Rib Mets?

Eschindler

This is my first post here. I am scared.

I had a BMX, chemo, staph infection last summer for stage 1B triple negative IDC associated with BRCA. I'm 32. I had a hysterectomy in December.

I've basically had pain in my right chest, shoulder (front and back), along my scars, and in my ribs. It feels mostly like a dull ache, punctuated by sharp pain at times. It's usually worse after active days. I see a physical therapist and a spine doctor. I had a cortisone shot in my shoulder that made the pain in the joint better, but I still have it in the other places. Also, I have swelling under my arm, which started to get better before my hysterectomy, but then it got worse afterwards and hasn't gotten better again.

The pain isn't awful; it mostly doesn't keep me from doing anything. It's mostly just annoying and anxiety-producing. I have my 3 month check up on Tuesday, and I am going to ask my oncologist for some tests to check it out. My questions are, has anyone had mets either in lymph nodes or in their ribs? Have you ever suspected it? If so, what tests should I ask my onc to order? Not that I don't trust that she knows; I just want to make sure all of these symptoms are not a recurrence.

Thoughts?

annika12

Hi there !! Sure is scary how ever thing that we feel creates so much anxiety, sure have been there several times. You should definitely have it checked out but I also had a lot of pain in my shoulder, ribs, neck and side. So far it has been scar tissue and radiation muscle damage . Still have nights when anxiety sets in and I get scared.... I try to remember what my oncologist says " the pain I worry about does not change, come and go" I tried PT but what worked for me is weekly massages and tumeric

Luvmydobies

I haven't been diagnosed with any mets but wanted to tell you I've had similar symptoms. My cancer which was also Triple Negative was in my right breast. Have you seen a lymphadema therapist? I have truncal lymphadema and it presented with some pains in the rib, side and shoulder areas. I also have swelling in my armpit and the therapist told me it's lymphadema. My Oncologist also says I have post mastectomy pain syndrome so he didn't order any tests. My pain is always there and it's weird because it seems like if I'm active I don't notice it but if I'm sitting around I have it and my anxiety escalates big time! Let us know what you find out Tuesday. Thinking of you. Also there is a forum here just for Triple Neg girls, and there's also a lymphadema forum.

doxie

I too think it might be truncal lymphedema. My pain is similar to what you are describing. I have slight swelling in my underarm and breast.

It can be difficult to find someone to correctly diagnose this, so you may need to educate yourself and be patient.

Luvmydobies

Also, just FYI, my Oncologist has told me it is extremely rare for triple negative to spread to the bones. Another girl in my support group who is TN said her Onc said the same.

Eschindler

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help! Now I can wonder about something besides a recurrence, which is a relief (weird as that may seem).

I will ask about lymph edema on Tuesday in addition to scans.

I'm about a year out from diagnosis, and with the triple negative/BRCA, plus my upcoming appointment, plus the ongoing pain, I just needed some reassurance. Cancer is pretty scary. So, thanks!

Emily