Zapping pain and wondering about reoccurrence issues

Oceanlove25
Oceanlove25 Member Posts: 28
edited March 2019 in Pain

I'm not sure if this is posted in the right place or not. I have IDC Stage 1b, Grade 2, er+pr+ Her/2-. I had a lumpectomy 2/5 and started arimidex and am going through radiation. Yesterday I had a zapping pain in the cancer breast 4-5 times. It was just a very sharp pain that lasted a few seconds. My breast is very sore and esp. when taking off my bra. Also, I am dealing with stage 1 lymphedema and am seeing a therapist twice a week for drainage and exercises. In reading a lot of posts I noticed many other posts with the same diagnosis, treatment (but some without hormone) and the fact that the cancer metastasized to the bones/lungs. My H/O said that the radiation reduced reoccurrence by 30% and the hormone takes it down to 2-3%. Yet here I read many posts that have metastasized .

Has anyone else dealt with very sharp zapping pains? How concerned should I be?

I am so grateful to this site and although I am still a newbie...I am learning so much! Thank you to all who take the time to read this post!!Hugs

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Comments

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited March 2019

    Hi there. So sorry you have to be here but welcome. As far as the breast pain, I wouldn't worry about it unless it continues. As far as recurrence risks, unfortunately there are no guarantees. Yes, people have had recurrences under all different circumstances. All you can do is make informed decisions. Also weight loss and daily exercise has been shown to lower recurrence rates by 40 percent. Good luck and keep us posted.

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  • CBK
    CBK Member Posts: 611
    edited March 2019

    Ocean

    I had zapping pain what I called “the zingers” after BMX. My PS said that it was nerve regeneration pain. It went on for months. Maybe that’s what you are experiencing? Talk to your BS to alleviate your concern!

    If that’s what it is they may give you gabapentin for it. I never took anything and it resolved.

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited March 2019

    I still occasionally have this type of pain, it is caused by nerves.

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited March 2019

    Oceanlove25,

    There's some selection bias among who is represented here. People who have recurrences are much more likely to be active here than people who are many years away from treatment and still cancer-free.

    There are no guarantees with outcomes. We do as much as we can to lower our risk, but in the end, odds are odds. No matter how good the odds are, some of us will be unlucky and end up composing the 'losing' side. Only time will tell.

    Follow your doctors' recommendations about ongoing screening and try to not let it take up too much of your mind. If it's causing you a lot anxiety that you are struggling to manage, look for help.

    Every single person in the world is only healthy until they day they are not, cancer or no cancer.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited March 2019

    As SummerAngel and CBK have said, zapping pains are caused by the nerves regenerating. They are perfectly normal and might continue for quite some time after surgery, as your breast tissue shifts around and fills in the spot where the tissue was removed.

    Nothing to worry about at all.

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