Rib Pain

capinva
capinva Member Posts: 138
edited November 2015 in Pain

I am 3 years post mastectomy and have developed pain under the mastectomy scar and at the top of the rib cage. Also my stomach looks bloated. The pain is mainly when I sit. It also goes into my back. I went to the surgeon and she doesn't think it is anything but sending me for ultrasound and chest X-ray but not until May 18. I'm also concerned with the way my stomach looks. I stay within my ideal weight and work out so I'm not sure why this happened. Has anyone else ever had these symptoms?

Comments

  • Imagineme13
    Imagineme13 Member Posts: 22
    edited September 2015

    capinva, did you receive results from your X-ray? From my personal experience, itSounds like mets to the liver. Please keep us posted.

  • Therockandrollmom
    Therockandrollmom Member Posts: 21
    edited October 2015

    I am reading this post way after the fact, but am also experiencing rib pain. I had a lumpectomy, breast reduction/deconstruction, and radiation starting in February of 2015. My ribs have been achy with either a dull throbbing pain or intermittent sharp stabbing pain. It hurts to sneeze, laugh, or cough. I emailed my oncologist, surgeon, amd plastic surgeon. It's been ridiculous as all seem concerned but are blaming each other. The breast surgeon is blaming radiation oncologist, radiation oncologist is blaming plastic surgeon, and the plastic surgeon is blaming the medical oncologist. First off, too many doctors. Secondly, should I have this pain after 9 months? Help help

  • 614
    614 Member Posts: 851
    edited November 2015


    Dear Rock and Roll Mom:

    I had a double lumpectomy in my left breast with a breast reduction to my right breast and a breast lift.  It sounds very similar to your procedure.  I have not had any pain.  I am exactly 1 year post tx.  However, although I could feel my nipples right away after surgery, I could not feel my left breast.  I think that my nerves may have been damaged from the axillary surgery.  I am now starting to feel pain in my left breast and I think that my nerves are regenerating.  However, I attribute the pain to a hematoma that I have from an MRI guided biopsy that was done in May 2015.

    I hope that the doctors put you first and start looking into what is causing your pain.  Hopefully, they can find a way to treat you and find out what is causing the pain.  Hopefully, it is nothing serious and that the pain can be treated.  Good luck.

    Dear Capinva:

    I hope that you are ok.  Good luck and I am saying prayers for you.

    Dear Imagine:

    I hope that you are ok.  I will say prayers for you too.  Good luck.

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited November 2015

    I was told by my b.s.’s nurse that it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of years for nerve endings to reconnect, and the pain can be sharp and electric at first when that happens. Also, some women who get full-breast radiation can get costochondritis, which is an irritation of the connective tissue where the ribs meet the sternum. It can also happen as part of a viral respiratory infection. One person I know swears he gets it from eating gluten, but that sounds either like referred pain from the gut or the power of suggestion,

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