Breast and arm pain

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chico1
chico1 Member Posts: 48
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Finished my radiation middle of March and the last few weeks have been troubled with a sore breast, and general achiness to the underarm area and arm on that side, hurts to sleep on that side.  Did notice some swelling after a exercise class a couple of weeks past.  Have been for about 3 manual lymph massage's ($90.00 an hr.!) - can't afford to be going for this as often as they think you should!  Swelling is only minimal, but the discomfort is really a bummer.  Mentioned to my oncologist, he thinks it is from the surgery but I had healed up quite nicely and didn't have any discomfort before rads, only after.  Anyone else been through this?  Had my lumpectomy back in July/09.  Would appreciate any feed back.

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  • Chris-rae
    Chris-rae Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2010

    Hi, I'm wondering about the same thing.  I finished my rad. the 24 of March 2010.  Just the last month or so, my breast has become  sore.  Uncomfortable to lay on that side in bed.  I had my surgery in August of last year.  I hope someone can help answer our question.   Good luck to you

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  • lin213
    lin213 Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2010

    I finished 7 weeks of Rads in December 2009 after Mastectomy without reconstruction. I am experiencing the same symptoms.  When I wake up I feel as if my ribs were in a vice all night.  I also have tenderness when pressing on ribs, oncologists are not concerened.  They both say it is post rads and post Mx "pains".  My skin is very tight to my chest wall.   It is very uncomfortable!  I worry because I had a CT scan in march of this year and there was a nodule on my left lung as well as the base of my right lung.  They were 4mm each.  Can this pain be something more than post rad ?  I hope so... Feel Better-Linda

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

    It took me about two years before I could sleep on that side and 3 1/2 years later, I'm still a little sore and 'achy' on that side. The good news it that it's natural, and the bad news is that it's natural!!

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited August 2010

    I am a bit sore and achy on the left side which is my zappy side.  I find that stretching exercises help.  Its a bit interesting to me as my Onc says my skin looks fantastic and that from the outside, you can barely tell I was operated on or had surgery.  But I can still feel the tightness on the inside.  I think it is worse when I am tired.

    ahh Zaps, the gift that keeps on giving. . . .

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  • changes
    changes Member Posts: 622
    edited August 2010

    Chico,

    I have the same symptoms as you've described. I have one more boost left them I'm done with radiation. They put me on a steroid pack which helped for awhile, but the pain is coming back. My skin is not bothering me half as much as the pain in the underlying tissue. It's hard to find a comfortable way to sleep at night. I was hoping it would go away once I was a few weeks past radiation - hope it does not hang around forever,

    Karen

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  • Sarnie123
    Sarnie123 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2010

    I finished my treatment 4 years ago now and still suffer from breast pain, I've just seen breast surgery consultant he's offered lipo in my affected breast, he says it may help with the pain.

    I'm not sure to have it done or leave well alone? San

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