these days.

G

[ ] Re: bone scan

Hi ,

I'm so sorry you have this sacral insufficiency fracture. What a bummer! Did Dr. Glazer give you an idea of why this occurred? Did he tell you osteoporosis may be the cause, or is that your own thought? By the way, young people do get osteoporosis. I remember telling us that she was diagnosed with it several years ago.

Was this fracture an incidental finding or did you have the bone scan because of the pain in your groin and hips? I know that hip pain can often be referred pain from the spine. Is that also true of groin pain? My cousin had a stress fracture in her lumbar spine (not the sacrum). She also complained to her orthopedist about groin pain and he said it came from the spinal stress fracture. She finally went to another doctor who discovered that her groin pain was due to a deteriorated hip joint; she needed an immediate replacement. So, for her, it turned out to be two issues, the stress fracture of her spine and a deteriorated hip joint. Have you considered having your hip checked out?

I'm sure that having to cut back on your activates for 4 months must be very frustrating. At least it's winter. Somehow, it seems easier to cut back in the winter time when it's so cold and yucky outside. Maybe, when the weather gets nice again, you'll be all better. I hope so.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hi and Bonnie,

I know there is a lot of uptake. I have ignored it for years but now

I guess I have no choice but to deal with it. Anyway, yes, it was hip

and groin pain that lead to the scan in the first place, though I

knew I had degenerative arthritis in the hip. I wanted to see if we

could define the time and at the same time figure out just how bad

off the hips were. We will test for oestoperosis, find the t-score

and all that as soon as this doctor is done with his holidays. Of

course, our minds being as they are, all of a sudden I hurt really

bad hhhmmmm could be just that I know that I have a reason now. Hmm.

i was off to do post Christmas shopping but the couch is beginning to

look real good. Have a great day.

Hi H

>

> Hi ,

>

> I'm so sorry you have this sacral insufficiency fracture. What a

bummer! Did Dr. Glazer give you an idea of why this occurred? Did

he tell you osteoporosis may be the cause, or is that your own

thought? By the way, young people do get osteoporosis. I remember

telling us that she was diagnosed with it several years ago.

>

> Was this fracture an incidental finding or did you have the bone

scan because of the pain in your groin and hips? I know that hip

pain can often be referred pain from the spine. Is that also true of

groin pain? My cousin had a stress fracture in her lumbar spine (not

the sacrum). She also complained to her orthopedist about groin

pain and he said it came from the spinal stress fracture. She

finally went to another doctor who discovered that her groin pain was

due to a deteriorated hip joint; she needed an immediate

replacement. So, for her, it turned out to be two issues, the stress

fracture of her spine and a deteriorated hip joint. Have you

considered having your hip checked out?

>

> I'm sure that having to cut back on your activates for 4 months

must be very frustrating. At least it's winter. Somehow, it seems

easier to cut back in the winter time when it's so cold and yucky

outside. Maybe, when the weather gets nice again, you'll be all

better. I hope so.

>

> Bonnie

>

[Guest guest]

,

Oh dear. A quick " google " and it sounds like your next 4 months may be

quite painful. The " run of the mill " advice looks like 4 months of

bedrest....but it doesn't sound like that was your perscription...so

maybe thats good news?

Other than osteoporosis, a few articles site pelvic radiation ( I

assume they mean xray...but don't know) as a precursor condition.

Gee...how many pelvic xrays have we had in a lifetime....also

prolonged steroid use. Then I have to wonder what role long pelvic

screws play in creating stiffness where it ordinarily wouldn't be.

I did see this article re: what was suggesting, I think:

http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/content/full/24/5/1003

They are down in North Carolina...perhaps can meet with them and

see what they think!

Let us know what you find out when your Rhuematologist returns.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam,

I think the approach is more like " Sacral insufficiency fractures are

an often unsuspected cause of low back pain in elderly women with

osteoporosis who have sustained minimal or no trauma. Many of the

references in the literature advocate bed rest initially; however, we

support early mobilization, because most of these fractures are

stable and require no surgical intervention. With good pain control,

patients can begin progressive ambulation with assistive devices in a

supervised environment and minimize the complications of immobility. "

The problem is I am relatively young for such things to happen so I

think that warrents more investigation. However, it seems though

Glazer reviewed the results, he only stated " reduced weight bearing

activity " and showed no interest in seeing the actual scan. I am

probably going to have to seek out another orthopedic specialist to

handle this fracture, rather than the surgeon or the rheumotologist.

I figure since a bone scan was already done, somebody should be able

to tell me what the t-score is? Maybe persue a bone marrow density

study and if it doesn't heal, I will have a MRI scan of the pelvic.

Not lifting anything however is a nightmare. Though my significant

other will do it if asked, the problem is just that, I have to ask.

With ten boxes at least of Christmas deco's to put away and groceries

to haul, I am used to tending to such matters myself, it is so much

easier.

Well, the rhuemotologist is back on the 31st, though I am supposed to

see him on the 13th. I am determined to find out where he thinks I

should be off to next. I am bothered by the whole thing actually, I

feel as if nobody is really taking care of me by giving me exact

instructions. That limbo feeling makes me restless and I was up all

night last night with worry. What if it doesn't heal? What if more

bones break? Why did it happen? Ah the muses of life, one day at a

time, one day at a time, see those AA saying work for me too.

>

> ,

>

> Oh dear. A quick " google " and it sounds like your next 4 months may

be

> quite painful. The " run of the mill " advice looks like 4 months of

> bedrest....but it doesn't sound like that was your perscription...so

> maybe thats good news?

>

> Other than osteoporosis, a few articles site pelvic radiation ( I

> assume they mean xray...but don't know) as a precursor condition.

> Gee...how many pelvic xrays have we had in a lifetime....also

> prolonged steroid use. Then I have to wonder what role long pelvic

> screws play in creating stiffness where it ordinarily wouldn't be.

>

> I did see this article re: what was suggesting, I think:

>

> http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/content/full/24/5/1003

>

> They are down in North Carolina...perhaps can meet with them

and

> see what they think!

>

> Let us know what you find out when your Rhuematologist returns.

>

> Take Care, Cam

>

[Guest guest]

,

You are so close to the 13th now I assume you will see what your

rhuemetologist suggests...hopefully he will have some good ideas.

Your story reminded me of 's pelivc fracture, which I think I

recall she said DrRand said can happen as a result of a weakening of

the pelvis from our earlier bone harvesting at our initial surgeries.

It makes me wonder if the implants that have recently been placed will

also potentially weaken the bone.

In any event...I feel for your frustration and would also want to know

why this came about. When DrRand and I were discussing the break in my

impant we discovered last fall he did state that there are a lot of

unnatural forces at play following revision to the sacrum, that this

area was never intended by nature not to be flexible. You would be

crazy not to wonder if your fracture didn't come about as a result of

your fusion...and its too bad that DrGlazer isn't spending a little

more time with you sorting through this. If not him, then who does he

suggest should supply you with orthopedic care? Geez.

How did you manage over the holidays...did everyone step up to the

plate and help out?

Happy New Year,

Cam

[Guest guest]

Woohoo!! Fantastic news Celia!!

Celia wrote:

> Good news about my bone scan today - it was NED!!!! Glory be!!!! To

> explain, I was diagnosed with NSCLC nearly three years ago - given 6 -

> 12 months! Here I am still kickin' so never ever give up hope those

> of you with cancers, fight it and keep fighting. My onco murmers

> well 'you did respond to treatment' come on, that was a couple of

> years ago, he expected something to be showing up by now - in fact

> long ago!! I am thankful to LDN and Iscador for keeping me stable!!

> Cris, I shall update you 'properly' for my case history.......

> Halleluja (can't spell that but you know what I mean ha)

> Celia

[Guest guest]

Dear Celia: Congratulations! How wonderful to be a NEDDITE!! I'm one too. Like you, I was not supposed to be here, but not only am I here, but I am disease free. Looking into using LDN as a prevention, but not having much luck getting my doctor to prescribe it. I'll try Dr. Khan in Toronto. You go girl, the world is yours to take so take it, each and every day. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.From one Cancer Thriver to another...o.....-AnneFrom: Celia <celia@...>low dose naltrexone ; LDN_4_cancer ; LDN_Users Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 12:17:25 PMSubject: [low dose naltrexone] bone scan

Good news about my bone scan today - it was NED!!!! Glory be!!!! To explain, I was diagnosed with NSCLC nearly three years ago - given 6 - 12 months! Here I am still kickin' so never ever give up hope those of you with cancers, fight it and keep fighting. My onco murmers well 'you did respond to treatment' come on, that was a couple of years ago, he expected something to be showing up by now - in fact long ago!! I am thankful to LDN and Iscador for keeping me stable!!

Cris, I shall update you 'properly' for my case history..... .. Halleluja (can't spell that but you know what I mean ha)

Celia

celiadawsholm (DOT) demon.co. ukwww.dawsholm. dandie-dinmont. com

And Just when the caterpillar thought that life was over.... It turned into a butterfly!

I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

As I told you about yesterday, I am waiting on test results to confirm RA.

Meanwhile, my doctor has ordered a bone scan which I will have next Wednesday.

My question is WHY? From everything I've read, I see no mention about having a

bone scan done if RA is suspected. What am I missing?

Thanks,

M

[Guest guest]

I had a bone scan as part of diagnostics in 2003. It will show " hot

spots " in bone which correspond to areas of high inflammation. It is not as

specific as MRI or x-ray actually showing any damage so is not routinely used

after Dx.

Hope this helps. Louise