Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Would your Dr lie to you??

Hi everyone,

I ask because I have posted on both the Cancer and Fribro forums with no response - does this mean that everyone who reads my message thinks, there is 'no hope', unfortunately I have searched most cancer diagnosis and bone cancer always seems to stem from either breast or another organ related cancer.  I know I started off finding answers for the stomach pain I encountered last year, but everything I went through ruled out every stomach disorder possible, including cancer.  However, I have had leg/bone/muscle pain for near on 18months now that was discussed with the Gastro specialist (who only concentrated on the gut area), the Neuro specialist (when unfortunately depression got in the way) and this is all he saw, although he also mentioned on my first consultation that there doesn't seem to be any muscle disease.  So this has left me with the thought that it must be in my bones.   I am again seeing my GP on Monday 17th - each specialist I speak to of the bone pain seems to brush off the topic of possible bone cancer.  Is it something they don't like to talk about, or just wish that I will go away and so will the bone pain.  I need to know as something is not right, Is it possible that I am imagining this pain in my legs (femurs only) and bone inbetween wrists and elbows.  How is it possible then that the anti-inflammatory alleviates this pain, but only temporarily.

Again I am asking - would a Dr lie to you and rather try all sorts of other methods before concentrating on what it could be?  I don't believe I should have to suffer this way.

Many thanks always for the never-ending support one receives here, no matter the outcome.
IDA
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi Quix, thanks so very much for your reply - I miss you too, and am actually thankful that I have something to write about, so that I can get the comfort of yours and everyone's thoughts on this forum.  You'd have to have a memory bank to try and remember everyone's details, so this is never expected of you.

Just to recap - I am 37 years old and I live in Johannesburg, South Africa
Had my first child at age 26
Had my second child at age 29 (also had gall bladder removed at 5 months pregnancy)
Had Ebstien Barre virus at age 32, was extremely ill
Had pleurisy at age 34, extremely ill
Had unknown stomach disorder (which was thought to be a burst appendix - but then they never found the appendix) at age 36, thought my life was over during this episode, therefore thankful for the anti-depressant to lift me out from this unknown stage, but the bone pain - this has not subsided and I am greatful for your knowledge re the length of time it would take for bone cancer to manifest if it were that.

During all these illnesses I have always been well, a bit of low blood pressure but nothing a bit of rest couldn't remedy.

2006
I had every blood test, except for Lyme disease, apart from an extremely high WBC (but this could have been due to infection) all other bloods were clear
I had 3 CTs of the abdomen (all clear)
Gastroscopy & colonoscopy
I had nuclear scans (gallion & meckels) to rule out any tumours and septacaemia of the gut
Tested for Porphyria - clear
Tested for Diabetes - clear

2007
I had an EEG carried out, which detected the depression
Ample bloods taken - all clear
Para Thyroid - clear

MRI is hard to come by when you have a diagnosis of Depression from the Neurologist and he has fw these findings onto your GP.  From his report she is now determined that I need to go on at least another 3 months of anti-depressants as she believes the bone pain is a symptom of the depression.  I have told her that I no longer need the anti-depressant as the anti-inflammatory is doing a wonderful job of relieving the bone pain, it has even reduced the number of migraines with severe eye pain I get lasting 2 - 3 days.  When mentioning this, she was totally taken aback and said that she could refer me to a Psychiatrist who could give me the anti-depressant designed especially for me - makes me wonder what the Neurologist told her?   She also mentioned that I should see a speech therapist regarding my speech slur.

Anyway, this is my plan of action - now that I have temporary relief via the anti-inflammatory, I will see an optometrist to rule out any eye diseases and to help with the blurry vision and watery eyes.  I will then also see a physiotherapist to assist with any spine related problems which might be causing the leg/bone pain and severe neck pain and next year when I have medical funds available (as the Neurologist used them all up for his depression diagnosis), I will seek a 2nd neurologist's opinion and make sure that he has no recollection of any of the history I have given to the most recent neurologist and GP.  And for now, I will just try not to walk into things, break all my crockery and keep awake whilst driving and most definitely (as long as my eyes will allow me to see and my hands allow me to type) keep posting on this forum.

As always Quix, keep up the good work and promises of hope.
IDA





Helpful - 0
147426 tn?1317265632
Hi, Gal!  I've missed you.  I still feel that your primary problem is neurologic.  Aren't you also in the UK?  I know I should remember this, but, I forget people's details.  Would you remind me again how old you are?

To answer your primary question, unless he was a terribly lazy person, I don't think a doctor would actually lie to avoid doing work.  But, I have all too often seen a doc that will brush something off as unimportant if he doesn't know much about the subject.  With regard to whether your pain, which you definitely feel is deep "as within the bones," being caused by cancer seems unlikely (Here you must realize that oncology was not my specialty, nor have I read much on it.)  The bone is a very vascular organ, meaning it is rich with blood supply and is actually the source of almost all the blood we have (the marrow).  Becasue if this, bone cancer, tends to grow rapidly and spread rapidly.  After 18 months, I feel comfortable (within my lack of knowledge - see the irony here?) that this is not a malignancy either primary (which would just tend to be in one spot) or metastatic (which could be anywhere, but would have no reason to be symmetrical - like it seems yours is.  Bone cancer would, I think, have made itself totally obvious by now if it has been lurking.

However, anyone with perceived bone pain should AT LEAST have some X-rays to rule out visible problems or, better, a nuclear bone scan to visualize the entire sketelon.  I would recommend that.

There are other causes of bone pain.  One is severe anemia.  Another is hyperparathyroidism.  The Parathyroid glands (there are four of them embedded in the thyroid gland) regulate the level of clacium in the bones  When a tumor (most often a benign, tiny tumor) causes excessive secretion of "parathormone" then a whole host of problems happen.  There is leaching of calcium from the bones.  The bone pain can be quite severe.  There can be kidney problems in the form of kidney stones.  (this is different than bladder problems).  And there can be psychiatric problems from the high calcium in the blood.  This may present as anything from depression all the way to psychosis.  Loss of bone density can also cause ostoeporosis - which is another cause of significant bone pain.

It would be a good idea for you to have some blood tests which should include a serum calcium, serum phosphate, alkaline phosphatase - in addition to the regular chemistry panel PLUS a complete blood count.

When was your last MRI of the brain or spine?

Now I go back and read that you have been cleared of osteoporosis.  That makes the above less likely, but not impossible.  They are thinking about doing a bone marrow?  That is a different test than the bone scan.  The "nuclear scan" you had.  Was it of the bones?  Then that is firm evidence against a boney malignancy - either primary or metastatic.  A bone marrow test is where they actually go into your pelvic bone from the back and withdraw some bone marrow for analysis.

Have you been tested for Celiac Disease?  This can cause serious pain and paresthesias and a ton of other things that all look neurological.  One way to test for it is to go onto a "gluten-free" diet for a few weeks and see if symptoms calm down.  It is very UNDER diagnosed.  You might search and read some about it.

Lastly, have you been adequately tested for Lyme disease?  Many of your symptoms fit.  You would need a Western Blot test sent to one of the labs that specialize in testing for tick-borne illnesses.

Also, Samantha, makes an excellent suggestion about asking for nerve pain meds, lyrica, neurontin, and there are others.

This are my most immediate thoughts.  I hope they help.  Quix
Helpful - 0
230948 tn?1235844329
uk2
Thanks for keeping me in your prayers, my faith is all that keeps me going sometimes.

Your sx like mine could be so close to fibro cfs or MS.

I too have bowel/stomach problems i was dx with IBS in my twenties but i only ever get consipation and not diahrah (cant spell) so not sure i really have it i live on senna but my doctor has changed me to something else of late as she says senna is bad for you on a long term basis.
I had a investigation as well as had a problem with reflux and upper stomach pain three years ago but they could not find anything they put me on reflux drugs and that helped i stopped smocking and changed my diet i brought some aloe vera juice and that helped too i also stopped my anti-inflammatory i was on for my shoulder and knees, anti-inflammatory are so bad for your stomach.

Lyrica has been a God Send but has not helped of recent maybe your doctor could suggest this but it is really to do with nerve pain not muscle but the both are so closely linked i think it does help both in a a way.

Have you had a MRI? or LP

Its so hard being ill with children i hope we both get answers soon.

God Bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi and thanks.  I have been following most of your posts and you have (along with many others on this forum) been through the mill.  Your symptoms sound very much like MS and Firbro, but I see you have a note for Quix, so lets wait for her sound advice.

I have many other symptoms, blurry vision, monthly migraines with lots of eye pain - burn patches throughout my body, feelings of urinating when there is in fact no urine, tripping, dropping things, memory loss (I write everything down the night before so I can remeber what I have to do the next day), slurring and feeling like my tounge has gone all thick that I can hardly talk, deathly tired (falling asleep whilst driving), BUT the bone pain is what gets to me the most.  This interferes with my entire day - although the pain is not there 24/7, when it comes in, I have to stop what I am doing as I don't quite know if am going to go lame or what - very scary and a definite warrant for anti-depressants.  The Neuro knows all of this????  The anti-inflammatory tablets are wonderful, but wear off within a few hours.  At least they don't hurt my stomach as much as the aspirin (of which I have honestly lived on for the past 2 years).

I hope your flare up that you are currently going through diminishes very soon.  I too will pray for you as I do for all and everyone who is seeking to live a reasonalbe pain free life - so that we are there to be with our children.

Take care
IDA
Helpful - 0
230948 tn?1235844329
uk2
Hi

Has anyone suggested fibromyalgia to you?

Iv been wondering myself i i could have this.

Im not dx yet and just dont know what i have they were looking for imflammation of the CNS with the MRI but it was clear so i now have a LP and a EMG and another MRI of the pelvic region to look forward to!!

I have flares of pain sometimes its nerve pain but then there is the muscle pain flares i get (in one now) that last for days or weeks. It hurts just to move my body lay or sit my arms burn on moving typing this is awfull it feels bone or muscle to me.

Inbetween flares i have constant pain but in certain areas and not all over.

What did all the scans say? he must still think its something if he wants to do a bone marrow?

Im sorry you are going through this i hope you get some answers soon.

God BLess
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Nanners,

yes, I have had CT scans, Nuclear scans, ample bloodworks, where the Neuro ruled out blood cancer, so the bloodwork is good and most recently I had a bone density scan, which ruled out osteoporosis.  I ask this question because:  I last saw the Neuro in July 07, he asked me to see him again in November 07 - he is well aware of the bone pain, he put me on a 2 month course of anti-depressants, which helped with the worry, but did not remove the bone pain.  He said he wants to do a bone marrow, but honestly do I have to wait until November.  As I type I can feel the pain filtering through my arms/veins/bones.  Maybe he wants to see if it will just disappear then he doesn't have to tackle whatever it could be.  I will let you know what my GP suggests on Monday when I see her.  I will be asking her this very same question - lets see how fast she orders the bone marrow scan.  She has since received a report from the Neurologist.

Take care
IDA
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am sorry to hear of all your frustration. I have to say that even with all the frustration that a lot of have with regards to our docs, I personaly do not believe a doctor would "lie" to rather than try things to find the cause of your discomfort. In my opinion they know so much about the body and the system in which it functions that they put red flags on certain symptoms and others they may think are benign. Occasionally they do not take the time to get to know the history of a patient as well as perhaps they could, thereby missing some important piece in the puzzle. But I really do not think they are being purposely dismissive.

They may need to do more testing in your case. Have they drawn any blood work. There are Cancer markers in the blood. Have you had x-rays, or bone scans. It seems if anti-inflammatory meds are helping than this sounds like an inflammation not a bone problem, I qualify with I am no doctor!!!

Good luck and I hope you can find peace of mind.

Nanners
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community

Top Neurology Answerers
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease