Problems w hard fibrous tissue after radiation?

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blueballoon
blueballoon Member Posts: 14
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
Problems w hard fibrous tissue after radiation?
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  • blueballoon
    blueballoon Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2010

    I finished radiation 2-1/2 months ago and I am still struggling every day to break up the breast tissue and muscle that continues to harden. While I was taking radiation, I had 16 sessions with a physical therapist, but now I'm on my own. I stretch my arm and chest muscles at least four times a day.  I also work very hard to break up the hard breast tissue by grinding it with my fingers (like working a stubborn piece of clay).  I'm doing everything the physical therapist taught me, but it seems that my tissue only stays somewhat flexible for a few hours and then wham...  The tissue is hard and stiff again.  How long is this going to continue?!  The physical therapist told me that my body would continue radiating for 3 to 6 months after my last radiation. Do I need to work on the tissue for that long?!!  I'm so sick of this.  Has anyone else fought extreme, stubborn stiffness for so long?

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  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited July 2010

    I have a lot of hardness, especially around my lumpectomy scar. I also have a sensitive area on the exterior part of my breast that feels harder that than the other untreated side. I freaked out last night, thinking it was a lump, and will probably ask my doctor about it, but I have the feeling it might be tied to radiation, as I had a mammo two days ago and no one said anything about this.

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  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited July 2010

    I have a lot of hardness, especially around my lumpectomy scar. I also have a sensitive area on the exterior part of my breast that feels harder that than the other untreated side. I freaked out last night, thinking it was a lump, and will probably ask my doctor about it, but I have the feeling it might be tied to radiation, as I had a mammo two days ago and no one said anything about this.

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited July 2010

    I have major adhesions and scar tissue after 3 biopsies, lumpectomy, 2 axillary node dissections and uni-lateral mastectomy and radiation.  My physical therapist has ordered something for me called Swell Spots and another thing made by Solaris that  is called a TT-TS Thoracic Sling Wrap.  Both are supposed to help soften scar tissue and help release adhesions.  You wear them at night.  I haven't gotten them  yet.  They are special ordered for you based on your body measurements.  Anybody ever used either? Here is a link so you can see what the thoracic sling wrap looks like.

    http://solarismed.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=30

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited August 2010

    Thanks, Jo.

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  • Sams_MominAtlanta
    Sams_MominAtlanta Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2010

    What a difficult side effect and am sad to hear of your further trials.  Did the doctor explain what caused the tissue to react this way?  Was s/he expecting the reaction and thus prescribed the PT?

     A friend who went through rad for brain cancer had what you describe on her upper arm.  She is finding relief breaking up the muscle tissue via a therapy called 'cupping' administered by an acupuncturist.  Google cupping and see what you think.  Hope there is an acupuncturist close to you, if you choose to go that route.

    Hugs,

    Sheila 

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