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Cement Injection into Spine
Wed, 20/10/2010 - 22:26
#1
Saw my Oncologist today for a routine check-up and he has ordered an emergency MRI on my spine next week as a recent x-ray is showing something "extra" on my spine (in addition to the mets I have in that area). I asked what the likely treatment could be once the results are in and he mentioned injecting cement into the said area. Has anyone else heard of this or had this done ? I dont want to jump the gun just yet as I try to be as positive as possible, but any info gratefully received ladies x Debbie x
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Hello Debbie, I wonder if your onc is talking about vertebroplasty?
Here's some threads from some posters..
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/search.php?keywords=vertebroplasty&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sr=posts&sd=d&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search
(I'll PM you in a couple of days)..xx
Debbie,what you have described is called a vertbroplasty and is done usually under sedation ,the Dr injects a "cement" into the vertebral body to strengthen it against collapse.I have come across (in my job)a patient who has had 3 vertebra done,on separate occasions, so it was certainly successful in that case!
Hope this helps,
Dot
xxx
Thanks ladies - certainly sounds like what the Onc has in mind and Belinda the ladies that have had it seem to have good outcomes so feel a lot better about it now and can go and do some research - cheers for your input xx Debbie xx
Had the dreaded MRI on Sunday morning - an experience I hope I dont have to repeat! Am due to see my Oncologist in the morning for the results. Getting a fair bit of pain down my left leg now, so am ready to hear the results and get on with dealing with whatever is causing my troubles x
Good Luck Debs, xxx
Oh dear ! Just back from the hosptial - there is another bigger bone met on my spine and the onc is deciding how to treat it. It could be radiotherapy, vertoblasty, chemo or a combination. Absolutely, gutted. More worrying is an urgent CT scan to check if there has been any spread to my organs (last one in June was clear). He more or less said if it is stil contained in the bones we are talking years. So does that mean if it is in my organs its only months left ? Gotta stop crying and get my head together before my son comes in from school. He's only 11 bless him. Whatever happens I will meet it head on. Also, he immediately stopped Tamoxifen and may put me on Arimidex - had blood taken to check whether I am post menopausal. I was doing so well after secondaries was diagnosed in May 09, sorry to go on ladies, it does help to let off some steam!! xDebbiex
Heavens you've certainly had a rough ride so hope the on-going treatment works. Thinking of you and sending positive vibes x
Hi Debs, will private message you..x
Debs, thinking of you..I so hope today shows clear results for the rest of your organs..xxxxxxxxxx
thanks Naz, had a struggle getting to the hospital, car broke down, lots of snow etc but got there in the end - now a nail biting week for results next monday ! Apart from a rotten cold I am feeling good, so am very hopeful the organs will be cancer free x
Fingers and toes crossed for you Deb...I so hope so too..x
Stay warm, so cold ...brrrhhh...x
Hi Deb
Hope you got good results from your MRI on Monday.
I'm having verteblasty to L3 and L5 on Tuesday (7th Dec) so I will let you know what it's like.
Best wishes
Linda
Hi Linda, thanks for that - my problem is also on L5 - I dont meet the spinal guy til 16th Decemeber - had a lot of pain down left leg this weekend - just waiting to take last lot of meds so I can try and get some sleep - results day tomorrow for the scan on organs. I wish you all the best for your forthcoming op - please let us know how you get on - I have no idea how long it takes and how long you are in hospital for etc etc but will keep checking to see how you get on. Take care, Deb xx
Hey Linda, thinking of you today. Hope the op goes well. Love and best wishes, Deb xx
Deb, how did you get on with your results? x
Hi Naz, the CT scan found cancer in a lymph gland above my left lung but thankfully nowhere else. Have started on Arimidex for 3 months - if that doesnt shift it I may have to consider more chemo ! ouch! I meet the spinal surgeon this Thursday to find out how they are going to treat the tumor on the spine, so all a bit up in the air at the moment still - on better pain relief now so am a bit happier, getting more sleep etc. How are you doing, hope you are keeping well xx
Hi Deb
Glad that your CT results weren't too bad, hope the Arimidex zaps its into oblivion.
The verteboplasty was pretty easy. I had to be at the hospital for 7.30 am, was taken to theatre at 10.30 am. I was a bit sore when I came round, but the theatre nurse kept giving me shots of morphine until I was painfree. Had some lunch, dozed and watched tv all afternoon, had tea and went home at 7.00 pm. I could have stayed overnight but didn't feel it was necessary. I've got 5 staples, 2 in each vertebrae + an extra one. The improvement I have had is that I am now able to sleep on both sides whereas since my hip op in March I had only been able to sleep on my back with a pillow under my legs. As far as my mobility is concerned I have yet to see an improvement, and to be honest, I still have pain (but in my pelvis, not my back so it may not be related), so the jury's still out as to how useful this op has been.
Hope your meeting with the spinal guy on 16th goes well, do let me know the outcome.
Best wishes
Linda
Hi Linda, glad the op went well and hope that you continue to improve - sorry you are still in pain but it is early days - I am surprised you were home the same day ! Let's hope it does improve your mobility - what's that saying - no pain no gain ! I changed all my medication on Friday when I saw the GP and feel much much more comfortable (I had been waking up about 4am in agony) but I am sleeping like a baby now. Will let you know how Thursday's appt goes - if he doesn't decide to operate it could well be hit with rads - just want to get on with it now. You take care and let me know how you progress. Love and Best wishes, Deb x
Dear Deb
Good luck for today, if you do have to have a vertabroplasty don't worry- you are very sedated and it felt like have an small op under a local - ie you knew something was happening but it didn't hurt.
I had mine (T11 & T12) just a few weeks after dx with breast and bone mets followed by 5 radio.
Again, Good Luck
Leo73
Hi ladies, hope we are all doing well. met the spine surgeon today and came out a bit perplexed. As my pain is under control he doesnt want to do anything at the moment - I will see him again in 3 months - sort of happy but also feeling a bit fobbed off if you know what I mean. Just get on with it for now I guess x Debbie x
Hi Debbie
Sorry you feel that you have been fobbed off, I have the same with my hip replacement. I am waiting for one, well 'was' but as I can walk on it and the pain is intermittant, they keep delaying it and letting me go another 3 months. Do you have a number that you can contact so it can be done as an emergency case if the pain is too bad?
Hope you have a pain-free Christmas
Nicola xx
Hi Nicky, no I dont have a number but think I will talk to my BCN who is always willing to sort things out on my behalf, so thanks very much for that. Best of luck to you too x Debbie x
I can't believe its nearly a year since I started this thread when the vertebroplasty op was first mentioned to me ! My pain is on the increase again so they are now considering this op - I am very spaced out when I increase the pain killers so have to make do with a reduced dosage during the day at work and am quite uncomfortable. I have heard good results about the op so will welcome any relief from this current pain. As a year has passed, has anyone recently had this op and if so, what is your opinion of it ?? cheers, Debbie xx
p.s just noticed its a year to the day EXACTLY since I started the thread - spooky !
Sorry to hear your news Debs but here's hoping the op will help and you can get some much needed pain relief without the spaced out feelings from meds. Just bumping up your posting again so anyone who has had the op may see it..x
I may actually be having this done on Thursday - between my T5/6.... not quite cement but the steroid cortisone injection? I had a nerve blocking procedure last week for my left shoulder issues which seems to have worked. Unfortunately I have muscle wastage there too (in my left top arm region) so it may be some time before i see a proper improvement there if any.
Just looking for a bit of positive feedback from this procedure i think, and hoping that my pain issues will *finally* have an ending at some point, as am now quite bored of bone pain, as I am sure we all are in one form or another.
Here's hoping for a less stressful and restless night for us all.
J xxxxxxxxxxxx
Just want to bump this up as I am now due to have this operation on 25th January. I would love to hear from anyone who has had a vertobroplasty and whether it worked basically ! Hoping for better and pain free new year ! Best wishes to you all xx
Hello,
I have had 2 x vertebroplasty operations in March 2011 and November 2011. Both have made a massive difference to my pain levels and because the cement is hot when it goes in it kills off the tumour within the vertebra so those areas are now dormant. THe ops were not too bad - I had some post op pain for about a week with both but once this passed the pain relief was huge and I was able to lift my 2 year old again which I couldn't do before.
Try not to worry too much - the benefits will be well worth it.
Good luck with the op.
Best wishes
Zoe
Hi all,
Sorry to butt into this thread but did you have to ask to be referred to an Orthopedic surgeon for the vertebroplasty? My mum has mets in her spine and has lost around 3 inches at least in height and is in extreme pain suddenly in her neck. I am thinking this may be one the options to help her. However her CT scan is showing her as stable.
Any advice you have would be great - we see her oncologist this Tuesday, and want to go armed with a bit of knowledge.
Many Thanks
Gem
Hi Gem, my oncologist made the initial referral to the orthopaedic surgeon.
Well its a week tomorrow since I had the vertebroplasty and am starting to feel much better - have been on quite a high dose of morphine which I only felt able to reduce a bit today. Hence I have felt pretty nauceous but again feel I have turned the corner today with that. Now see my onc next week and we are going to discuss starting radiotherapy to the small dots of cancer throughout my upper spine - I see the surgeon who did the op in about 6 weeks. All my news for now, hope everyone is doing well xxx