Pain after radiotherapy to breast

Hi there! I’ve just had my first radiotherapy blast today! I’m only having five, so hoping for minimal side effects, I feel fine now (obviously), but I was told that various side effects can manifest weeks after treatment is finished . Also, I’ve been training (weights, aerobics etc.) through chemo and quite soon after my surgery; I used to get DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) associated with exercise, but always immediately thought about it being caused by side effects or cancer itself! Doubt I’ll ever be able to have a pain in peace ever again, ha ha! Sounds like it could just be discomfort in your intercostal muscles between your ribs when you breath, typically tightness or pain, caused by exercise, probably exaggerated on the surgery site due to the past trauma….... I think if your actual lungs are affected, you’d be coughing etc. rather than feeling pain. All the best, try not to overthink things (says me! ) xxxxx

Thanks for the reply Mazz 

I dont usually get DOMS anymore I tend to.train for maintenance rather than growth nowadays. 

I totally get your point about every pain being serious from now on .

The training has helped enormously in my recovery I was back.on it 3 weeks after my mastectomy. 

Have to say though the after effects of treatment are worst than I was expecting and I haven't had chemo .

Good luck with everything do what's right for you ..

I do lol 

Tina 

Same here! My DOMS days were gone! But after my mastectomy I used to feel something on my left side and I put it down to that due to the incision and trauma to my pec muscle (they took a slither of mine, but it was clear, thank God!). I’m now six months post surgery and still feel a twinge a day or two after exercising that area, but it fades fairly quickly, so I’m confident there’s nothing sinister .xxx

Just read your story we have such a lot in common I'm 67 trained for over 30 years . Took HRT for years which probably did contribute to my cancer as its estrogen positive. 

Got to say though I knew the risks but the benefits were so great I dont regret taking it in the least .

More annoyed that I've kept myself in shape never smoked sensible diet ect ..then wham out of the blue breast cancer

 I was lucky I saw a dimple, knew what that meant , I mean breasts have got nothing to laugh about have they ?  Saw a doctor that same day and got referred.  Not so lucky with a lumpectomy where they found infected lymp nodes so went back for a right side mastectomy just six weeks later . But hey ,the implants look great if only I'd had these 30 years ago so silver lineings an all that ..

X

Indeed we do! I started teaching various modules of health related fitness 40 years ago and I’m glad I did, exercise is as important as eating for me (although I probably eat more than I exercise ). Unfortunately I couldn’t have a reconstruction until they’d tested my pec muscle, by which time I didn’t fancy more surgery in the midst of all the other stuff going on. But they did say I could take up the option up later. Not sure how they’d get them to match? Do they alter your normal boob to suit? Who knows, never say never! They look pretty good under clothes with a falsie to be honest, can’t see me flashing them any time soon, so need to figure whether it’s worth it. When all the other treatments are done (and I get my hair back) and I feel human again, I may take the plunge  xxxxx

I did it for me I'm single now so.its unlikely anyone will ever see them 

Yes they try thier best to match them up so I had one placed in my left breast too  it was done at the same time as my mastectomy dont think.i could have gone back for a third op.

Having implants is uncomfortable by itself and takes 6 to 8 weeks for most people to recover from but I knew I was going to feel rough anyway so went ahead and did it. 

I m with you on the hair thing I'm sure it will grow back in time mines become much thinner despite only having 15 sessions of radiotherapy. 

If you've been through chemo you'll find the above a walk in the park by comparison.  

Oh I am , or was, a fitness coach ! 

X

Thanks for the info! By the time I’ve decided whether to go for it or not, I’ll probably be 70 (that’ll seem like about 10 minutes) . Life just flies by! We need to savour every second. At least they just took my boob off, not my arm, leg or eye. Think I’ll stick with my mono boob! As long as we’re happy and (relatively) healthy, nothing else matters. My hubby isn’t bothered by it, he’s just glad I’m still here! Although, if I were single I’d certainly give it some thought (not sure I could be arsed with another man at my age though, think I’d just go on holidays with my friends ) Xx