Post radiation pain

Mjdeaton
Mjdeaton Member Posts: 4
edited December 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

has anyone developed muscle tightness and pain in the side of the radiation treatment? I had rads to mastectomy site, axilla and chest wall. Now , 2 months out I’m having incredible stiffness and muscle spasms in my left shoulder and back.

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  • Alicethecat2
    Alicethecat2 Member Posts: 105
    edited November 2017

    Hello MJ

    I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. I had it too. At one stage I could not lift the mastectomy side to the right at all. But it went away and all is well now.

    Please be kind to yourself. Rest when you need to.

    Alice

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2017

    MjDeaton - Were you given exercises to do after your mastectomy? A physical therapist told me that tightness within 6 months of radiation is normal. I don't need to do the stretches as often now, but it feels better when I do. For spasms, try supplementing magnesium.

    Here's a link for a simple arm mobility exercise that I do (about 50 reps):

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/7/topics/850199?post_id=4972042

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  • Mumzy3
    Mumzy3 Member Posts: 18
    edited November 2017

    I finished radiation (16 whole breast, 4 boost) early July. I still cannot sleep or lie on the side that had radiation. Guessing this isnormal? How long does it last?

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  • Mjdeaton
    Mjdeaton Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2017

    I have started PT for stretching and strengthening . Also I talked with my lymphadema therapist who says this is normal as radiation causes muscles , tendons and skin to shrink. I bought a deep muscle foam roller at Dicks sporting goods and lie on it on the floor to rub out the kinks—-it’s feeks soooo good! I am praying that I can stretch the muscles and this resolves!!!

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  • Prairietwin2
    Prairietwin2 Member Posts: 35
    edited November 2017

    I am also experiencing discomfort after rads and starting Letrozole . Does stretching help this and does it go away after some time?



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  • DanielHunt
    DanielHunt Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2018

    Well, radiation therapy can cause different side effects for different people. As you said, you are experiencing stiffness and muscle spasms, I think it may be due to the medicines you are using for the treatment. You should consider some pain managing ways like acupuncture, taking warm baths, etc. to avoid pain. And if the problem still persist, you must talk with your doctor or any other oncologist available at breast cancer treatment options in New York about the side effects you are experiencing.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited December 2017

    I have lingering pain in the muscles around my shoulder since rads. I keep up with my post surgery stretching and do daily light exercise and it's been manageable.

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