Rib pain makes me nervous.....

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rn4babies
rn4babies Member Posts: 409
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I was diagnosed with DCIS last July. I had a lumpectomy and rads which was finished mid-December. I had my first follow-up mammogram last week and the radiologist told me she is pretty certain that I now have BC in the other breast. She was grim about it. She said they are casting-type calcifications which are branching. She also saw another "spiculated" area at the axillary tail. She called my surgeon immediately and my biopsy is scheduled for this Thursday.

I've had rib cage pain for about 6 months. It starts under the right side of my ribs in the front and is painful to the back. The soft tissue in between is very tender but the pain is constant. It almost feels like a wall of fire from front to back.

I saw my PCP in November for this pain who ordered a chest x-ray and abdominal US which was normal. She wanted a CT of abdomen but my insurance denied it. I had a gastroscope which showed just mild gastritis and a colonosopy which showed mild diverticulosis. Nothing helps the pain. I've tried alot of OTC meds. It's also not related to meals.

I'm more concerned now because of the possibility of an aggressive BC on that right side now. I've read that casting-type calcifications are usually signs of an aggressive BC.  Should I be concerned? I didn't mention it to my surgeon yet. I didn't want to appear as if I was a hypochondriac because of my prior DCIS diagnosis.

I'd appreciate any input or experiences from my BC sisters!

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  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited February 2012

    I think you should mention it but more so you can get relief. Rads can do funky stuff to the ribs, so I would more believe it is from that than anything else. But you need to get relief and piece of mind.



    And even if you sound like a hypochondriac that's better than ignoring pain that turns out to be something. And if your doc is a good one, they will listen to your concerns and won't treat you like you're a hypochondriac.



    Again, it's probably from rads but get it checked, get relief, and get piece of mind.

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  • 1openheart
    1openheart Member Posts: 765
    edited February 2012

    I am so sorry you are going through this again, especially so soon after your dx and treatment.  I don't have any answers to your questions, but I wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and I am sending calming, healing energy your way.  

    I, too, have rib pain.  Mine seems to be associated with the cording that has developed under my breast post surgery.  Take care and I hope you get some answers soon. 

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2012

    I think Reesie might be right about it being pain from the rads.  I had rib pain following mine, and still do if I touch them.

    Please impress upon your oncologist or PCP the severity of your pain so you can get some pain meds and get some relief.  If you can't get any relief, I would press for a CT or PET of your rib area.

    I'll be keeping you in my thoughts,

    hugs,

    Bren

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  • JeninMichigan
    JeninMichigan Member Posts: 2,974
    edited February 2012

    It the pain on the same side as your lumpectomy?    I had rib and liver mets and I didn't feel any pain from the mets.   However, after my lumpectomy and radiation, I had quite a bit of very raw pain in my ribs. all of my mets have been resolved so the pain was not from cancer but my doctor said probably from a combination of radiation, excessive scar tissue, and aggravation from it being on my predominant right side.    I hope the same is for you but I think anything like this should be thoroughly checked out.   For me, once they told me it wasn't cancer causing the pain, it became much more tolerable for me to live with it.  By the way, it has gotten better but after 3 1/2 years, it is still there and flares up at certain times. 

    Jennifer

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  • rn4babies
    rn4babies Member Posts: 409
    edited February 2012

    The pain is on the opposite side of my lumpectomy and radiation. The same side as the new area they found. I've had it before my surgery and radiation. It just worried me a little because they've ruled out gastro issues.

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