Pain/discomfort on radiated side (ribs?) when waking up

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bejuce
bejuce Member Posts: 97
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi lovely ladies,

I've been waking up with some pain/discomfort where my right cancerous breast used to be (rib cage area).  I tend to sleep on the sides and feel it the most when I sleep on my right side.  I don't  feel the pain at any other time, just when waking up and I'm still in bed contemplating the day ahead. 

Of course I'm freaking out - especially because yesterday at my appt with my oncologist she ordered a bone scan (which I'll do tomorrow, please pray and send your positive thoughts my way).  I had a bone scan right when I was diagnosed and it was clear, so I'm thinking that if it was clear then, it should be clear now as I'm still on Herceptin (had a dose yesterday, two more to go).  Still, I'm worried.  

Has anyone experienced discomfort/pain on the post-radiated-post-mastectomy side that is due to surgical scars/inflammation/radiation?  What is the likelihood of finding out I have bone mets while still on Herceptin treatment?  

Thank you so much!

Marcia

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  • RegulJ
    RegulJ Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2010

    The pain could just be from sleeping and being mostly immobile for 8-10 hours.

    Good Luck on the bone scan!!!

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited May 2010

    It sounds like its from sleeping on it! If you take tylenol does it go away? I am sure it's nothing.  Why the bone scan? Why wouldn't they do a chest xray or ct? Does it feel like it's in your bone.  I don't sleep on my side so I don't know but I remember having pain there when I first had the surgery.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited May 2010

    I still don't sleep on the radiation side 3 years out; still uncomfortable & at this point think it will always be so.  

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited May 2010

    Since it's only in the morning, surely it's just from sleeping.  I'm having a lot of pain in my shoulder on the mx side, but I think maybe it's just aggravation from the radiation (half way through right now).  Praying for a clear scan for you tomorrow!

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited May 2010

    marcia

    i had four broken ribs on my radiated side; combination of rads...arimidex..and possibly from some other stuff.  NOT METS....i spent a year working with my oncololgist with bone scans...x-rays...and also ended up with a collapsed lung from one of the ribs. ( i was moving some heavy stuff and one of the ribs punctured my lung).  my oncologist hadn't seen this before and my rads oncologist said it was unlikely from rads.  however, i did have this problem...the ribs were broken under my arm along the side...of the rib cage.  this was a few years ago; it took a long time to heal and was extremely painful. i never really got clear answers...all i know is that i had the problem. i know there are other people who have had rib problems from all of this too....but very important to check it out and watch and follow up with your doc. best wishes*** 

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  • Kim09
    Kim09 Member Posts: 100
    edited May 2010

    Marcia,

     Your not alone.  I also have pain/discomfort on my radiated side (which is the side I sleep on). 

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  • kel1
    kel1 Member Posts: 30
    edited May 2010

     I'm 2 years ahead of you with a VERY similar diagnosis...and I still have pain in the ribcage area.  For me, it's the rads SE that have never gone away, just lessened over time.  Some days worse than others.  I have bone scans yearly and have been NED for 3 yrs. now!  Here's praying for a clean scan tomorrow for you.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2010

    I get tenderness on and off there still, 1 year out of Rads. I think it is inflamation of the tissue, rather than in the bone -  there is some name for it.

    Good luck with the bone scan. No fun.

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  • helena67
    helena67 Member Posts: 357
    edited May 2010

    could be hormone treatment too - I have some sensitivities on both sides, off and on... Probably good to get it checked but try not to worry too much (easier said than done huh). It seems very common.

    Very best wishes, Helena.

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2010

    Why did your onc order a bone scan?

    I've had pain in my ribs off and on and my scans were clear.  I think it's very common for those of us who have had surgery and rads. I usually feel it during the night or when I wake up. 

    Best wishes to you.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited May 2010

    I USED to have a lot of rib pain.. oh, it hurt so bad.  Come to think of it I haven't had any ribpain for quite a while.

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  • maltomlin
    maltomlin Member Posts: 343
    edited May 2010

    Glad it's not just me!

    Two years out and no problems but I still find it hard to sleep on my affected side. My shoulders and arm ache if I sleep on  that side.

    Mal x

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  • bejuce
    bejuce Member Posts: 97
    edited May 2010

    Thank you so much, ladies!  Had my bone scan this morning and it was all clear, woohoo!!!! Now I'll be able to hopefully have a more worry-free summer! 

    As for the pain, I'll see my surgeon next week - perhaps he can offer some guidance on what to do.  

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited May 2010

    Whew!

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  • krcll
    krcll Member Posts: 343
    edited May 2010

    Great news!!! Wohoo!!!!

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2010

    Hooray! And double hooray for getting the results so quickly!

    Truncal lymphedema has been mentioned, and I just wanted to add that a pattern of morning pain after sleeping on that side would be consistent with that. You might consider getting a referral for an evaluation by a well-qualified lymphedema therapist. Here's how to find a well-trained one near you:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    Hoping for answers that have a quick and simple solution!

    Be well,
    Binney

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited May 2010

    THANK GOD!!! I Was thinking about you all day....

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2010

    Excellent news!  Hopefully your pain goes away soon.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2010

    Fantastic news!!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited May 2010

    Glad to hear the scan went well.

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited May 2010

    Good for you!  Always nice to hear the scan results are clear!

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