Radiation after chemo

cgoody

I have just gotten back from meeting with the radiologist in reference to beginning my treatments.  She claims one of the side effects may be "brittle ribs". Has anyone heard/experienced this?

When I questioned how brittle the response was "be careful of people banging into your ribs".  My god, what happens if I fall down, etc.? 

I don't know if she was over-exaggerating or if this is true.

Sounds crazy to me. 

Kellke

I believe she was telling the truth but not very well.  Your ribs take a lot of the radiation and it does cause them to be more brittle.  You should avoid anything that impacts your chest.  A fall or car accident involving air bag or even seatbelt tightening could fracture your ribs.  I don't think anyone hugging you gently will cause problems but if you have small children or grandchildren they are often bumping into chests with their heads so I would be more cautious about that.

Hope that helps,  Kelly 

cgoody

Thanks for the reply and advice Kelly!!!

texasmom

I getting radiation right now. My doctor said nothing about brittle ribs but I just got over a cold and cough. Heavy coughing can crack ribs and mine did not break so they must not be too brittle. I have one more week of rads to go and don't know if there are different treatment strengths that might cause different side affects. I am on bone density medication and have problems getting enough calcium but that doesn't seem to have made my ribs any more brittle...at least not so much that a cough or a touch will crack them.  

BOUDICCA

 I quit radiation and chemo MONTHS  AGO. In May of 2009 I woke up wiht a cracked rib NO CAUSE that I know of !!!!  Now I have a second one ~ Chemo can and DOES make your bones brittle.  MAKE SURE you talk to your Doctor about this as I WAS NEVER TOLD this stuff and ask about a ARM sleeve is you FLY by AIR !!!!!!!  I am doing a book on all the NO no's of cancer and some NATURAL REMEDIES I discovered while going through chemo. I craved certain foods that all helped cancer as researched. Many Blessings and HANG IN THERE ! There is HOPE ! 

TWO friends comitted suicide this last year due to cancer diagnosis'

 so DON'T DO SO ~ there is ASSISTANCE and the CANCER SOCIETY who helped me a LOT !

little_chameleon

I realize I'm a few years late replying, but YES, it sure made my ribs brittle! I am sitting here with yet another broken one! The first time it happened, I was sitting in a chair, bent over to pick something up, and POP! The other times I have fallen down, and am lucky I didn't kill myself! This pretty much stinks.