Breast pain

Hi , sorry you’re in pain and also exhausted. I had boob pain too during radiotherapy especially in the nipple area. I had a mid rads review and the radiologist gave me some dressings to put inside my bra to try to provide some comfort. Not sure it helped, in the end I ditched my bra and wore a soft crop top. Not very supportive but felt more comfortable. 
Re fatigue, I started walking every afternoon after I’d got home, put on cream, lied on my back to let poor boob air, and finally got redressed. So it was often nearly dark by the time I got out but I’d make myself and felt better for it. Are you on hormone therapy too? That can also contribute to fatigue. 
If you don’t feel up to much over your weekend break, I’d be inclined to give into it and indulge yourself! I don’t know your circumstances but I was lucky not to have to work through my 3 weeks of rads. I would not have been able to cope with it. 

Do also tell the radiotherapy team on Monday that you are getting sorer. They may be able to suggest something to help and it’s best that they know how it’s affecting you. 

Sending love and a very gentle virtual hug, HFxx

Hi, I’m awake again early due to pain ,my radiologist thinks the pain in my breast is inflammation as the radiotherapy undoes some of the healing from  after the operation and because I’m having 5 days worth of radiotherapy in one session if that makes sense (it’s how my area is doing rads during Covid , shorter courses with more radiation each session apparently have the same benefits as a long course) I’m also having zoladex injections until I decide if I want my ovaries removed if I don’t go for the removal I’m stuck on zoladex until I go through the menopause I’m also on letrozole I’m weary I think and I’m so sick of hospital appointments and being passed from pillar to post regarding my symptoms sorry to moan and I’m sending love right back thank you for listening to me xx

Hi , your pain definitely had you awake at silly o’clock, that’s really grim. I’ve read about inflammation from radiotherapy and also about shooting pains. In my case it was mainly concentrated around the nipple and went on for some time after. It developed what I realised had been a huge scab when it eventually fell off (sorry if tmi!). 

What’s different about your pain though is that it’s preventing you from sleeping which is then a double torture - pain and exhaustion. There’s enough fatigue with the rads and the letrozole without adding sleep deprivation. I really feel for you. Are you taking any painkillers? Wondering if more heavy duty ones might be needed in the short term? 

Another question (sorry) is your sleeping position? I am naturally a side sleeper but had to sleep on my back for more than a year after my op. It was just too painful when I tried side sleeping. Horrible to get used to but I did, and slept reasonably well. Lots of pillows in various places for support. 

Hope you got back to sleep, so hard coping with it all particularly in the wee small hours. There’s a thread called ‘Awake’ which is the busiest here and there are often folk there in the night. Have a look, it’s in the Chat section. Love and hugs, HFxx

I’m sleeping on my good side which used to be my bad side pre diagnosis due to arthritis in my lower back which radiates down my leg if I sleep on my back I snore but I’ll give that a try and give the other half some earplugs lol I’m seeing my oncologist for a review today after my radiotherapy so I’m writing a list of things to talk about as my husband can’t come with me for because he’s clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid thank you for your support especially at stupid o’clock xx