Rib Pain

meg8000
meg8000 Member Posts: 108
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

OK - I have to post here even though I don't like the title. I'm not one to think that every little ache and pain that I have is mets, so I'm trying to find out what kind of logical explanations there are for rib pain. 

I am a year and 3 months from diagnosis with a Stage 1/Grade 3 cancer. All is going well for me except for some rib pain that I have been having on my cancer side only. I had chemo and radiation and my top rib under my breast was so very sore after radiation, and I have waited for it to calm down. It is better than it was. But I have noticed that I have about 6 or 7 ‘hot spots' on my ribs - places about the size of my fingertip that are very painful when pressed. They run mostly along my top 2 ribs from the center to the side, but also a couple of other ribs and even around to the back.

My onc sent me for an x-ray last Wednesday and I haven't heard back, so I assume nothing major was found. She also mentioned a scan, but I am going to wait a little while on that, since we just hit the beginning of the year and a new high deductible. I'll probably do a scan in a couple of weeks if no improvement. Except for a breast MRI, I've never had any kind of scans.

I've not been one to worry over every little ache and pain, but I've got to wonder if this is from the radiation or what? The issues with the top rib have been there for a while, but I didn't realize it was also around to the back, until I found it while trying to pinpoint places to the radiologist. It is extremely painful to twist my upper body, like when reaching for the seatbelt or backing out of a parking space.

It almost feels like some of the arimidex pains I've had in my hands and feet, but I've already worked my way through all of them, and it is odd that it is only on one side.

So, my question is, has anyone had this kind of rib pain lingering about 9 months after radiation - or even maybe from AI's? I know that I still have 2 very painful spots on my wrists that showed up from the AI's that have not gone away, and which make me cringe every time I shake hands. Anyone else have this as a side effect from either Arimidex or  Rads?

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Comments

  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited January 2011

    Yes! Check out costochronditis. Rib pain is very common here. Every few years I go have a chest x-ray and a bone scan because I am convinced something dreadful is going on. It never is!

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  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 32
    edited January 2011

    Wow. You're not the only one. I've had some tender spots below my left breast and I have been attributing it to the radiation also. It only hurts when I touch it or when I twist. Please let me know what you find out.

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  • meg8000
    meg8000 Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2011

    Weesa - thanks - I did check out costochondritis and it doesn't fit.  Per the article on WebMD:  "Costochondritis is an inflammation of the junctions where the upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone or sternum. The condition causes localizedchest pain that you can reproduce by pushing on the cartilage in the front of your rib cage."  This is just not the case as the pains are distributed in small spots on various places on several ribs even around the side and on the back ribs.

    Kimby - I'll post here when I have any info.  I have an appointment with the radiologist next month, so I may learn more then.  With regard to the pain on twisting - this is also very localized to the top rib and usually when I twist and crunch.  I really think this and all the pain on the upper front ribs is due to the radiation.  I'm baffled though about the places on the side and back of the ribs.  Maybe arimidex, or maybe this will go away.  We'll see.

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  • laggy
    laggy Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2011

    Meg -



    Pretty sure it's the radiation. My left side is pretty fried and sometimes the scar tissue gets in the way when I turn a certain way, and especially when I drive. It's annoying. And mine does go around the side and almost to my shoulder blade. On top of the nerve damage, it's just lovely isn't it? Hang in there!



    Shoveling the snow here in beautiful New England!

    Laggy



    Diagnosed 2004 with Stage IV, tumor over 6cm, attached to chest wall, 8 out of 12 lymph nodes involved, ER+. Double mastectomy, dose dense chemo followed by Taxol, Herceptin and 35 radiation treatments. Will make my 6 years on Feb 9th.

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  • lily2202
    lily2202 Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2011

    I have exactly the same! On my surgery side. But mine started during chemo. Mine us at the bottom of my ribs. Seeing onc tomorrow and as has been hurting for 5 months now, I want to be taken seriously!!!! Will let you know what he says xx

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