Rib and Collar Bone tenderness from rads

J92

Hello everyone,



I am posting on behalf of my mom. In December she was diagnosed with Stage III tripple positive IDC. Since then she has had a modified radical mastectomy and she has completed 6 rounds of FEC-D chemotherapy and she has a week left of radiation. Her skin has been very red and tender from radiation and she is experiencing some firmness and tightness under her arm which from what I understand is quite normal. Also, about half way through radiation she has been having some slight rib and collar bone tenderness when she touches the area, she says it feels like a bruise. She has brought up the rib and collarbone pain to the RO and he said that it is completely normal and should eventually subside. The reason why I am posting is because I am more worried about the collar bone pain just because I have seen several posts about rib pain during rads but not many posts about collar bone pain. Her collar bone area is extremely red, so she is definitely getting radiated there and the RO was not concerned. I just turned 21 and I've always suffered from some anxiety, but since this diagnosis my anxiety has been through the roof and I'm always worried sick. When my mom brought up the collar bone tenderness to the RO on Wednesday and he said "you're getting radiated there too so that tenderness is normal" I felt so relieved, but now that I am thinking about it I cause myself so much anxiety and worry. Has anyone heard of or experienced any of this during radiation? I am actually more worried about this and think about this more than my mom does. If someone can help ease my mind that would be great. Thank you

Lily55

Any of the area that gets radiated is affected, tissue tightens etc i had pain in my shoulder blade for months afterwards....i had physical therapy since xmas and now have some flexibility back

J92

Thank you for your reply. I know everyone's side effects are different but every weird pain can be scary. Hopefully the fear gets a little better over time.