Radiation and sore ribs

Angel123

I didn't discover that I had sore ribs until a week after radiation was over. Is this causing long-term damage or will it heal on it's own? My Radiologist seemed to make it seem like one of those things that will go away in time, but I read here somewhere that your ribs will never be the same!

Leah_S

Angel, I also had sore ribs. It did eventually go away, but I think it took around a year (at least).

Sigh.

Leah

YramAL

Angel-I also had sore ribs after radiation. I'm about 20 months out from the end of rads, and while they still hurt every once in awhile, it's mostly gone.

Mary 

sundermom

I was told that rads could make my ribs more fragile and that I might experience " zips and zings" in that area for a period of time as the nerves try to figure things out again.

PlantLover

I still have intense soreness in my ribs and in certain areas where I was radiated and I'm 18 months out.  It is really painful if I accidentally hit myself or get poked in any of those areas.  

My skin is still extremely discolored.  I started a thread about that awhile back and nobody else responded so I'm guessing my problems are probably rare.

SharonMH

Hi,  I am 18 months out from rads and my ribs are also still sore.  SharonH

elimar86861

I agree with the others.  My ribs were sore to pressure past the first year, but seemed to be resolved by the time I got to two years post-rads.  I did hear that the ribs are more "brittle" after treatment.  I am hoping that is not the case.  I really think continuing to stretch your torso/ribcage region is beneficial, because the soft tissue in the area loses some elasticity, which in turn restricts the rib movement.

PlantLover,  At one year out, I was still 2-3 shades darker, now only one pale shade darker, but I can see the faint outline.  It is different for everyone, but I have not heard whether staying dark is a bad thing or not.

Angel123

Thanks for all of the replies. Plant lover, I'm sorry you are still experiencing discoloration. I just stopped rads Jan. 3, so I have a long way to go in the discoloration department.

PlantLover

elimar ... I don't necessarily think the discoloration is a bad thing it's just weird.  You can still see the complete outline where they used the bolus, a custom fitted piece of "plastic" used to increase the radiation during certain treatments.  It's just odd.  It was also strange that when my chemo onc saw me in November he said it looked more like someone that was only 6 months out.  Maybe it just means they did a REALLY good job & zapped me good, thus killing all those stupid cancer cells.

Angel123 ...  Thanks!  Glad you got that part of treatment behind you!  I hope the rib pain goes away quickly!

3xmom

I seem to have just developed sore ribs, 3 years after ending radiation.  Anyone else have this delayed effect?

Angel123

I see my Radiation Oncologist in early Feb. I will try and remember to ask him about that,3xMom.

Jean0078

I have had 8 of the planned 25 treatments. I developed a sore feeling in my lower ribs after just 4 treatments. Also seems to afftect my stomach as have lots of indigestion. I told the RO and he just blew it off. Will complain again this week.

Angel123

My RO told me it was sore nerve endings from the radiation. I don't know what to believe. Are there any Radiologists out there for some input?

youngmama

I'm relieved to hear it is normal to still have some soreness months after radiation!  Thanks for posting ladies.  I'm about 4 months out and the whole chest area is still very sore.

truebff

At about 2 months, I've had very sore rib-cage. I have heard that nerve endings may take 4 months (or more) to regrow!