Shoulder Pain After Rad

VeeHow

I finished radiation therapy 2 weeks ago and still have pain in my shoulders. The pain isn’t skin pain and I don’t think it’s muscle pain (as it’s been two week). My hubby thinks I hyperextended my arms. I will make a doctor appointment if it doesn’t go away soon. Has anyone else had this problem

Sunshine99

VeeHow, maybe you could give your doctor a call for a tele-visit. Like your husband says, you may have irritated your shoulder or the bursa during radiation just by having your arm extended for a period of time. So sorry, you're dealing with the pain - it's no fun.

dots74

I am definitely having shoulder and neck pain. It started midway through my 28 rads. Did you get answers for this?

Lexica

My neck pain was pretty bad after rads - even a couple years after, I still struggle with the shoulder, neck and rib pain. My PT thinks the radiation shortened or tightened my muscles. Good physical therapy helped, massage and I have to stretch and exercise it EVERY DAY to keep it from getting bad again. Mine was mostly muscle pain, though the tightness in the muscles affects the bone structure, too. Definitely worth getting checked out, veehow - maybe an MRI?

VeeHow

I saw my family physician and she sent me to physical therapists. They believe it is muscular. It is just doesn't feel like a regular pulled muscle. I started exercises but have not kept up with therapy. There are so many other doctor appointments and tests I'm going through there doesn't seem to be enough time. I think the exercises are helping though.

Runrcrb

I had shoulder pain from the beginning of radiation. My dr ordered an xray (nothing) and rather than pay for an MRI, I got a massage. Made a world of difference. Three years later my right shoulder is weaker than the left. Regular massage does help. Of course the usual exercise and stretching is important too but, having not had a massage in months due to covid, the shoulder is sore. Although the discomfort feels like it’s in the joint, a massage of the muscles makes a world of difference.

VeeHow

Since I had a lumpectomy and radiation on one side but both sides were affected it most likely was due to strain. I hope the exercises the PT gave me will take care of it.

SAL21

I have had shoulder stiffness and upper back pain off and on since 2nd week of radiation. Mine seemed to coincide with Pleurisy which also started at the same time. It comes and goes. The upper left side back/neck pain is pretty bad at times. I take ibuprofen and sometimes a muscle relaxer which is what the doctor suggested and it helps some, but takes a few days to let up. I hope this does not continue. I am now about 5 1/2 weeks out from finishing radiation and it came back last week again.

flashlight

I am having the same issues as Lexica. I am being seen by therapy for lymphedema where the swelling is in my breast, shoulder, and neck. My OT said the tightness in my shoulder is a side effect of radiation. She said it is like a rubber band before it is stretched out. It is my upper left chest to my left shoulder. Massage and exercise are helping. I also have some cording.

VeeHow

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I’m fortunate, my pain seems to be getting better. I’m pretty certain it’s muscular. I think everyone who has pain should check it out. I’m sure there are many different reasons for pain in this area, some more serious than others.