Pain in shoulder

Hi Londonmumof2 welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about what is happening for you. I can understnd why you are feeling terrified and I wish I could take that away for you but unfortunately I can't.

However, like you, I had Breast Cancer and had the surgery, Radiotherapy and Hormone Blockers and developed really severe hip pain and like you was sent for a bone scan because of my history with Breast Cancer. Thankfully it all came back with  no sign of Cancer but I had developed Osteoarthritis in both hips. i have never been so relieved in my life, which is crazy because I now had something that was going to cause me lifelong issues but at least it wasn't Cancer. I expect that you can relate to that thought and I sincerely hope that all will be well with the scan for you and this could be many things yet . 

Please do let us know how you get on as we will be thinking of you.

Thanks Gail. I don't know how quickly I'll know, but my surgeon said that he'd phone me when he got the results. He told me verbally that my axillary clearance was was cancer-free when I had my drain removed for it the following week and he'd only got the results that lunchtime, so I hope that he does because I can't stop thinking about it now!

Hi Londonmumof2,

I had chemo, bilateral mastectomy and radiotherapy and finished in December 2019 and then went on to Letrozole. II am approaching 75yrs).....I have had various side effects aches and pains and feeling a bit depressed (covid hasn't helped).....I found that different brands caused me to feel a lot worse and when I spoke to the oncologist on my last telephone appointment she said to mention that brand to my pharmacy so they don't get that one again , which they kindly did, but still have the usual aches, particularly in my shoulders, which is why I would be very interested to see how you get on.

I did have full blood tests about 6 weeks ago which fortunately came back ok, but my oncologist did make an appointment for me to have a Dexa bone scan as I am on Letrozole and also the cancer i had in one breast was Paget's which can lead to bone mets.....I had my scan 2 weeks ago and when I went for my yearly review with the surgeon on Wednesday he said my bone scan was ok, just normal wear on my hip bones for my age, height and weight.....Phew....also he doesn't need to see me anymore, just be followed up by my oncologist. The bone scan seemed to be of my spine, hips, legs and knees. We are never satisfied are we, and the worry never goes away, as like you about 3 weeks ago, although I do get pain in my shoulders (which I put down to the fact that I use the computer a lot!!!....I had a real nerve pain in my right shoulder which seemed to go down my arm  to my little finger. resorted to a paracetamol which I never take!!!!....felt like toothache down my arm....however this only lasted for about 5/6 days and then disappeared. Still get a burning pain in my right shoulder......so I would love to hear how you get on.....try not to worry....silly thing to say, but it's probably the bloomin Letrozole and nerves growing back, which I have read can cause a lot of pain.

All the very best to you, xxxx

Thank you Rattybaggins . At least the hospital are good at arranging scans when a consultant asks,  as it's only 6 days after I saw my surgeon. It does seem more painful a few hours after taking the letrozole, but hopefully he'll call me when thr results are through. He works across two hospitals,  but is away my one on Thursdays and then the following Monday for team meeting. I'm having a full body nuclear bone scan rather than the dexa one so will be radioactive for a day or so!

I'm glad that you got the all clear,  and hope that the pain goes for you. I'll update when I hear. 

Hi Londonmumof2, 

I too would be worried, I think it's always in the back of our mind.  I'm wondering if the pain is connected to moving all those books, irritated/trapped nerves cause pain down the arm and tingling/numbness, some years ago I overstressed my neck and had similar symptoms which resolved after about 6 weeks but, every now and then usually when I've done too much lifting in the garden or at the stables the problem returns for a few days. Have you taken any anti-inflammatory's like Ibuprofen or tried Ibuleve gel which has ibuprofen in it?  I sincerely hope its nothing sinister.  Please keep us updated. Sending love. 

Hi Londonmumof2

How our minds go crazy ! I didn’t get a bone scan but did get CT scans to check bones as I had a very sore shoulder which developed three months after finishing treatment in October 20. They were sure it was tissue damage due to treatment- most possibly radiotherapy. For months I had a sore arm snd tingling down to my fingers and was unable to lift my arm above my shoulder. It was very debilitating particularly as I had done all my exercises following surgery in preparation for radiotherapy but after I probably didn’t keep it up. Then after extensive physio that I had to pay for my shoulder symptoms lessened and I developed a sore hip on opposite side of the sore shoulder. So another scan. Back to physio and thankfully things are very much better and beginning to feel I have turned a corner and can do more normal things. Seemingly the soreness of the arm/ shoulder had an effect on my posture and as a result stress was put on the lower back which resulted in hip pain. Before the treatment I only had aches and pains if I knew I had hurt something !! And I am not even on Letrozole or similar as I would have been blaming that !!

I know you will be worried but most likely you have hurt yourself moving all these books and stretching etc. Don’t think we bounce back as previous and of course our minds go into overdrive. So best wishes for Tuesday.

Still hope to see you in St Andrews !! We had a couple of nights there but it was when my hip was sore so I couldn’t even walk along the sands !!!!Physio wouldn’t allow !!!

Let us know how you get on.

Jojodot  X