chest pain after radiation?

I still have pain on that side, too.  But, it never hurts to get it checked out. Peace of mind is a good thing.

Hi Little Flower,

While I am not Stage 3,  your post caught my eye. I had rads in 06 (33 treatments - Left breast), the rads covered wide area of my left side because of ILC and wide spread ILCS,  for some reason this year I developed cold after cold after cold,  the last one turning into Pneumonia and I spent time in hospital and on 02 there and at home, turns out I have damage to upper lobe of my left lung from rads (fibrosis) and now being followed by a lung specialist, anyway, nothing ever showed up until almost 3 years later, I always thought I noticed heavyness or slight pain in chest/ling area, but never gave it much thought or concern until all the colds started, just a thought.

Wishing you well.

LittleFlower, the irritation very well oculd be the pollen, caused by possible lung damage from rads.  Do some deep breathing on a regular daily basis,   I was given instructions from the specialist and Res therepist,  deep breath in hold as long as possible blow out,  right now I am off 02 and thus far have been able to avoid steroids to keep the lungs moist.  If your lungs are "drying" it is very easy for "junk" to get "stuck" in there and cause problems.

I never had any lung issues before rads ( I had not had a cold in years) and my only lung issues now our the left side (rads side),  It is a price I have to pay to stay alive,  just kind of stinks.

It is rather reassuring to hear that others have chest pain. I am 18 months out from radiation and get quite a lot of pain. Talked to my onc who sent me for a scan, nothing showed other than lympheodema in the area. He said the pain would be from the radiation as I had very high dose radiation. I know the muscles over the chest area are fried - according to the physiotherapist but it is the area where I can feel my ribs that really aches. I had a radical mastectomy.

Must go and sort out my house as We had carpet laid yesterday and everything had to be shifted, now it has to go back.

Alyson

Hi there:

    Sorry to hear about your pain. Its a bummer!

I am 5 years out this month, and i still have chest/rib pain on my radiation side. I am relieved I am not the only one and that the pain is probably from inflamed tissue. I notice it does get worse when I am under stress or the weather changes. In fact, this past week, it has really been bothering me.. I now have a wicked cold. So I think my pain was triggered by the virus.

Just another joy of breast cancer .......

Wendy A 

Thanks for letting us know!

Thats great news, I am so relieved for you! Isn't it funny how once youy get the "all clear" the pain goes.....

SherriG, I've been on diclofenac for years. When the rib pain flares up, the anti- inflam doesn't touch it. I may have to see the GP again, but I'm trying to wait until I see the Onc in May.

There is a post that was started on one of the boards (I think it was the sugery board) on post mastectomy pain syndrome, which is more common in women who have had radiation.  It can show up immediately after surgery or even develop months or years later. It is nerve pain and can cause pain in the chest, shoulder, back of the shoulder and down the arm.  Definitley look into it.

I do have constochondritis (inflammation of the cartiledge of the rib cage).  Mine happens to have a nerve running through it and when the cariledge swells, it pinches the nerve causing nerve pain down my bottom rib, around to my back and down my back a little ways.  So, chonstochondritis can be excrutiating.  In the upper ribs (on either side of the sternum), it can easily make you feel like you have having a heart attack.  

Either condition really rots!

djls

LittleFlower,

I'm glad you reposted about this, because after six years (did I say SIX??? woo hoo!!!!) I still get that pain off and on and sometimes it really bothers me. Next time, I'll just reach for the ibuprofen.

Peace,
Bobbie