Post Breast Radiation Side Effects

Danabunny

Hi, I am 4 1/2" weeks post breast radiation and am having weird side effects. I am extremely weak feel achy all over and generally feel ill. I also have a dry cough and feel like I have a tight band under my breasts, my ribs feel sore and I feel short of breath like my diaphragm is tight. I have gotten a covid test and it is negative. No one has told me it could be from the radiation and I can't imagine what it is... does anyone have any info or similar side effects? I am not taking any medication at the moment...Just Tylenol for the aches...

Thanks,

Dana

DutchieGirl

I would recommend contacting your oncologist. Mine always wants to know if something doesn’t feel right or if I have any new aches and pains.

Having said that, I had radiation 2 years ago and am still dealing with side effects. I do think my lungs were damaged and I also think my esophagus took a beating. It’s all manageable and, because I get chest CTs every once in a while, I know it’s not a distant recurrence.

Hope all goes well for you!

RatherBeSailing

Danabunny -

You don't say if you had radiation just to your breast/chest wall or also to your nodes.

I had full nodal coverage and was also incredibly fatigued and achy after. Also had lung pain on inspiration.

Turns out my thyroid was out of whack after treatment to the supraclavicular nodes, and I had lung pneumonitis, which is quite common. Neither necessarily mean long-term damage. My thyroid settled down after a couple of months.

But I agree with DutchieGirl, you should report your concerns to both your medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. Often lung issues go away on their own, but there can be lasting damage. The trick is to treat it early with steroids to avoid those long-term consequences.

So trust your instincts. And keep after your doctors if you continue to not feel well.

Best of luck to you.