Radiotherapy side effects?

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Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma last July and have had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and now a short course of radiotherapy, which finished just under 2 weeks ago (mid May). I’ve been very stiff all around my shoulder and arm pit and exercises are helping a bit. I’ve started to wear a bra again, but it all gets a bit sore around mid afternoon, so I take it off depending on where I am! Yesterday after about an hour after taking the bra off, I developed a pain all along my scar a bit like there was something constricting my chest and like there was a weight on my chest. It didn’t affect my breathing but was extremely uncomfortable. paracetamol didn’t seem to help. Lying on the other side helped and I did manage to get to sleep until the middle of the night, when it became very uncomfortable again. It also made me feel rather sick - which eventually I was. Immediately after being sick, the constriction/weight/discomfort went. Today my chest feels like I’ve over done exercises and strained something (I really can’t have done) and the feeling of restriction has started to reoccur this afternoon but on a much lesser scale than yesterday. Has anyone else had this?? I can’t get through to the radiotherapy suite and am not sure who to ask advice from.

Thanks in advance,

Frendabroad

cuffcake2000 over 2 years ago

Hi Frendabroad, I have just finished my radiotherapy after 15 days. My scar area and breast area where I had my ops have stiffened more and I have been gently doing my exercises to help. I have not pushed myself with the exercises but just taken them slowly and gentley until I feel a pull. I understand that the radiotherapy even though finished still continues and you can reach more of a peak 2-3 weeks after finishing. As you are having chest pains albeit they east perhaps when laying on your side and perhaps less today than yesterday I would give the emergency hotline a call just to have a chat with them. Alternatively have a chat with your BCN.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Frendabroad over 2 years ago in reply to cuffcake2000

Emergency hotline? Wasn’t given one of those.

Thanks for your reply. No bra today and did very few exercises. Constriction feeling has stopped but chest is sore.

Will try the nurses tomorrow. I never really know what they can answer questions on.

Frendabroad x

Tracey1977 over 2 years ago

Hi Frenda

I had 15 rounds of radiotherapy and was fine…. Until two weeks later the pain in my chest and underarm was excruciating and I had to take very very strong pain killers. I couldnt sleep on that side and it felt worse than when I had my lymph nodes removed. Give them a call and see what that say. On the upside 4 weeks on and I am absolutely fine, hardly any pain. xx

Frendabroad over 2 years ago in reply to Tracey1977

Thanks for your reply. I have been VERY stiff and the chest pain was/is v strange. Different to the pain of the lymph nodes but just as uncomfortable. Glad to hear that you’re through the other side.
x

cuffcake2000 over 2 years ago in reply to Frendabroad

You should have had an emergency hotline number given to you when you had chemo. This is the number you can call for any radiotherapy problems too.

Fingers crossed you can get through to the nurses otherwise.

Frendabroad over 2 years ago in reply to cuffcake2000

That was not made at all clear and the two departments are at different hospitals. The number given before chemo specifically says about chemo and nothing to do with radiotherapy. I’ll call the nurses. Thanks though. X

Irishgirl16 over 2 years ago in reply to Frendabroad

Hi, you can always call the lovely folks here at Macmillan too, on 0800 808 0000. Hope this all eases soon for you

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