Re: What Is The Back Pain?

On 1/8/2007 Musiclover wrote:

How many rectal cancer people out there have the chronic lower back pain?  What IS it?  Is lack of muscles from weight loss?  Bad posture from numb feet?  My friend's last MRI scan of spine turned out to show no cancer in his bones so that is not it.  I'm perplexed.  He's miserble and getting weaker each day.  I'm taking him to an accupunturist.  I would love to have some feedback from others suffering from this and any clues on remedies.  Thanks!

My husband was diagnosed with rectal melanoma a year ago and had surgery to remove a tumor from his rectum.  His rectum was also removed and he has a colostomy bag now.  He also has chronic lower back painand when we have asked the oncologist what is the cause, he doesn't give us an answer.  I understand your frustration.  Bill also has numbness in his feet and the fingers of his hand.  As melanoma does not respond well to chemo or radiation, Bill has had neither.  I have seen him get weaker every day also and his incision where they closed his backside has opened about an inch several months ago and continues to drain a bloody discharge.  When I have brought it to the attention of the oncologist, he just tells me to pack it.  But there is infection or something that is causing this.  Bill will be having scans in February to see where he stands as far as the cancer returning.  I would rather have a doctor that was forthright and honest and tell me what we are facing than one like our oncologist that just avoids the issue and makes me feel incompetent or ignorant.    Please know my prayers are with you as you deal with this along with myself and others.

I myself have the same question.  My sister has rectal cancer and is now having back pain but with that she is also having some blood in her urine.  She has only had the tumor removed and will undergo major surgery next month. 

This is new to me and I am a survivor of rectal cancer.  I did have "some" back pain before my tumor was discovered, but this was only after I had been on my feet for long periods.  Now, 2 1/2 years later, I have no pain.

Interesting that the medical community has no answers, but....maybe you should get used to that.   In 20 years, there will be more answers, for now, we are the "study group."

On 1/8/2007 Musiclover wrote:

How many rectal cancer people out there have the chronic lower back pain?  What IS it?  Is lack of muscles from weight loss?  Bad posture from numb feet?  My friend's last MRI scan of spine turned out to show no cancer in his bones so that is not it.  I'm perplexed.  He's miserble and getting weaker each day.  I'm taking him to an accupunturist.  I would love to have some feedback from others suffering from this and any clues on remedies.  Thanks!

Yes, my mother has been having a lot of lower back pain after her radiation treatments. The doctors don't seem to be worried but I am. She also has a lot of sores in her rectum. She is not having a good time and is about to quit after 17 out of 25 radiation treatments. I don't know what to do if she refuses to go tomorrow.