Pain 2 years after radiation

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Kalypso2005
Kalypso2005 Member Posts: 20
edited March 2019 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I found this post after looking for a possible answer to my pain that is right below my left breast where a bra would be.  I am two years out from radiation. I also had to lymph nodes removed that were cancer free. I had stage 1 cancer.  The pain started about the time I had an esophageal problem that caused bloat and pain.  It has since been resolved but the pain is still there. I feel it mostly when I where a bra or lay down.  When I lay down it is like the area is stretched and gets painful.  I am not sure it is the bone because I have what seems like a swollen ridge of fat or muscle.  I have asked my docs and they do not seem concerned. Has anyone had this? Is it a result of the radiation which was on my left breast?

Thanks for any perspective.   

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  • Nancy2581
    Nancy2581 Member Posts: 1,234
    edited February 2017

    Hi Kalypso2005 - sorry I didn't see this thread earlier. Yes, I have pain now in exactly the spot you mention except on the right side. It was strange how it happened though. I went to bed fine and literally woke up feeling as though somebody stabbed me. I went to my family practice doctor after two weeks because the pain was relentless. He did an X-ray that showed nothing. That was 9 months ago. The pain got better, but never went away. I usually only felt it when I got up from laying on the couch. However, I seem to have injured the area again or it's somehow gotten worse, but not nearly as bad as when it first happened. What concerns me is the pain never completely goes away. I see my RO next month so I will discuss with him

    Nancy

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  • 7of9
    7of9 Member Posts: 833
    edited March 2017

    Hey, THANKS for this post. I have the exact same thing, same area. Same dull pain if I pay attention, sore to the touch if I press on it. Most days don't notice. I am one year out from rads to neck, breast, axilla, chest wall. My CAT scan showed 3 broken ribs that occurred sometime between recurrence diagnosis last January and this January (surgery, chemo, 25 rads). I knew my left side hurt like hell but thought it was chemo rads effect and went away after a few weeks last summer. What a scare this all is!

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  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited March 2017

    I get a dull aching pain in the same area that comes and goes. Doctors unconcerned and nothing showing on mri or ultrasound. I was convinced the rads effected the bones and tissues (which it does) and that I would have to live with it....that is until I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The pain literally feels like a broken rib when I'm in a flare up. Have your bowel movements changed at all? (sorry) You did mention stomach probs so this very well might be your colon aching. Not surprisingly after a colonoscopy my worst spot was exactly where the rads hit. Just another avenue you might explore....especially if you have changes in bowel movements (sorry again).

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited March 2017

    I still get that pain 4.5 years out from Rads - had it the other night in the exact spot you describe.  Always worries me, but it goes away.  Just had major checkup - nothing.  It is my left side - I have no breast.  I find it gets worse if I sleep on that side.  Then just as quickly it will go away, however, it is always a little sore if I press on it.


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  • Mariemartinmt
    Mariemartinmt Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2017

    I have pain in the breast that I had breast cancer in.

    I had it 2 years ago. My last mamagram,in Oct showed no cancer. I will have another in a few weeks. After my doctor gets back from her vacation.

    Could it be cancer again?

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  • Raebrewster1971
    Raebrewster1971 Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2018

    I had radiation treatments 27 years ago! I have pain in my ribs and that side is bigger than my other side ribs are bigger now! On top of that I was diagnosed wrong! After I had the radiation treatments they called me and told me I didn't have breast cancer after all! I tell everyone to get second opinion! I hope yours goes away! I was also over radiated because I had puss and junk coming out under my arm where they took lymphoid s out to check! I'm sorry I kept my breast! I hope your ribs stop hurting!

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  • PDX1949
    PDX1949 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2019

    Just saw this topic. I had intermittent pain on my left side after surgery and radiation last year. I'm currently going to physical therapy for lymphedema in my left breast (after PT last year for left arm). My PT is a lymphedema specialist and a magician. I mentioned the pain 2 weeks ago and she pressed different areas on my left side on the ribs. I yelled ouch when she pressed one area. She had me change my position (legs, head, etc.), keeping her finger on the point. 90 seconds later she pressed the area again and the pain was 90% gone. Haven't had any pain since. It's "strain-counterstrain" method by Dr. Jones involving the muscle as pain can travel or radiate from different areas. Hope this helps.

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  • letsgogolf
    letsgogolf Member Posts: 263
    edited March 2019

    I have the same dull ache/uncomfortable feeling and it's been 2 years. My team tells me that it is normal since my lumpectomy, breast rads and node rads. I notice it first thing every morning after sleeping on my back and then off and on during the day. I find myself feeling around to see if there i a lump there even though I didn't feel a lump the first time. Original problem found on mammogram.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2019

    Dear PDX1949,

    Welcome to the BCO community and thanks for sharing your story with our members. We are sorry for your breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and their side effects but very glad that you reached out. We hope that you will stay active here and benefit from the shared experiences of everyone who posts on the boards. You also might want to visit the forum for those with Lymphedema. Your story might be beneficial or you might find some information for yourself there as well.

    The Mods

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