Shoulder pain, what would you do?

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Vera66
Vera66 Member Posts: 54
edited February 2020 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

So I have been having pain in my left shoulder blade for two months. The pain comes and goes, is generally mild, only becoming moderate sometimes, usually in the evening. It is completely relieved when I lie down. NSAID's also help, although I can't really take them due to stomach problems. I do know that if I had this same level of pain before breast cancer, I wouldn't have even give it a second thought. I saw my MO a week ago. She ordered an xray, which said I have moderate arthritis in my neck which can cause shoulder pain. I am also taking Letrozole. She said that my symptoms sound like arthritis which has been worsened by Letrozole, and referred me for physical therapy and to see a rheumatologist. Even as I write this, it makes sense. She is a good doctor and I trust her. At the same time, this pain really causes anxiety. I know if I push for more tests, she will order them, but I have had bone scan a year and half ago and a ct scan 6 months ago. I doubt my insurance is going to pay for anything, and I'm not sure I even want it. I have had so many MRI's and CT scans for breast cancer and other issues, I really worry about the added radiation. I also worry that I am becoming a complete hypochondriac, and become so focused on my pain that I obsess about it. At the same time, I worry about ignoring something that is serious, so I really struggle to make good decisions. Thanks for all who have read this far. I would appreciate any input.

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  • ctmbsikia
    ctmbsikia Member Posts: 1,095
    edited January 2020

    It's hard, but what I do with any new pain or wtf moment I might be having is to tell my brain to STFU for a minute so I can hear my body.

    I think we do know when something is really wrong. Once something does go wrong, we think it will always be that way. Understandable but not always sane and rational. Arthritis does seem to be reasonable explanation. Pain that is consistent for longer that a 2 week period is when I would worry and reach out for help. Hopefully the PT and rheumatologist will help.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2020

    I agree with CTM. Hoping the PT will offer things you can do at home in addition to her services.

    I wasn't ER+ so can't speak to hormonals, but how long have you been taking Letrozole? If you're taking a generic, is there another brand you could try? Or is there some other drug with the same benefits so you could try to switch?

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  • Vera66
    Vera66 Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2020

    Thanks ladies. I know you are giving me good advice. Letrozole is a really hard drug and I guess I have to remember that and not panic. I have heard some brands have fewer side effects so I will ask my MO. I very much appreciate your help. Input from people who have been through it really makes a difference.

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  • Yogatyme
    Yogatyme Member Posts: 2,349
    edited January 2020

    Vera, I agree w the others and also appreciate the concern. I think once you get a ca dx, everything takes on a new hue. Arthritis sounds like a reasonable explanation. I had neck and shoulder pain for about a month last year (before bc dx) and had prophylactic oopherectomy in March. While in surgery my eardrum ruptured. Interestingly, my neck and shoulder pain resolved once the eardrum ruptured. Bodies can do weird things! I hope the PT helps!

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited January 2020

    Did you have radiation? The positioning for that can throw your shoulders out of wack, or exacerbate any problem that already existed that had not presented any symptoms yet.

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  • Vera66
    Vera66 Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2020

    Wow yogatyme that’s crazy! I hope my shoulder resolves less dramatically!! I did have radiation Alice. I have wondered if that impacted me because I found the process somewhat painful. Thank you all for the input. I feel much more confident that my plan is good.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2020

    PT helped my shoulder issues quite a bit. I know mine are exascerbated by my job and the Letrozole.

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  • Vera66
    Vera66 Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2020

    It's good to know that PT is helpful. Thanks.

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  • GlobalGal
    GlobalGal Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2020

    I have been having mild to moderate left shoulder/upper arm pain for 4 months, so my oncologist gave me a referral for PT (2 PET scans in 2019 show no evidence of disease). It isn't arthritis either, but could possibly be a side effect of Anastrozole therapy.

    PT is helping.

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  • Vera66
    Vera66 Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2020

    That's good to hear!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2020

    I had shoulder pain on the right side after my BMX. I had a frozen shoulder on the left side several years before. I actually ended up with surgery to relieve it after many months of PT. So I was so afraid of my left shoulder freezing back up. But I didn't have any issues with the left shoulder, it was the right. It felt like frozen shoulder but not quite to the extent the left was. I went to PT for a while for it. Then I had my fat grafting surgery and was off of PT for several weeks. I was supposed to go back after my surgeon released me. But I was able to do the home exercises they gave me and get it back to feeling normal on my own. I was just so tired of appointments that I decided I would do it on my own. I'm back to having what I would consider full range of motion on both sides again. The left a little less because I never regained full range of motion on that side after my surgery.

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  • sweetp6217
    sweetp6217 Member Posts: 365
    edited February 2020

    Vera66: your post gave me chills, my symptoms are almost the same. Discomfort in the rads shoulder and shoulder blade, itchiness in the shoulder blade, Frozen shoulder symptoms in both arms about a month ago. MRI revealed arthritis in the neck. I also take letrozole which most doctors say has nothing to do with the symptoms (WRONG!) and still no diagnosis for the frozen shoulders, etc. Physical therapy was mentioned but I won't do it without a legitimate diagnosis. My symptoms closely resemble PsA so now they want me to get x-rays for my hands and see a rheumatologist. That is on hold while I appeal the MRI claim denial.

    As for the x-rays and tests, one of my doctors described it as taking 1 & 1/2 round trips from USA coast to coast on a jet. IOW, not dangerous. I have anxiety too so I'm unloading it on my therapist who is helping me deal with all of this BC and it's effects on my life.

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  • smc123
    smc123 Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2020

    Vera66, After several months of shoulder pain I have finally started PT. I'm only two sessions in but my PT gal thinks that since my dbl mastectomy and reconstruction I have been overly protective of my upper body area and I self restricted movement. Now my nerves are a mess. I don't know but it made sense to me and I will to give it a try...sorry that I am terrible at explaining things. I almost cried with relief when she said I must have a high threshold for pain because I finally felt heard. Good luck:)

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited February 2020

    PT with a therapist trained in breast cancer rehab has helped me a lot.

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