Should I be concerned about this "pain" feeling I'm having?

Mama2BC

Hey friends! In 05/2016, I was diagnosed with stage II, grade B (I know my profile says A), triple positive breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy, followed by chemo, bilateral mastectomy (in 01/2017), radiation and completed Herceptin in 08/2017. I did have cancer in 2 of my lymph nodes, which were removed but have not had any issues with lymphadema. In 01/2018 I had my expanders switched out for implants and in 05/2018 I had fat grafting surgery. About 2 weeks ago, I noticed slight pain on my rib. It feels like maybe I pulled something. Or maybe bruised it. It is located on the side on my original right breast, breast cancer. It is to the right of my right breast. The pain area begins begins just below my breast, but slightly to the right of the breast. It's my 2 inches of "pain." I don't even know if pain is the right word. It's not a constant feeling. It's when I reach certain ways, or sleep on my side or when I press on it. Which, of course, I do often now because I am paranoid. I contacted my oncologist and he recommended I put a heating pad on the spot for a week. I am on day 5. Still having the sensation. Side, note, the heating pad caused me to get a little burn on breast. Oops. Skin sensitivity after radiation. This is all I can think about this week. I am not having any other symptoms or pain anywhere else. I would say I over the summer I started a new heart burn medication and noticed some dizziness and irritability and maybe feeling anxious. I stopped that about a month or so ago and the dizziness is much better. Still anxious. I've never really been an anxious person. Maybe that just comes with going through something like this. I'm sure being anxious and irritable has nothing to do with this "pain," I'm describing. Anyway, just trying to give all of you the full picture. Has anyone else experienced this? Tell me more. Thanks!!

wallan

Hugs to you. Sorry you are going thru all this - especially the anxiety.

I have had some kind of sensation like "pain" on the side where I had implants too. Several months after surgery as well. It is nothing serious I am told. Scar tissue irritating things inside. I never thought of a heating pad, but I will try it.

Whenever I get "pain" or symptoms now, I too have anxiety. Its part of the journey I think. Someone on these boards gave me good advice which helps. Put the new pain or symptom on a calendar or journal or something and date it. Then don't look at that again and distract yourself from the pain. Act as if you don't have the pain or never had cancer. Do whatever it is that absorbs you - I like movies, or really good books, or focussing on challenging problem at work, or visiting friends.. whatever it is, do it alot. Then in three weeks or so, look at your pain journal/calender and ask yourself is you still have that pain. If you do, focus on it and if its worse or the same, get it checked out.

This advice helped me learn that when I have a new symptom and I get anxious about it and then focus on it, the pain does not go away or seems to get worse..blah, blah, blah. But if I get it out of my head by writing it down and then not focussing on it, the pain or symptom does resolve. I was freaking myself out I learn. If it is something to be medically investigated it will not go away or get worse. You will know.

Over time, the anxiety does subside a bit. But just know, you have been affected by a serious disease and its likely you will need to manage some anxiety now. Its normal.

Hugs to you

wallan

Mama2BC

Thank you so much Wallan! That is actual fantastic advice. Thank you for that recommendation. I said to my husband, it's annoying that these thoughts even have to cross my mind. But I like the idea of writing it down and sort of tabling it for a little bit!

wallan

Hugs to you. I hope it helps.

wallan

KBeee

I also record my symptoms in that manner. I keep a list on the notes on my phone. If it continues, I know exactly when it began; mostly, they go away, and I mark them with an X beside them. The Xhelps when writing something new because I see my previous symptoms have resolved. Also, when I see MO, I can look back at the list to see any symptoms that are occurring often