Lower Rib Muscle pain

luaubee
luaubee Member Posts: 11
edited December 2016 in Pain

Hi, very new here, thanks in advance for being here. I have been reading and lurking since late August just before my Bilateral Mastectomy without reconstruction.

I now have a question on weather anyone else has felt this: a dull lower rib cage ache ? It began at about 6 weeks after surgery on the cancer. single node removal side and I had been feeling great, did a little weed pulling and moved a couple things I probably should not have (around 15 lbs).

This was 17 days ago and it still feels the same.

Feels like the rib muscles are pulling/sometimes rippling over the last 3-4 ribs directly under the scar in a space the size of my hand.

Dull ache, not changing much or going away.

I freaked out and went to urgent care after 2 days of Aleve not fixing it and they took x-rays which showed clear lungs and old calcification on those ribs, the doctor checked my urine (fine no kidney or bladder issue) and since I was sure my liver/gallbladder/pancreas were about to want out he also checked and found no tenderness in those areas including WAY up under the rib to reach the gallbladder. Apparently no scream of pain means it probably isn't any of those.

No jaundice, no vomiting, bowels regular.

He said to take anti-inflammatories round the clock for a few weeks apply ice/heat and let it settle down.

I was not convinced and it still ached and I went to my primary care who said all the same things and said I should see my BS since I already had an appt the next week.

Surgeon thinks it is muscles too and said they should settle down in a few weeks or months!

UGH! I know I over think these things but I just wondered if this was common at all or if I should shout until I get an ultra-sound to actually rule out organ involvement?

If anyone else has experienced this how long was it until it lessened or even went away?

I was doing SO good for 6 weeks now this!

Thanks!

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Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2016

    luaubee, we welcome you to the community ! We are sorry you are having this issue! Hopefully some others will have input, but if it doesn't get better, naturally go back to your bs for additional testing. Hoping this all clears up, and quickly!

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited November 2016

    I had a cord that ran through that area, if I understand what areayou are describing. I found a description online that said it could be Mondor's cording. Mine was there for a long time, but is gone now. Hopefully that is what you are feeling. I felt a weird ropy area below my surgery site that I thought was a new lump, but it wasn't. I've had a mammogram, ultrasound and MRI and nothing is there.

    Hugs, this is a scary disease.

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  • luaubee
    luaubee Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2016

    Thanks for the reply Italychick.

    That IS the area from bottom of scar to bottom of rib but I just felt it really well and even checked the mirror, no cord apparent but there are a few new teeny tiny veins visible that I haven't seen or perhaps noticed before. The area is smooth just a little swollen all over.

    I should note that my incision scar is still in the process of un-swelling and the underarm/ side boob fat is also still falling/wandering searching for a place to settle since it has no front attachment anymore.

    Maybe that is all this while thing is, I really hope so and that it is just gravity affecting the wandering side fat.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited November 2016

    I'm 21 months out from surgery and still have some pain over my lower ribs on one side. My surgeon and others have commented that the skin and tissue get stretched and moved around during the surgery and that it takes up to around two years for the tissue to settle down.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    Consider Costochondritus. It's an arthritic inflammation and extremely painful. I suffer from it and it has terrified me over the ears with its intensity. Now taking arthritic medication as I got older has helped but it still comes and goes.

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  • luaubee
    luaubee Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2016

    Thanks Ksusan and Barbie1958, at least I know this isn't just me, not that any of us should feel this way.

    I did read about Costochondritus (because the internet is here to feed my fear and over-thinking issues!) and with the surgery and the old calcification that is a real possibility.

    This dull ache is low level but tiresome and to a point of exhausting some days. I know it is still early days for healing but this came as a surprise, nobody ever said "oh, by the way your lower ribs might ache for weeks after a month or so!"

    Again, my thanks ladies for the ideas and advice, so glad I finally decided to sign in!


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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited December 2016

    My lower ribs have ached for years- long before I was diagnosed with BC. It comes and goes, sometimes for months - drives me crazy. After my dx, I asked for a bone scan, thinking that maybe it was cancer all along, but the scan came back negative. I've learned to live with it - I just take ibuprofen or tylenol when it flares up.

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