After Radiation

Helloooooooo sagina...

Hope everyone is doing well

Does anyone have shoulder issues post rads?? I had some shoulder issues before rads. but I could do my stretches ..  I have regressed quite a bit (it started with a bit of shoulder pain just after rads) and since my exchange surgery (May 11) I only have about 3/4 range of movement compared to before.. It feels like a nerve get pinched when I stretch and I get pain from my shoulder running down my arm halfway to my elbow.. Anyone else have these issues??

granny - Its hell getting old isn't it???  LOL!

granny - Yes we have and I have made so many wonderful friends along the way.

kingjr. - Forced menopause is more intense where natural menopause is spread out over the years.. not that it is any less intense with hot flashes and night sweats, but it is more of a shock to your body when they take the ovaries... Now the AIs that are given to us post-menopausal women, are SUPPOSED to be "not that bad" on SEs but the ONC put me on a 6 month break before we will try it again... I had a horrible time.

 Question for all: can you have lymphedema to the breast without it being warm, but just swollen and painful? 

ptdreamers  - I am 10 months post rads.  Yes I had a lumpectomy then a 2nd surgery to clear margins and one node removed with micromatastis. Then I had 28 rads to the breast and lymph nodes - the last time I saw the docs, both of them said it wasn't a seroma and the mammo looked good... The RO did say that it did look a little swollen but did nothing about it just said we would do another mammo in a year.

When I take my bra off you can see the indentations and pain is worse when I wear a bra... I guess when I might call and see if they could refer me to a lymphadema therapist and have someone tell me for sure... I just would hate for this to be something that I should have taken care of months ago instead of being on gabapentin and anti inflammatory/pain creams. I just don't really need another expense that I can't pay for :-P

Gmafoley, I would definitely get it checked out. If your insurance will cover an LE specialist then I would go to one. Good luck.

Thanks Granny for the pm and PTdreamers - I don't have insurance so this whole situation sucks... Sorry I don't use that word too often but today, with you all, I figured you would understand. 

GmaFoley called the therapist and see if they can do an eval without a doctors order.  It is legal in some states for them to do an eval.  If so you can go get the eval and then they can call your doctor.  If he is not going to be helpful have them call your PCP.  They just need a doctor to sign off on the actual orders.  use whoever is the most helpful to you.  My MO is usally pretty helpful with stuff like that.

GmaFoley - Sure am going to miss you.  Wish you weren't going away. You know you can come back anytime.

Grannydukes - I am still here reading but I don't want to be a bother making everyone upset with a problem that is not being solved in our little town...Love you all.

I really have no hope that the surgeon is going to do anything... Its just a mild swelling - unless I go for a walk or the weather gets hot ... When it got hot here last week, it swelled something fierce. DH sees the difference and told me its not my imagination, but he knows what I look like... Surgeon hasn't seen me for a good 6 months or so (when I told him about the pain I was having)... thats when he said,"It just takes time.. It will get better" At that point he did suggest gabapentin... Rambling again.. just need support that I am spending my money wisely going back to him for that referral.

Jo are you sure you want me to stay LOL....I guess I am stressing over this visit.