Muscle pain post-radiation tx

nash

I finished rads six months ago. I have a sore spot on the radiated breast that at first I thought was rib pain, but now I'm pretty sure is muscle pain. It went from being sort of sore to the touch about six weeks ago to being almost constantly painful without touching it. It's a very specific spot, b/c if I do push down on it, there is one spot that really hurts. It feels similar to if you pushed on a bruise. It's really bad today, but I also exercised a lot this morning, which also makes me think it's muscle related.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? 

Shirlann

Well, if it is in the rib area, it is most likely Costochondritis, or, in english, inflammation of the meat between the ribs.  Hurts like the dickens.  And exercise stirs it up, although I doubt it would hurt it any.  Dr. Susan Love talks about this in her Breast Book.  One thing to do, according to her, is to pinch the spot, if it hurts like the dickens, it is usually Costochondritis.   I am not diagnosing you, you need to see a doc/onc, for sure, but this is likely what it is.

Oh, I have a pemanent sore spot, I don't know what it is.  It has been suggested that it is osteo-necrosis, or dead bone.  Lovely thought.  But I am almost 10 years post treatment, I don't want anything else done, just glad to be alive.  But, as always, get it checked by a doc. 

Hugs, Shirlann  PS:  Oh, it comes on a while AFTER rads are finished. 

nash

Shirlann, funny enough my onc had diagnosed the pain as costochondritis last month and told me to take advil and see if it helped. I took the advil and it didn't seem to do much, and now I have worse pain in a more specific spot. She did say she'll order a bone scan for me if the pain persists, but I really think it's more of a muscular thing. I could be wrong. I just had a CT and a diagnostic mammo that were both OK, but I like to worry anyhow.

Liz08

Nash-

I recently got diagnosed with costochondritis and/or plueurisy depending which doctor I spoke to. The breast itself, the area behind the breast, and the rib area around the radiated breast hurt so bad that if I laughed, coughed, and forget sneezing  it would bring tears to my eyes.  It did feel muscular at times, especially when I picked up something heavier. I had to stop my brisk walks for a while.  The severe pain lasted for almost 2 months and still hurts somewhat but has much improved and continues to improve.  I was told to take Motrin every 6 hours around the clock for a couple of weeks and my naturalpath also suggesed that I add a supplement called Zyflamed which helped alot.  After having cancer we all like to worry, it's the nature of the beast. As Shirlann has said in many of her posts....breastcancer....the gift that keeps on giving.  Hope you get some relief soon. 

Liz

nash

Thanks, Liz, I'll check out the Zyflamed. The pain is a little better today, but definately still there and very annoying. LOL, bc sure does keep on giving!

Liz08

Nash-

another thing that I started to do is to "gently" massage my breast, rib area under the breast, and node area every time after I get out of the shower for a minute to two. I apply a little Eucerin cream to the skin b/4 I massage it. This seemed to have made the area a little softer too. 

Survivor07

I, too, take Zyflamed and can tell a big difference!  It's not cheap, though. But I think it is money well spent!