rib soreness

Basia

I am just 3 weeks out from chemo and a couple days ago noticed soreness under my arms at the ribs. I haven't noticed this before, this seems new.  It doesn't hurt unless I apply pressure. Is this something to be worried about? I see the onc on Thurs for herceptin so I will mention it then.

bevin

I have been having the same feeling so can relate. Someone here told me about the 2 week rule, so I am following that. I also think - my shoveling snow may have had something to do with my new soreness.  But as my Onco says. If after 2 weeks you still have pain, bring it to her attention. Its their job to worry for you so you don't have to.  Have you been shoveling at all? If it doesn't subside, ddefinately bring it to your doctors attenetion and let them do the worrying for you!! and find the source of pain.

Basia

Haven't been shoveling, but I do have 4 year old twins that I am constantly picking up and play-fighting with.  I am hoping that I just pulled something playing with them, or the implant is pulling on something.  

Can't help but worry about these things.  My husband thinks its in my head because all this started after I spoke to a neighbor that has recently been diagnosed with a reoccurance.   

LRM216

By all means mention it to the onc, but I will tell you that only being out of chemo such a short time, I would definitely think this is normal.  I have many bone aches, off and on, since chemo and I am 1 1/2 yrs. out from last chemo and my onc said they may be with me forever.  Chemo does effect your bones, some of us greater than others.  When it's cold or rainy out, I feel it even more.  I wish the best for both of you.

Linda

nikola

Basia, as Linda mentioned, I had lots of joint and bone pain just after chemo. I remember I had rib pain (cancer side) couple weeks after chemo, only when touching it. Then, 6-7 weeks after chemo I had knee pain that lasted for 10 days. It was awful. I saw onc and he told me that was normal SE from T part of T/C chemo. I am almost 5 months from chemo and just now lost all water that I was retaining. I did not use any diuretics.

For your piece of mind mentioned pain to onc, but most like it is just SE from chemo.

Basia

Thank you, you made me feel much better. I will mention it to onc this week. Nikola, what you experienced sounds like my rib pain.

Basia

Went to the onc yesterday, saw his PA.  I explained what I was feeling and she said it is probably a muscle pull of some sort. She wasn't too concerned. She said if it doesn't get better in a week to call her and she'll set up an x-ray or some other scan.  I was relieved when she was so un-concerned about it, I think I would have flipped out if she immediately ordered some scans.  She told me to take some aleve or advil and see what happens.  She also told me she gets these questions a lot within the first 2 months of people finishing chemo and they are usually nothing. 

Sandeeonherown

Basia- I did not have chemo but ribs are sore from the radiation...some days I can wear my underwire bras and sometimes I wear a camisole or sports bra...Gym days means the next day it will hurt or be  a bit tender...so....2 week rule works....

Cat123

HI Basia,

I had a left mx on Nov 4 2010 and with lymph node involvment had to go through bone scan, liver scan, etc.  I had rib pain so I was worried.  Nothing showed up on my bone scan.  I think it was from the surgery and to be honest probably from stress too.  After the bone scan, the pain disappeared.

tilsgirl

Hi Basia,

I was just about to ask the same question.  I am also having rib soreness.  Nothing overly painful, just a slight soreness that gets worse if i press on the area.  It is on the side of the cancer.  I had chemo & radiation.  I am 8 months pass chemo and 3 months pass radiation.  On one hand I figure it is nothing, but on the other hand I am scared to death it is mets.  It is so hard to not worry over every ache and pain!  I wish there was soemthing to put my mind at ease.  I guess I will call the oncologist on Monday.  I am glad to hear that your doc seems unconcerned.

apple

I've had a lot of rib soreness that comes and goes.. i think from rads.  I have gathered that it is a fairly common complaint that we have.

tilsgirl

I called my onc today and they scheduled me for a bone scan tomorrow.  Hopefully just to rule out mets.  I guess I will know something in a few days.

Basia

Tilsgirl, good luck tomorrow, I hope the scan shows nothing!