Post radiotherapy pain

Hello

Sorry to hear about your post-radiotherapy pain. I had SABR treatment for a NSCLC, and finished my treatment about 16 month's ago. Unfortunately pain and possible rib fractures are one of the late onset side effects of radiotherapy especially if the cancer is close to the chest wall. I have one small area where the SABR was targeted that is tender to touch, and if I use my left arm too much I also get pain, so it is quite normal. Subsequent CT scan follow ups have not shown any rib fractures, but I have scar tissue there. My lung cancer was very close to the chest wall.

I also had the conventional radiotherapy for right sided breast cancer 35 year's ago and, following surgery, I had 35 sessions of the conventional radiotherapy (SABR did not exist then) and, to be entirely honest, I still have discomfort now and again in my rib cage in the area close to my surgical site and radiating to my sternum, but it is only brought on if I carry heavy shopping or vigorous gardening etc., and 99% of the time it is fine.  Subsequent X-rays and CT scans have shown that I have a small area in the upper part of my right lung that has radiation fibrosis, it is where the radiotherapy has damaged blood vessels and tissues causing inflammation and eventually forms fibrotic tissue. One of the good things about SABR is, unlike conventional radiotherapy, SABR is targeted and does not affect surrounding organs or tissues.

I have learnt to live with the right sided discomfort over the years and I will do the same for the left side, a couple of Ibuprofen on my "tender days" sees me as right as rain. I consider it a small price to pay. 

Best wishes.

Ann

Thanks for sharing your experience and good to hear you’re dealing well with the after effects of radiotherapy. I’m generally stoical but this pain is something else. It’s so intense and sharp.. and then there’s the itching. Unfortunately painkillers don’t touch it. Looks like it’s going to be a nerve block for me. 
Best wishes 

Denise 

Hi

Yes, your pain does sound like it is neuropathic and conventional analgesia won't work. I had similar for a while after my breast surgery and radiotherapy many year's ago. To me it felt like, what I can only describe, as an electric shock. Something simple like brushing my hair would send a shock like pain going from my right shoulder into my armpit and down my arm.

I was told by the oncologist that this was not because of the radiotherapy, but the surgery itself. Because my breast cancer had spread into my axillary lymph nodes, I had an axillary clearance, and unfortunately muscles and nerves had to be cut to gain access to all the lymph nodes in my armpit. Because the nerves had been severed they where sending mixed messages to the pain centre in my brain, hence the regular electric shocks.

I was also getting the itching you describe, it was deep inside and an itch that could not be scratched if you know what I mean.

It did eventually clear up, but it was in years not months duration. 

If you have not had surgery, it is possible the radiotherapy has damaged nerves. I hope you find a solution soon and all will get better. It's bad enough having the treatment and side effects, without the added pain.

Best wishes.

Ann