Trace Pleural Fluid

I am forever confused about the side effects of radiation.  I began rads in August.  I was doing great, no fatigue, absolutely no problems.  About two weeks in I came home from a walk in the morning and began experiencing severe chest pain.  My BC is in the right breast and this was the side the pain was on.  It literally felt like someone was shoving a huge knife through my shoulder blade and through my breast.  My rad appointment was at 9:30 aqnd this happened at 8:00.  I did deep breaths, calmed myself but the pain was awful.  I was not thinking cardiac and told my DH I could wait and go to rads and surely a doctor there would see me.  When i got there the techs said there was no doctor in that day, but after mt treatment I needed to see the nurse.

Saw her and long story short she insisted I go to the ER.  They did all the caridac things...EKG, chest x-ray, bloodwork.  Everything came back normal.  The doctor said they could not rule out a blood clot due to rads....so I went to have a CT scan.  It was clear, but revealed I had nodules on my thyroid (another story).  So...they released me with no diagnosis but sent me home with paperwork on both Costcochondritis and pleurisy. 

That was a Wednesday, and I always see my RO on Thursday's.  Saw him and he said he had absolutely no idea what it could be, but insisted whatever it was, it was not related to rads.  I was not happy as I wanted answers...this had never happened before and it was scary.  Basically he blew it off and again said he had no clue what this was.

Exactly ten days later, on a Saturday morning, it happened again.  The exact same stabbing pain, and it hurt to take deep breaths.  I did not go to the ER, saw no point.  Still I was on the couch all day, in severe pain despite pain meds.  It lasted all day as the previous attack had.

So.....on Thursday my RO was on vacation and I saw a different one.  Told him about the second attack and he too said he really didn't know what it was.  He seemed very unconcerned and actually told me it should not happen again.  I told him it should not have happened twice.  I was not pleased.  Finally after he realized I was not going to drop it, he said that I had experienced "inflammation of the lining of the pleura" due to radiation!  Bingo.  Pleurisy. 

So that is where I currently am.  It has been almost two weeks since my last event.  I can only hope it does not return, but fear that it will.  What really frustrates me is the attitude of these RO's.  I don't know why they cannot just admit that these lung problems are the result of radiation? 

Aloha I hope you can get some resolution and don't have recurrances.  I have not had what you have....but it is very early for me.

Best of luck to you........

Aloha...I find that breast cancer is indeed a journey, and a complex one at that.  I find there are no norms for this disease.  I am pretty stoic about pain, it takes a lot to alarm me.  That first episode sure did.  The second I wasn't scared, but so upset it happened on a weekend when I am free of treatments.  My DH and I made a sort of pact...BC is not allowed in this house on weekends.  We don't talk about it or worry about it at all.  So...for that to happen on a Saturday morning (two weeks ago today) felt unfair!  I have not had one since, hurray.  I have read on this board in other threads several women have experienced the mysterious chest/rib pains.  Some had pleurisy.  At least I am not alone.   Now I am going through the burning/peeling phase.  Yes, almost done, just three more boosts!  Wearing a bra is all but impossible it is so painful.  Soon this will all be behind me!

I am glad at least that the radiologist in your case isn't concerned.  That has to make you feel a bit better at least.  I am glad the amount of fluid is not a threat, but I understand your desire for anwers only too well!  I hope you can find out more.  Good luck, and hugs!