Could it be....

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jennyboog
jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi everyone,

For about 2 weeks now I've been having pain on my right, non-cancerous side.  It's about 6 inches down from armpit area, where my masectomy scar ends and at the front of my armpit.  I don't feel any lumps that are larger than normal but I'll have a sharp pain and it's tender to the touch also.  I had a masectomy on this side also and they left it fuller so I do have a little breast left which they say is fat not breast tissue.  Is/has anyone else had this problem?  Could it be....well, you know or am I being paranoid.  BMX was Jan.2011

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  • Celtic_Spirit
    Celtic_Spirit Member Posts: 748
    edited April 2013

    I have these same kind of pains...sometimes they're in the center of my chest, sometimes toward my armpits (I had a bmx). My onc said it's just nerves rerouting and regrowing and that it could continue for years. She said one of her patients had these pains for 10 years!

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  • TectonicShift
    TectonicShift Member Posts: 752
    edited October 2014

    I have pain on the "good side" sort of under the arm that my breast surgeon said is "sympathy pain." She said it means the tamoxifen is "working." It's because there is a lot of breast tissue under the arm and especially if some breast tissue was left behind on purpose there might be pain.

    Actually I have pains all over. I have a sharp pain in my neck and one in my clavicle. I went for my first full set of scans post treatment recently and I cried the whole day before getting results because I just KNEW the pain in my neck/clavicle was mets and my life would change forever once I got the news. But the news was ALL GOOD. NO METS!

    I have shooting pains in my torso, and joint pain, and frozen shoulder, and lots more pains. Of course if it persists, get it checked out. For peace of mind.




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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited April 2013

    Me too! I will get the same pains you describe for a week or two, and then nothing for a month or two. I started having them again the other day and remembered that I had lugged around a very heavy box the day before. I think you are ok, but get it checked out if it persists. Witha BMX, lymph node dissection and rads, I expect that it's my body's way of reminding me of what I've been through.

    Hugs

    Bobbie

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited April 2013

    Hi Jennyboog. I just wanted to say that I hope you feel better. I've read here if any pain last consistently for 2 weeks to just get it checked out for peace of mind. Hugs

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited April 2013

    Thanks everyone for you replies.  I'm probably be overly paranoid....for good reason, I know :)  I have been really busy lately doing yard work, painting, etc.   I'll give it a little longer and see what it does.  I act like I am 20 and shouldn't have aches and pains :) 

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited April 2013

    Yep Jen, Sounds like nerve pain. I get it too. Remember , if" it" comes and goes it's ok!

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited April 2013

    Sounds like nerve pain to me too Jenn, and if you are doing what I do and poking and prodding at it, it's probably irritated now. Stop pressing on it, leave it alone for a couple days, and it's still bothering you get it checked out. I'm sure it's nothing but peace of mind is worth a visit.



    (((Hugs))),

    Sharon

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited April 2013

    Sounds like you have been overdoing it.

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited April 2013

    I bet it's he nerves regenertaing themselves or could it be lymphdemia? Definitly does not sound like you no what...at all.

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited April 2013

    Jennyboog... Hope the pain has lessen and you're feeling better! I hate the anxiousness and fear that comes when each new pain. I also wanted to thank you for posting, on another thread, a pic of you without and with hair...you will never know what hope that gave me in the worst of times!!

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited April 2013

    Thanks hopefour...I'm glad it helped you.  Thanks everyone, it is still there and I called the dr, she saw me Thurs.  She did TM's and said it sounds like soft tissue or something like a pulled muscle.  It does come and go, feels like a tightness at times and sometimes its a burning pain.  She told me to take motrin for several days and give her a call if it doesn't improve.  Thanks for being there ladies, I knew ya'll would understand.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited April 2013

    YEA!!!!!! So happy to hear this Jenn!

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited April 2013

    Just got the call...TM's were normal!  It is so reassuring but still makes you wonder what this pain is...such is our life now :)

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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited April 2013

    Phew- what a relief. I had the exact same situation (on the cancer side) and panicked. My case ended up being a bad mattress! The pain disappeared within about 48 hours thereafter.

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited April 2013

    Yeah...so relieved for you...it's amazing how sweet the day becomes when we are released from our fears...hope taking some motrin helps!!

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited April 2013

    Ok, so TM's were ok but still having pains.  I will admit it has got some better but having sharp pain in what boob I have left now.  (they a left a little on that nonBC side, not sure why and I don't like it)  I don't know why this is happening, trying really hard to think positive and reassure myself.  This is a different pain and I've just not felt good lately either.

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited April 2013

    This really sounds like lymphedema to me, Jennyboog. Do you have lymphedema? I get this type of pain in this area sometimes.  It hurts to touch, sometimes it burns, sometimes it is a shooting, intense pain. I have had this issue from day one of treatment, almost three years now. It comes and goes. But I can see that you are really worried about this pain and it is not one you have had before.  Why don't you just ask for a scan for peace of mind?  You will feel better.....:( I know it is stressful but remind yourself you are doing very, very well. Sorry you are burdened with this worry. I want you to feel better!!! 

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited April 2013

    I have thought about LE.  I have some LE in my cancer side (left) but it's isolated, the dull aches and pains, arm going numb and with slight swelling around the elbow.  This is my other side and it was BC free, the pain is different and now it's moved to the little roll of boob left behind...it's so weird.  I just did a scan in Feb so that with the TM's tell me I'm good, I just don't know where this new pain came from.  Thanks for your support & replying.  I'm going to give it a few more days and call the dr if it doesn't improve.

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  • TectonicShift
    TectonicShift Member Posts: 752
    edited July 2020

    .

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited April 2013

    Jenny, even though it's your non-cancer side, it could still be LE. It would be a good idea to check that out.

    All the best.

    Leah

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited May 2013

    I had an appt today with my onc and she wants a scan.  I saw her back in April about it and she didn't think it was anything.  Well, since I'm still having it she thinks we should do it.  She still thinks it's nothing but says a scan couldn't hurt and it's fine doing one every 6 mths if need be....I thought that might be a bit much, I don't think I could handle it that often.  I love how compassionate and aggressive she is, she actually listens, everything an onc. should be.  Let the wait begin. 

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited May 2013

    Jennyboog....praying the scans come back clean...know how stressful the wait is. Know your sisters here are waiting and supporting you through this!!!

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  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited May 2013

    I'm sorry you are going through this. The wait and worry are so difficult. Fingers crossed that scans show no disease

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  • Cindi2011
    Cindi2011 Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2013

    Try to stay positive.  At least your onc is willing to do a scan.  It has been two years and in that time I never had anything....I just dont understand that.  Some times it really pisses me off even though I feel fabulous.  I have a girlfriend that went through chemo the same time I did and had the same onc.  She had to beg for a scan when she finished chemo and was told that she didn't need radiation.

    She got her scan that indicated more cancer behind the breast bone.  She has continuously done chemo of all kinds.  Yesterday they told her 2 months.  I cant wrap myself around it but you can bet that when I go to my appt. on Tuesday I will DEMAND a scan.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited June 2013

    Thanks everyone, I go next week.  I switched to this onc about a year ago...she is my 4th since this all started (some not by choice).  I'm so happy with her and I would have continued to switch until I found one I felt comfortable with.  Not everyone should be a dr and more yet not everyone should be an onc, they're a special breed.  I'm happy your friend got her scan and found it when they did but she shouldn't have had to go through that to get it.  One of my onc told me once, if chemo will work then it will work whether it's big or small so, we don't have to scan all the time and expose you to more radiation.  I got it, I understand but it's so hard to wrap your mind around it.  If chemo works great but why let it get bigger or go other places if we can not have it to, that's just my logic :)

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  • Cindi2011
    Cindi2011 Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2013

    My logic also.  I dont want a scan all the time, but would be happy if they would just check so that I knew they got it all.  It sure would help to move forward.  Instead my onc told me that this will shorten my life a great deal......no crap!!!

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited June 2013

    Hi Jenn, I am sorry you are having this worry and also dealing with an Onc that perhaps isn't the best fit for you. I would bet your Scan is fine.  and I understand that this onc wants to rule out all posibilities. The fact is we  will have these pains and weird feelings after surgery, sometimes years after surgery  I beleive it's  probably nerve pain and/or  scar tissue. Especially noticeable   after we've been utilizing our upper bodies more then normal, Ie exercsing gradening , etc

     If  the sxs  becomes more frequentt or more intense in pain, that's the key to investigating in further. I say this because mets sxs do not come and go.

    And I know this fear is all part of moving beyond BC. I would be crazy when I got these type of aches and pains for quite a few yrs after my dx. Now thankfully, it's not  the first thing I think of 

    Anway, I will keep all my fingers and toes crossed. Let us know when when you get the all clear!!

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited June 2013

    Jennyboog...have been thinking and praying for you...thanks for the up-date!! Hope next week shows all clear scans and you can get this behind you!!

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited June 2013

    PET was all clear!  Thank you all for your support and prayers, they worked.  Still no explaination as to what this new pain is but as long as it's not BC I will deal with it.  Thanks again for being there for me.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited June 2013

    Oh...taking a big, deep breath of relief.  Thanks for letting us know, and congratulations on the great news!

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