Soreness in radiation site 6 mos later

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bennetts1
bennetts1 Member Posts: 440
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
Soreness in radiation site 6 mos later
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  • bennetts1
    bennetts1 Member Posts: 440
    edited October 2009

    I completed radiation 6 months ago and I am extremely sore under my right arm where I had radiation.  I cannot sleep on my side because the pressure to my ribcage hurts too much. Has anyone else had this problem?

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited October 2009

    Bennetts1 - I am having the same thing now, only I am 1 week into rads.  When I told the radiologist, she said it was normal, it was due to the sentinal node removal, scar tissue and stretching of same.  She said it could continue for quite awhile.  I realize you are 6 months out, but perhaps that is what she meant when she said I could feel this through the rads and after.  Hope this helps a bit.

    Linda

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  • DianaT
    DianaT Member Posts: 532
    edited October 2009

    I still have that and I finished radiation over a year ago.  I asked the rad onc about it and she said that even over time, the muscles tighten up and bones are more brittle.  She said to make sure I am getting calcium and Vit D3.

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited October 2009

    Oh yes, in Dr. Susan Love's breast book she talks about this.  It is Costochondritis, or, inflammation in the meat between the ribs due to rads.  I don't know why they don't warn us.  Dr. Love said to "pinch the area, and if it hurts like heck, it is probably Costochondritis".  What is so scary is that it often appears weeks after treatment ends. 

    Mine lasted years.  Of course, don't take this post as any kind of diagnosis, as always, see your doc/onc.

    Gentle hugs, Shirlann

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  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 640
    edited October 2009

    I am months past rad and my breast still hurts and is red not from burn but from inflammation I guess. I am going to my rad onc this evening and I guess I will know something but I am not counting on it. I don't like anything about them (radiation personnel) and I hate even going in. My med onc told me it could be like this for a couple of years. Yeah great! Why didn't they tell me? If I get any helpful info I will let ya'll know.

    Carolyn

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  • jkcrml
    jkcrml Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2009

    Hi Carolyn, I just came back from the Dr. with the same thing, he says it is common for the area that had radiation to become red and inflamed. Mine also itched so I'm back on steroids to see if that will help. He also said it can go on like this for a year! Don't know if this helps you but it's nice to know you have company! Smile

    Karen

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  • LizinKS
    LizinKS Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2009

    What a pretty woman you are with a wonderful smile. I am about 15-16 months out from radiation and I still have tenderness where my two sentinal nodes were removed as well as in the area where radiation is concentrated. I still feel discomfort on one side that could be a slight lymphodema.I asked my radiation oncologist and he says that it's normal. (I have a friend who's a couple of years out who says she's still tender.)Still,I think,as the ever-wise shirlann suggested, if you are very uncomfortable, check with your doctor to make sure it isn't costochondritis or lymphodema (which a compression sleeve might help.) You lost a number of lymph glands and a pretty large mass of breast tissue in surgery. I find eating too much salt or being dehydrated can aggravate discomfort. I hope you have a physician who will listen to your complaints and try to help you.

    Best wishes,

    Liz in KS

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  • LizinKS
    LizinKS Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2009

    Hi, Shirlann,

    Always glad to see you on a board as you are always kind,wise and helpful. Love your kitty picture. My photo is of my female tabby cat sitting in my husband's hat. She lived to be over 17,even with intestinal lymphoma. She went to kitty heaven three years ago this month and we still miss her. Best kitty ever.

    Liz in KS

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  • LizinKS
    LizinKS Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2009

    Thanks,Diana, for your helpful answer. I knew about bones being more brittle,but didn't know muscles tighten up as well. Is there any way to stretch muscles out...or they as "well-cooked" as certain areas of skin and underlying tissue?

    Thanks,

    Liz in KS

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  • bennetts1
    bennetts1 Member Posts: 440
    edited November 2009

    Thanks ladies for all the information.  I do have some swelling under my arm occassionally.  I guess it could be lymphodema.  I wear an ABC breast form for lymphodema because right after surgery I had a lot of fluid accumulation in my chest wall and this breast form really helped with that.  I go back next month to my doctor so I will mention this to her and see what she thinks.  Thanks!

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