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383138 tn?1314167773

Worsening and spreading bone pain

For the past couple months I have increasing, worsening and spreading bone pain (like sharp constant ache) in my left leg bone (both upper bone & lower bone) and left hip - It started coming and going a few months ago, but has continued to worsen and progress and now the pain is mostly constant and is getting quite severe, nothing relieves it, certain days are worse than others. It can get almost unbearable and there is no position of my leg that affects it, the pain is just there constantly.

I also have increasing skull bone pain in my head, it is up through back of my head, and top left of head there is a hard lump in the skull-bone which is painful, pain radiates from it when I press on it, it is about the size and shape of kidney bean (but oval in shape). I have had that pain for a few months longer than my leg pain, it has also been constant, increasing & spreading in location, now it covers my entire back of head and left side of head down to temple area. It hurts to just lay that area of my head on pillow.

I also have chronic back pain in thoracic area due to: spinal degeneration, scoliosis and kyphosis (this all came on within the last few years). I also found out a few months ago on my thoracic back Xray that I also have osteopenia which I never had before. But this bone pain in my leg, hip and head is very different feeling than my normal chronic back pain. It is a constant ache (sharp or dull - depending how severe at the time) and nothing relieves it. And it is worsening fast, especially in the last month, it is getting so bad and I am very worried.

I am concerned about bone cancer or other type, especially since many cancers run in my family and both my mom and my grandma's had metastasized to the bone.

I am 45 years old and would like advice on if this sounds like cancer in my bones and any testing or what type of specialist to check into this bone pain. Any ideas or advice on what this could be would be greatly appreciated.
3 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hey did you get blood work done (cbc) and were any irregular proteins found?  

I'm biased since I have Multiple Myeloma, but I think you might want to rule it out.

Bone pain, osteoporosis and Kindney disease can all appear with Myeloma.  It is a complicated cancer, mostly of the bone marrow but is very systemic in the symptoms and issues it causes.  The test to ask for is called a SPEP, a blood test that looks for an irregular protein in your blood with is a marker for Myeloma.
Helpful - 0
383138 tn?1314167773
Hi Doctor,
thank you for your reply.

My PCP did check hormones, calcuim, vit. D (i am on supplement to keep that in range) and all those levels are ok except for prolactin a little high at 20.3.
And the kidney function levels are off which results as stage III chronic kidney dysfunction, GFR is 56.
I have high creatinine of 1.11, high chloride of 110, and low CO2 of 17. Still waiting on the CBC results.

I am concerned that this bone pain is all on left side only in leg, hip.

And worried about the hard lump in my skull with spreading pain in head up back and now all through the left side of head (in the skull part).

Do you think the lump on top of head in skull and bone/head pain could some how be linked with the left leg & hip pain?

Thank you again, everything is worsening and I cant get a hold of my dr. this week, so any additional advice or info is appreciated.

Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!

I do appreciate your concerns regarding cancer since you have a strong family history. So, yes, this should be ruled out through X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, PAP smear, blood tests (peripheral smear, calcium, vit D, hormone, electrolytes, cancer markers etc). However, most bone cancers would also cause loss of weight, intense fatigue and stress fractures and other complications, albeit at a later stage.

So, for cancers, early diagnosis is important. You can begin with your family doctor or PCP and see how things go forward. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history to assess what tests should be done.

Other than this, at 45 years of age, bone pain can be due to onset of menopause. This can cause osteoporosis, osteopenia, low calcium, low vitamin D, anemia and hormonal imbalance which can all result in bone pain.

Another possibility is development of cervical and lumbar spondylitis causing pinched nerves in the neck and lower back. This can cause head and leg pain which may mimic bone pain.

So, first consult your PCP. A detailed medical history and clinical evaluation is necessary to assess what needs to be done. Take care!

I sincerely hope you will find this information useful in your journey towards better health.

Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!
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