Stabbing Pains

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SpunkyGirl
SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Does anyone else ever get little stabbing pains in the area of the mastectomy or in the collarbone?  I went skiing last week, and I've been painting all day yesterday, and I'm tired from being up late for the Superbowl, so I'm hoping it's any or all of the above.  The latest little twinge is behind my collarbone, but I don't feel anything there...I know I've posted before about the pains behind the implant, and that's pretty infrequent, so I'm pretty sure it's from surgery, rads, etc. I'm just wondering if any other long-termers get that?

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  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 4,869
    edited February 2011

    Dear SpunkyGirl, I just gravitated here because I was so curious with your thread title. Yes, I have had those pains behind my collar bone on my left side mascectomy, behind my collar bone and they gravitate toward my back.I had a bi-lateral masectomy, but I only feel the twinges on my left side. I feel them after I have exercised or over exerted that side. I have never asked my onc about them because I have had those pains on and off for 6 years, never thought it was serious!!!Other friends have told me the same thing, so many muscles and nerves were compromised with the masectomy. It would not be a bad idea to have it checked it out. Prayers are coming your way, and I hope we both can get to the bottom of this. God bless you, Kathy

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2011

    Have you considered LE? It looks like you did an awful lot with your arms....good luck!

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  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 4,869
    edited February 2011

    Wow, Barbe, Yes, that might be it, absolutely!!!!! I was just diagnosed with LE, after 6 years of being clear. Thanks, and God bless you, Kathy

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2011

    Do you have the MLD techniques to do to help you? You'll need someone to do your back for you. I know you will get relief once you can get more drainage going. Glad I could ease your mind....I have truncal LE and that's how I feel it.

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  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 4,869
    edited February 2011

    Hey, Barbe, I am seeing an LE therapist this week, recommended by my onc, so hopefully I will be feeling relief soon, thanks so much again, Kathy

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  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 327
    edited February 2011

    I thought I would "chime" in here too~ I absolutely think this can be "truncal lymphedema". I always thought of lymphedemas as in the arm; however I have been diagnosed with truncal lymphedema and I have those shooting pains in my back! I feel like my entire right quadrant (front and back) have issues~ I have had confirmation it is lymphedema. It is harder for doctors to dianose because the outer appearances are soooo much more subtle. I continue to see a therapist, and let me tell you, she works WONDERS!

     I second Barbe :)

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited February 2011

    I get that as well from time to time..It goes away though with yoga and stretching:)

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited February 2011

    Thanks for all the responses, ladies!  I don't think it's LE, though I could be wrong.  I've had these little stabbling pains off and on like Kindergarten for the last couple of years, and they don't gravitate to my back.  All the stuff I did was with my right hand and my affected arm is my left.  I'm pretty small and I don't see any truncal swelling, but I'll keep an eye out for it.  I'm thinking I just overdid it with skiing.

    I have implants and I wonder if they could even see anything behind them if I ever had to have them take a look.  Anyone with implants ever have a CAT scan?

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2011

    This may be a stupid question, but have you talked to the doctor about it?  Maybe it has something to do with the implants - just taking a stab at something......

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited February 2011

    LE doesn't necessarily present with swelling.  It can present with just "pain" or as the "twinge" you are feeling. It would take a LE therapist to tell you for sure.  I started having pain in my arm, chest & back and finally decided I needed to get it checked out.  My LE arm is actually smaller than my other arm. but had swollen lymph nodes. Exercises & MLD really help.  

    I would talk to your doctor and have it checkout just to be sure.  NJ 

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited February 2011

    Sherri,

    I think I'm getting old and daffy!  I feel like I keep asking the same questions over and over again here, so thanks to all for putting up with it.  But your answer makes sense, and the pains sometimes aren't there for months.  Seems logical that they would be here now because I skied on friday for the first time in years, and it felt off starting on Saturday.

    Love you guys!
    Bobbie

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited February 2011

    Yep, add me to this list.  Not so much in the collar bone area, but the chest wall area.  I always just attribute it to scar tissue or nerve endings.

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