Rib Tenderness

kltb04

Hi all. I have put off posting this but it is just weighing on my mind.



I am recently dx, stage IIb, having chemo first...just started last week. My concern is a tender area in my rib on the opposite side of the affected breast. No pain really but a slight tenderness when it is pressed upon. I suppose if I press hard enough on the opposite side it is painful as well. The thing is I have noticed it in the past as well (even before dx) and hadn't ever really paid it much attention. I seems to be worse after I spend a lot of time on the couch kind of slouched in the corner and reaching over to type sideways on my laptop. It is the ribs that are directly under my breasts.



I had a pet scan after diagnosis and nothing was noted. At the time I didn't mention it because well I didn't really get concerned about it until this weekend when I started researching mets.



I guess I will mention it to my MO next time if it persists. I guess I just needed so someone to talk to. My DH thinks I am overreacting. Thanks.

Megadotz

Hi,

 There's a good chance it's muscular -- I was concerned about some rib tenderness  right before my last check in  with the MO.  It was muscle strain and a bruise.After a BC diagnosis, any discomfort is suspect. 

Definitely check with your doctors, but don't be surprised if it's muscle strain.  I felt a little silly afterwards, but was glad I brought it up.

 All the Best

kltb04

Thanks for the input...like I said, I had noticed the issue long before dx and it is worse when I am not wearing a bra, almost like I can "feel" that area being brushed against (TMI saggy boobs and I have gained so much weight the past year, I was always big in the butt/thighs but just started gaining weight in the waist and above the last year and it bugs me that I can "feel it") but I cannot really describe it at all! And of course, the more I press on the actual rib, the sorer it gets!

I have no injuries to the area although that is the side my port was installed and it comes and goes.  I just have to try and logic things out loud to make myself feel better.  I had just done some research that said PETs don't always pick up bone mets and took it and run with it...DH just asked me what it was going to take to keep me from worrying all the time about everything and I truly have no idea...

kltb04

Ok, I just looked again at my results and not only did I have a PET, I had a whole body PET/CT so I am going to tell myself that any pain that I have been having for several months BEFORE I was DX and scanned in Feb would surely show up on that...to keep myself sane til I see the MO next time!

SAMayoFL

It is so hard not to flip out with every ache and pain!!  There are several of us who were just posting on this same topic.  Mine ended up being costochondritis.  Google that term.  I would, however, always mention anything you are concerned about to your doctor!  I wish you the best of luck!

Susan

kltb04

That's what my mom said too Susan!  She said she has had it for years (and also has Sjogren's - an autoimmune disease).  Of course, now I am having back "spasmy" issues - lol.  I will definitely bring it up at the MO but I am trying to relax a little bit.  Thank you

kltb04

Today is second round of A/C and I asked my MO about the rib issue. She said it sounded to her more like a "sensation" rather than a pain. But then told the nurse to schedule a rib panel. Which freaked me out a little until she told me she is doing it for "my mental health" I also have a spot on my head that I noticed after I shaved that she told me was prob nothing but is sending me to a dermatologist to make sure. I guess I am glad she is proactive and I suppose I don't have the luxury anymore of thinking I am just being a hypochondriac. But now I have scanxiety.

kltb04

Xray all clear so I must try and relax about it now!  As the nurse said "um, there is nothing there?" I assume I do at least HAVE ribs but I will take it and run with it.

kltb04

I am adding to this topic rather than starting a new one but would edit the title to add "found a lump" if I could.

My discomfort had been getting worse over the last few weeks and I had noticed a slight swelling on my left side (again, this is the opposite side from the BC).  I have googled costochondritis, truncal LE, anything I could to find some explanation. 

Then last night, as I was poking and prodding around on the area, I found a lump.  It is in the rib cage area below the left breast.  I really have to hunt for it but it is definitely there and rather large...it appears to be somewhat mobile, I can push it around.  I am absolutely beside myself with worry.  I called MO office the second they opened and 2 hours and 3 calls later finally got a call back from a nurse.  Who told me that she would note it in my file and I could talk to MO on Monday when I am supposed to come in for last A/C.  Out of desperation, I called BS office but was told she was out of town and even if she weren't, she would refer me to MO.

I am trying to be reasonable and rational and think of cyst or lipoma.  Unless my chemo is just flat out not working, I cannot imagine a tumor coming up that large in that amount of time while I am actively on the chemo.  Scan recap...combo Pet/Ct (eye to thigh) on 3/7/12  was clean.  After mentioning the discomfort to MO, had a rib series of Xrays on 4/11/12 that was clear.

Thanks for any input...if I don't get any feedback, I will start a new topic.  I know I sometimes will skip a thread if I think I have read it before.

Edited to add - I went ahead and started a new topic since I have the lump and didn't before.

kltb04

Ok, I hate it when I research topics and find old posts and people never update what they find out so here is an update for anyone that might come upon this topic - my MO told me it is cartilage!  She is not at all concerned and she tends to OVER react if anything so the fact that she is so unconcerned is a great relieft.  She still doesn't have a definite answer to my discomfort but does say that my shoulders/posture is slightly off and that might be contributing to it. 

wildrumara

That's good to hear.  I have had rib tenderness since January.  I too mentioned it to my MO (this was before my BMX with implant reconstruction).  I didn't really notice the pain while I was recovering from the BMX (probably because I was in so much pain from the surgery - haha).  But, lately I've been noticing it again.  The funny thing is that my neighbor who is a PT, said that my posture is completely off.  My right scapula bone is sticking out much farther than the left one.  I do feel a lot of tension and pain in that area of my back.  He thinks the pain in the scapula/shouder area is more than likely radiating around to the front under my rib.  I see my MO in two weeks.  I am going to mention it to her again!  Thanks for sharing!

ahdjdbcjdjdbkf

I have a weird lump - walnut size that has formed under my rib. Had a cat scan today. Terrified and waiting. 

ahdjdbcjdjdbkf

So I had my tumor markers, liver and kidney tests, and CAT scan and all came back with no concerns. Still going to go through a bone scan since the doc feels my ribs should not be so tender - waiting for a call for it to be scheduled.