Post lumpectomy/MX and radiation pain in shoulder/chest wall

Options
BLinthedesert
BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
edited August 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hello Ladies,

I finished radiation about 2 months ago. First, let me say that I sailed through radiation with minimal short term side effects.  I was tired, but managed to exercise every day; I had radiation dermatitis that cleared up within 2 weeks of finishing rads.  

My lumpectomy tissue was 6cm x 5.5cm x 2cm and when down into the facia of my chest wall.  I had an awesome surgeon who "moved stuff around" during the surgery so although it is noticable when I am naked (and I have to wear padding now) is barely noticible when I wear a bra (even a sports bra - as long as it is good compression).   

I have had shoulder pain since my lumpectomy that has gotten worse since finishing radiation.   I did have cording during radiation, that apparently also has "healed" (according to my RO).  Mobility in my shoulder is extremely limited, and I have pretty much constant pain in it.  I also have a very very tight chest wall that makes it difficult to take a deep breath.  I can't really put my arm over my head - the muscles just feel super tight.  It pretty much hurts all the time, it is not the same "stabbing" pains that sort of come-and-go every once-and-a-while. The chest wall tightness was so bad that I thought I had asthma (because I couldn't take a deep breath).  I can run (I run a lot and am in very good health overall) - but I can't run fast, because I can't take a deep breath, and I can't "pump my arm" because of my shoulder.

My question for you all - have any of you had this?  How long did it take to go away?  Did you try any physical therapy?  (does it sound like truncal lymphedema?).

Thank you! 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Yovenne1953
    Yovenne1953 Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2013

    I had a lumpectomy a year ago tomorrow (6/12) and finished radiation on Jan. 17th.  I still have pain in my shoulder blade and at times is very uncomfortable.  I like to run on the treadmill and when I'm finished the pain is worse.  I guess it's something that I will have to learn to live with. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited June 2013

    Yovenne, you don't have to learn to live with it ... it will get better.  Since I wrote this I had some deep tissue massage - it hurt like heck.  It broke up the scar tissue, I could breath much better.  It was about 4 - 5 months later that I started training for my recent marathon - and 11 months after finishing radiation that I ran my fastest marathon I have ever run (at 50 years old!  I won my age group!).  This too shall pass.  Take it easy on yourself, be patient, but keep plugging away!  It has been a year now, and while I sometimes get a little sore - it has not stopped me at all!!!  

    Best luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mg23
    mg23 Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2014

    I shampoo vacuumed my house, kitchen and foyer, and now I'm having pain in my right back shoulder blade and this horrible, shocking, stabbing, pulling pain under my right arm and right side in general.  Is this normal?  I completed chemo Feb.1, 2013, surgery (lumpectomy, 16 lymphnodes removed from right arm) on March 15, 2013, and radiation June 26, 2013.  I called my doctors yesterday and they told me to take ibuprofen for 24 hours, I can go ahead and use my Flector patches I have in stock, and relax.  I have a lot of nerve damage and scar tissue that's probably the cause and of course me overworking my body.  I hope this is the case!  They told me to call them on Monday if there is no change.  Anyone else feeling this pain?  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nettie1964
    Nettie1964 Member Posts: 759
    edited July 2014

    Wow, I can't believe I'm reading your post!!  I've been complaining with back pain since a couple weeks post radiation!!  I've been seeing chiro and massage and this seems never ending!  Get's better then it flares again!!  I've been so scared of mets and I'm still not convinced!!  But when I see post like yours, it makes me think that maybe it's just what I've been told, damage from rads and surgery!!  and that it will take time to heal!!  I've been denied scans at this time, they say it's not needed!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited August 2014

    oh Nettie, I am sorry to hear you are in pain.  I went to my active release techniques, ART (http://www.activerelease.com) therapist.  Another alternative might be deep tissue massage - it is painful, but it worked for me.  

    Another option is egoscue (http://www.egoscue.com) - these guys do a combination of Pilate's and yoga ... It might help stretch those fried muscles out ☺

    Best wishes, and let me know if any of these help, I hope they do.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yoga_girl
    yoga_girl Member Posts: 234
    edited August 2014

    Nettie1964,

    I too have been seeing chiro and massage post rads.  Gets better then flares.  Deep tissue seems to work best, but is painful during the session to release but worth it.  Most pain I experience is the fasia on the
    chest wall as it feels like a sheet of burning tissue, then I know it’s time to get massage for release.  Mine was damage from surgery to nerves from lymph node removal and SE from rads.  I insisted on scans; must advocate for yourself, it’s your body.  Insisted on a baseline MRI with contrast prior to surgery.  Went into surgery feeling informed. Had MRI with contrast post rads for check-up, again feeling informed with the accuracy of the new testing available.

    BLinthedesert,

    Armpit pain (node surgery) has gotten worse post rads.  Also had cording prior to rads, it did not heal and is still being treated by my rehab team (massage), six months out (cording moves and changes throughout my arm).  Mobility is getting better, but slow to progress.  Very tight chest wall, deep breathe is a challenge.  Get a chest cold and coughing is painful.  White blood cells still very low. I think my intense pain is due to tumor being 1 inch from my heart growing on my rib bone under breast into breast tissue.  When they cut out to clear margins, took everything to skin and scraped bone.  Bone pain flairs intensely from time to time, can take your breath away as it comes on quickly. Before BC I was in very good health exercising every day. 
    It’s taking some time to build back up to post BC health. 

    ***** 

    Hang in there, it may be slow, but each day is a day forward to getting your quality of life back to a 'new' normal.




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories