Radiation and sore ribs

Options
Angel123
Angel123 Member Posts: 62
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I didn't discover that I had sore ribs until a week after radiation was over. Is this causing long-term damage or will it heal on it's own? My Radiologist seemed to make it seem like one of those things that will go away in time, but I read here somewhere that your ribs will never be the same!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited January 2012

    Angel, I also had sore ribs. It did eventually go away, but I think it took around a year (at least).

    Sigh.

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited January 2012

    Angel-I also had sore ribs after radiation. I'm about 20 months out from the end of rads, and while they still hurt every once in awhile, it's mostly gone.

    Mary 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sundermom
    sundermom Member Posts: 463
    edited January 2012

    I was told that rads could make my ribs more fragile and that I might experience " zips and zings" in that area for a period of time as the nerves try to figure things out again.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PlantLover
    PlantLover Member Posts: 622
    edited January 2012

    I still have intense soreness in my ribs and in certain areas where I was radiated and I'm 18 months out.  It is really painful if I accidentally hit myself or get poked in any of those areas.  

    My skin is still extremely discolored.  I started a thread about that awhile back and nobody else responded so I'm guessing my problems are probably rare.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonMH
    SharonMH Member Posts: 353
    edited January 2012

    Hi,  I am 18 months out from rads and my ribs are also still sore.  SharonH

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited January 2012

    I agree with the others.  My ribs were sore to pressure past the first year, but seemed to be resolved by the time I got to two years post-rads.  I did hear that the ribs are more "brittle" after treatment.  I am hoping that is not the case.  I really think continuing to stretch your torso/ribcage region is beneficial, because the soft tissue in the area loses some elasticity, which in turn restricts the rib movement.

    PlantLover,  At one year out, I was still 2-3 shades darker, now only one pale shade darker, but I can see the faint outline.  It is different for everyone, but I have not heard whether staying dark is a bad thing or not.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Angel123
    Angel123 Member Posts: 62
    edited January 2012

    Thanks for all of the replies. Plant lover, I'm sorry you are still experiencing discoloration. I just stopped rads Jan. 3, so I have a long way to go in the discoloration department.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PlantLover
    PlantLover Member Posts: 622
    edited January 2012

    elimar ... I don't necessarily think the discoloration is a bad thing it's just weird.  You can still see the complete outline where they used the bolus, a custom fitted piece of "plastic" used to increase the radiation during certain treatments.  It's just odd.  It was also strange that when my chemo onc saw me in November he said it looked more like someone that was only 6 months out.  Maybe it just means they did a REALLY good job & zapped me good, thus killing all those stupid cancer cells.

    Angel123 ...  Thanks!  Glad you got that part of treatment behind you!  I hope the rib pain goes away quickly!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 3xmom
    3xmom Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2012

    I seem to have just developed sore ribs, 3 years after ending radiation.  Anyone else have this delayed effect?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Angel123
    Angel123 Member Posts: 62
    edited January 2012

    I see my Radiation Oncologist in early Feb. I will try and remember to ask him about that,3xMom.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jean0078
    Jean0078 Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2012

    I have had 8 of the planned 25 treatments. I developed a sore feeling in my lower ribs after just 4 treatments. Also seems to afftect my stomach as have lots of indigestion. I told the RO and he just blew it off. Will complain again this week.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Angel123
    Angel123 Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2012

    My RO told me it was sore nerve endings from the radiation. I don't know what to believe. Are there any Radiologists out there for some input?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • youngmama
    youngmama Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2012

    I'm relieved to hear it is normal to still have some soreness months after radiation!  Thanks for posting ladies.  I'm about 4 months out and the whole chest area is still very sore.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • truebff
    truebff Member Posts: 642
    edited February 2012

    At about 2 months, I've had very sore rib-cage. I have heard that nerve endings may take 4 months (or more) to regrow!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories