Severe Pain Need Advice

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi All,  I was hoping I could get some thoughts from you on this.  I awoke this morning laying on my left side (mastectomy side) and instantly began crying from the sever pain that ran from under my are, side of rib and front in tramflap breast mound and around pectoral rib area.  The pain inside the breast was so severe and deep against my chest wall.  I couldn't turn over.  I also noticed the "breast" seemed to be swelling.  I've been in pain the last few days but this morning was horrific, even worse than my post surgery pain.  It's saturday so I can call my onc, or rad doc, or bs.  Was temted to go to the emergency room so much pain, but it's subsided a little.  Also can't take a deep breath without feeling rib and pectoral pain.  Could this be  truncal lymphedema? 

Also some back ground information:  Thursday I was outside working in the garden.  Not paying attention I walked across the sidewalk, tripped over a raised part in the sidewalk and went flying and fell. I felt like a moron Undecided I landed on my left side and hit the pavement with my armpit and reconstructed breast..  Youch!! I got up and just continued gardening for awhile. No bruising or anything like that, but my boob and ribs hurt like hell.  Wondering if this could cause truncal lymphedema and if so is this so painful, or could it be just be an inflamed rib, and sore boob from the fall?  I'm sure nothing is broken, but don't know if the "new breast" is bruised inside?

image

Barb

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Comments

  • jakaba
    jakaba Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2011

    It could be a lot of things - broken rib, internal bruising, muscle torn, etc. You might consider a trip to a doc in the box. However, if you can't call any of your docs on the weekend, I would find new docs. Surely they have an oncall number. I would think your surgeon would be the most logical choice, but would bet they might refer to the walk in acute center or the ER. Good luck and hope it improves!

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

    Ouch!!! I think it warrants a trip to the DR or ER.  You don't want to take any chances and don't need to be suffering.  Please, please don't wait, get it looked at ASAP.  And, please give us an update.

    I hope that you feel better soon (((Hugs))) Jenn

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2011

    Even though its Saturday, there should be an "on call" doctor at all the docs you listed above.  I would call the Onc's number and the switchboard will pickup and have the on call onc call you.  It may not be your Onc since they switch off but I would call and go from there.  He/she might order pain meds, diuretics, or an Emergency Room visit.

    Good Luck and don't wait.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited May 2011

    OWWEEE BARB!!!

    If it were me I'd call the onc or your primary care and if it is still bothering you go to the ER (or as jakaba said "the doc in the box"Wink).  There is no reason you should have to suffer all weekend.  I have a feeling you did somehow bruise yourself or started some LE to brew.  I was out in my garden the other day too and am feeling it on my mx side, although nowhere near what you are experiencing.

    (((HUGS))),

    Sharon

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited May 2011

    I concur with everyone. It's ER time if you can' t get anyone from your onc's office to see you. Broken rib, pulled muscle, torn ligament...could be any of these but you need to have it seen. And you need to get pain relief!

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

    Landing that hard you probably bruised or cracked a rib.  I'm with everybody...go to the ER and get an Xray.

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited May 2011

    You may have torn a ligament in the fall or have swelling from the fall that has pinched a nerve.  I would take some anti-inflammation medication and wait until Monday to call, unless it gets worst.  I know you will go to the ER if it gets any worst from what you are describing. Be well soon! 

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited May 2011

    Barb...hope you called the doc this afternoon and have some answers...that is some tumble you took....feel better soon :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2011

    As usual you are all always so encouraging.  It's now Monday.  I made it thru the weekend with Motrin.  My onc is over an hour away, and I just couldn't bare to j take a trip up there to sit around another doc's office or ER.  The pain has not been as severe as it was accept when I sneeze ore try to take a deep breath.  I think I probably have a bruised or inflamed area on my upper rib,  and other than feeling like I got hit by a bus, I'm just going to trust my insticts about my body, and feeling it's not a serious injury.  (no visible bruise anywhere)  I also had taken a diuretic which seemed to relieve the feeling of swelling.  So I braved the weekend and today spent a little time working on my containter gardens.  Definitely was not comfortable but doable.  My appt with my BS for 6 month follow up is coming in 2 weeks, then my onc after that, and still have to see the PS sometime wiithin the next month.  Geeesh,  I feel so DONE with doc appts, especially because they are all located kind of far from where I live.

    image

    Barb

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