What does metastasis to the ribs feel like?

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Misty879
Misty879 Member Posts: 41
edited July 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I'm almost a year out from having a mastectomy and recently I've been experiencing pain in my upper to mid quadrant area right underneath my breast. I thin it's rib pain but am not 100% sure as sometimes it feels like stomach pain or abdominal pain. It hurts if I'm sitting down like driving or going to the bathroom but not pain/pain it's more like a stretching/pulling feeling like I pulled a muscle and it goes up into my back area between where my bra strap would be. It's not exactly "pain" it's more of an annoyance and it doesn't hurt when I touch it but when I'm slouching the skin and fat there feels like it's squishing together and causing an itrritation. I've gained a considerable amount of weight since diagnosis (30+ pounds) so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it? And I'm also not wearing a bra anymore because no bra is comfortable for my fake boob except the mastectomy bra that has been worn out from wearing it almost a year straight so am not sure if the weight of the right breast hanging down and not being supported could be adding that extra pressure? It doesn't feel like it. I've been checked out by 3 doctors and I got a blood tests for my liver which came back normal and I also had a urine test for kidney issues and that came back ok too. My PCP said she thinks it could be gallbladder related, but it doesn't feel like that either. It feels like I've pulled a muscle but I've read on other forums rib mets can feel like a pulled muscle or they can have no symptoms at all as well as have all blood work come back normal. Is that rare for that to happen? Can anyone tell me what rib mets or rib pain feels like? Does this sound like that from what I've described? I'm really scared here!
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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited July 2017

    I haven't heard of mets to the ribs so I'm thinking that's highly unlikely. I have what feels like pain on my left lower rib that comes and goes, on not under. I thought that too but when I reported it I was referred to a gastroenterologist as it's most likely related to my digestive system. Have a colonoscopy which I've been putting off for almost 3 years now scheduled for 8/2. Call your MO.

    Forgot to say pcp ordered an abdominal u/s and also a pelvic/transvaginal one to get the whole pic. Found I had a 2 cm gall stone and lots of gas (which could be it), and ruled out other stuff. Pelvic u/s found 3 cm sized fibroids in my uterus so that seems to be why my uterus area hurts from time to time. So ask for at least the abdominal u/s. If MO won't order it ask your pcp. MOs order things to directly do with cancer stuff while pcps take care of the rest I found. My pcp does what I ask when I have bothersome symptoms if it's something that insurance covers and sounds reasonable to do.

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited July 2017

    I have mets to two ribs - 10th left anterior, 6th right posterior. I've never had any pain I can attribute to those mets. Lately I've had excruciating, sharp pain on the left side when I move certain ways or lay on that side - but it doesn't appear to be caused by mets but rather muscle/nerve pain from the UMX and/or DIEP.

    If you're concerned about bone mets and can't seem to pinpoint a reason for your pain, you could request a bone scan. That's how my mets were discovered, and now how I watch for progression. Pain isn't always an indication of mets, but if does mean something's going on. Good luck!
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  • Randi64
    Randi64 Member Posts: 177
    edited July 2017

    Misty, Thanks for asking this question! I have been away and only lurk on these boards since my dx in 2010. This was a fantastic resource for me at the time. I need help again. Im so so frightened as I have had rib pain for about a week and a half now. Started after i had a brief viral illness and a cough. It has progressively gotten worse. I first felt it just when I coughed in my right middle back. Now it is around the entire middle right side, sternum and middle back. It's worse when I sleep trying to get comfortable is hard. Im having a chest MRI with a focus on ribs on Wednesday. Can anyone tell me if this sounds like it could be mets?

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited July 2017

    Randi, it really doesn't sound like rib mets to me. Perhaps it is sore from too much coughing? I have a few rib mets and I can stick my finger on the exact spots, so my pain is very focused. Some people don't know they have them until they show up on a scan. We are all different though, so it is good that you are being checked. Good luck.

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  • norawaters
    norawaters Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2017

    My mothers dx was in December 2015. For over 2 months she is having a dull almost rheumathic pain on her left side (non cancer / opposite to lumpectomy side) that radiates into the breast. It comes and goes, doesn't get worse nor better and is tender to the touch. It never hurts at night or when she rests. But sometimes when she lifts her arms. She's been on Aromasin for 18 months and has rheumatoide arthritis. A US in Mai showed nothing. Tomorrow is our doc appointment. I'm scared!

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  • Randi64
    Randi64 Member Posts: 177
    edited July 2017

    Thank you for replying Freya. I feel the pain constantly but way worse when trying to go to sleep, get up from a chair ,turn over in bed, etc. ( I guess anything requiring core strength) I can also press where it hurts, which is along the front side and back. Im praying its from my prior cough, which was only for a few days. Oh, the waiting game. You are so wonderful to take the time to respond to me. I wish you the best in good health. I wish you did not have the knowledge to answer my mets question...

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  • Randi64
    Randi64 Member Posts: 177
    edited July 2017

    Nora, I hope your mom is okay. The waiting game is horrible!

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  • norawaters
    norawaters Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2017

    Thank you Randi! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you too!

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  • norawaters
    norawaters Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2017

    Back from the radiologists! Luckily in Germany they tell you the results immediately after the screening. My mom is fine! Hurray. They checked the lung too. All healthy and normal. Randi, I hope you are feeling better. Have you thought about a having Pleurisy? It's not that uncommon after a bad cold. Wish you all the luck for tomorrow!

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  • stephilosphy00
    stephilosphy00 Member Posts: 386
    edited July 2017

    yay, so happy for you!

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  • norawaters
    norawaters Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2017

    Thank you!

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  • srmaryfreddo
    srmaryfreddo Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2017

    Randi64, I had excrutiating pain in my right side and it was discovered 2 months later that I had 2 fractured/healing ribs on that side. Then I had a bone density test and was found to have osteoporosis. I'm told that this can cause ribs to fracture with even a cough. So I would suggest requesting x-rays to check for broken ribs. Blessings to you. Hope all works out well.


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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited July 2017

    sounds like lymphadema to me..in the torso.

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