Can't start rads till my arm can stay at a 90 degree angel

Tg5471530

I just went to for my rads consult today.  And found out that I have to wait 2 wks to start because my arm/clavical/breast muscle keeps painfully spasming at a 30 degree angle.  He wants me to continue with PT/OT to see if there is any change after 2 wks.  I am just concerned because it seems too long to wait to start rads.  I had a possitive response to Dose dense Chemo which I finished Sept 6, then had a Bilat-mast (with lymph nodes) with tissue expanders on Oct 5th.  I have been doing pt exercises for a few wks now and still have limited range of motion.  He said that he would have liked to start rads by now, but we need to work this out first.  Has anyone else had this? 

hymil

i had similar issues Tammy, i had eight weeks between surgery and starting rads, was really struggling with reduced shoulder mobility after node dissection, i think a lot of us can relate. At that stage, cording was my bugbear. Push through with the exercises and the physio and you will get there. Muscle spasm can also be reduced with drugs like low dose valium if absolutely necessary, or they might need to re-plan the rads in a modified position. Full dose of painkillers before the physio sessions helps a lot too, even if you feel you don't otherwise need them, and make sure you are warm enough and not mentally wound up! (Yeah, like that's so easy??. Sorry)

My radiotherapist was great and in the end i didnt need to do half as bad a position as i had prepared for, she had my arms up and out but *forward* from the plane of my shoulders which made it all so much easier; I had been trying lying flat on the floor and not getting my elbows anywhere near the floor, and was ready to give up! Instead i ended up like I was lying in a deck chair at the beach. (If only! It was a great visualisation for relaxing too) She said i had much better movement than most of her ladies as they are generally 15-25 years older than me.

Even with elbows at 90% out from your chest, do your arms need to be straight and lie flat, could you do it if they were bent, with your hands pointing up away from the bed, not up over your head? (um, i wish i could make a picture of this.., move away from a "scare-crow" picture and maybe think instead of a mum with her hands held bust-high on two kids' heads, measuring which of them is taller?)

Tg5471530

I just had my 1st PT today.  She said I had a frozen shoulder.  She gave me new exercises to do at home and I go there 2 times a wk.  She also said that she really didnt think I would be better in time for my mapping on Dec. 1st.  She said it might take more like 3-5 wks to get there.  I am already pushing rads 2 wks past the time they wanted me to start.  Im going to try extra hard because I really dont think I should wait any longer for rads.

Latte

hi tammy,

my onc and BS said that it's OK to start rads anywhere up to 3 months after last chemo. of course, they prefer sooner, but you have some extra time if you need it

mullaney55

So familiar! I had the same issue; frozen shoulder. Started PT a week before radiation..This is my 5th week for frozen shoulder on my non-cancer side. It's difficult getting my arms up daily and it aches, but it's only 5 minutes or so. Frozen shoulder can last a year or more and I couldn't wait. I know it's so painful and to worry about this now is horrendous..especially trying to sleep. My recommendation would be to go forward with the radiation and have the radiologists help you place your bad arm. It aches but will get you going. Feel better! I recommend heat, not cold for it too. It's helping me plus the constant stretching. Good luck!

mullaney55

Hi Tammy,

  Me again! I keep thinking about you. The side I had my nodes removed and lumpectomy on is also sore and tight. The frozen shoulder is on the other side. Surgery was October 1 and today was day 14 of radiation. Waiting could be a long time because it isn't a quick fix...trust me. Mentally, it helps me get through it because I leave radiation and put a big "X" on my calendar. When radiation is over, I can focus 100% on the frozen shoulder.... Think about it. Fighting the pain/ache of frozen shoulder is worse than the radiation in my opinion. I can't even reach to put the gel on or to dress and I'm sure you're having trouble with that. At least going forward with one where you can succeed and finish will help you mentally.. Thinking of you! Kate

Tg5471530

Here is an update for everyone.  I ended up going for PT 3 times a wk and did exercises 3 times a day.  And I am much better.  I will still be doing PT for a while longer but today I went for my mapping.  I still wasnt up all of the way, and was in a lot of pain.  I only took muscle relaxers and got pain meds for the future.  After 1 1/2 hour they were able to get it to work.  They were all really nice and did everything they could to make me as confortable as possible.  They kept saying "you are a complicated case"  I ended up with 10 tattoos.  The Dr said that he really wants me to start ASAP but he needs to go over my case with a few other experts.  So they scheduled me to start on the 15th. but he will make it his priority to get the planning done sooner and call me if he does.  I was also taken off the Tamoxefin because of bad side effects.  So I am just praying that the cancer doesnt spread in this time off.

Cowgirl13

Tammyg, so glad to hear they were able to  do the mapping.  Thinking good thoughts for you!

Lizzie 

hymil

That's really great progress Tammy and your oncologist sounds so nice too. Thanks for the update!

mrsnjband

Tammy,

Hope things continue to go well for you.  I got frozen shoulder but it was AFTER radiation.  I had a bad burn from the radiation & I was protecting the wound.  I went to PT for at least three months.  Do as much as you can & just take it one day at a time. 

Sending love & prayers. NJ