Rib Pain after Radiotherapy

FormerMember
FormerMember
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I feel as tho I’ve done nothing but whinge lately! 3 months ago, (year after RT finished) I found whilst rubbing cream into mastectomy area, a small but tender lump on top of top rib.  Eventually I thought I’d check with breast surgeon who did an ultra sound and said “I can feel/see NO lump but it is tender.  I’m sending you for a bone scan just to be sure”. Obviously this was bitter sweet! No lump BUT full bone scan which he fast tracked for 25th Oct! On top of that, went to dentist before Zoladronic acid infusion last Monday who said “your jaw is shrinking”! Of course I googled that and it could be a bone issue! Then I had X-ray recently for neck/shoulder pain and was confirmed as arthritis! Anything else you want to throw at me Mr Ailment Manager??!! I laugh manically! 

  • Hi Tavares welcome to the forum. I have the same pian on my ribs but was like you scanned and told it is damage to the ribs from the Radiotherapy because of where the target area is for the breast treatment the ribs are involved if that makes sense. I dont have any lump as such but it is tender on occasions and remains so 6 years down the line for me now. 

    I think it does do things to us that as we age naturally they tend to flare up and scare the daylights out of us . Im imagining you laughing manically!!!!!

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to GRANNY59

    Aw Granny59, many thanks for your response and I’m sorry that you too are still suffering. I had no issues this time last yr then all of a sudden here it is, but I do feel reassured by yours and breast surgeon’s replies! When I saw surgeon on Friday he said “I remember you!” I replied “you were the one who gave me the news a yr ago”. He said “the good or bad news?” I said “the bad, that’s why your face is on my dart board!” He had no option but to laugh, (but not manically!!) Joy

  • You got to laugh. I had 8 hrs in A & E yesterday. Chest pain not an MI or myocardial infarction. Just rib and sternum pain. Hopefully It will go eventually. Day of the dead today in Mexico, I'm alive I'm alive and don't I know it. I felt better strangely, I felt this looking at everyone else around me. I felt like crap energy wise in the morning but this definitely gave me a kick up the bum. 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Sabrina22

    Oh good grief Sabrina, how awful hanging round A&E for most of the day! Really hope that you’ve now been reassured that the pains are due to the very invasive treatment that we’ve had to endure…I’m still awaiting results of bone scan on 25th Oct but I know these things take time and meetings with other staff members have to be had. We must ALL look on the bright side and not get bogged down with ‘what ifs?”  Keeping busy is the key, I have found! Best wishes to all! X

  • Laughter is the best medicine and dancing, when I've got the energy. Xx