Still got breast pain

Hello. Click my name to read my tale. Its been 4 months since I finished rads and also still have fluid and a puffy armpit. Physio told me that it can be at least six months before it can start to feel better. However, I felt a little downhearted as she also told me that it can take up to 2 years for armpit, fluid and cording to calm down. I was given a compression sleeve to wear on alternate days to help. Can you speak to BCN or physio where you are treated to get some more advice? I was concerned as no one really told me what it might be like and I just wanted reassurance that this was normal. I am grateful to have been treated so quickly but after care and follow up has not been so good. All I can suggest is to keep going. Its a very slow recovery x

Hey,

thanks for writing. BCN & aftercare has been non existent. I think BCN has too many of us to deal with. She is not interested.  I feel like I am a pain & annoying if I contact her.

I have had no physio nor been offered it & don’t see Oncologist until June.

BUT your kind words are encouraging - thanks a million XX

Hope I didn't come across as too negative but I've found my physio to be very forthcoming with info that I think I should have been told. My BCN is useless and I've only spoken to her twice. The physio is connected to the hospital and they phoned me post surgery to see how I was. I just thought I would ring to get more exercises but she told me to come in. Is there anyway to contact the department to get yourself referred. She doesn't do much other than check and monitor my armpit and give me more exercises but if you are concerned then its better and quite frankly peace of mind to get yourself checked out. Perhaps ring oncology department.  I also spoke to a radiography nurse who did my planning meeting and I insisted on seeing someone just before I finished rads as no after care. You aren't being a nuisance and are well within your right to get checked over. Good luck x

No totally understand & thanks.

I am under BUPA so have no contacts at all for physio - only oncologist & BCN who signed me off until June.

X

My oncologist said it takes about 6 months after radiotherapy for things to really settle and I found that to be the case. I had swelling for many months. Breast tissue doesn't like to be disturbed so the internal healing can take a long time, especially if everything has been moved around to make your shape back which is what happened to me.

I still get a bit of pain if I sleep on that breast an I am 11 months on from the operation

I would try and get in touch with your BCN though in case the swelling needs to be checked. 

Thanks, that's good to know that you are 11 months and experience pain, hope it starts to improve also.

My problem is that the BCN will not see me on her own, she doesn't seem to be able to make any form of decision on her own and will always ask for an Oncologist appointment - this takes weeks so by the time I go the swelling would have gone down and then I almost look stupid as I have nothing to show them.  It's a catch 22 really.

It's great that I can get the support by chatting here and getting the experience from those who have been through it too.

Thanks a lot

Kate

Hi Winnersh Kate, 

I just seen your thread from a year ago, I hope you don’t mind me replying at this late stage, but I am exactly where you were when you wrote this, with exactly the same questions. I am 4 months on from lumpectomy and finishing radiotherapy and I’m wondering how you are now in your journey and did the pain eventually lessen? 

Hello there,

I hope that you are starting to feel better?

My breast pain according to the surgeon all comes from the radiotherapy & I still sleep with a pillow under me at night 

The pain is better BUT if I push the breast it hurts.

my journey got worse by the tamoxifen causing menopause & all the symptoms with that 

Wishing you all the best & do write again

Best wishes

Kate