Costochondritis after lobotomy

Hi, I have had a few bouts of costochondritis over the years, which can be quite painful. It is an inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum.  It began after I had surgery and radical radiotherapy for right sided breast cancer stage 2 back in 1991.  I was told by the oncologist at the time that the radiotherapy can cause damage to the bone cells and blood supply to the cartilage resulting in weakened ribs.  I still have tenderness and sore to touch ribs at times even after all these years.  I find it is brought on when I carry heavy weights, extensive gardening or even just hoovering.  

Surgery isn't usually an option, it is usually managed by rest and analgesics.  Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and quickly settles the inflammation and hence reduces pain.  I find a couple of days with complete rest, and that literally means not doing anything physical, I was fine.  I usually just hibernate and spend a couple of days watching box sets with my feet up.

Two year's ago I began radiotherapy treatment on the left side of my chest for lung cancer....this can now flare-up a bout of costochondritis now and again because the latest radiotherapy encroached on to my sternum.  I laugh about the fact with my friends that from the neck down and the waist up I'm knackered 

Best wishes, Ann

Thanks so much for replying. I'm really struggling with the pain and GP has advised increasing the meds I'm on for the lung surgery and complete rest for a few days which fits with what you are saying. I'm hoping this may work for me too. But 

Your welcome, we are all here to help.

I did laugh though, you saying "lobotomy" instead of lobectomy, it tickled me that.

Yes, with costochondritis it can be really painful.  I've had to hug my chest just to cough or sneeze because of the pain.  When it was bad, I used to sit with a hot water bottle on the area of my ribs that was painful and sore, it was comforting and soothing.

I am now beginning to get late onset side effects from the radiotherapy on my lung, the area that was treated gets a bit painful and sore to touch for a few days and I am also getting neuropathy pins and needles in my shoulder going into my neck, which is caused by nerve damage....it will pass in time, I had the same when I had the breast cancer, which lasted a few years, but eventually eased off.  I had the breast cancer 35 year's ago, treatment has come along in leaps and bounds since then, a lot of the various treatments nowadays didn't exist back in 1991. it was a case of just cut the breast off and then nuke it with radiotherapy daily for eight weeks, it was brutal, but it worked.

I have always said that life has a habit of throwing a curve ball, and I've had a few, but I get on with it, to be honest there is nothing else we can do.  My old mum used to say "get on or go under", it works for me.

I hope you are feeling better soon, regards.

Ann

Yes I noticed the typo too late! Made me smile too. 
I had the costo problem before but nothing for three years, it's come back with a vengeance. Just when you least need it. I really hope the effects from radiotherapy calm down soon. 

You mention you had breast cancer and how treatment had changed. Once I'm recovered from this lung surgery I'll be having a lumpectomy on my left breast. It seems that we are both in receipt of curved balls! I consider I'm very lucky in that both my cancers are / were primary and only need surgery and a 5 day radiotherapy back up for the breast. Your treatment was far more onerous. Well done you for keeping such a great attitude! 

Well i had a wedge resection, then a year later a full lobectomy they told  not to do a lot for 6 months, i tried add failed  to try and do a small job , but i have had ankolising spondelitis for 60 odd years so am always restricted and in pain so ive grown to ignor it now (unless its bad) , im struggling to breath now at 74 but my consutant says its more important to keep my lungs working than anything else.

I hope you get your breathing at a level you are comfortable with. It's learning to live with a new normal for us all.