Muscle tightness/sore muscle feeling

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Kkubsky
Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
edited August 2016 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I am 3 months post rads/5 months post lumpectomy. Feeling great physically other than a tight,sore feeling in the underarm and upper arm area. I feel this mainly when swimming or stretching. Doesn't hurt, just sore. Anyone else experience this? Going for my first mammo in a month and I am trying not to get freaked out by the tight/sore feeling. Please tell me this is a normal sensation.

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  • ballet12
    ballet12 Member Posts: 981
    edited July 2016

    Hi Kkubsky,

    I am four years post lumpectomies (3) and I still occasionally get sharp (take your breath away) muscle contractions (think its the pectoralis muscles), often after either lifting light weights or other exercise. I have never even brought it to the attention of a physician. I assumed it was a side effect of all of the surgery in the area.

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  • Kkubsky
    Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2016

    that is what I am assuming too but it feels good to know others have had similar feelings.

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  • Caber224
    Caber224 Member Posts: 24
    edited July 2016

    I finished radiation in April and have lingering tightness and achiness in my pectoral muscle and outer bicep as well. I run daily and lift several times a week, and feel this when I am completing certain lifting sets. I spoke to the radiologist about this at my six week follow up and he said this can happen with muscle after radiation and should improve gradually over time.

    One thing I have found helpful is a foam roller. If you clasp your hands behind your head and keep your elbows out, roll out your back from top to bottom and you will get some nice stretching of the muscles impacted by radiation. I do this on most days, and it has made a difference

    Hope that helps!

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited August 2016

    According to my rad oncologist, radiation can make the fascia over the pectoral muscle less flexible, so when you stretch it, it feels tight and a little bit painful. Gentle stretching helps this, but I still notice a difference between the rad side and the non-rad side after 3+ years.

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