Pain

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katydidnt
katydidnt Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed in 2003.  After surgery, (mastectomy, 10 nodes removed,)chemo, reconstruction, radiation, (implant later removed due to an infection), slow healing wound, hyperbaric O2 treatments, and 4 years later, I am left with lots of scar tissue, a chest wall that is hard and defective.  The worst is, I have had chronic pain along and under my arm/chest region since chemo (Taxol).  Apparently, the nerves were compromised in surgery and chemo was the icing on the cake.  I have been through physical therapy, lymphedema therapy and soon to see a neurologist.  Perhaps accupuncture, I don't know. I see pain specialists, and meds do help but make me sluggish. I want a long term solution that doesn't involve taking medication.   I really want someone to cut out my pain like they did my tumor....Any ideas are welcome.

I'm hoping this board can reach out to others in a similar situation - perhaps we could start a Pain forum, which is 'sorely' missing from this site. 

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited September 2008

    Chronic pain is the most misunderstood, nonunderstood, and poorly treated medical condition, in my opinion.

    My heart goes out to you and others who have chronic pain.  It is SO difficult to diagnose and treat that most docs haven't any idea of how to do so. 

    My best friend has chronic untreatable back and leg pain and her life is so limited now that she cannot even make it thru a movie.  I've worked with many clients who have long term chronic pain and the successful treatment of most is a long hard road with a limited outcome at best.

    I've seen nerve blocks and even nerves clipped to address this very difficut condition, has this been addressed with you?

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  • djd
    djd Member Posts: 866
    edited September 2008

    katy,

    you have my sympathy.  I am a two-time survivor of BC, but the most debilitating part of my journey was a staph infection that developed in the radiated tissue.  I did 40 doses of HBOT and had 4 surgeries (not counting lumpectomies) and 18 months of wound care before I could resume a somewhat normal life.  I have constant rib pain, which the docs have determined the source is 3 broken ribs that will never heal, thanks to the radiation.

    For me, the pain has been basically tolerable after I felt assured it wasn't bone mets, but the pain is always there.  If it gets worse, I may consider a nerve block, but for now, I am trying to pretend it isn't there -- not sure how much longer I can fool myself.  I find myself sitting in awkward positions, creating pain in my back an other areas...it's very frustrating!

    I carry vicodin with me and probably break down and take one each week, when it becomes unbearable.

    Sorry I have no answers, but I can relate!

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  • katydidnt
    katydidnt Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2011

    Well it's been several years since I posted this topic, and thought an update would be in order...I am 6 1/2 years out from diagnosis of bc stage II b. (mast, lymph node dissection, chemo and rads, and subsequent implant removal..) I still have pain, but I am coping much better. Pain has improved over time, and the good days far outweight the bad.  If I don't overdo it with yard work, etc, I am ok. I am a gardener, so this time of year is tough.  I am still on the medications prescribed 6 years ago, but don't have to take as much to get relief.  Hope this give encougagement to those that are beginning this journey.  Time heals..

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