Top of shoulder, upper arm ache and BCNs response.

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Morning all

WLE Sept 2017 for IDC 8mm (65 years old)

Her2+ and estrogen+8.

No nodes involved.

15 radiotherapy, no Chemo and Anastrazole for 5 years ending Sept this year.

About 6/7 weeks ago I noticed a heavy ache at top of left arm just below shoulder joint on the outer side. Couldn’t remember over exerting or straining. It was still there a week later and a dull ache in shoulder joint at the top. It seems to be mild some days and troublesome other days. I’m having physio for hip and low back pain (age related) and was asked last week how I was etc and mentioned the arm and shoulder. I was asked if I had told anyone and I hadn’t. They asked questions about had I lost weight etc. I said if I ran to BCN every time I had new aches I would be living there! I get intermittent aches and pains in breast and underarm due to scars and nerve regeneration so I’m use to that. Physio said I should tell someone.
I rang the BCN nurses and got someone I had never heard of. Told her what had happened. Said I had been concerned at first being same side but then dismissed it. BCN said it wasn’t to do with breast cancer as it was on outside and only if it had been on the underside and/or any lumps would it be to do with it. She said it was for my GP to deal with as it wasn’t to do with breast cancer. I asked for advice and was told Ibuprofen gel (can’t take orally) and paracetamol.
I am not a nurse or doctor but the more I thought about what the BCN had said I felt sure she had got that wrong. I’ve made a GP appointment think they will refer me back to BCN? It isn’t to do with physio treatment as I hadn’t had any for a couple of months as they had to cancel all appointments due to covid.

Would appreciate any thoughts or opinions please.

Many thanks

Frances x

GRANNY59 over 3 years ago

Hi Frances welcome to the forum. I think that you do go to see the GP and let them decide and it may well be that they decide to refer you which would be the best thing to happen to at least give you some peace of mind. The Breast Care Nurse was wrong in my opinion to dismiss you like that without seeing you. Push for a GP appointment and take things from there and please do let us know how you get on.

Best Wishes. x

kumihimo over 3 years ago in reply to GRANNY59

Thank you Granny. I have been a member for a few years but mainly a lurker. I did make an appointment but there is a 3 week wait so won’t see GP until 18th May. I have since been getting discomfort/soreness in breast and under arm but mainly on the scars. I have been getting this on and off over the years due to the nerve damage and regeneration so use to that usually. Other thing is I’ve suffered from acid reflux for about 18 years and have flare ups. One symptom is chronic dry cough. I have coughed for England these last couple of months and think breast discomfort is from the coughing and have pulled a muscle or strained something. Had a chest X-ray a few months back and all clear.
Thanks again Granny.

Frances x

Beatthebreast over 3 years ago

It could very well be nothing, but you are right to get this checked out.

Before BC diagnosis, I was getting more and more severe should pain when running to the point that I could not swing my arm at times when running. Of course I didn't connect the dots and as it was in a similar area to an old shoulder injury, I just put it down to pain from more running.

I no longer have the shoulder pain running now that I've gone through BC treatment, other than a twinge here and there from the surgery.

I have heard of others with shoulder pain as one of the signs of BC.

It could easily be nothing so try not to overthink it, but you are right to push for scans etc through your GP.

I've gone back a couple of times to my GP first and not to BCN (I only finished main treatment a year ago) and GP has always been excellent and got me checked out.

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