Shoulder and Arm pain??

Hi TifJ... I don't think my experience with a port is unique... there was a LOT of initial nerve pain related to insertion.  Over about a week it dimished, but I was never so glad to see the BS as when she was taking that thing back out.  It was a constant irritant - and little stabs of pain etc... all that to say - I think it is more likely that you have some nerve damage there from the port/port infection.  Write down all the issues and level of pain you have right now.  Then - Why don't you try treating the area with intermittent warm and cold packs - and be rather relentless in doing the exercises your PT is giving you... then reassess in two weeks - is it still there at the same level as what you wrote down... if so - go back to your BS with it... let him/her refer you to a next step if necessary.  Gentle hugs to you... as you navigate back into living and let some of the craziness go... it is a long and sometimes very emotional and anxiety producing journey.

Tif - I obviously am not an expert, but the tender spot at the top of your shoulder sound similar to something I have.  I have had the same spot on my left shoulder for years.  Although no doctor has evaluated it, I relate it to neck problems (disk issues).  I have been developing the same spot on my right side for the last couple of months, with pain into my upper arm.  This is exactly how my mom's neck problems developed, so I have self-diagnosed it as neck issues.    It is nothing concerning enough for me at this point to raise with my onco. 

If you have a history of neck problems, it could be related to that. 

I've had my port since last July. It is now infected. Went to the ER last night. On antibiotic and pain meds. Tried sleeping without the pain pill and it didn't work. The pain is sharp and constant. In the areas as you described. Collar bone at times depending on how I turn my head, shoulder and down my arm a bit. I'm finished with Chemo, finish radiation this Thursday and will receive herceptin every 3 weeks until mid June (only 4-6 more) so I think I will just have them remove it ASAP. I will see my surgeon tomorrow since this happened over the weekend. I would have kept it in longer if it wouldn't have gotten infected because I will have a few vitamin c injections when I'm done with radiation. I had a PET scan and it showed no cancer anywhere. I think your pain is from the port cuz it sounds exactly like mine. Hope all is well. I'm sure it is.   

TifJ

I just saw your post about your port and pain with the shoulder and arm. I have had a similar experience. My port was in for 14 month for chemo and herceptin. After about 13 months I started having pain in my left arm and I found picking things up was painful and moving my elbow around hurt. I was told at first it was tennis elbow but it continued to ache at night. I also had swelling in my left arm and at the port site. I went through an U/S to r/o blood clot and B/S to r/o bone mets. Everything was clean, thank goodness. I was told to get the port out by PT and then they could help me. I also so had issues with the port incision healing, however, after my PT was able to help me get better. At first, my shoulder ROM was not great. My arm was weak too....However, after the port was out and healed the swelling got better...

It has been 3 months later and I am doing much better. Hang in there. I also recommend yoga. I have found the stretching has helped the shoulder and arm.

Take Care,

Chalex: Diagnosis: Aug, 2009, IDC, 7-8cm, 0/15 nodes, Grade 3, ER+/PR+ HER+