Side Effects - Ribcage/Bone Tenderness and Swelling

ponytrek61 · July 2020

Hi all, Its been 18 months since I finished early breast cancer treatment - left breast mastectomy, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and 10 years of Letrozole. I actually feel quite lucky although the miriad of annoying side effects comes and goes. I wanted to find out from some of the other ladies here if you have experienced any sensitivity when you press on your rib cage on mastectomy side. I can't seem to lose this tenderness feeling and I have noticed in the last couple of months when I look in the mirror my left upper side sticks out farther than my right side so there is obvious swelling but no symptoms other than the tenderness to touch. I did have a bone scan last Summer which didn't show anything, a colleague in the NHS suggested it could be due to radiotherapy and I am now wondering whether it could be classed as lymphaedema. I know I will have to schedule another appointment for this but was wondering if, in the meantime, anyone had or has experienced anything similar.

Zillsnot4me · July 2020

sounds like what I’m going through. I believe mine is lymphadema. You need to see a licensed lymphadema therapist. I’m not sure how to move fluid in that area. I’m competent in manual lymph drainage and that works along with special compression garments for hand and arm.

I’ll keep you posted what I find out.

Lexica · July 2020

I am much closer to my diagnosis than you, but still 2.5 years out from mastectomy and still have rib sensitivity. It hasn't really gotten better or worse though, so I chalk it up to 'permanent damage' of some kind. My PT says the radiation or surgery affected my muscles and they pull up on the ribs causing them to almost touch and stick out a bit. Does yours seem to be getting worse?

Cowgirl13 · July 2020

I'm 11 years out and my upper ribs where I had radiation are really sore to touch, even touching lightly. I had a lumpectomy so it wasn't a big surgery. I had the shorter protocol--about 19 rounds. Anyone know what thats about? Thanks!

LindaKT67 · July 2020

I had bilateral mastectomy with left side lymph nodes removed as well as left side radiation. Last radiation of 28 cycles was 04/02/18. My left side rib cage is the same, like its moving to the side more and it seems to be raised up more. I've got other scarring issues also, implant rejections and such going on too. I see my oncologist for a regular check up in a couple weeks and plan to ask. I also have lymph-edema on my left arm, so I am sure its all part and parcel of the gift that keeps on giving.

Side Effects - Ribcage/Bone Tenderness and Swelling

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