Pain in Upper Arm

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JacquiAL
JacquiAL Member Posts: 54
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi,

I have been having pain in my upper arm for about 4 months. The pain is severe but not constant - only when I move my arm over my head or reach around to my back. My pcp ordered an x-ray of my upper & lower arm, shoulder & elbow.  Nothing was noted.  My oncologist received a copy of the report and I haven't heard from her so am thinking she is fine with it.

Does a clear x-ray mean there is no mestastases?  I guess I'm asking would an x-ray show something that would indicate that further testing was needed to determine if there was metastases.

Thanks.

Jacqui 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2011

    JacquiAL - Have you had surgery/chemo/rads - and when?  Is this your node arm?

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  • JacquiAL
    JacquiAL Member Posts: 54
    edited August 2011

    Hi,

    I had two lumpectomies  - second to take extra nodes & get clear margins -  in August & September of 2009; 6 weeks of radiation - finished 12/09; no chemo based on Oncotype score. Pain is not in node arm. Am not on anti-estrogen meds- tried Femara and Tamoxifen (though I'm post-menopausal).  Went off both because of QOL.  Onc wants to try me on Aromason but not until after yearly mammo in August.

    Thanks for replying.

    Jacqui

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  • pat01
    pat01 Member Posts: 1,005
    edited August 2011

    I posted in another forum about my arm pain.  It is in my bicep, only hurts if I try to stretch my arm over my head, like getting something off a high shelf.  BS thinks it is scar tissue from SNB, just need to keep stretching, RO thinks I need to keep stretching too.  I'm 7 weeks out of surgery, so i keep stretching, but its not getting better.  Someone on the other forum suggested lymphedema or cording.

    Pat

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2011

    JacquiAL - I would think your clear x-ray is good, am wondering if you perhaps have a pinched nerve.  That would not show up on an x-ray but would certainly cause pain for you.  The other possibility might be an inflammation of the muscle.

    pat01 - see if one of your docs will write you a scrip for PT from a certified lymphedema therapist to asses you for both cording and LE.  If nothing else they can do range of motion stretching exercises for you.

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  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited August 2011

    JacquiAl- In Feb. my upper left (non-mastectomy side) started to hurt in the muscle. I had an x-ray that was clear and then started getting stiffness in my shoulder. Turns out to be adhesive capsulitis or Frozen Shoulder. I am still doing PT and not getting much better. This may not be your situation, but you may want to ask an orthopedist about it.

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  • JacquiAL
    JacquiAL Member Posts: 54
    edited August 2011

    SpecialK,  pato1, TifJ,

    Thanks very much for the responses.

    Jacqui 

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

    Is your arm, hands swollen?

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  • JacquiAL
    JacquiAL Member Posts: 54
    edited August 2011

    Pasofino,

    No my hand and arm are not swollen. I am going to an orthopedist on Tuesday. Hopefully he will be able to tell me what the problem is.  I can't tell if the pain is in the bone or soft tissue.

    After the x-ray was clear my pcp had me use ice and anti-inflammatories for a couple weeks but that didn't help with the pain.

    Thanks for asking.

    Jacqui 

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

    The arm that was on the same side as my port developed a blood clot in the armpit. It was very painful but was swollen down to my hands.



    Hope you figure out what's wrong!

    Sara

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  • JacquiAL
    JacquiAL Member Posts: 54
    edited August 2011

    Sara,

    I'm so sorry.  Did the port cause the clot?

    Jacqui 

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  • K-Lo
    K-Lo Member Posts: 2,743
    edited August 2011

    Hey, Sara, I had the exact same thing! Noticed my hand swelling and turning dusky and mottled. Ultrasound showed 100% occlusion from mid-arm through armpit past power port and into jugular vein. I wonder how many peoele get this? It seems to be random. I was on Doxil at the time and had such skin toxicity with it that I tend to blame the Doxil. Why us? Why are we clotters?



    Did they say you'll always be on blood thinner. My doc will very likely keep me on forever.



    Kathy

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