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Clavicle and neck pain

Chevy59
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Hi.I was diagnosed with her2 breast cancer in April 2007 I had a lumpectomy I had a local recurrence lump appear on the scar sight so I had a completion mastectomy as I had already had 6 sets of FEC chemotherapy 20 rounds of radiotherapy and herceptin I had no further treatment after the mastectomy. I  have been mostly ok since I have now got Barrett’s oesophagus which is managed with omeprazole. But since October 2022 I have been suffering with tiredness chest pains a shortness of breath sore throat and a pain in my left collarbone I have been to the doctors I was first diagnosed with a low iron count put on iron tablets they ran out and it was no better I was again tested it was still low so I was again given iron tablets for a month I went back again as I was feeling worse and I was the diagnosed with a bacterial chest infection I then caught covid the pains did not go I was then told it was a viral chest infection with long covid. I went to the walk in centre in December as the pains were worse a were now going down my left arm. They did an ecg and bloods and a chest X-ray they diagnosed pleurisy and gave me cocodamol for the pain since then the pain in my collar bone and throat and the tiredness is no better. The gp had referred me for an ent appointment where I had a scope up my nose and down to my voice box she said that she could not see anything other than irritation so she has put me on gaviscon advance and a nasal wash and wants to see me again in 3 months. I am finding it difficult to know what to do as the doctors say they have exhausted all the things they can do the ent did not want to hear about my collar bone pain and I am now suffering what I am presuming is the menopause as I am having hot flushes day and night. My husband is worried and rang and left a message for one of the breast care nurses and they have never got back to him. Can you please advise me on the best way to move with this as I am feeling that no one seems to be bothered with my well-being. Thank you. 

  • Hi Chevy59

    Thank you for getting in touch with us. My name is Lynsay, I am one of the information nurses with Macmillan Cancer support. I am sorry to hear you are having to deal with the symptoms you describe. This sounds really challenging, persistent symptoms are especially difficult to manage when it is not clear what is causing them.

    From what you described, I am not sure if any investigations have been done to rule out the possibility of a recurrence of the breast cancer you were previously treated for. I am not suggesting that this is the cause of your symptoms. However, it would be helpful to ask the GP directly what investigations have been done to rule this. These investigations depending on the symptoms can often involve imaging like a CT scan.

    You also mentioned that the pain is in your left collar bone, was this the side you received treatment on? If so then there may be a possibility the symptoms you describe could be related to late effects of treatment. I’m don’t know if this has been discussed with you at all. Again, once you have had some clarify about ruling out a recurrence of the breast cancer, I would encourage you to ask the GP if your symptoms could be related to the late effects of treatment.

    Having a clear idea of the cause of the symptoms means that this can be treated or managed more effectively. This essentially means going back to the GP again but asking specific questions about the possibility of a recurrence or late effects of treatment may help lead to further investigations or more clarity on the possible cause and therefore management of these symptoms.

    I hope this is helpful. If there is anything else we can help you with please feel free to get back in touch

    Best wishes

    Lynsay, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

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